Media centre

Wednesday 29 Mar 2006

NETWORK RAIL’S WINNING COMMUNICATIONS ARE ON TRACK

Region & Route:

National

Network Rail scooped five prizes last week at the prestigious International Visual Communication Awards. Among the winners, were two Network Rail entries: a hard-hitting film underlining the importance of trackside safety and a motivational film seen countrywide by over 8,000 employees at the company’s annual briefing events. The three-minute safety film, ‘Hit or Miss’ is deliberately short and even shocking in its content. The film – part of the company’s ‘Safety 365’ initiative ­– has been distributed via DVD to every team amongst Network Rail’s 15,000-strong trackside workforce. It will also be used for contractors across the railway industry. The film, produced by The Edge Picture Company, won the gold award for best direction. The judges’ citation read: “This chilling tale of the perils of railway track maintenance engineers using their mobile phones on the job, revealed how fatal accidents are not only tragic for the victims and their families, but also have a profound emotional impact on fellow workers. The director delivered this powerful narrative with a lightness of touch that made the message even more telling.” It also won the silver award for best drama and the bronze awards in the categories of health and safety and best script. Victoria Pender, Network Rail’s Group Director, Government and Corporate Affairs, commented: “To be honoured at these awards is a tribute to the importance we attach to effective communication with our people. With these innovative channels of communication we are seeking to put across powerful messages; firstly, everyone can be proud of the work we do within our company and, secondly, that nothing is more important than you and your colleagues’ safety.” Also receiving plaudits from the high-calibre judging panel of communications professionals was Network Rail’s film ‘You are Network Rail’ which was shown during the company’s employee briefings in 2005. The presentation, produced by Hawkshead, won the gold award in the events and public display category. The judges’ citation read: “This programme conveyed its messages in an honest, realistic and empathetic way. Its excellent narrative structure was enhanced by well-integrated graphics and an inspiring soundtrack.”