Yorkshire tea, snacks, speakers… oh, and I won an award! – by Danielle Taylor
4 November 2025
I’m absolutely thrilled to share that I won the ‘All the Feels’ Award at this year’s Comms Hero Awards for my Little Heroes campaign!
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it. There I was, happily munching on some on-brand sweets (brilliant touch!) when my name was called. Cue a whirlwind of emotions – pretty fitting for the All the Feels award, right?
Now, confession time: I hate being in the spotlight. Us comms folk usually prefer to stay behind the camera. But collecting that award? I was proud. Really proud. And yes, it’s a pretty snazzy trophy too!
If you know me, you’ll know how much this means. Using my skills to help children across Staffordshire get the support they need to attend school every day – that’s what it’s all about.
And now… I’m officially a multi-award winner! Little Heroes has scooped three awards and been highly commended twice. Explaining this to my mum was hilarious – I had to break it down like Soap Awards categories: Best Dramatic Performance, Best Soap…. Because let’s face it, nobody really knows what us comms heroes do!
Of course, It wasn’t just about the awards. The day was packed with engaging speakers, fresh ideas, and plenty of “we all needed to hear that” moments.
Here are my top takeaways:
Brb walking the dog
The best ideas come when you’re not forcing them. Walking the dog, having a shower – that’s when inspiration strikes. Don’t feel guilty about downtime; it’s essential for innovation.
Build your personal brand
Think about what you want to be known for. For me, it’s Little Heroes. So, I’m Danielle – the little person behind Little Heroes. Own your strengths and make them part of your story.
The pratfall effect
Small mistakes make you relatable (thank god!) Authenticity and vulnerability build trust. So just be yourself, ask ‘stupid’ questions and be your imperfect self.
Short-form video tips
Grab attention in the first few seconds. Lead with the key message – don’t bury it. Simple but game-changing advice.
The human superpower
AI is everywhere – over a billion people use it weekly. But emotional intelligence? That’s ours. Combine the two and us comms heroes are unstoppable.
The event was an absolute success – a vibrant, inspiring space filled with brilliant, like-minded people. The energy in the room was contagious, and the ideas shared were nothing short of game-changing.
I left Manchester feeling motivated, connected, and ready for more. This is just the beginning – I’ll definitely be throwing my hat in the ring for future awards and signing up for more sessions. Bring it on!
A massive thank you to Lewis for encouraging me to enter, and congratulations to all the winners and finalists – including my brilliant colleagues Megan Hillery and Gemma Styles. The room was bursting with talent, which makes this recognition even more special.
Danielle Taylor, Campaigns Officer Communications – Corporate Services, Staffordshire County Council