PM Society Advertising Awards 2010

The PM Society's Advertising Awards 2010 was also the 25th Anniversary of the Society's Awards. Growing from a relatively small event in the mid 1980s with 200 guests, it is now the largest annual gathering of UK Pharma industry and agency personnel, held at London's Grosvenor House on Park Lane, with an audience of 1250 people.

But what of the day itself? An awards ceremony which celebrates all that is great and good in pharmaceutical advertising is always a day to remember and this year was no exception. The exhibition was packed with guests viewing all entered work and sponsors and guests mingled in the Ballroom prior to the ceremony, an ideal opportunity to network and catch up with friends and colleagues. When called to lunch, everyone moved down to the Great Room with an air of anticipation and excitement and once everyone was seated the main proceedings of the day began.

Jane Gates, Director of Sebastian's Action Trust and mother to Sebastian, explained how her young son, who in spite of being diagnosed with Wilms tumour, a rare form of childhood cancer, wanted to help other children and families spend precious time together away from the trials of the punishing treatment they have to endure. In the month before he died in 2003, he launched a fundraising initiative to establish a holiday home for children and their families. A purpose-built holiday house – Bluebells – will open in May 2011 and we are delighted to announce that £20,000 was raised on the day to help fund its development. For more information about the charity and how you can help visit Sebastians Action Trust

Following this moving presentation, the celebratory theme of the past 25 years of pharmaceutical advertising was brilliantly encapsulated in a short film by two well known agency personalities, Frank Walters and Sue Wrigley. The film illustrated the massive changes within our industry, the country, our sense of style and fashion (!) and of course showed highlights of the most memorable advertising campaigns of the past 25 years. An edited version can be viewed again here.

Following lunch, the highly anticipated celebrity host, Graham Norton, entertained the packed Great Room in his own indomitable style, ensuring audience participation with a 'heads and tails' elimination quiz! In his most charming manner Graham then hosted the presentation of the 17 Craft and Target Audience judged Awards.

A full list of winning and shortlisted entries can be viewed here.

Neil Smith, PM Society Awards Chair thanked all of those who had entered work and joined in the celebrations and of course the all important sponsors who helped to make this Awards the 'must attend' event in the Industry's calendar.

Held on: 28/01/2011