Freelance consultants too often go unrecognised for the sterling work they do, overlooked as fellow team members bask in the glory of a successful campaign. So Xchangeteam created the awards in 2003 - so that the very best could be showcased and celebrated and your contribution recognised.

2008 will see the event’s fifth year - and this one promises to be the biggest and best yet! An eminent array of judges from the marketing, media and communications community will select eight category winners and one overall winner. The prizes will then be handed out at a glittering ceremony in a top London venue in February 2009.

The categories this year are Advertising, Design, Digital Excellence, Editorial, Events, Marketing, PR & Communications and Public Affairs & Political Communication. There is also an overall Grand Prix Award winner chosen from all the Award categories.

Entering is easy - just fill in our short application form at www.freelanceroftheyear.co.uk.

The prestige that accompanies these Awards guarantees a real boost to the profiles of the lucky winners, so if you have worked on a project and feel your work deserves genuine recognition don't delay!

Last year’s winner, Rona Levin, commented on winning the title:

"Winning the Award has also had a huge impact on my career, in terms of being able to raise my profile in the industry and attract the interest of potential hirers. Freelancers usually work in the background and don't seek attention for their work, but one person really can make a difference which others value. The Awards recognise that contribution and celebrate it."

Winners from 2007:

Rona Levin – Overall Winner and Winner of the PR & Communications category

Rona won the Award for her work for the British Library’s ‘Sacred’ campaign. Her client Catriona Finlayson says that “Rona was pivotal in making 'Sacred' our most successful exhibition ever in the history of the British Library, securing our highest visitor numbers and a threefold increase in coverage compared with our previous best! Rona’s overarching vision saw her reaching far beyond our expectations. She created and relentlessly pursued every opportunity, from Newsweek to Sewing World, with thought-provoking, headline-grabbing “pitches”, changing press preconceptions of Sacred being just about “dry and dusty” books.

According to PR & Communications category judge, Dominic Shales, “Rona clearly demonstrated that she had gone the extra mile for the client, achieving a fantastic volume and quality of media coverage that made a very tangible difference to the success of the exhibition. Her enthusiasm for the brief shone through and her success shows that with a combination of dedication, passion, creativity and smart thinking a freelance consultant can make an impressive and measureable impact.”

Freelancer of the Year and winner of the PR & communications category, Rona Levin

Andrea Balboni – Digital Excellence and Design & Advertising Categories

Bill Wallsgrove, judge of the D&A category said of Andrea that he really liked her pro-active stance on developing digital design within the company. Her client Richard Wise at Wardour said “what sets Andrea apart is her proactive approach to work – something I have never found to this level in a freelancer. The way Andrea prepares and is forward-thinking in her planning of projects has meant very positive feedback indeed. She has been an invaluable asset to Wardour and also a pleasure to work with”.

And Xchangeteam’s Digital Design Team Leader, Neil Hamilton said that, “Andrea’s passion for ensuring that Digital was at the heart of the work she was doing set her apart.”

Digital Excellence and Design & Advertising winner, Andrea Balboni

Amanda Rayner – Events & Marketing Category

Amanda won the Award for her work on clients including APM, the MS Society, Tommy’s the baby charity and Wycombe District council.

According to her nominator Colin Maitland Amanda is “remarkably versatile, enthusiastic and hard working. She works tirelessly and is totally dedicated to client satisfaction. She's also highly critical of her own work and I've never seen her take 'the path of least resistance”.

According to Diana Watson, judge of the Events & Marketing category, “Amanda has clearly added value to her clients, bringing fresh ideas and a strong work ethic. As a freelancer she has also demonstrated an ability to work for low- and high-profile clients of varying sizes. She showed excellent creativity, attention to detail and ability to look outside of her core specialism of events and into other areas of the marketing mix.”

Events and Marketing category winner, Amanda Rayner

Anna Hollisey – Editorial category

According to Matt Potter, Group Editor at Forward Publishing and judge of the editorial category, “Anna did something that wouldn’t be expected of just any freelancer – her imaginative strategy solution for the Asian jewellery retailer BEES. Her ‘What’s Your Colour’ concept including catalogue and mailings provided a complete foundation for the whole communications campaign and achieved tangible results - a 25% uplift in sales with no other marketing activity taking place. She had clearly thought about what she could do to change the business’s performance from an editorial standpoint.”

Editorial category winner, Anna Hollisey

Ian Beaumont – Public Affairs category

According to Dominic Shales of Paratus Communications and our Public Affairs category judge, "Ian clearly put a huge amount of effort into his work for Bowel Cancer UK. What particularly stood out was the direct approach he took to contacting stakeholders. Ian’s comprehensive campaigning pack not only helped those it was aimed at, but also generated more interest from potential partners and sponsors to a worthy cause."

Thanks to everyone who entered or nominated a colleague or friend and thanks also to this year’s category sponsors PR Week, Public Affairs News, Marketing, NMA, MediaWeek and Design Week and to our overall sponsor PCG, the Professional Contractors Group. The search for the 2008 Freelancer of the Year starts now, so if you’ve done great work as a freelance consultant or know someone who has watch this space. Next year is going to be even bigger and even better.

Public affairs category winner, Ian Beaumont

Media coverage of Freelancer of the Year 2007

Marketing Services Talk
People Per Hour
Freelance UK
Freelancers in the UK
SourceWire

Email this page