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Peter Sissons to host first Kent Press & Broadcast Awards

March, 2015

Veteran broadcaster Peter Sissons will be the host of the first Kent Press & Broadcast Awards ceremony.

Organised by PR and marketing agency Maxim, the awards will recognise Kent-based journalists across 12 categories covering print, online, broadcast, social media, and design.

During a career in news broadcasting spanning 45 years, Peter Sissons anchored network news programmes on ITV, BBC and Channel 4. He became one of the best known faces on TV and the medium's most experienced news presenter.

Peter Sissons said: “I’m delighted to be involved with the Kent Press and Broadcast Awards. It’s a great initiative to celebrate the best in local journalism. And it is also very timely. Good journalists are needed more than ever in a complex and fast-changing world. 

“But not only do they need all the traditional abilities, they now need an understanding of the potential and the limits of reporting in the internet age. Today's hard working journalists, in broadcasting or print, have to be multi-skilled and innovative. The result is that, in many respects, their industry has never been more vibrant."

An enviable career 

During 25 years with ITN, Peter was the launch presenter of Channel 4 News, which he anchored for its first seven years. During that time the programme gained three successive BAFTA awards, and he was awarded the top distinction of the Royal Television Society – the Judges’ Award.

At the BBC, Peter presented the Six O’Clock, Nine O’Clock, and Ten O’Clock News programmes on BBC1. Chosen to succeed Sir Robin Day, he also occupied the Question Time chair for five years.

Maxim’s Rachel Knight, who is leading on the organisation of the awards, said: “Having someone of Peter’s experience and stature on board is a great boost for the scheme. We have no doubt that his hosting capabilities will ensure the ceremony is kept lively and interesting for all of our guests.

“That said, we couldn’t run the awards without our sponsors so we’d like to thank the organisations that have chosen to support journalism. We’re looking forward to the sponsors’ lunch in April that we hope will enable everyone to get to know each other a little better and share their reasons for supporting the awards.”

Supporters include: Chapel Down, sponsor of Kent Feature Journalist of the Year; law firm Cripps, sponsor of Best Use of Social Media; Digitom Ltd, sponsor of Campaign of the Year; East Kent College, sponsor of Kent Young Journalist of the Year; FSB Kent & Medway, sponsor of Kent Broadcast Journalist of the Year; Kent Cricket, sponsor of Kent Sports Journalist of the Year; P&O Ferries, sponsor of Press Photographer of the Year; Port of Dover, sponsor of Kent Journalist of the Year; and Southeastern, sponsor of Kent Newspaper of the Year.

The award ceremony will be held on 3 July at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury. There are a few sponsorship opportunities left; to find out more email rachel@maxim-pr.co.uk or call 01892 513033.

posted in: maxim/client news,

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