Mark Hanson award: searching for the brightest young communicator

The UK Social Media Awards are on the hunt for an extraordinary individual to win the coveted Mark Hanson award for 2013. The award was created in 2011 by organisers Don’t Panic, Stuart Bruce and Mark’s wife Clare, in memory of Mark who died that year. It celebrates the new wave of bright and talented 21st Century communicators that are making their mark on the industry.

In his obituary in The Guardian, Clare wrote that Mark had three obsessions: social media, the Labour party and Everton FC. He was a passionate advocate of online engagement. He used his expertise to benefit clients at his agency Wolfstar and the Labour Party.

Mark was generous with his time whenever anyone connected with him online. Above all he was a great communicator, always willing to share his knowledge and do his bit to move the industry forward.

If you know someone under-30 that is fitting to win this award in Mark’s memory please complete an only entry before 12 July - there's no cost other than your time. Perhaps you know somebody that has led a great campaign, is building a team, or is leading an area of best practice.

The Mark Hanson award is one of 20 awards in the UK Social Media Awards, that celebrate excellence from the best use of networks such as Facebook and Twitter, through to best agency or in-house team. Now in its fourth year, the awards will be held for the first time in London at The Emirates Stadium on Thursday 24 October 2013.

I’m a long-time supporter of Don’t Panic’s work and am chuffed to have been asked back as a judge this year. In fact I jumped at the chance as they gave me the Outstanding Contribution to Social Media award last year.

This year's awards are sponsored by UK Fast, media partner PRmoment and are supported by both the CIPR and PRCA.