Over the last six weeks 130 of our members have been involved in 20 judging panels covering six awards categories. Development Strategic, Communication, Sector, Chairman’s and Champions awards. The Development Category includes the Star School Award, Star Marketing Student, Aspiring Creative Star, Rising Marketing Star, Rising Agency Star and Rising Creative Star. The Strategic Category includes awards for Brand Development. Digital Strategy, International Marketing, Integrated Marketing, Marketing Planning and Marketing in Society. The Communications Category includes awards for Advertising, Brand Experience, Design, Digital Communication, Media and PR. There are also awards for the following sectors; Financial and Professional Services, Food, Drink, Public Sector, Retail, Tourism, Leisure ,Culture and Sport. The Champions category include an award for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion sponsored by The Scottish Government and is part of the commitment The Marketing Society has to these values. We are now proud to present the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Star Awards shortlist; Brand Scotland; Brixton Finishing School; EICC; Royal Bank of Scotland; Too Gallus. Other Champions’ award categories include Star Agency of the Year, Star Marketing Team of the Year, Inspirational Agency Leader of the Year and Inspirational Marketing Leader of The Year. The Star Agency and Marketing Team of the Year finalists are determined by their performance in the awards before being assessed using the following criteria; Achievements and performance as an organisation, Commitment to training and development, Employer brand reputation and Involvement and support of the industry. The Star Agency of the Year finalists are as follows; Frame; Guy & Co; The John Doe Group; Leith; Republic of Media; The Union. The Marketing Team of the Year finalists are as follows; Baxters; DC Thomson; Ian MacLeod Distillers; Royal London; Scottish Government; Tennent’s. The Inspirational Agency and Marketing Leader of the Year finalists are nominated by our members and assessed using the following criteria: A story which is an inspiration to others; Demonstration of bravery, original thinking and outstanding leadership; Achievements with their organisation; Contribution to thought leadership in the industry. The Inspirational Agency Leader of the Year finalists are as follows; Andy Gray – Studio LR; Michael Hart – The Union; Gill Jarvie – Republic of Media; Barrington Reeves – Too Gallus; Jennifer Robertson – SPEY. The Inspirational Marketing Leader of the Year finalists are as follows; Neil Harrison and Natalie Neilson – Core Covid Marketing, The Scottish Government; Cat Leaver – VisitScotland; Paul Menzies – Tennent’s; Jemma Reid – South of Scotland Destination Alliance; Shona Smith Tesco Bank. The winners will be announced at our Star Awards Celebration to be streamed on June 17 and hosted by the TV presenter JJ Chalmers, a former Royal Marine Commando and an ambassador for The Invictus Games. Last year he competed in Strictly Come Dancing reaching the quarter-finals. Full details of the awards and the shortlists can be found on our website starawards.marketingsociety.com and by following @marketingsocsco. Petra Cameron, Head of Advertising and Content, NatWest Group and Star Awards Chair