Call for Nominations – 1st for Women Insurance Women in The Media Awards 2010

The Media magazine is calling for nominations for the prestigious 1st for Women Insurance Women in The Media Awards 2010, to be held at on 29 July 2010.

Now in its eighth year, this is the only Awards event in South Africa that exclusively recognises and honours women who have made a significant impact in the media industry.

This year, Wag the Dog Publishers welcomes a new sponsor to the event, 1st for Women Insurance Brokers. "We are delighted to align with a company who believes in empowering women as much as we do," says Sandra Gordon, publisher of Wag the Dog Publishers and founder of the awards. "This is the first year that 1st for Women have joined us and we believe that their involvement will only further improve this awards programme and contribute to taking it to the next level in public support."

Robyn Farrell, managing director of 1st for Women Insurance Brokers believes that now, more than ever, upliftment programmes aimed at women in the media sphere still need championing. "Women are still hitting the glass ceiling in media. I recently read a study that found that although South Africa has by far the largest female media density - Southern Africa women comprise 41% of media personnel - the research found that perceptions that women cannot, or should not, cover certain beats or take on certain roles, discourages them from joining, and staying, in the media field."

The Women in The Media Awards 2010 provides an opportunity to celebrate the role that women play in the media and to encourage the new generation of journalists, researchers, producers and publishers to carve out their niche and give back to the industry. "Everyone deserves recognition for doing something remarkable," explains Farrell. "It's the fuel that feeds us and shows others that we are a force to be reckoned with and that nothing is going to stand in our way."

Nominations are called for in the following categories – the 1st for Women in The Media Award; the 1st for Women Rising Star Award, which applauds the efforts of women under the age of 30 who are already making an impact in the media industry, and the 1st for Women Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nomination forms are available on www.themediaonline.co.za or contact accountmanager@stonesoup.co.za. The closing date for nominations is 7th May 2010.

Background

NOTES FOR EDITORS:
About the 1st for Women Insurance Women in The Media Awards 2010 Established in 2003 as an initiative of The Media magazine, the initiative seeks to recognise exceptional women who have made their mark within the media sphere across content, commercial and academic fields. Last year's winner was Debra Patta, editor-in-chief of eNews Channel. Previous winners include Pheladi Gwangwa, Ferial Haffajee and Libby Lloyd. Past Rising Stars have included Sbu Mpungose, editor of Bona magazine, Radio 702 presenter Redi Direko, and Siki Mgabadeli, then presenter on CNBC. The Lifetime Achiever Award has recognised Gwen Gill, Joyce Sikhakhane, Barbara Cooke and Jane Raphaely.

About Wag The Dog Publishers
Wag the Dog publishers was established in 2002 with the launch of The Media magazine, South Africa's only independent monthly dedicated to hard-hitting and insightful analysis of the media industry. Since then the company has added TheMediaOnline – a website and electronic newsletter – to its stable. A joint venture with Moneyweb resulted in Wag the Dog taking full responsibility for producing and operating MarketingWeb, the definitive online portal for the marketing industry. Wag the Dog Publishers, in partnership with the IMM Graduate School of Marketing produce Strategic Marketing, a magazine aimed at marketing professionals. In 2010 a Custom Publishing division was introduced.

About 1st for Women Insurance Brokers
Today's busy women want the comfort that comes from knowing that they have cover with care. That's where choosing the right insurance product can make the difference between just having your car insured, or having a lifestyle insurance solution that caters for life's unexpected eventualities.

1st for Women Insurance Brokers offers not only car insurance and affordable home contents and buildings insurance, but also additional value-added products that meet your needs as a woman including:

• Exposure: Protection in the event of accidental exposure to HIV/Aids, • trauma counseling, • free roadside, medical and household assistance; and • free handbag cover to the value of R3300 with home contents insurance.

For the business women, 1st for Women has a business insurance product, specially aimed at the SME sector. This insurance product covers 24 different types of SME's in South Africa, which are in turn divided into four main segments - business, office, practice and professional.

In addition, 1st for Women has recently launched a comprehensive life insurance product, designed specifically for women. This move is line with the company's objective to provide women with a holistic lifestyle and financial solution that is designed for their unique needs.

1st for Women's main goal is to look after the women of South Africa by offering them car and home insurance policies that cater for their specific needs as women. The Company does however realise and believe that more can and must be done to uplift and help the women of our country.

With this in mind, 1st for Women established the 1st for Women Insurance Trust. This year, the 1st for Women Insurance Trust has pledged to support the Leigh Matthews Trust, a non-profit organisation that raises funds to support initiatives that assist survivors of abuse and crime and POWA (People Opposing Women Abuse).

For 'Cover with Care' visit www.ffw.co.za or call 0860 10 97 61.

Issued by Stone Soup on behalf of Wag the Dog Publishers.

For further media information on 1st for Women Insurance Women in The Media Awards 2010 contact:
Tracey Wraight
Client Service Manager
Stone Soup PR
Tel: +27 (0) 11 447 7241
Mobile: +27 (0) 84 613 1081
Email: accountmanager@stonesoup.co.za