PSI Academy Awards 2025: Nominations announced

Jury honours sustainable innovations in the promotional products industry

The twelve-member jury of the PSI Academy Awards has announced the nominees for this year’s award for sustainable promotional products and campaigns. A total of 39 exhibits and campaigns were selected after intensive and expert evaluation, and can now look forward to winning one of the coveted prizes.

The jury, consisting of proven experts, including Tanja Kliewe-Meyer (Head of Corporate Responsibility & Product Safety Brax – Leineweber GmbH & Co. KG), Prof. Claus-Christian Eckhardt (Lund University), Petra Lassahn (Director PSI), Karsten Bleymehl (Founder and owner MRC Materials Research & Consulting) and other prominent figures, critically and constructively examined the promotional products and campaigns submitted during a one-day meeting.

Nils Bader, Director of Green Product Future Club and Chairman of the Jury, commented on the result: ‘The PSI Academy Awards jury brings together outstanding experts from the industry. Together, we recognise the most innovative and forward-looking achievements in the promotional products industry. As Chairman of the PSI Academy Awards jury, I am extremely pleased with the outstanding achievements and innovations in the industry. The submissions not only reflect an impressive level of creativity and technical expertise, but also the tireless efforts of all those involved to develop forward-looking solutions and share knowledge effectively.’

Petra Lassahn, Director of PSI and advisory member of the jury without voting rights, added: ‘Each promotional product and campaign submitted was examined very closely by the jury. This led to some controversial discussions, which illustrate the complexity and high standards of the evaluation process. Ultimately, the jury nominated 39 exhibits and campaigns that impressed with their sustainable and innovative approaches.’

The PSI Academy Awards are a further development of the PSI Sustainability Awards, as Petra Lassahn emphasises: ‘We are delighted that the awards have been revived – in a different form, with a new partner and adapted to today’s world and its requirements. Sustainability is an important issue for the entire industry and its customers.’

The new PSI Academy event format will take place for the first time on 11 September 2025 in the historic Gürzenich in the heart of Cologne’s old town. The PSI Academy combines training, awards and networking into a unique industry gathering with a focus on sustainable innovations and forward-looking business practices in the promotional products industry. The grand finale will be a festive gala with the PSI Academy Awards ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of the Gürzenich.

The event concept comprises four pillars:

• PSI Academy Awards: The competition honours outstanding sustainable promotional products, campaigns and companies and sets new standards in terms of innovation, circular economy and social responsibility. Further information can be found at
  https://www.psi-academy.com/de/awards.
• PSI Academy Night: Starting at 7:30 p.m. on 11 September 2025, the festive gala will take place at the Gürzenich (Cologne), where the winners of the PSI Academy Awards will be announced and celebrated. Information about the gala can be found at
  https://www.psi-academy.com/de/night.
• PSI Academy Conference: Starting at 10 a.m. on 11 September 2025, participants can expect high-calibre presentations, workshops and discussion panels on topics such as sustainability, marketing and future trends in haptic advertising. The complete programme is available at
  https://www.psi-academy.com/de/conference.
• PSI Academy Expo: The exhibition showcases the nominated and award-winning exhibits and cases, demonstrating the innovative strength and creativity of the industry. Details at
  https://www.psi-academy.com/de/expo.

The PSI Academy Awards 2025 promise to significantly promote the sustainable transformation of the promotional products industry and provide innovative impetus for the future.

Important dates & facts:

• When & where: PSI Academy Conference & Night on 11 September 2025 at Gürzenich, Cologne (Martinstraße 29-37, 50667 Cologne)
• Tickets for the PSI Academy Conference & Awards Gala are available at:
  https://shop.psi-academy.com/reed_shop/PSINW25/Shop
• Nominated promotional products & campaigns: see appendix
• Jury composition: see appendix

About PSI

PSI is the leading European network for the promotional products industry with over 5,000 member companies. Closely linked to the PSI network is the industry meeting point PSI Trade Show. Over three days, more than 11,000 promotional product retailers, finishers, and agencies meet manufacturers and importers to learn about high-quality product highlights and numerous innovations in tangible advertising. With the PSI Academy, starting in 2025, PSI sets new impulses for sustainable innovations, knowledge transfer, and international networking in the sectors of promotional products, incentives, and merchandising.

About RX

RX is dedicated to creating business for individuals, communities, and organisations, including the European network of the promotional products industry, PSI. By combining data and digital products, RX enhances 400 events across 42 industries in 22 countries. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers (www.rxglobal.com).