When is it okay to suggest that a lady “cop a feel”?
At Westbourne Communications’ ‘Change Opinion’ awards last night, apparently – as The Sun’s campaign alongside breast cancer warrior Kristin Hallenga swept the ceremonies, winning the Innovation Award, and the Campaign of the Year Award.
The Coppafeel campaign has encouraged hundreds of thousands of women to check their breasts for breast cancer, and the founder’s acceptance speech about how saving lives, not winning awards, meant the most to her was deeply moving.
Hosted by Sky’s Adam Boulton, the evening was a showcase of talent from around the British political and charitable sectors. Other winners included Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s Fish Fight campaign against the huge number of edible fish that are thrown back because of EU quota laws, the Long Live Southbank campaign to keep a skate park on the south of the Thames in operation, and perhaps bizarrely, Labour’s energy price freeze campaign.
The last winner I hear was a contentious one amongst the judging panel, and after much champagne and a bottle of port, the Labourites came out on top.
The night has been described by Westbourne’s Chairman as ‘star-studded’ – I even caught a glimpse of the elusive Andy McNab, who has concocted a great public profile on being the least identifiable man in any room. Oddly, I think he was even wearing a name badge.
But though the champagne was quaffed and the surroundings were nothing less than splendorous, Westbourne’s event got to the very heart of British media and politics: the people.
Almost every campaign nominated was dedicated towards making the lives of ordinary people better. Whether that was through lower prices for food, better amenities for schoolkids, or even basic human rights, such as the nomination for Malala Yousefzai’s education campaign.
The only one I can think of last night that was perhaps misplaced was the ‘No More Page 3’ campaign against the Sun, that didn’t get much love on the night. Its prudish, finger-wagging nannyism didn’t seem to hold much sway in a room full of media types, politicos, and not even with the conservative-minded in the room.
Mind you, last night was full of surprises. I even had an amicable chat with a man from Greenpeace. I think he’s a conservative now. Job done.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.