A few days ago, I travelled to Manchester for the Prolific North Creative Awards, not really knowing what to expect.
Just being shortlisted felt like a huge achievement.
To be recognised alongside campaigns involving brands such as Greggs, Adidas, Pepsi, Asda and Auto Trader was something I never imagined when I relaunched Neil Anderson Media just over a year ago.
Coming away with a Highly Commended recognition in the Creative for Good category, while also being shortlisted for Master of Narrative, was the icing on the cake.
But as I reflected on the evening, I realised the award itself isn’t actually the biggest story.
The biggest story is what it says about heritage.
For years, communications around heritage projects have often been seen as something that happens towards the end of a project. A press release. A few social media posts. A launch event.
I think that’s changing.
The Sheffield Blitz 85th campaign showed what can happen when communications become part of the project from the very beginning.
Instead of simply documenting history, we tried to help people experience it.
We worked with survivors.
We created opportunities for schools.
We developed digital interpretation.
We produced a permanent exhibition.
We generated national media coverage.
Most importantly, we created opportunities for people to connect emotionally with Sheffield’s story.
That’s what this recognition celebrates.
It also reinforces something I’ve believed for a long time.
Communications shouldn’t simply tell people what you’ve done.
They should help people understand why it matters.
That’s the philosophy behind Neil Anderson Media.
The Sheffield Blitz 85th project was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with specialist partners East Peak Countryside Associates, Front Row Live, Llama Digital and the National Emergency Services Museum.
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make the project possible, particularly the Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust and the survivors and families who trusted us with their memories.
As I look ahead to the next projects already underway, this recognition feels less like the end of something and more like the beginning.