How to Announce an Award Win: Press Release Template
You won. The team is celebrating, and now you want customers, partners and future hires to know. Here is how to announce an award win properly, with a press release template, social posts and the rules to check first.
How to announce an award win: the short answer
To announce an award win, check the organiser’s rules on timing and logo use, then send a press release on the day or the day after. Lead with the award name, category and what you were recognised for, include a quote from your leader, ceremony photos and accurate details about the award. Share it on your website and social channels, and describe shortlists and commendations accurately.
- Check the organiser’s rules first
- Send it fast: on the day or next
- Lead with the work, not the trophy
- Describe results accurately
What award news can you announce?
You do not have to win to have news. Shortlists, commendations and individual awards can all earn coverage, as long as you describe them accurately.
| Stage | Headline format | Best channels |
|---|---|---|
| Shortlisted or finalist | “[COMPANY] shortlisted for [AWARD NAME, CATEGORY]” | Trade press, LinkedIn, your website |
| Winner | “[COMPANY] wins [CATEGORY] at [AWARD NAME YEAR]” | Trade press, local and business press, website, social |
| Highly commended | “[COMPANY] highly commended at [AWARD NAME YEAR]” | Trade press, LinkedIn, website |
| Individual award | “[NAME] of [COMPANY] named [TITLE] at [AWARD NAME YEAR]” | Trade press, local press, LinkedIn |
Accuracy matters: never describe a shortlist as a win, or a commendation as first place. If you use the award in advertising, the claim must be accurate and you must be able to prove it.
Award win press release template
Replace every item in square brackets. Check the award name, category and organiser against the organiser’s own website.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[COMPANY NAME] wins [CATEGORY NAME] at the [AWARD NAME YEAR]
[ONE LINE ON WHAT THE AWARD RECOGNISES]
[CITY], [DAY MONTH YEAR]: [COMPANY NAME], the [SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY], has won [CATEGORY NAME] at the [AWARD NAME YEAR], [ORGANISED BY / PRESENTED BY ORGANISER]. The winners were announced at [EVENT OR ONLINE ANNOUNCEMENT] on [DATE].
The award recognises [WHAT THE CATEGORY JUDGES, IN THE ORGANISER’S OWN WORDS IF AVAILABLE]. [COMPANY NAME] was recognised for [THE SPECIFIC WORK, PROJECT OR RESULT].
“[QUOTE: what the win means for the team and customers],” said [NAME], [JOB TITLE] of [COMPANY NAME].
[OPTIONAL, ONLY IF APPROVED: a short comment from the judges or organiser.]
[OPTIONAL: one sentence on what is next for the company or project.]
ENDS
Notes to editors
About [COMPANY NAME]: [TWO OR THREE SENTENCES]. [WEB ADDRESS]
About [AWARD NAME]: [ONE OR TWO SENTENCES, CHECKED AGAINST THE ORGANISER’S WEBSITE].
Photos from the ceremony are available on request.
Media contact: [NAME], [EMAIL], [PHONE].
How to announce an award win
Check the organiser’s rules
Some awards ask winners to wait until the official announcement, and many have rules on using their logo.
Prepare before the ceremony
Write the release and social posts in advance, with versions for winning and being shortlisted.
Send it quickly
Award news is most interesting on the day and the day after.
Lead with the people and the work
Journalists care more about what you did than the trophy.
Use good photos
Ceremony photos or a team photo with the award make coverage more likely.
Use it everywhere
Add the award to your website, email signature, proposals and profiles, following the organiser’s logo rules.
Make your award win go further
United Press has announced award wins since 2001. We write your release, place it on named business and trade titles and help you use the win across your marketing. Press release offer: guaranteed live within 3 days of approval or a 100% refund.
Press release distribution
Named UK titles and live links. See press release distribution.
Business announcements
Awards, hires and company news. See business announcement press releases.
Event news
Ceremonies and events. See event announcement press releases.
Industry awards
Awards in the PR world. See UK PR industry awards.
Award win press releases: frequently asked questions
How do you announce an award win?
Check the organiser’s rules, then send a press release on the day or the day after with the award name, category and what you were recognised for, a leader quote and photos. Share it on your website and social channels.
Should I send a press release if we were only shortlisted?
Yes, shortlists can be newsworthy, especially for trade press and LinkedIn. Describe it accurately as a shortlist or finalist place.
When should I send an award press release?
As soon as you are allowed to, ideally on the day of the announcement or the next day. Prepare the release before the ceremony.
Can I use the award logo?
Check the organiser’s rules. Many awards have specific logo files and rules for winners and shortlisted entries.
What should an award press release include?
The award name, year, category and organiser, what you were recognised for, a quote, photos, a short company profile, a note about the award and a media contact.
Can I use an award in my advertising?
Yes, if the claim is accurate and you can prove it. Never overstate a result, such as calling a shortlist a win.
Who should be quoted in an award press release?
Usually your CEO, founder or the team leader behind the winning work. A comment from the organiser or judges can help, if approved.
Can United Press announce our award win?
Yes. We write the release, place it on named titles and give you live links. Press release offer: guaranteed live within 3 days of approval or a 100% refund.
You earned this. Let people know.
Behind every award is a team that cared enough to do something brilliant. Share the moment, and say thank you to everyone who made it possible.
Award win social post templates
LinkedIn
“We are proud to share that [COMPANY NAME] has won [CATEGORY] at the [AWARD NAME YEAR]. This recognises [THE WORK] and the brilliant team behind it, including [NAMES OR TEAM]. Thank you to [CLIENTS / PARTNERS] and to [ORGANISER] and the judges.”
Short post
“Winners! [COMPANY NAME] has won [CATEGORY] at the [AWARD NAME YEAR]. Thank you to our team and customers. [LINK TO NEWS PAGE]”