West Midlands Media Awards 2007
Birmingham Press Club, the oldest press club in the world, has launched the Midlands Media Awards 2007.
The awards, which recognise and reward the achievements of the media
industry in the region, will take place on 21 November (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE) at Baskerville House,
in Birmingham city centre.
Baskerville House, one of Birmingham’s landmark buildings, has recently
been renovated in a multi-million programme by developer Targetfollow.
Prior to it being occupied, Targetfollow has handed over the top floor
of the building – which has panoramic views of the city – for the awards.
Also, to add to the fun, this year’s awards will have a New York theme
– and this will include transforming part of Baskerville House into Central Park.
After the awards ceremony, the celebrations will continue at nearby nightspot
Mechu, in Summer Row, which has recently undergone a £1m facelift.
As in previous years, the awards will be open to journalists from all sectors
of the media, including newspapers, radio and TV.
There are 13 award categories in total: newspaper of the year; scoop of the
year; headline of the year; news photographer of the year; sports photographer
of the year; sports journalist of the year; news reporter of the year (daily);
news reporter of the year (weekly); newcomer of the year; business journalist
of the year; feature writer of the year and the Trevor Roberts award, which is
aimed at upcoming photographers. The cut off point for entries this year is 28
September.
The awards will be hosted by Andrew Pierce, assistant editor of one of Fleet
Street’s top newspapers, The Daily Telegraph.
John Lamb, chairman of Birmingham Press Club, said: “This awards scheme is
one of the most anticipated fixtures in the Midlands’ media calendar.
“The venue for this year’s awards is also highly unusual – I think we can
safely say unique – which will also boost interest in it. My advice therefore,
to anyone interested in taking part, from sponsors to entrants, is not to leave
it too late.”
Targetfollow Director Ian Fox said he was pleased to offer the use of Baskerville
House for the awards, and believed the event would be a showcase for the building.
“I’d be surprised if there was a precedent for this – the building is one of the
best known in the Midlands, and following the refurbishment is once again looking its
best. However, I can’t wait to see it transformed into Central Park!”
A number of leading companies are being lined up to back the event, which is being
underpinned by the Press Club’s overall sponsor, Royal Mail.
Any business or organisation interested in sponsoring the awards should contract
Kay Cadman at Core Marketing on 0121 643 8151.
