Communiqué Communications Consultancy of the Year

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This category is open to any consultancy working in the healthcare communications sector, delivering programmes such as strategic communications, external engagement, creative development, corporate reputation, disease awareness, integrated multi-channel work or scientific communication.

Entries should focus on the consultancy’s achievements during the eligibility period, demonstrating excellence in insight, strategy, creativity, delivery, client partnership and measurable outcomes.

If the consultancy is part of a larger organisation or network, you must disclose the nature, frequency and extent of any centralised support provided (for example, HR, finance, IT, creative studios, proprietary platforms or specialist teams). This ensures fairness when comparing independent consultancies with networked agencies.

Entrants must also reference at least one submission from the Healthcare Communications categories and include it in supporting materials.

2026 process

There are two stages for this award.

Stage 1 – Written entry

Completed using the criteria below.
No marks are awarded for an oral presentation at this stage.
Judges will review all written submissions and shortlist consultancies to progress to Stage 2.

Stage 2 – Live presentation

Shortlisted teams will be invited to present to the judging panel on 22nd May 2026

  • Stage 1 scores will not carry forward
  • The live presentation is judged independently
  • Presentations should be no longer than 10 minutes, followed by Q&A
  • Judges will look for evidence of adaptability, resilience, innovation and effective business performance
  • Up to four team members should hold this date
  • Judges recommend including a member of your finance team to support discussion of financial statements

Full details will be sent to shortlisted teams by Friday 8 May 2026.

JUDGING CRITERIA AND ENTRY FORMAT:

Consultancy Award key information form

Must be fully completed and submitted. All financial information MUST be signed off by an accountant or Finance Director.

Executive Summary (max 200 words) – 0 (zero) Marks

If you are nominated for an award, PMGroup may publish extracts from this summary, so ensure that it contains no confidential or sensitive information. No other part of your entry will be reproduced and the main content of your entry will remain confidential at all times.

Photo

Please upload a high resolution, print quality photograph or collage of the team.

Main Entry

1. Situation analysis and benchmarking – 10 marks (400 words)

Set out your consultancy’s starting point at the beginning of 2025.

Include:

    • the communications, societal or industry landscape shaping your clients’ needs
    • opportunities or challenges for communicators during the period
    • any key developments emerging between Q4 2024 and 2025
    • benchmark data or indicators you will reference later
    • a brief overview of your consultancy’s culture, ethos and values

Judges’ checklist

    • Is the environment clearly and succinctly described?
    • Is the consultancy’s starting point relevant and evidence-based?
    • Is all data later referenced?

2. Proposition and marketplace need – 10 marks (400 words)

Define what makes your consultancy distinctive.

Include:

    • your core proposition and positioning
    • the marketplace needs or client challenges you address
    • how your proposition evolved in response to trends, insights or feedback
    • alignment with your long-term vision and values

Judges’ checklist

    • Is the proposition clear and specific?
    • Does it address real marketplace needs?
    • Is it differentiated without generic claims?

3. Business strategy and evidence of delivery – 25 marks (500 words)

Outline your business strategy for 2025.

Include:

    • your strategic priorities and why they were chosen
    • how the strategy responded to shifts in communications, audience behaviour or channel expectations
    • how it positioned the consultancy for resilience, creativity, effectiveness or integration
    • evidence of delivery across client, financial, creative or operational performance

Judges’ checklist

    • Is the strategy clearly linked to the situation analysis?
    • Are outcomes specific, measurable or benchmarked?
    • Have you demonstrated innovation and adaptability?

4. Operational/internal expertise and success – 25 marks (500 words)

Demonstrate operational excellence in 2025.

Include:

    • talent development, capability building and wellbeing
    • recruitment, retention and development of specialist skills
    • operational improvements or innovations introduced in 2025
    • how AI and technology strengthened capability, creativity, quality or efficiency
    • disclosure of whether AI/technology solutions are proprietary, adapted or third-party
    • actions relating to:
        • diversity and inclusion
        • environmental sustainability and reduced environmental impact
        • strengthening internal culture
    • how these improvements enhanced client delivery or creative, strategic or scientific outcomes

Judges’ checklist

    • Is operational development clearly evidenced and specific to 2025?
    • Is AI/technology use transparent and proportionate?
    • Are DEI and sustainability actions credible and appropriate to scale?
    • Are operational improvements clearly linked to stronger client outcomes?

5. Challenge, response and learning – 10 marks (150–200 words)

Provide a concise account of one challenge or setback experienced between the start of Q4 2024 and December 2025, explaining:

    • what occurred
    • how the consultancy responded
    • what long-term learning or improvement resulted

Judges’ checklist

    • Is the challenge real and substantial?
    • Does the response demonstrate resilience and sound judgement?
    • Is the learning clearly embedded into future practice?

6. Client success and satisfaction in 2025 – 40 marks (750 words)

Showcase three examples of client work delivered during 2025.

Include:

    • the client’s objectives and communications context
    • clear evidence of outcomes achieved (not just activity)
    • impact on behaviour, perception, understanding, engagement or organisational value
    • relevant measurement and benchmarking
    • client or third-party testimonials that directly support your claims
    • disclosure if work is also entered into other Communiqué categories

Judges’ checklist

    • Are outcomes clear, meaningful and measured?
    • Do the examples demonstrate breadth and depth of communications expertise?
    • Do testimonials add strong, relevant validation?
    • Does the content reflect this section’s weighting as the most important part?

Supporting materials

Include referenced submissions from other categories and any evidence supporting the entry.