I received more great news this week – Social Web Thing has been shortlisted for ‘the best blogger PR award’ at the Communicative Relations Awards from PR Professionals – the light hearted awards affectionately known as the CRAPPs.

Once again, SWT is up against some tough industry competition in the form of Wadds PR Blog and Comms Corner. Both are favourites of mine and it is great to be compared to such great blogs. In addition, it is fantastic to be considered in the same vein as Tom Fordyce, Sally Whittle and Martin J Robbins et al, who are all experts in their respected fields with large followings.

There are also a host of other awards up for grabs including ‘The journalist that makes you feel warm and furry on the inside’ and Least twattish Twitterer – the must follow journo’.

Whilst, the CRAPPs aim to celebrate the ‘special relationship’ between PRs and the UK media, I must add that I’m delighted to have been shortlisted for the inaugural award.

The winner will be announced on 15 December 2010 and readers can vote for ‘the best blogger PR award’ here.

It’s always fantastic to gain recognition for something which started as a hobby, but developed into a passion. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed…

I received some wonderful news this week – Social Web Thing has been shortlisted for a social media award at the some comms awards organised by Don’t Panic.

The nomination is for Best Industry Blog and SWT is up against some great competition in Wadds PR Blog and We Are Social. Both blogs are personal favourites of mine and have been part of my blogroll and reader for a while now, so it’s a real privilege to be thought of in the same vein as these two industry big hitters.

I must add that I’m delighted to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award for the inaugural ceremony at one of the UK’s top event management companies.

The winner will be announced at the some comms awards ceremony which takes place at the Hilton Hotel, Deansgate, Manchester on 9 December 2010.

It’s always fantastic to gain recognition for something which started as a hobby, but developed into a passion. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed…

Wow! Yesterday I won a social media award for the Best Practitioner/Researcher blog at the European Public Relations Education and Research Association Spring Symposium or #ess2010 for short.

This year’s conference is a 3 day affair taking place at the wonderful University College Arteveldehogeschool in Ghent, Belgium and plays host to many of Europe’s top PR academics. It has been a teriffic opportunity to network and actually meet people face to face having read many of their tweets, blogs and feature articles over the years.

I’m delighted to have won the award and must confess that I’m exceptionally proud, if slightly surprised given the strong standard of blogs that SWT was up against. As I said throughout my presentation with Neville Hobson and Philip Young, the success of SWT has little to do with me and much to do with the many people who have kindly given their time to answer Q&As or give opinions – which in turn have stimulated much debate. So thank you all.

In particular, I’d like to thank the following:

• Antonia Katsambis
• Marshall Manson
• Matt Churchill
• Ollie Money
• Stephen Waddington

It is their views and insights which have added real value and a fresh perspective to SWT.

I recognise that over the last couple of months the blog has taken a more employability focused approach – this was not a deliberate change, but is something that the blog is increasingly becoming recognised for.

Rest assured I still plan offer my views, as well as hoping to become something of a resource for graduates and young people looking to get into the PR industry – I seem to have found something of a niche. Indeed, it is these topics which people seem to engage with most and for me creating a dialogue, rather than a monologue is always pleasing.

I didn’t quite manage to find that bottle of Champagne last night, so ended up toasting the success of SWT with a couple of tasty Belgian beers.

I received some great news this week – Social Web Thing has been shortlisted for a Social Media Award by the European Public Relations Education and Research Association (EUPRERA).

The nomination is for Best Practitioner/Researcher blog and SWT is up against some really great blogs in PiaR, Cyber Footprint, Compelling Communications, Richard Millington and That’s PR.

I must say that I’m delighted and somewhat surprised to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award at the annual gathering of Europe’s top Public Relations academics.

There will also be awards for the Best Student and Group blogs and the nominations can be viewed on the Publicsphere blog.

The winner will be announced at the EUPRERA Spring Symposium which takes place on 25-27 February 2010 in Ghent, Belgium.

I’ve never been to Belgium…so fingers crossed.