Dialogue adds that its focus is not simply on collecting trophies but on leveraging the insights and learnings gained from both entering and judging these prestigious industry recognitions to push the boundaries of creative and strategic excellence. 

The agency says that with a banner year of award wins, Dialogue's leadership has gone beyond participating as contenders and taken on roles as adjudicators across some of the most influential platforms.

According to Dialogue, Managing Partner Jeremy Crowder served as a judge for 2024's New Generation Awards. Business Unit Director Cara Diener was on the panel for the PRISMS and Operations Director Cherna Lutta is currently part of the judging panel for the PRCA World Cup.

Dialogue says that these experiences have provided the team with invaluable perspectives on what truly defines success in the communications landscape and how the industry can elevate its standards collectively.

"Being on the other side of the table, evaluating submissions, discussing trends and debating the merits of different campaigns has been eye-opening," says Jeremy Crowder, Managing Partner at Dialogue. "It's allowed us to not only reflect on our own work but also understand where the industry is heading, what's being celebrated and what's being overlooked. It’s a process that's just as rewarding as winning because it challenges us to continually refine and better the work we do."

Gaining Insight Through the Judging Lens

According to Dialogue's team, serving as judges provides a 360-degree view of the industry that goes far beyond any single campaign or project. It offers a unique opportunity to:

Identify Emerging Trends

Being part of the judging panel helps to spot emerging trends and the evolving dynamics of communication strategies globally.

Learn from Best Practices

Reviewing and discussing top-tier submissions exposes judges to a broad spectrum of innovative tactics, creative executions and unique problem-solving approaches.

Benchmark Excellence

Seeing the breadth of work submitted across categories offers a clear picture of what truly stands out and, more importantly, why.

Advocate for Impact

The agency says that as judges, Dialogue's leadership has been able to advocate for the prioritisation of impact-driven campaigns that resonate beyond surface-level creativity, pushing for a higher bar across all judging platforms. 

"Judging is not just about evaluating others' work; it's an opportunity for us to learn, grow and bring those insights back to our own teams and clients," says Cara Diener, the agency's Business Unit Director. "It's about asking hard questions: Are we driving real-world impact? Are we leading with purpose? Are we challenging ourselves to redefine what creative excellence means? These are questions we want the entire industry to engage with."

Collaboration Over Competition 

Through these judging opportunities, Dialogue says it has not only earned recognition for its own campaigns but also gained greater exposure to 39 peers and industry thought leaders around the world. This increased engagement has sparked a deeper desire for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and mentorship, with the ultimate goal of making the communications industry more vibrant, inclusive and impactful.

"By stepping into these roles, we've had the privilege of building connections with incredible peers and learning from each other's perspectives. We want to turn these relationships into meaningful partnerships that help all of us — agencies, brands and practitioners alike, become better at what we do," says Cherna Lutta, Dialogue's Operations Director.

Beyond the Accolades: A Vision for Industry Advancement 

Dialogue says that its approach reflects a broader vision for the industry. It's not just about recognition but about using that recognition to drive growth, inspire new thinking and contribute to a future where award-winning work is not the exception but the standard.

To achieve this, Dialogue adds that it is championing initiatives that foster collaboration, set new benchmarks and encourage agencies to share insights, exchange best practices and collectively shape the future of PR. 

"As we look ahead, our focus is on creating opportunities for more engagement and open dialogue among industry peers," adds Crowder. "We believe that through collaboration, we can elevate the work being produced and create campaigns that have a genuine, lasting impact."

The agency concludes that with this ethos, Dialogue is inviting fellow practitioners, agencies and industry bodies to join the conversation and work together to redefine what excellence means in the world of public relations and communications. 

For more information, visit www.dialogue.co.za. You can also follow Dialogue on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of Facebook