National Gong for Visit Essex and Big Wave PR's #THISISESSEX Campaign

14th October 2021

Visit Essex, the county’s tourism body and Big Wave PR, a leading lifestyle and B2B PR agency, have walked off with a top national award for #ThisisEssex, a campaign which challenges the Essex stereotype. 

Visit Essex and Big Wave PR had already won a PRCA Dare (South East) award and were advanced to the national Grand Prix where they battled against competitors from across the UK. The results were announced at a gala ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel, London on 12 October. 

Cllr Mark Durham, Chair, Visit Essex, is over the moon with the accolade. He says: “This is the icing on the cake! #ThisisEssex has been a standout campaign that has transformed opinion about the Essex stereotype and has placed the county on the map for so many wonderful reasons. The team has worked incredibly hard on the project and this is excellent recognition for the work we do.”

#ThisisEssex took a wry look at the Essex stereotype, worked to instil local pride in the county and has started to reveal a new narrative for the people and places in Essex. Highlights of the campaign included coverage on This Morning, BBC Breakfast and across all national newspapers. 

The campaign was launched and developed by award-winning Essex-based PR and marketing agency, Big Wave PR. Hilary Collins, Founder and Managing Director, Big Wave PR, says the campaign was a game-changer: “All of our team are based in Essex and it’s been an absolute pleasure to produce such an award-winning campaign on an issue we’re so passionate about. The results though are truly impressive and I’m so proud of every single person who has helped us deliver a campaign which has received national acclaim.”

The campaign was also awarded a Gold and Silver at the regional CIPR Pride awards at the start of October. 

To find out more about Visit Essex, www.visitessex.com and Big Wave PR, www.wearebigwavepr.co.uk. 

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For further information:
Hilary Collins, Big Wave PR, Tel: 01206 231807, email: hilary@wearebigwavepr.co.uk