KENNEDY AWARDS FORMS PARTNERSHIP WITH NRMA MOTORING + SERVICES

January 21, 2014

The Kennedy Awards for Excellence in NSW Journalism has reached an important milestone, linking with NRMA Motoring + Services in a major sponsorship breakthrough that will boost the Awards and strengthen the recently formed Kennedy Foundation. The NRMA has committed to the Foundation and the Awards for the next three years, with the Awards - currently in their third year – now known as the NRMA Kennedy Awards for Excellence in NSW Journalism. The NRMA has also been offered a position on the Board of The Kennedy Foundation, which is seeking registration as a charity with influential members empowered to distribute financial support and assistance to people and organisations in need. As an official charity, The Kennedy Foundation will have the specific aim of providing support to media representatives who have fallen on hard times whether through illness, injury, a loss of a family member or through unemployment. The three-year partnership with the NRMA – the first overarching sponsorship since the Kennedy Awards was launched in 2012 - has played a major role in helping the establishment of The Kennedy Foundation and follows the NRMA’s support over the past two years.  Now in its third year, the NRMA Kennedy Awards, which honours the legendary Sydney crime reporter Les Kennedy who died of cancer in August 2011 at the age of 53, continue to recognise and celebrate quality news reporting, storytelling and creativity in NSW metropolitan and regional media. Announcing the partnership with the NRMA, Kennedy Foundation board member Peter Ryan said the Association’s sponsorship would help consolidate the Foundation as a registered charity and boost the Awards. “The Kennedy Awards have been a major success over the past two years with the support of loyal sponsors and partners like the NRMA and to now have the NRMA as an overarching sponsor for three years is a significant step forward,” Mr Ryan said.

“The NRMA’s sponsorship will help the growth of The Kennedy Foundation as it evolves as a prominent charity working to provide support for media colleagues who have fallen on hard times. “The Foundation is also overseeing the organisation and staging of the NRMA Kennedy Awards for Excellence in NSW Journalism and associated events, including the annual launch and finalists’ announcement as well as separate fund raisers. “We welcome the NRMA’s partnership and look forward to a bold new future.” NRMA Group CEO Tony Stuart said the NRMA was proud to be associated with the Kennedy Foundation and Awards. “As an organisation established in 1920 to fight for a better deal for all motorists, the NRMA knows only too well the hugely important role the media plays in making our community a better and fairer place,” Mr Stuart said. “The Kennedy Awards recognises this remarkable - and at times dangerous - work while paying tribute to the legacies of some of our nation’s most cherished reporters and raising much needed funds for those in our community most at need. “Putting the NRMA brand alongside the Kennedy Foundation was a no brainer and we’re thrilled to be able to work with the Foundation over the next three years.”  

Media contacts: Steve Warnock, Kennedy Awards 0428 968-499

Peter Khoury, NRMA Motoring + Services 0439 133-115