Recognising successful internal communications practices that assist in building a culture to support strategy execution and effective communication with other core functions within the authority.

2011 Winner: Department for Work and Pensions - Personal data campaign
Following high profile data losses across Government, DWP developed a character driven campaign to build staff awareness and an understanding of the consequences of non-compliance. The campaign was based on detailed insight that whilst staff recognised the importance of data security, they reported personal compliance and assumed any risks lay with others. The approach tackled this perception head on with a visually engaging ‘I’ graphic character, personifying individual responsibility with its ‘I will do my bit’ tagline. A series of 90 second videos illustrated real-life scenarios, with volunteers selected through a ‘have you got the i-factor?’ competition. Staff inclusion ensured the films remained credible, and significantly reduced costs. The multi channel approach delivered high levels of awareness.

Commended: Ministry of Defence - Soldier Magazine
Produced by the Ministry of Defence, Soldier Magazine provides information to troops while promoting positive impressions of the Service externally. The magazine is trusted to deliver a balanced and credible view, while providing a channel of welfare information and contributing to the upkeep of morale. An example of its effectiveness was highlighted when the title was called upon by the head of Army bomb disposal to publicise the organisation’s training course. Within days of the magazine hitting barracks, the EOD team was inundated with calls from personnel keen on becoming operators – a role crucial to preserving lives in Afghanistan. With circa 70,000 copies per month produced, printed and distributed for £16,000 per issue, Soldier offers value for money.

Commended: Hertsmere Borough Council - Hertshere magazine
The small Corporate Communications team at Hertsmere led on a campaign to improve its internal communications, revamping all methods and launching a number of new mechanisms. It has been a resounding success, and a staff survey in May 2010 found that 88% of staff felt the council kept them informed (30% increase on 2008) and 79% trust the information issued (compared to 58% in 2008). Key to this is the internal magazine Hertshere, produced bi-monthly, entirely in-house. Changes have been made to the content and format based on feedback from staff. In May 2010, Hertshere was rated as a preferred method of getting information in a survey which also found that 39% feel communications has improved in the last two years.

Commended: Portsmouth City Council - Marketplace
An internal survey told Portsmouth Council that employees (87% of respondents) like communicating via the staff intranet. It designed Marketplace, a internal web application with three areas: news, forums, and free ads. Marketplace news provides a space where all staff can post articles/events. This saves the Council’s PR team around an hour a day administering the old intranet news area. Marketplace forums provide an online space where employees can ask questions and participate in discussions. A free adverts section encourages staff to use Marketplace by providing a tangible benefit at virtually no cost to the council, and saves money by facilitating internal recycling of everything from furniture to box files.

Commended: National Offender Management Service - Changing Lives Brand
Over the past 12 months, The National Offender Management Service’s (NOMS) newly centralised internal comms team has shaped an account manager model to deliver communications in HR, security, rehabilitation and organisation change. By introducing a new employer brand ‘Changing Lives’, and a myriad of communications guides and templates for managers, NOMS has engaged with employees and helped to reduce costs. The intranet has been overhauled and usage has increased by 10 per cent. In order to reduce costs, NOMS Communications has delivered alternatives to events by hosting large scale, managed phone conferences. These met an approval rating of 98 per cent.