Creative Nature Communications has been highly commended at the 2008 PRIA State Golden Target Awards for two landmark projects in 2007.

Now in their 32nd year, the awards acknowledge excellence, best practice and professionalism in the public relations and communications industry. There was a 12.5 per cent increase in entries this year with 10 new categories added.

Creative Nature was highly commended in the community relations category for its outstanding communication strategy and proactive engagement with stakeholders, on behalf of Macmahon Contractors and the Mitchell Freeway Joondalup extension.

The communications plan for the $170 million project was also commended at the International Association for Public Participation Australasia Awards. It was acknowledged for reconnecting the community and re-building strong networks of trust, making both the project and campaign a major success.

Also highly commended was Creative Nature’s work for the WA Attorney-General’s office and the Chief Justice in creating a highly-effective jury duty campaign, recognised in the government-sponsored campaign category.

The public education strategy focused on informing the community of their rights and responsibilities in relation to jury duty, in a bid to tackle an alarming decline in participation rates threatening to undermine the sustainability of WA’s judicial system.

Creative Nature designed and implemented a multi-faceted community awareness advertising campaign, supported by a comprehensive publicity and direct-mail strategy. The campaign has since been extended to the Kimberley region.

Principal Consultant Marie Howarth said she was delighted Creative Nature had been recognised by the Public Relations Institute of Australia with commendations in this year’s awards.

“Both campaigns are testament to the strength of the Creative Nature team, as we helped both clients deliver important messages by engaging the community around them,” she said.

“Creativity and communication go hand in hand when it comes to effective community relations and gaining peer recognition for our efforts is the icing on the cake.”

Creative Nature Communications was established three years ago and delivers a range of services including public relations and communication, graphic design, web development, online applications, multimedia, community relations and stakeholder engagement.