Published by isobel.regan@dontpanicprojects.com
Published Date 10.03.2023 
Shooting Star is delighted to have won the award for Best Charity / Not-for-profit Campaign at the 2023 UK Digital Excellence Awards in January for its work with Carers First.
The award is the agency’s first digital-focussed prize and, given the company originally set up in 2006 as a public relations agency, a welcome accolade in recognising Shooting Star’s digital prowess. Shooting Star is now a full-service agency offering a holistic approach to public relations, marketing and digital.
Shooting Star’s award-winning work to promote the Carers First Lighten the Load campaign included a comprehensive communications plan that focused on tactics including: celebrity influencers, print and radio adverts.
Results from the Lighten the Load campaign were pitched to several key celebrities who were carers themselves and might be interested in providing a comment or an interview.
Significant national coverage was achieved with the help of presenters Kate Garraway and Jennie Bond and actor Colin McFarlane, as well as a feature on Steph’s Packed Lunch on Channel 4. Combined mentions within print and digital news articles, and radio mentions, resulted in an estimated 35 million opportunities to see – a significant amount of exposure for a small regional charity.
Senior Marketing Manager Emma Van Nieuwenhuijzen and Account Director Maz Davis represented the Lincoln-based agency at the awards ceremony on 19th January.
Shooting Star were in the running alongside the Council of Palm oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) and Crafted, for its work for the Mental Health Foundation, but managed to secure the win.
Shooting Star Senior Marketing Manager Emma van Nieuwenhuijzen said: “It was a fantastic evening. The food and entertainment were top notch, and it was brilliant to network with some like-minded agencies. There were some inspiring nominations and some very impactful work and we are delighted to have been recognised amongst some of the best in the UK.”
Account Director Maz Davis said: “We were so excited to hear the announcement that Shooting Star had won, and proud to collect the award for our work for Carers First. Even our car trouble on the way home couldn’t take away from the sparkle of the night!”
Shooting Star continues to thrive in early 2023 with three new members of staff, and four new clients. The award-winning agency is now working with United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, North East Lincolnshire Council, NMB Minebea and Building Resilience in Communities (BRIC), which is its Charity of the Year 2023.
