South African beverage company brandhouse has announced that entries for the 2015 Responsible Drinking Media Awards (RDMAs) are now open. Now in their fifth year, the awards recognise journalistic efforts to support, promote and contribute to the responsible drinking agenda and ultimately help change consumer behaviour.
“The hazardous and harmful use of alcohol is a major global contributing factor to death, disease and injury. The impact of alcohol consumption reaches deep in society, and doesn’t affect just an individual,” says Michael Mabasa, corporate relations director. “And that is why we at brandhouse are committed to responsible drinking and are involved in numerous interventions driving this important message to consumers.”
“The awards form part of the company’s ongoing efforts not only to raise consumer awareness about the potentially harmful effects of alcohol abuse, but to positively change behaviour and encourage responsible drinking. One of the best ways of doing this is to partner with those who have power and influence, such as the media,” says Mabasa.
Each year brandhouse calls on journalists to use their influence to promote responsible drinking in South Africa, by publishing pieces dealing with responsible drinking and issues that relate to it, such as alcohol abuse, drink driving, underage drinking, foetal alcohol syndrome, binge drinking and alcohol-related violence. Articles published between 1 May 2014 and 31 May 2015 are accepted.
Journalists may enter only one article per category and are encouraged to visit www.brandhouse.co.za for more information on the entry process.
Categories for this year’s RDMAs include: Journalist of the Year, Media House of the Year, Best Newspaper, Best Magazine, Best Broadcast, Best Online entry, Best Blog, Best Community media and Best Student media. Three finalists will be chosen per category.
The winner of each category will receive R15 000, up from R10 000 in previous years. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held in Johannesburg on a date to be confirmed.
The 2014 RDMA’s received 167 entries over nine categories.
