ISPCC honoured at the Media Awards 2025

ISPCC and leading independent full service advertising agency Javelin received the top accolade for the Best Collaboration Agency & Media Owner (Niche) at this year’s Media Awards for its national radio campaign ‘Once I was that Child’

The radio campaign, which was voiced by Saoirse Ronan, aimed to reveal the dark truths behind childhood in Ireland. ‘Once I was that Child’ was brought to full, terrible, haunting life by the power of Saoirse’s performance. The Blitz and Outrun actress urged the listener to think of and donate to the ISPCC, which needs public support to continue its essential work helping so many traumatised children and young people.       

The Media Awards, which took place in the Mansion House, on May 8, celebrate the teams behind the ideas, strategic and creative thinking and implementation which generate impact and business success. The categories reflect the fast-moving media landscape and recognise the talent who are driving the change.

ISPCC and Javelin also received a Silver award for ‘Once I was that Child’ in the Media Campaign Niche, a category limited to campaigns with a media budget of under €50,000.

Deirdre McNamara, Director, Marketing and Communications, ISPCC, says: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive this recognition. The awards are a testament to the passion, creativity and true collaborative spirit of our combined teams. Working with the Javelin team, we created a very important campaign. ‘Once I was that child’ is a reminder to us all that once innocence is stolen childhood is lost forever.”

ISPCC & Javelin Dublin Win Best Radio, Craft, and Copywriting at the Irish Audio Awards

ISPCC & Javelin Dublin won Best Radio, Craft and Copywriting for their Christmas 2024 radio campaign - Once I was that Child, voiced by Saoirse Ronan, at the Irish Audio Awards

Clayton Homer, Javelin; Deirdre McNamara, ISPCC; Aoife Hofler, Javelin; & Des Kavanagh, Javlein

The ISPCC (Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) and Javelin Dublin earned top honours at the 2025 Irish Audio awards, winning Best Radio, Craft, and Copywriting for their Christmas 2024 campaign, Once I Was That Child. Voiced by the acclaimed Saoirse Ronan, this emotionally charged radio ad captured the heartbreaking reality faced by vulnerable children in Ireland.

Hosted by Anton Savage, the awards took place on March 27th at Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre and celebrated outstanding achievements in audio production. Out of 150 entries, 30 were shortlisted, and nine awards were presented on the night.. The win for ISPCC and Javelin Dublin stood out, reflecting the powerful combination of exceptional craft, storytelling, and the emotional depth that made this campaign so impactful.

The Once I Was That Child radio campaign was launched last November in support of ISPCC’s Childline, Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service for children. In the ad, Saoirse Ronan calls attention to the grim statistics faced by young people in Ireland. The shocking truth revealed by the campaign includes that 300 children a year contact Childline about sexual abuse, 50 children annually attempt to take their own lives while on the phone to Childline and 50 weekly contacts are related to various forms of abuse. Ronan’s voice brought these harrowing statistics to life, urging the people of Ireland to reflect on the hidden suffering of children in their communities.

ISPCC’s Once I Was That Child is more than just an award-winning radio ad; it is a call to action for the Irish public to support a vital service that helps children in crisis. With the backing of Saoirse Ronan and a message that resonated deeply, the campaign helped to shine a light on the darkness faced by too many young people in Ireland today.