Gautrain’s cup is brimming over

Not many projects can boast 14 awards in one year – but Gautrain can! The golden train of Gauteng has received seven national and seven international awards for its communication and marketing during the 2010–2011 period.

It started in early March this year, with Gautrain’s communication and marketing executive Dr Barbara Jensen receiving the Media Liaison Officer of the Year award from the National Press Club. The award recognises excellence in liaison with the media.

“This accolade is due to a team effort that is always there to support Gautrain’s interaction with the media. But, what is more important, is that the media and communicators work together toward public understanding,” she said.

During March, at the CinéRail International Festival Train & Metro on Film in Paris, Gautrain received “Special mention of the Jury for the quality of four Gautrain films presented”. The Jury was especially impressed with the quality of films that came out of Africa and how it captured the spirit of Africa and its people.

At the end of March, the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa recognised Gautrain for Public Relations in Strategic Management. Awards received were Gold for Media Relations, Silver for Social Media, Silver for Public Relations in the Public Sector, and Bronze for Launch of a New Service.

Then, in April, two more awards came Gautrain’s way.

The International Association of Business Communicators awarded Gautrain with two African Quill Awards for its social media as well as for its media relations. The Quill Awards recognise individuals and organisations for leadership, strategic management, creativity, resourcefulness and successful solutions within the communication sector.

Having been an award winner on the African continent, Gautrain was automatically entered into the international Gold Quill Award competition – in which it walked away with two International Merit Gold Quill Awards.

In May, Gautrain received a Global AirRail Award for Best Communication and Marketing campaign for its launch that took place in 2010. Global AirRail Awards is the first ever international awards ceremony dedicated to the air-rail market.

Jack van der Merwe, chief executive officer of the Gautrain Management Agency, said that “it is a privilege to fly the South African flag high among similar international projects. Gautrain’s communication is indeed becoming a benchmark of how communication has to be done – not only locally, but also internationally”. 

Dr Barbara Jensen

Gautrain spokesperson

Mobile: 083 600 4862

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