Weber Shandwick Celebrates Wins at 2020 PRWeek Global Awards

Weber Shandwick celebrated major wins across APAC, LATAM and the Middle East at the 2020 PRWeek Global Awards, which honor excellence in PR and cross-region communications.

Baxter Jolly, CEO, Weber Shandwick Asia Pacific, was named Best PR Professional in Asia Pacific. A PRWeek judge noted, “Jolly has expanded his legacy beyond creative solutions and strategic acumen to also encompass a consistent and impactful investment in addressing the world’s most pressing societal issues.”

“Baxter has been an extraordinary visionary for our agency and our industry. For over two decades, I’ve been fortunate to witness the admirable way Baxter fuses disciplined strategic thinking, careful listening, endless compassion and humility as a leader. No doubt the judges also recognized this ‘Baxter way’ and how it has led him – and our APAC business – to such great success,” said Gail Heimann, president and CEO, Weber Shandwick.

Weber Shandwick LATAM and Weber Shandwick MENAT were both named best agencies in their respective regions, marking the first time either region has been recognized with the honor. The judges noted each region’s strong growth and results, specifically calling out LATAM’s “ambition” and MENAT’s “particular progress around diversity and inclusion.”

Weber Shandwick and National Award-winning film director and producer Vibha Bakshi were recognized for Son Rise, a documentary that told the real-life stories of men standing up to fight gender bias to make India a safer place for women. The collaboration won in the Issues and Crisis category and was named Best Campaign in Asia Pacific. The campaign also received a high commendation in the Global Citizenship category.

Regarding Son Rise, one PRWeek judge said, “An exceptional campaign that uses real behavioural insight to effect change. The engagement generated and sweeping change from those in positions of influence is impressive, and the organic, yet structured way this has developed, would suggest that real and lasting change has been kick-started.”

Additional campaigns with client partners received high commendations:

• “Nespresso RE:CYCLE” with Nespresso in the Corporate and Social Responsibility category
• “Railroad Ties” with Ancestry in the Product Brand Development category

“Our teams around the world are united by their creative chops, solving mindset and relentless drive to create game-changing work in partnership with our clients,” said Heimann. “I raise a virtual, cross-regional toast to all being recognized — these honors are richly deserved.