WHO WE ARE
Founded in 2005 by serial entrepreneur Nicky Wake, Don’t Panic started life as a small team working from a second bedroom. Since then, the company has grown steadily into an international events business, shaped by a long-standing commitment to creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
Today, Don’t Panic delivers a wide range of events, including award ceremonies, conferences, networking events, and exhibitions. Alongside client projects, the company also owns and produces its own portfolio of established awards programmes, many of which are recognised worldwide. Everything the team delivers is supported by hands-on experience, attention to detail, and a genuine passion for bringing people together through well-crafted events.
THE PAID & PERFORMANCE MEDIA AWARDS SERIES
The Paid & Performance Media Awards series was created to recognise and celebrate excellence in paid media, performance marketing, and digital advertising. The programme began with the launch of the UK Paid Media Awards in 2017, recognising the agencies, brands, teams, and individuals delivering outstanding results through paid marketing channels.
Originally established as the UK Biddable Media Awards, the programme was rebranded as the UK Paid Media Awards in 2022 to better reflect the evolving paid media landscape and the breadth of disciplines within the sector. Building on its success, the European Paid Media Awards launched in 2022, extending the programme’s reach and celebrating excellence across the European market.
In 2026, the programme entered a new chapter when the UK Paid Media Awards and European Paid Media Awards were rebranded as the UK Paid & Performance Media Awards and European Paid & Performance Media Awards. The name change reflects the increasing convergence of paid media and performance marketing, as well as the growing importance of data, technology, and optimisation in delivering marketing success.
THE UK PAID & PERFORMANCE MEDIA AWARDS
The UK Paid & Performance Awards were founded in 2017 to celebrate the teams delivering exceptional results through paid media and performance marketing. Originally launched as the UK Biddable Media Awards, the programme was established to recognise excellence in search, social, display, and other performance-driven disciplines at a time when paid media was rapidly evolving. As the industry expanded, the awards were rebranded as the UK Paid Media Awards in 2022 to better reflect the growing scope of paid marketing channels and strategies.
The awards shine a light on campaigns, strategies, teams and individuals across every paid and performance discipline, showcasing the work that is delivering results, winning business and setting the benchmark for future campaigns.
In 2026, the awards entered a new chapter with their rebrand as the UK Paid & Performance Media Awards, reflecting the growing convergence of paid media and performance marketing and the increasingly data-driven nature of modern marketing.
Accredited with an ‘Outstanding’ Awards Trust Mark by the Independent Awards Standards Council, the awards continue to uphold the highest standards of transparency and credibility while celebrating the innovation, expertise, and results that drive the industry forward.
