The UnAwards 2025 entries are open, and the spotlight is yours.
It's that time again. Not just fireworks and festive plans…
It's UnAwards season, where the boldest, brightest, most human communications (and communicators) get their well-earned moment in the spotlight.
by Alan Oram
Here at Alive With Ideas, we're delighted to be judging the Best Creative Comms Work category again. It's a category packed with imagination and one that always surprises us.
And guess what?
You don't need a big team, a massive budget, or a full production studio to enter. You just need a spark and a story.
This is a free-to-enter celebration of brilliant ideas, brave choices, and the kind of comms that actually make a difference. Whether you're ready to submit or still wondering, "is this even creative enough?" this one's for you.
Five stories that stole the show last year
Last year's entries were wildly different, and that's exactly the point.
This category thrives on variety, and here's proof:
Little Heroes – A child-led attendance campaign with grounding exercises and a superhero identity
Fettlers – A place brand forged in dialect, history and working-class pride
Innovation Month – 24 live internal comms events building transformation from the inside out
Kitchen Nightmares – A horror spoof, disco lyrics and takeaway tips that cut fires by 20%
Just One Thing – 24 small nudges that turned New Year intentions into joyful local action
All different: different goals, different tones, and different media. But all with a spark of creativity.
Your name in lights? You could be next.
Whether your campaign is bold and brash or quiet and clever, this category is for work that connects. So, before you hit "submit", ask yourself:
1. Have we shown what we were trying to do?
2. Have we made the creative angle easy to spot?
3. Have we explained the difference it made?
4. Does it feel human, thoughtful and true to the audience?
And if you're not sure if you've ticked every box… submit it anyway.
We've heard this from past entrants again and again:
"I learnt so much by doing it."
"We refined our story more each year."
Sometimes, writing your entry helps you realise what you have done. So, use this as a chance to reflect, learn, and share something you're proud of.
The main event: UnAwards day at the Everyman cinema
Entering is the most important thing. Being shortlisted or winning? Now that’s a moment of magic.
But… attending? That's when the curtain rises on something truly special.
This year, we'll be back at the Everyman Cinema in Birmingham on Thursday 5 December for a day of:
1. Awards, applause and kind words
2. Laughs, claps and possibly a few tears
3. A movie moment
4. Time to connect with friends, colleagues and creative conspirators
For many of us, it's the unofficial kick-off to Christmas and a rare chance to celebrate YOU, the brilliant people behind some wonderful work.
There's nothing to lose – ENTER NOW
Submit your entry: https://www.comms2point0unawards.co.uk/reservations
Explore the categories: http://www.comms2point0unawards.co.uk/menu
See past winners: http://www.comms2point0unawards.co.uk/the-winners
BONUS CONTENT:
Coming soon: Stir creativity workshops
Darren and I have talked about this for a while… and following our Stir Creativity event, we've been well and truly stirred.
In 2026, we're launching Creativity Workshops, half-day or full-day sessions designed to unlock imagination, unstick stuck ideas, and bring creative energy into the everyday.
These will be hands-on, energising, and full of ideas you can put to work immediately for comms teams, cross-functional groups, or anyone ready to do things a bit differently.
Interested? Get in touch now and we'll keep you in the loop.
Alan Oram is director at Alive with Ideas, sponsors of the UnAwards
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