This is to announce the introduction to a new kind of award rather different to those already given. It rewards exceptional bravery in the market research industry. It carries the name of Ginny Valentine after the late research revolutionary who established semiotics as a legitimate market research tool.
Awards conventionally celebrate marketing success or the rigour or cleverness of a methodology. This award breaks new ground. Each year we want to recognise someone who has demonstrated sheer guts in seeing a research related project through. It may be that the project was chronically under-resourced, or faced significant opposition. Or that it relied upon a methodology that was unproven so stakeholders needed to be persuaded.
Success frequently comes about because an individual refuses to take no for an answer and battles on, cajoling the sceptics and doubters and building a solid case. The first award is due to be given out in March of 2012. A panel composed of researchers and non researchers drawn from client companies and suppliers will hear submissions live in front of an audience.
The award will be made on the same night. We are inviting written submissions from which a shortlist will be drawn at the end of February. The judge’s decision is final. The award will be handed out under the auspices of the Research Liberation Front whose members voted Ginny the ultimate research revolutionary – an award she always treasured.
Purpose of the award
To reward exceptional bravery in the market research industry.
This is a wide interpretation that includes:
- Cultural research methodologies such as semiotics and pure ethnography
- New approaches, such as digital and mobile, data and open communities
- Implementation of findings in client organisations and elsewhere
- Setting up new ventures and initiatives
- Overcoming major obstacles
Who it’s for
Those who battle against the odds to produce great market research which informs and inspires enterprise. And those who lead insight or research teams who are looking for a way to recognise their executives for initiative, courage and stickability.
How it’s done
Requires an applicant and a proposer to complete a form. We recognise that this might be a manager nominating one of their own team. The form is likely to include:
- What was the challenge?
- What obstacles needed to be overcome?
- How was bravery displayed in bringing about the outcome?
- Why is this nomination deserving of an award?
The forms will be downloadable from the Research Liberation Front website from January 21st
Candidates will be shortlisted. After this those shortlisted will be asked to prepare a short, 6 minute, viva to make their case for an award.
What the judges are looking for
Evidence of
- Risk
- Raw bravery
- Persistence
- The need to persuade
- In a nutshell human interest
- The submission doesn’t need to demonstrate massive commercial success but does need to show commercial potential
The awards
All shortlisted people will be able to use the badge of courage on their email and website and letterhead.
There will be two awards:
- Ginny Valentine Badge of Courage Award
- Newcomer Ginny Valentine Badge of Courage Award
Panel
Phil Ginny Valentine’s son has agreed to be the prize giver.
Suggested panel – 5 people (judges will debate with each other on the night)
Judges will be drawn from the client and supplier side.
Timing
Award nominations open – Saturday 21st January
Nominations close – Friday 24th February
Shortlist of nominees – Friday 2nd March
Presentation of awards – Tuesday 20th March
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