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By MOSES NJAGIH
Kenya: A campaign rolled out by The Standard Group in the run up to the last General Election has won an award.
The campaign, which affirmed commitment to fair and balanced reporting and championed for peaceful elections, has won a global excellence award at International News Media Association (INMA).
The “Stand” Integrated Marketing Communication campaign, which also provided a platform for a reconciliatory debate following violence after 2007 polls, won the runners-up award in the public relations and community service category.
better life
Over 500 entries from more than 30 countries globally had been entered. The awards presentation ceremony was held in New York.
“Stand” emerged second to Colombia’s El Espectador, which was the winner in that category with their entry titled Bibo, which was a campaign in commitment for a better life.
The Stand campaign was developed for the Standard Group by Media Edge Interactive. Speaking when he received the award, Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei said the campaign was developed to set the poll agenda among Kenyans.
“It was necessary as a media house to think of our country following the difficult period we had in the 2008. We sat down and agreed that we could not remain unmoved and decided to take the bold stand to facilitate unbiased media coverage,” said Shollei.
Mr Shollei said winning the award in the hotly contested competition was an indication of the political maturity in the country.
He said it was important that the campaign was rolled in the run up to the polls to ensure that the political conversation that took place at the time did not plunge the country to anarchy as happened in 2007. Mr Shollei hailed the creativity employed in the ‘Stand’ campaign, saying it stood out and led to an international award.
Mr Koome Mwambia, CEO of Red House Group, which owns Media Edge, said the message was well delivered and contributed to successful election.
“The level of creativity that was employed to bring out the core message was exciting. The ‘Stand’ campaign was purely on what we believe in, fair reporting and educating voters,” said Koome.
He said the campaign was especially relevant as it came when there were fears locally and internationally that the country was going to face difficulties.
“Luckily, there is now a general agreement that the country is headed for an amazing economic and social success, which is what the ‘Stand’ campaign intended to achieve,” said Koome.
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