Two Friday’s ago we reported the frankly hilarious news that two major Australian law firms were apparently claiming to have won the same “coveted” IFLR corporate award. A terrific anonymous spy put the following question to us:
Who is the IFLR Australian Law Firm of the Year for 2009? The banner on the Blake Dawson website states that they won the award. http://www.blakedawson.com/x_home_page.aspx?id=18415 BUT… If you look at the Mallesons website (the 12th award down the page), they appear to be the winner too. http://www.mallesons.com/our_firm/5501514W.htm I’m unclear about this award. Was it jointly awarded to both law firms?
At that stage, we had no idea who won the award. But we nevertheless took it upon ourselves to possum poo-poo corporate awards generally. We pointed to the laughable “independence” of Beaton Consulting – in our view arguably the most partisan arbitrator possible – who presides over the BRW “Client Choice” Awards. We then said in respect of the Blakes/Mallesons IFLR award cock-up:
Let’s hope this isn’t a case of IFLR just trying to get bums on seats by creating so many awards – each of which rewards similar conduct/achievements – that “everyone goes home with something”.
Thereafter, we wrote another post on the issue, from which a mixture of confusion and anger reigned amongst our very learned readership. Take one look at the comments beneath our subsequent story on the post! Of course, the team here at the Firm Spy wholeheartedly declined to follow any basic journalistic principles to get to the actual bottom of the saga. Heaven forbid that we be forced to converse with the shonky corporate devils!
Today, however, we can apparently end the intrigue. With great thanks to a journalistically principled anonymous spy, we’re informed of an allegedly giant Blakes mistake:
To close off a recent debate on Firm Spy about Blakes and Mallesons both claiming the 2009 IFLR Australian award, I couldnt resist going to the source. IFLR in Hong Kong has confirmed the Blakes Dawson media release claiming the 2009 Australian award is incorrect. That award was indeed won by Mallesons. Blakes picked up the 2010 award.
But what about that claim on Blakes’ internet page? It’s still there. Perhaps Blakes should write to us to clarify or, for god’s sake, throw it into the Blake Dawson (gay porn actor) video basket!
Do you think corporate awards generally have the look and feel of a giant fake?
Send the Firm Spy your news and views!
Loading...
i would feel a bit hesitant to claim a 2010 award in March of the same year. Seems a bit early doesn’t it?? What sport gives ‘best player’ awards at the start of the year?
Did anyone at Blake Dawson actually read the date at the bottom of the IFLR award / certificate / trophy / cake / medal that was given to them?
If I were working for Blake Dawson Marketing I would keep the mistake (’2009′) on the website for a few more months. It looks like they won the 2009 award. I’ll then correct it to say ’2010′ in about October. Because it still looks current, you can then keep the press release and banner on the website until about the middle of 2012!
2 awards in one.