Karis Copp Media conceived and delivered the KAVALAN Green Leader Awards, creating a platform for customer recognition and a source of stories for KAVALAN’s ongoing communications
“Building on KAVALAN’s sustainability ambitions, Karis Copp Media proposed the Green Leader Awards as a way to deepen distributor and customer engagement and showcase real-world applications of KAVALAN materials. Working in partnership with the KAVALAN team, the concept was developed into a fully structured programme, including the categories, entry criteria and communications campaign, and have now delivered it across two editions.”
Nova Abbott, Head of Marketing, KAVALAN
Background
KAVALAN develops PVC-free materials for large-format print, helping printers and their customers explore alternatives to traditional PVC banners. Real-world applications are an important part of that story, demonstrating how material choices translate into creative, durable print projects with environmental claims supported by data.
Karis Copp Media identified an opportunity to celebrate the businesses behind those projects while encouraging them to share their work. We conceived and delivered the KAVALAN Green Leader Awards, creating a platform for customer recognition and a source of stories for KAVALAN’s ongoing communications. Launched in 2025, the programme returned for its second edition in May 2026, with a ceremony at FESPA Global Print Expo in Barcelona, Spain.
Our Challenge
Customer case studies can be powerful communications tools, but securing participation is not always straightforward. Busy printers and distributors can struggle to find time to share project details and photographs, while others are understandably cautious about revealing details of their work that competitors might see.
We needed to give customers a compelling reason to participate, while ensuring that the resulting stories would demonstrate both the performance of KAVALAN materials and the evidence behind their environmental credentials.
Our Approach
The awards offered customers an opportunity to receive recognition for their creativity, technical expertise, and commitment to sustainability. Working closely with Nova Abbott, KAVALAN’s Head of Marketing, Karis Copp Media took the programme from concept through to execution, with the aim of:
● Celebrating the printers and distributors putting KAVALAN materials to work
● Encouraging customers to share projects and images that might otherwise remain unseen
● Highlighting the KAVALAN Eco Calculator and the importance of substantiated environmental claims
● Creating opportunities for ongoing customer case studies and media content
● Bringing customers and partners together for a champagne reception and awards presentation on the KAVALAN stand at FESPA, attracting visitors and strengthening relationships through an in-person celebration
The prospect of recognition gave customers a clear benefit for taking part. As Nova explains, the people behind the projects are “the heart of making things happen”, and the awards gave their achievements a dedicated platform.
Industry Expertise and Evidence
Karis Copp Media brought together respected industry figures to the judging panel, including sustainability consultant Steve Lister, FuturePrint’s Marcus Timson and ShopperFIRST’s Nick Widdowson. Lucy Swanston of Nutshell Creative and Jack Gocher of Eye on Display joined the panel for 2026.
Environmental claims had to be substantiated. Where entries used figures from KAVALAN’s Eco Calculator, the inputs had to be supplied so those figures could be verified. Jack highlighted the depth of project information available to the judges, while Steve emphasised the educational value of showing other printers what could be achieved.
The 2026 programme culminated in a ceremony on KAVALAN’s stand at FESPA Global Print Expo in Barcelona. Physical awards and gifts gave winners a moment to celebrate, attracted visitors to the stand and showed appreciation for the customers and partners supporting the brand.
Our Results
The 2026 KAVALAN Green Leader Awards delivered:
● 26 award entries, a strong response for a specialist business
● Project details and photographs, including images customers would not normally have shared for publicity
● A live celebration bringing printers, distributors, and industry figures together at FESPA
● A pipeline of customer stories, with follow-up under way to develop individual case studies on winners and then additional entrants
The value of the programme continues beyond the presentation itself. Entries provide a starting point for interviews and further content, helping KAVALAN illustrate its materials through the experiences of the businesses using them.
By connecting customer recognition with a clear communications opportunity, Karis Copp Media created a programme that celebrate KAVALAN’s community while supporting its longer-term PR activity.
Want to make your next B2B campaign stand out?From awards programmes to product launches, we create communications campaigns that engage your audience and support your business goals. Get in touch to discuss what we could do for you.
