Independent consultancy Hanover Communications has launched the Mackay Award, a new programme providing an opportunity for the winning entrant to experience and understand the transformational impact that digital strategies are making on election campaigns globally.
The Mackay Award is to be presented annually, established in memory of Hanover’s founding partner Gregor Mackay, to mark the 10 year anniversary of his death in November 2005 aged 36 after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma just two months before.
Gregor Mackay was part of the Conservative Party’s young guard who rose to prominence helping John Major’s successful campaign for re-election as leader in 1995 and after the 1997 general election when he became press secretary to William Hague, the new leader. After two years in the Conservative Party Mackay became a partner in Media Strategy, a small London public relations firm run by Charles Lewington, John Major’s former press secretary. In a couple of years Mackay helped to develop the young firm into a fast-growing public affairs and corporate communications company which is today known as Hanover Communications.
The Mackay Award panel will award an individual in the early stages of their communications careers with a placement on an international election campaign. The first Mackay Scholar will visit the United States to study the Presidential Election from inside the Republican campaign.
The judging panel includes Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne MP, former Defence Secretary Liam Fox MP and Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein, all of whom worked with Gregor in the Conservative Party between 1997 and 2000. Managing Director of Hanover Communications Charles Lewington will chair the selection panel. The successful candidate will be announced in May.
On their return, the Mackay Scholar will be awarded a 12 week internship at Hanover. Their first assignment will be a report on the latest political campaigning techniques and their findings will be distributed to industry press and across Hanover’s digital channels.
Charles Lewington said "This is a fantastic opportunity for a hard-working and enthusiastic individual, with a passion for political campaigning and digital communications. Gregor was himself a gifted political communicator so this is a fitting way to remember his all-too-short life."
Applicants for the Mackay Award must have no more than one year’s work experience and be available from mid-July to end October 2016. More details about the programme and how to enter can be found online here. Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 8th April.
In 2017, future Mackay Scholars will be able to apply for a placement with either the Federal elections in Germany or Australia or the Presidential elections in France.