Every industry is driven by visionaries, innovators and trailblazers whose influence and leadership set new standards of excellence.

Ragan is spotlighting two individuals who have shepherded the future of PR and communications. Each year, two industry leaders — one representing external communications, the other internal communications — will be chosen as recipients of the Vanguard Awards for their career-long contributions to industry advancement.

Join us in congratulation the inaugural recipients of the 2024 Vanguard Awards, Tara Darrow and John Cirone.

Tara Darrow
Vice President, Corporate Communications
T-Mobile

Tara Darrow, Vice President, Corporate Communications, T-Mobile

Remember the Oscar-winning movie, “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once?” That title is a good summary of the state of external communications today.

“I can remember a time when we would fax a release out and then take a nice deep breath because we knew we had several hours, if not 24 to 36, to get a response,” said Darrow. “Now everything we do is almost instantaneous. It’s the same with media. News comes at any time – all hours, all days! Social media has changed everything we knew to be true. Anyone can be a ‘journalist’, hot tips and rumors can land anywhere, and the expectation for engagement is higher than ever. It’s made this career more exciting – the thing I love most about what I do is not knowing exactly what each day will bring – but it’s created some challenges for sure as well.”

As the leader of T-Mobile’s top-tier media engagement and storytelling, issues management, crisis communications, executive thought leadership, social amplification campaigns and much more, Darrow exemplifies the constantly pivoting communicator, meeting the demands for immediate action with a data-driven approach and the courage to stop and ask “why.”

Darrow quarterbacked the creation and execution of all external public relations and media strategies promoting and defending the $26 billion T-Mobile and Sprint merger (a three-year process that closed virtually during COVID), as well as other high-stakes initiatives around business and financial news, corporate responsibility, diversity and inclusion, reputation management and crisis communications, including the response to T-Mobile’s massive data breach, expertly helping guide leadership through a challenging time.

She has been key to producing powerful content around the growth of a bigger and better T-Mobile that’s focused on doing good for customers, employees and shareholders. For her efforts, Darrow has received T-Mobil’s prestigious PEAK Achievement Award, given to employees who have made exceptional contributions to the company and their teams.

As she looks ahead, Darrow obviously has eyes on AI but also the massive changes in the overall media landscape as well.

“We need to pay attention to the massive shift in media consumption that’s happening as well, particularly amongst the youngest generations,” she added. “Where they get their news, how it’s delivered to them and what they want to see has changed a lot (hello TikTok!) but this is just the tip of the iceberg. I already see media outlets experimenting in new ways to connect with audiences. It’s an exciting time to try new things as a communicator too.”

John Cirone
Senior Director, Global Employee and Executive Communications
Microsoft

John Cirone, Senior Director, Global Employee and Executive Communications, Microsoft

In an era where change is the only constant and a perennially updated resume is celebrated, John Cirone is a bit of a unicorn. In 2024, John celebrated his 33rd year at Microsoft, a career that dates from the Bill Gates era through the tenure of Satya Nadella (Microsoft’s current CEO and just the third in its 50-year history).

When John began with Microsoft in 1991, the company reached its 8,000 employees most effectively with a weekly printed newsletter delivered every Friday afternoon and an annual corporate get-together held at the Seattle Mariners’ baseball stadium.

Today, Cirone and a community of hundreds of executive and employee communicators employ a multi-channel approach of employee listening and two-way conversations to create experiences and communications for Microsoft’s nearly 220,000 employees, managers and senior leaders.

Sparked by Nadella’s desire to “change the soul of Microsoft,” Cirone and team replaced traditional channels like email, all-hands, and static intranet sites with new channels that allow for more open dialogue and connection between leaders and employees like Microsoft’s Viva Engage platform, or events like Ask Me Anything. Channels like these allow Microsoft’s leadership team to address topics employees care about in a timely fashion, helping to facilitate dialogue and create better connection.

Part of Microsoft’s engagement strategy is to empower all corporate communicators, not just those employees with “communications” in their title. Cirone and his team helped create and manage Microsoft’s Global Employee Experience Community [GEEC], a group of more than 1,000 employees, including senior leaders and their chiefs of staff, business managers, communications directors, social media managers and others who can help ensure leaders are aligned on messaging, foster use of new platforms internally, and extend the impact of centrally led communications into organizations and geographies across the world.

As for so many of us, the next frontier for Cirone and his team is AI. “This is not a change that is years away, it’s happening now, and will happen even more quickly than many of us expect,” said Cirone.

“As someone who isn’t a natural early adopter of new technology, I have had to fight my natural instincts and jump in here — testing our AI tools like Copilot, encouraging my team to make the space to experiment, and to be open to new ways of doing things,” he added. “It’s exciting to see, and I think it’s fantastic for the discipline of employee communications — which after years of being an undervalued part of the marketing profession — is finally being seen as a strategic and valuable part of a company’s marketing mix — that all of us who work in this profession know it to be.”

The post Introducing the Ragan Communications Vanguard Awards appeared first on PR Daily.

Earlier this week, marketing pros from across the country gathered on the banks of the Hudson River in New York City to celebrate innovations, accomplishments, and community at Ragan’s Top Women in Marketing Awards 2024 Luncheon. The event, hosted at Manhattan’s City Winery, honored a group of marketing leaders at the peak of their powers.

Mary C. Buhay, chief growth office and head of councils at Ragan, kicked off the festivities by invoking the imagery of the Statue of Liberty towering over the adjacent New York Harbor.

“We stand on her shoulders, and we stand on the shoulders of our ancestors, our allies here in the room, and all of our loved ones,” Buhay said. “You inspire people to take action and make a positive difference.”

After receiving awards on stage,  honorees were given a choice of prompts to answer that shed light on their work and perspectives.

Geri Berdak, CEO of The Dairy Alliance, told the crowd that she’d tell her younger self to push forward, even when she faced resistance when following her career dreams.

“Don’t give up on your passions,” she said. “I had a passion for food and nutrition growing up, and a lot of people told me that I’d never be able to make a career out of it. I ultimately continued on and did just that.”

Elizabeth Paffenbarger, senior vice president of strategy at Klick Health, told the audience that the title of her autobiography would be “Lead Through Grace,” emphasizing the importance of understanding as a leader and as someone who is in touch with themselves as a person.

“One of the most key parts of being gracious is being gracious to yourself,” Paffenbarger said. “I’ve learned how to extend that to my team, my leadership, and beyond.”

Guest presenter and Ragan nonprofit partner Jodi Patkin, chief marketing & communications officer at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, reframed the tradition of wearing pink ribbons during October (which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month) as a lifesaving marketing campaign.

“Awareness enough is not alone,” Patkin said. “We must work with the best and brightest minds to advance lifesaving research and rid the world of breast cancer.”

While reflecting upon her past in the industry, honoree Kristen Potter, digital marketing director at John Guilfoil Public Relations, spoke about her daughter and how to communicate the challenges that may lie ahead of her.

“I try to tell her to be sure people hear her voice,” Potter said. “Don’t be afraid to be heard, be confident in what you say, and don’t ever hold back.”

Learn more about this year’s Top Women in Marketing honorees here.

Sean Devlin is an editor at Ragan Communications. In his spare time he enjoys Philly sports and hosting trivia.

The post Highlights from Ragan’s Top Women in Marketing Awards luncheon appeared first on PR Daily.

As the communications landscape evolved at breakneck speed in 2024, PR professionals adapted with ingenuity, determination and a deep commitment to excellence. Finalists in the PR Daily Awards stood out by rising to these challenges, using their expertise to ensure that their organizations and clients got the recognition they deserved.

PR professionals have had to rethink every aspect of their work, from media relations to stakeholder engagement. Their dedication to finding innovative solutions, harnessing the power of technology and maintaining a steadfast commitment to ethical practices has helped their clients weather the storm. Ragan’s PR Daily Awards recognizes these PR professionals, marketers, agencies, brands and campaigns of the past year.

All of these finalists will be celebrated at the upcoming PR Daily Awards ceremony, held in December at the Chelsea Pier City Winery in New York City, where the leaders, trailblazers and rising professionals who have shaped the future of public relations will be honored and category winners will be announced.

Also part of this year’s event, PR Daily will recognize the Top Agencies honorees. These leading industry agencies have redefined the standards of innovation and excellence, demonstrating their talent for elevating brands, campaigns and client partnerships to new heights.

“Congratulations to the finalists in our 2024 PR Daily Awards and to the Top Agencies Honorees,” said Brendan Gannon, senior marketing manager for Ragan’s and PR Daily’s Award programs. “This was the largest and most impressive group of entrants that we’ve ever seen, and your recognition is a credit to your compelling campaigns, creativity and teamwork.”

Congratulations to all the finalists and honorees for their remarkable achievements. We look forward to seeing them all in New York City.

Click these links to jump to each section.

2024 Top Agencies

TOP AGENCIES • AGENCY IMPACT AWARD • TOP AGENCY WORKPLACES

PR Daily Awards

Finalists: Grand Prize

PR Campaign of the Year

Finalists: GENERAL CAMPAIGNS

B2B Campaign • B2C Campaign • Brand Reputation Campaign • Branding Campaign • Cause-Related Marketing Campaign • Community Relations Campaign • Content Marketing Initiatives • Corporate Communications Campaign • Crisis Management • DE&I Communications • Employee Relations • Employer Branding • ESG Communications • Event PR or Marketing Campaign • Excellence in Social Media • Executive Communications • External/Internal Communications Campaign • Global PR Campaign • Guerrilla Marketing • Influencer Campaign • Integrated PR & Marketing • Marketing Campaign • Media Event • Media Pitch • Media Relations Campaign • Media Strategy • Multicultural Campaign • Newsjacking • Nonprofit Campaign • Original Research • PR on a Shoestring Budget • Product Launch • Public Affairs Campaign • Publicity Stunt • Re-branding or Re-positioning Campaign • Social Justice/Advocacy Campaign • Social Media Campaign • Social Responsibility • Storytelling Initiatives • Thought Leadership Communications • Use of Data and Measurement • Use of Generative AI • Video Communications • Video: Single Video • Visual Storytelling Initiatives

Finalists: CAMPAIGNS BY INDUSTRY

Arts, Entertainment and Media Campaign • Consumer Packaged Goods Campaign • Education Campaign • Food and Beverage Campaign • Hospitality and Tourism Campaign • Manufacturing Campaign • Professional Services Campaign • Retail Campaign • Sports Campaign • Technology and Information Services Campaign • Various

Finalists: HEALTHCARE PR AND MARKETING

Marketing Campaign of Year • PR Campaign of Year • Social Media Campaign of Year

Finalists: PEOPLE AND TEAMS

Agency of the Year • Executive of the Year • Marketing Professional of the Year • Media Relations Professional of the Year • PR Professional of the Year • PR Team of the Year • Social Media Professional of the Year • Young Professionals of the Year

Finalists: PODCASTS, PUBLICATIONS AND MORE

Annual Report • Blog • Digital Publication • Podcast • Print Publication • Special Reports • Website

Finalists: PR EVENTS (LIVE OR VIRTUAL)

Community Event • Employee Event • Experiential Campaign • Influencer Event • Pop-Up Event or Experience • Press Event or Media Tour

TOP AGENCIES

1Milk2Sugars

5WPR

Airfoil Group

All Points PR

Alloy

APCO

Ascend Agency

Autumn Communications

Berk Communications

BODEN Agency

BPM-PR Firm (Beautiful Planning Marketing & PR)

Caliber Corporate Advisers

Channel V Media

Coyne PR

Dittoe Public Relations

Fight or Flight

Firebrand Communications

Fortier Public Relations

French/West/Vaughan

Greenough Communications

HAVAS Formula

Haymaker Group

HUNTER

Identity

JPA Health

Just Drive Media

Kaplow Communications

KLG PR

KWT Global

MediaSource

MikeWorldWide

Mission Control Communications

Moore

Mower

North Strategic

Paquin Public Relations

Peppercomm

Porter Novelli Latin America

Quarter Horse PR

Real Chemistry

RF|Binder

Sachs Media

Sharp Think

Silverline Communications

SMITHHOUSE

Snackbox

SourceCode Communications

TEAM LEWIS

The Bliss Group

The Brand Agency

The Hoffman Agency

The Levinson Group

The Sway Effect

The TASC Group

Tier One Partners

Treble Public Relations

Vested

Vision360 Partners

Weber Shandwick

AGENCY IMPACT AWARD

All Points PR

Edit Media Group

KWT Global

Moore

Quarter Horse PR

Vanguard Communications

TOP AGENCY WORKPLACES

Dreamday

Fight or Flight

Identity

IZEA

Kaplow Communications

KWT Global

M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment

Montieth & Company

The Key PR

GRAND PRIZE

PR Campaign of the Year

Current Global, an IPG PR Company: Reframing MS with Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Novartis

Disney Cruise Line: Unlocking the Disney Treasure

NASA, Lockheed Martin, the University of Arizona and Department of Defense Public Affairs: OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Communications Campaign

PATRÓN Tequila: PATRÓN Tequila’s Formula for Fame: A Mexican Heritage Victory Lap at F1

SAG-AFTRA: SAG-AFTRA 2023 Strike Campaign

Sony Electronics: For the Music Campaign

Tequila Don Julio/DIAGEO: Projecting Tequila Don Julio to New Heights

The Brand Guild: Minnetonka Thunderbird Launch

UScellular: UScellular’s Global Day of Unplugging Campaign

GENERAL CAMPAIGNS

B2B Campaign

Big Valley Marketing: Enabling AI

Bospar: SignalFire: From Seed Stage to Front Page

Diffusion PR: Elevating Brand Awareness of alliantgroup Through Strategic Thought Leadership

Fight or Flight for Frontify: Spot the Brand

Firebrand Communications: Perceptyx: Decoding Work

Look Left Marketing: Aerospike: Disrupting a Decades-old Database Market

PwC: The Trust Academy

B2C Campaign

Coldwell Banker Realty: Coldwell Banker Dream Campaign

Next PR: Next PR and Ossia CES Campaign

PepsiCo Beverages North America — STARRY: STARRY Dial a 3

Samsung: S24 in Space

Transportation Energy Institute: TEI Geo-Targeting Campaign

UScellular: UScellular’s Global Day of Unplugging Campaign

Visit The Woodlands: Pathways Magazine

Brand Reputation Campaign

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and APCO: Treat the Cause

Endo: New Brand Identity for the New Endo

LSG: Made Possible by Your Children’s Hospital

PwC: The Trust Leadership Institute

Branding Campaign

ECMC Group: Empowering Teens to Question The Quo in Choosing Their Future Education Path

Endo: New Brand Identity for the New Endo

HII Mission Technologies: Mission Ready Means — Delivering the Advantage

Sony Electronics: For the Music Campaign

The Archer School for Girls: The Archer School for Girls Rebrand

Wellabe: Wellabe Brand Launch

Cause-Related Marketing Campaign

Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A Shared Table Program

Sherlock Communications & Mindray: Juntos Por Una Sonrisa

UScellular: UScellular’s Global Day of Unplugging Campaign

Community Relations Campaign

American Airlines: 80th Anniversary of D-Day

Campbell’s Digital Workplace Team: Campbell’s/Salvation Army Camden Kroc Center Adult Fun Fiesta

Lendmark Financial: Climb to Cure Campaign

Suburban Propane: SuburbanCares

Content Marketing Initiatives

Daversa Partners: Marketing & Communications Team

Jackson Spalding: Buzzing Engagement: Driving Conversions with Content Marketing

PwC US: Content Marketing Initiative: PwC US People Campaign

Corporate Communications Campaign

Children’s Health: ‘Expanded Space, Expanded Care’ Communications Plan

Intesa Communications Group & San Diego Tourism Authority: Summer of Economic Power: Celebrating San Diego’s Tourism Industry

L’Oréal: CES 2024

PwC: My AI

Siemens: Positioning a Leading Technology Company

UL Solutions: IPO and First Earnings Report 2024

Crisis Management 

Sacramento Municipal Utility District: Storm Response

SAG-AFTRA: SAG-AFTRA 2023 Strike Campaign

University of California, Davis: Crisis and Emergency Communications Training

DE&I Communications 

Brighton Health Plan Solutions: Marketing Communications Team

Nissan Motor Co.: Nissan DEI Champion

Open Plaza: Autism Friendly Space

Sallie Mae: National Scholarship Month

Visit Lauderdale: Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program

Employee Relations

Amgen: Because It Matters: Amgen Mission Week 2023

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration: You Make a Difference Campaign

Chevron: San Ramon HQ Move

City of Hope Orange County: Hope is at Work

Cognizant: 2024 Impact Awards

HII Mission Technologies: Mission Starts At Home

Employer Branding

Brighton Health Plan Solutions: Employer Branding Campaign

HII Mission Technologies: Mission Starts at Home

The Bliss Group: The Bliss Group for CareOne

ESG Communications

Consolidated Asset Management Services: Annual ESG Report

FischTank PR: Climate Media Relations for Sublime Systems

Kite Hill PR: Sapphire Technologies

Mastercard: ESG in Action

Event PR or Marketing Campaign

Bader Rutter: McCain Foods EPIC Throwdown

BML: 44 Years in the Making: A Total Media Sweep Sets the Stage for Supercross’ Anticipated Return to Philly

FINN Partners: Into New Action Sports Festival in Virginia Beach

Georgia Commute Options: Biketober 2023

INFINITI USA: INFINITI Reveals All-new 2025 INFINITI QX80

JSA + Partners: The Madden NFL Championship Series

MikeWorldWide: The Kentucky Derby

Pratt Institute: The New Village: 10 Years of New York Fashion PR Campaign

ROX United: Golfzon Social Brooklyn

Supernal & Edelman: Supernal Air Taxi Takes Flight at CES 2024

Tequila Don Julio/DIAGEO: Projecting Tequila Don Julio to New Heights

Excellence in Social Media 

Help at Home: Help at Home’s Social Media

Just Drive Media: Social Media Strategies Built on Insight and Artistry

Mower and 84.51˚: Elevating 84.51˚’s Social Media Presence

Peterbilt: Peterbilt Social Media

PwC: Excellence in Social Media

Relatable: ScratchPad Pro

Samsung: S24 in Space

Executive Communications

Daversa Partners: Marketing & Communications Team

KWT Global: Navigating Change, Driving Results

University of California, Davis: Checking In with Chancellor May Email

External/Internal Communications Campaign 

Advocate Health: Nurses Week

Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages: Fizzing with Excitement — Building Employee Engagement

Arkansas Children’s Strategic Marketing: Arkansas Children’s

Atrium Health: MoMo Twins

JSI: International Women’s Day 2024 Campaign

Metrolinx: Ontario’s One Fare Program

PepsiCo: No Lay’s, No Game

UW Medicine Strategic Marketing and Communications: Center for Behavioral Health and Learning

Global PR Campaign

Allied Universal: World Security Report

CeraVe: CeraVe Schools Influencers From Around the World to Clear Up Acne Confusion

Hilton: Hilton’s Global 2024 Trends Report: Spotlighting Generational Insights for a Fresh Look at Travel Trends

Guerrilla Marketing

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare: The Lifesavers of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare

DB Schenker: TPM24

Electronic Payments Coalition: Donut Touch My Rewards — EPC’s Donut Food Truck Campaign

Influencer Campaign

American Dental Association: ADA Lobby Day 2024 Influencer Campaign

Bader Rutter: McCain Foods EPIC Throwdown

Biosector 2: Using Valued Voices to Vaccinate a Nation

CMP: Find Your Beat

FCB Health New York, an IPG Health Company: My Time, My Way

Hoffman York: Wahl Clipper Corp. and AreYouKiddingTV

Kaplow Communications for GESKE German Beauty Tech: Elevating Cutting-Edge Skincare Technology Via A Star-Studded Global Launch

M&C Saatchi FABRIC North America: Samsonite Iconic Explorers Creator Program

Mars Wrigley: Skwinkles Chunks

MiraLAX: MiraLAX Exposes the Gut Gap

National Peanut Board: A Common Comfort

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers: Burgertini

Sanofi and Ruder Finn: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

Visit Lauderdale: Laudy Dayo

Warner Bros. x IZEA: Hey Barbie: Welcome to the Dreamhouse

Integrated PR & Marketing 

BetMGM: BetMGM Super Bowl

Current Global, an IPG PR company: Reframing MS with Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Novartis

Edelman: Casey Andrews

Friends of the High Line: High Line 15th Birthday Campaign: One Path, Infinite Dreams

HUNTER: Tequila Don Julio Toasts to the Stars at the Oscars

JBL Harman: JBLiens Ear-n-vasion

Nissan: 2025 Nissan Kicks Reveal

Samsung: S24 in Space

Sanofi and Ruder Finn: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

Marketing Campaign

FCB Health New York, an IPG Health Company: My Time, My Way

HII Mission Technologies: Mission Ready Means — Delivering the Advantage

JBL Harman Industries: JBL Fest — Authentics Brand Launch

Legend: Delsyn Brings Comfort Home

Sacramento Municipal Utility District: Contact SMUD First

Sony Electronics: For the Music Campaign

Media Event

Behr Paint: Behr’s 2024 Color of the Year

Best Buy Canada: Best Buy Game Day Viewing Party

City of Hope Orange County: The Younger Face of Cancer

French | West | Vaughan: FWV Energizes Largest Indian Company Investment in U.S. EV Market

INFINITI USA: INFINITI Reveals All-new 2025 INFINITI QX80

National Geographic: Queens Ball

Spelman College and Jackson Spalding: Spelman #100for100

Media Pitch 

Children’s Hospital Colorado: Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Call to the Community Saves Patients’ Lives

Doe-Anderson: Maker’s Mark Women’s History Month Label Promotion

Northwestern Mutual: Loud Budgeting

TVP Communications: Fast Track Advantage: Turning FAFSA Delays Into Enrollment Gains

Media Relations Campaign 

Antenna Group: From “Yuck” to “Yum”: The Epic OneWater Brew Campaign

Children’s Health: Children’s Health Tackles Youth Mental Health Crisis

Diffusion PR: Cooking Up a New Household Name — Diffusion x Dreo

Goody PR: American Paper Optics/EclipseGlasses.com Public Relations Campaign

LaunchSquad: Changing San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’ Narrative

Legend: Delsyn Brings Comfort Home

PAN: HireClix

SEGA of America: SEGA’s Sonic Superstars Reimagines Classic 2D Sonic the Hedgehog in an All-New Adventure

Siemens: Elevating Siemens’ Technology Story

Signify: Philips Hue: Illuminating the Future of Smart Living in 2023

Spelman College and Jackson Spalding: Spelman #100for100

Susan Davis International: ABMC Centennial Commemoration Campaign

Swinerton/Timberlab: Timberlab’s Expansion in Cross-Laminated Timber Manufacturing

Media Strategy

5WPR: 5WPR x The Lumistella Company

Dreamday: Dieux Agency Engagement Campaign

FleishmanHillard: A Paid Media Content Engine

TVP Communications: Shining Brightly and Eclipsing the Competition in Media Coverage

Multicultural Campaign 

Johnson and Johnson: Save Legs. Change Lives.

McDonald’s USA x BODEN Agency: Tapping Hispanic/Latino Anime Culture Through WcDonald’s

PepsiCo Multicultural: PepsiCo Donates $250,000 to Historically Black Colleges and Universities to Help Tackle Food Insecurity

Newsjacking

Felix Cat Insurance: Cat of the Year

Jewish National Fund-USA: Israel Resilience Campaign

The Bliss Group: The Bliss Group for RapidRatings

The Lake House on Canandaigua: A Solar Eclipse Spectacle for The Lake House on Canandaigua

TVP Communications: Fast Track Advantage: Turning FAFSA Delays into Enrollment Gains

Nonprofit Campaign 

Campbell’s Digital Workplace Team: Campbell’s/Salvation Army Camden Kroc Center Adult Fun Fiesta

ECMC Group: Empowering Teens to Question The Quo in Choosing Their Future Education Path

Jackson Spalding: One Spokespeach, 7 Languages: Helping 2.8 million Georgians Stay Informed and Stay Covered

Jewish National Fund-USA: Israel Resilience Campaign

Landis Communications for Save the Redwoods League and Giant Sequoias Lands Coalition: Doctor’s Check-up for General Sherman Tree

Outward Bound: The Big Rappel

The V Foundation for Cancer Research: Don’t Give Up…Don’t Ever Give Up!: The 30th Anniversary of the V Foundation for Cancer Research

Original Research 

Ares Management Corporation: Philanthropy, Purpose and Professional Development: Why Workplace Volunteer Programs Matter

GLAAD: Where We Are on TV

Jackson: Security in Retirement Series

New York Life Insurance Company: Wealth Watch Research

PR on a Shoestring Budget 

American Dental Association: Advancing Public Health Through Clinical Practice Guideline Campaign on Acute Dental Pain Management

Campbell’s Digital Workplace Team: Campbell’s/Salvation Army Camden Kroc Center Adult Fun Fiesta

Pratt Institute: Transit Art Tour

Product Launch 

Baldwin and Obenauf: CenTrak and BNO’s Seamless Dual Product Launch Strategy

Diffusion PR: Capturing New Frontiers and Audiences — Diffusion and GoPro

Evorus Group: Daytona Supply Co Style Products Launch

Hilton: Hot Off the Iron: Hampton Showcases Breakfast Innovations with Paris Hilton in ‘The Year of the Waffle’

Hoffman York: Wahl Pro Series High Visibility Trimmer Launch

HUNTER: Tequila Don Julio Toasts to the Stars at the Oscars

JBL Harman Industries: JBL Fest — Authentics Brand Launch

Nissan: 2025 Nissan Kicks Reveal

Penske Truck Leasing: Catalyst AI

Perrigo x HAVAS Red: The Smart, Sexy and Seriously History-Making Launch of Opill

Planit: Current Backyard Launches the Current Model G at CES 2024

Public Affairs Campaign

American Medical Association: Mifepristone Work

Defense Intelligence Agency: DIA UAV Campaign

Lodestone: InvestHER

LSG: Made Possible by Your Children’s Hospital

RLF Communications: NC Medicaid Expansion

Arkansas Children’s: Arkansas Children’s

Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey: Eat. Hug. Love. Campaign

Utah Department of Commerce: Knights of Scamalot

Publicity Stunt

Dr. Squatch: Dr. Squatch’s Ball Care Campaign

INFINITI USA: INFINITI Reveals All-new 2025 INFINITI QX80

Legend: Mucus Disappearus with Mucinex and Penn & Teller

Outward Bound: The Big Rappel

Tequila Don Julio/DIAGEO: Projecting Tequila Don Julio to New Heights

Re-branding or Re-positioning Campaign 

7-Eleven and Edible: 7-Eleven Brings Slurpee to a New Generation

American Association for Debt Resolution: American Fair Credit Council Relaunch as the American Association for Debt Resolution

Bospar: Paul Smith’s College: Sustainability and Adventure in the Adirondacks

Endo: New Brand Identity for the New Endo

LaunchSquad: Changing San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’ Narrative

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers: Red Robin’s Better Burgers

Social Justice/Advocacy Campaign

Better Together: Better Together Insight Report: Navigating Biases in Generative AI

Community Health Resources: Real Life, Real Hope Moments

Social Media Campaign

Converse: Find Your Beat

KWT Global: How Illumina Created #GenomicsTok

Medela: Answering Breastfeeding FAQs

Merz Aesthetics: Community Building and Engagement

Nissan Motor Co.: Nissan — Japan Mobility Show

PAN: Nuance Communications Instagram Campaign

Warner Bros. x IZEA: Hey Barbie: Welcome to the Dreamhouse

Social Responsibility

DraftKings: DraftKings 2023 Tree Planting

Heatcraft Refrigeration Products: Cool to be Kind

Las Torres Patagonia: Calling All Travelers: Las Torres Patagonia Announces “10 Volunteers for 10 Days”

Open Plaza: Autism Friendly Space

SpartanNash: Helping Hands Day

SpartanNash: Water Donation

WorldMark by Wyndham: Planting Seeds

Storytelling Initiatives

Behr Paint: Behr’s 2024 Color of the Year

Cutline Communications: eharmony’s Dating Diaries

Identity: Look No Further Than Sterling Heights, Michigan

Las Torres Patagonia: Calling All Travelers: Las Torres Patagonia Announces “10 Volunteers for 10 Days”

PepsiCo’s Global Foods Group: PepsiCo’s Quaker Brand Celebrates Unsung Heroes in First Global Campaign Initiative

Travere Therapeutics: RKD & Me

Thought Leadership Communications

ASIS International: 2024 ASIS International Blog

Help at Home: Advancing Home Care for the Better

Peppercomm for Wilmington Trust: Peppercomm for Wilmington Trust

PwC: The Trust Survey: Bringing the Business Case for Trust to Life

RSM US LLP and FleishmanHillard: Thought Leadership Campaign: RSM x FH

TRIMEDX: Becoming an Industry Authority by Pivoting Thought Leadership Strategy and Execution

Use of Data and Measurement

5WPR: 5WPR x Adzuna AI Jobs

Bospar: SignalFire: From Seed Stage to Front Page

FINN Partners: Allianz Partners’ Vacation Confidence Index Earns Media Dividends

Orlando Health with MediaSource: The Test & Learn Approach: Quantifying the Business Impact of Earned Media in Healthcare

NeuroStar: Breaking Barriers with NeuroStar Depression Barometer

Use of Generative AI

Better Together: Better Together Insight Report: Navigating Biases in Generative AI

Providence: Providence Communication Team

Video Communications

AbbVie Oncology: Blood Cancer, Explained Episode 3: A Global Mission to Improve Lymphoma Care

Pendleton Whisky: Empowering Veterans, One Sip at a Time: Pendleton Whisky Teams Up with Bob Woodruff Foundation

PwC: Trust in Action

South County Tourism Council: This Is South County, Rhode Island

Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association: Help Us Help You

Visit Lauderdale: Hidden in Plain Sight

Video: Single Video

Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages: Big Red Truck: A Musical-Inspired Ad for A Texas Bottler

CMP: Signs From the Ocean Documentary

Middlesex Water Company: Welcome to Middlesex Water Company

Mouser Electronics: Forbidden Places

Opera Norway AS: Tabfulness Guru

Skillable + Gantry: Meet Skillable

UC Davis Health: Care Team’s React Video

Visual Storytelling Initiatives

Fight or Flight for Frontify: Spot the Brand

Kyowa Kirin: Ripple Effect of Parkinson’s Disease

Northwell Health with MediaSource: Integrated Visual Storytelling Campaign Captures First-Ever Medical Breakthrough

PwC: “I am PwC”

CAMPAIGNS BY INDUSTRY

Arts, Entertainment and Media Campaign

829 Studios: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet 2023 Tour

Converse: Find Your Beat

DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities: Legacy: Civil Rights At 60

Houston First Corporation: Theater Week 2023

Lambert by LLYC: SXSW “You Can In Michigan” Event Activation

Media Minefield: Modern Artifact Campaign

MikeWorldWide: The Kentucky Derby

National Geographic: A Real Bug’s Life

National Geographic: Genius: MLK/X

National Geographic: Queens

National Geographic: Secrets of the Octopus

Noisy Trumpet Communications: ATG Entertainment: “Frozen” San Antonio

Warner Bros. x IZEA: Hey Barbie: Welcome to the Dreamhouse

Consumer Packaged Goods Campaign

PETERMAYER: Zatarain’s Smoked Sausage Mardi Gras Campaign

TUMS/Haleon: TUMS Fuses Food, Fashion and Heartburn Relief Through Limited Edition TUMS Bag

Education Campaign

Bospar: Paul Smith’s College: Sustainability and Adventure in the Adirondacks

Sallie Mae: National Scholarship Month

Samsung Electronics America: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow National STEM Competition

Texas Tech University: Eyes on the Horizon: Texas Tech University Centennial Celebration

TVP Communications: Shining Brightly and Eclipsing the Competition in Media Coverage with Indiana University

Food and Beverage Campaign

BML: A Total Eclipse of the Marg: BML Helps Applebee’s New Margarita Shine During Historic Eclipse

Ignite Social Media: PEEPS Easter

Jack in the Box and Small Girls PR: Jack in the Box and Small Girls PR

Krispy Krunchy Foods: Food and Beverage Campaign

Life Cereal and FleishmanHillard: Life Cereal #ifykyk

M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment North America: Busch Light Pit Stop Wedding

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers: The Juicier Collection

siggi’s: siggi’s digital detox

Tequila Don Julio/DIAGEO: Projecting Tequila Don Julio to New Heights

The Brand Guild: Sweetgreen x Steak

Hospitality and Tourism Campaign

Disney Cruise Line: Unlocking the Disney Treasure

Hilton Toronto: Relaunch of Hilton Toronto and the Grand Opening of Frenchy

Hilton: Hilton’s Global 2024 Trends Report: Spotlighting Generational Insights for a Fresh Look at Travel Trends

KWT Global: Bringing Four Seasons Brand Campaign to Life with Love and Kindness

MikeWorldWide: The Kentucky Derby

Pace: Serving Careers

Visit Lauderdale: Welcome Everyone Under the Sun

Manufacturing Campaign

imre: STIHL Weather Program

Lambert by LLYC: Integrated Communications Plan Advancing Global Manufacturing

Professional Services Campaign

Havas Formula: Sterling Thought Leadership

PwC: SEC Climate Rules: Turning a News Moment into a Business Opportunity

UL Solutions: IPO and First Earnings Report 2024

Retail Campaign

7-Eleven and Edible: 7-Eleven Brings Slurpee to a New Generation

Diffusion PR: Cooking Up a New Household Name — Diffusion x Dreo

Sports Campaign

BML: Bases Loaded: A Grand Slam Media Relations Campaign for the Sultan of Swat!

Johnnie Walker: Johnnie Walker “Watch Women’s Sports” Campaign

LA Clippers: Unveil New Uniforms, Logo and Brand Look

M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment North America: Busch Light Pit Stop Wedding

PepsiCo: No Lay’s, No Game

Technology and Information Services Campaign

Bospar: SignalFire: From Seed Stage to Front Page

Diffusion PR: Conquering Misconceptions in AI-Guided Mental Health Services — Diffusion x Wysa

PepsiCo: Doritos Silent

Touchdown PR: Exabeam Threat Detection, Investigation and Response Report 2023

Various

Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A Shared Table Program

Driftwood Capital: Driftwood Capital Media Campaign

Felix Cat Insurance: Cat of the Year

Four Hands: Launch of Amber Lewis x Four Hands

Padilla: Agoro Carbon Alliance: Reducing Ag’s Carbon Footprint — 1 Million Acres at a Time

Wrangler: French/West/Vaughan and AMP3 Public Relations PR Campaign for Wrangler x Barbie Collaboration

HEALTHCARE PR AND MARKETING

Marketing Campaign of Year

Aspire Indiana Health: MACY (Mobile Access Care for You)

FCB Health New York, an IPG Health Company: My Time, My Way

Jackson Spalding: One Spokespeach, 7 Languages: Helping 2.8 Million Georgians Stay Informed and Stay Covered

Mediktor: Albany Med AI-powered Lead Generation Campaign

PR Campaign of Year

Advocate Health: Nurses Week

Astellas Pharma and Ruder Finn: Raising Awareness About GA with Eric & Jamey Stonestreet

Current Global, an IPG PR company: Reframing MS with Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Novartis

Jackson Spalding: One Spokespeach, 7 Languages: Helping 2.8 Million Georgians Stay Informed and Stay Covered

LSG: Made Possible by Your Children’s Hospital

Social Media Campaign of Year

Merz Aesthetics: Community Building and Engagement

Smarty Social Media and Treace Medical Concepts: Treace Medical Concepts Celebrates Inaugural National Bunion Day

The Bliss Group: The Bliss Group for CareOne

PEOPLE AND TEAMS

Agency of the Year

Berk Communications

Bospar

CCOMGROUP

Coyne PR

DEY. Ideas + Influence

Evins Communications

EvolveMKD

French/West/Vaughan

Identity

IFP Communications

Mindset Consulting

The Bliss Group

The Hoffman Agency

Executive of the Year

Rick French, French/West/Vaughan

Phil Nardone, PAN

Trey Sarten, Anywhere Real Estate

Cortney Stapleton, The Bliss Group

Marketing Professional of the Year

Allie Bostwick, PATRÓN Tequila

Ibby Hussain, Vested

Jarno Oostingh, Nebo

Media Relations Professional of the Year

Tommaso Di Giovanni, Philip Morris International

Christopher Hippolyte, Syneos Health

Christopher Licata, PwC

PR Professional of the Year

Allie Bostwick, PATRÓN Tequila

Tommaso Di Giovanni, Philip Morris International

Adeena Fried, EvolveMKD

Marissa Padilla, Global Strategy Group

Kyna Willis, American College of Rheumatology

PR Team of the Year

National Geographic, National Geographic PR Team

Providence: Providence National Communication Team

Sotheby’s International Realty: Team of the Year

Supernal & Edelman: Supernal Air Taxi Takes Flight at CES 2024

Wasabi Technologies: Wasabi Technologies In-House PR Team

Social Media Professional of the Year

Nancy Anderson: HAVAS Red

Haley Norton: Nebo

Young Professionals of the Year

Amanda Akin, EvolveMKD

Erin Berst, CURA Strategies

Olivia Clarke, Nebo

Caroline Cox, Wasabi Technologies

Victoria Hill, Health+Commerce

Jessica Mara, Dow Jones

Sarah Mann, The Levinson Group

Tess Pawlisch, Needle PR

PODCASTS, PUBLICATIONS AND MORE

Annual Report

Arkansas Children’s: Arkansas Children’s

Aspire Indiana Health: Aspire Indiana Health 2023 Annual Report

Global Strategy Group: The Las Vegas Raider’s Impact Report

MD Anderson Cancer Center: A Leading Light: MD Anderson’s FY23 Annual Report

Providence: Annual Report to Our Communities

Tier One Partners for Ally Financial: Fundamentally: The 2022 Ally CSR Report

Blog

Amplify Credit Union: Amplify Credit Union Blog

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and APCO: Changemakers

Digital Publication

General Building Contractors Association: Construction Today

Marquette University: From Print to Digital, an Omni-Channel Approach to Six Magazines

PwC: Reimagining PwC Inside: A Modern and Personalized Internal Newsletter

Warner Music Group: Top Stories

Podcast

AAA Mountain West Group: The Via Podcast

AARP California: In Clear Terms with AARP California

American College of Rheumatology: ACR on Air Podcast

Big Valley Marketing: Pressing Matters Podcast

Pfizer: Science Will Win Season 3

PwC: PwC Pulse Podcast: A Business Podcast for Executives

Print Publication 

Hofstra University: Hofstra Magazine Spring 2024

Muscular Dystrophy Association: Quest Media Print

SpartanNash: People First Digest

St. Thomas University: Contact Magazine 2024

Special Reports

Bristol Myers Squibb: ESG 2023

Consolidated Asset Management Services: Annual ESG Report

ServiceNow: DEI 2023

Website

Endo: Endo.com: New Website for the New Endo

Host Hotels & Resorts: Reimagining the New Corporate Website

LMI Consulting: SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program

Nissan Motor Co.: Nissan Corporate Website & Newsroom

PwC: HQ: Creating a Personalized and Connected Experience for Our People

UC Davis Health: Health Library

PR EVENTS (LIVE OR VIRTUAL)

Community Event

Acadia: The Rett Family Council

Campbell’s Digital Workplace Team: Campbell’s/Salvation Army Camden Kroc Center Adult Fun Fiesta

City of Hope Orange County: A Beam of Hope: Hospital Topping Off Ceremony

PepsiCo Multicultural: Pepsi Hosts Community Day Event with Surprise Appearance by Mary J. Blige

Employee Event

Amgen: Because It Matters: Amgen Mission Week 2023

Eaton: Eaton’s LiveWire Experience

Johnson & Johnson and Porter Novelli: Global Learning Day

PwC: Leaders in Action

SpartanNash: Summit and Circle of Excellence

Experiential Campaign 

Autumn Communications: Amazon Customer Trust Event

CCOMGROUP: Neutrogena’s SPF & Padel Event: Driving Awareness Towards the New Sports Body SPF During Melanoma Awareness Month

Clemson University: It’s a Clemson World — Artisphere 2024

National Geographic: Queens New York Fashion Week – National Geographic

Texas Tech University: Eyes on the Horizon: Texas Tech University Centennial Celebration

Influencer Event

Bader Rutter: McCain Foods EPIC Throwdown

Barcel – Takis: Takis Hexas Launch

CeraVe: CeraVe Schools Influencers From Around the World to Clear Up Acne Confusion

National Geographic: Queens Safari

Responsibility.org: 2024 Responsibility.org Parenting Influencer Summit

Television Bureau of Advertising: TVB’s Countdown to Election Day Event 2024

Pop-Up Event or Experience

Autumn Communications: Amazon Customer Trust Event

Hoffman York: Wahl Manscaper Pop-Up Events

KFC: KFC Saucy Nuggets Dispensary

Morinaga America: HI-CHEW Bite-Size Candy Shop Tour

Orangetheory Fitness: Orangetheory’s “WTF is OTF?! Comedy Event” Blended Humor and Fitness to Ease Gym-timidation

Tequila Don Julio/DIAGEO: Projecting Tequila Don Julio to New Heights

Press Event or Media Tour

Antenna Group: Launching Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park

Discover The Palm Beaches: Flair for Fashion

LA Clippers: 2023-24 Media Day

San Diego Clippers: LA Clippers G League Team Relocates and Rebrands

The post PR Daily Awards and Top Agencies finalists and honorees announced: See the full list appeared first on PR Daily.

This is Richelle Payne’s time to serve.

The way she sees it, in her 20s, she paid her dues. In her 30s, she differentiated herself and specialized. In her 40s, she became a leader.

“Now that I’m in my 50s, I get to call the shots and that means a lot of different things,” she said. “It means being able to have a sense of presence and professional courage, to be able to recognize when a story is not really the story, recognizing how to nurture talent, how to mediate obstacles with diplomacy and grace.”

By day, she serves as vice president for strategic communications and marketing at Hampton University, an HBCU. But outside of that, she serves in a wealth of philanthropic roles, many devoted to advancing the professional and personal development of Black and diverse communications practitioners. She is president emeritus of the National Black Public Relations Society, Inc., a member of the board of directors for the Diversity Action Alliance, an adviser to the Public Relations Society of America, Inc. and a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.

For this commitment to improving the industry and offering a hand up to others, Payne was awarded the Outstanding Service to the Industry Award as part of Ragan’s CSR & Diversity Awards.

“Richelle’s passion for increasing the diversity of the communications industry helps everyone, from the professionals who find belonging in the field to the audiences who benefit from authentically crafted messages,” said Jon Minnick, special projects manager at Ragan Communications. “It’s our honor to offer her this award in recognition of her outstanding work.”

“I like to make sure that there’s a balance between working in the business or working in the industry and making sure that I’m working on improving and advancing the industry,” Payne said.

Learning to serve

Payne recognized the importance of service early through a role with Hampton Road Black Media Professionals, a sister organization to the National Association of Black Journalists.

“It provided me the leadership opportunities that I might not have gotten necessarily on my job,” she said. “It taught me how to serve. It taught me time management, because I earn a paycheck, and I’m being evaluated on what I do from 9 to 5, but I’m also being fulfilled.”

Payne stressed using service as a way to further your career and not to become pigeonholed as purely doing communications work in volunteer roles.

“I think that it’s important to also make sure that while you’re tracking with professional associations, that you’re also looking for ways to exercise other muscles, and sometimes that comes with being involved in organizations that are on the periphery or even outside of what you do,” she said.

Through her work with the National Black Public Relations Society, Payne became involved with the PRSA, which she said gave her a new perspective on the industry.

“It was an opportunity to be more of an advocate than a practitioner,” she said. “And looking at ways that the industry was training and retaining and advancing practitioners of color, particularly African Americans.”

Her volunteer work helps organizations “raise their eyes,” she said. “When you’re dealing locally, you kind of look straight ahead at what’s in front of you that rather than look over and out. So, we try and bring that kind of visionary advocacy, if you will.”

What’s at stake

Uplifting Black people is at the core of Payne’s work, either through her job at Hampton University or her volunteer work. When she speaks on the importance of improving the industry for this underrepresented group, her emotion and sincerity shine through.

“What’s at stake is practitioners who are marginalized to the extent that they are pushed out to other industries or to starting their own agencies,” she said. “What that does is it leaves a void for the organization that they lead, but it creates a sense of chaos for person that is pushed out.”

Too often, Payne said, attention is focused on improving the pipeline for new practitioners to enter the field. But research she’s led indicates the problem occurs more in the mid-career stages. Seven or eight years into their work, they may stop getting stretch assignments, or the plum billable accounts. Over time, they stagnate – and are pushed out.

“You’re talking about treatment from a protected class that is worthy of discussion that we’re not courageous enough to have,” she said.

But despite the challenges, Payne’s love for the industry remains.

“It’s a wonderful profession, because you have the responsibility not only to teach and train people around the thing that you represent, but you can be the voice behind some of the world’s greatest influencers. You can be an influencer to the influencer, and that carries a lot of power and pride.”

Allison Carter is editor-in-chief of PR Daily. Follow her on Twitter or LinkedIn.

The post ‘An influencer to the influencers’: Richelle Payne honored with Ragan’s Outstanding Service to the Industry Award appeared first on PR Daily.

The 2024 CSR & Diversity Awards spotlighted an impressive group of communicators and campaigns who forged intersectional relationships with their communities, prioritized equity in their hiring practices, launched inclusive partnerships with others doing complementary work, and much more.

Ragan Communications hosted an awards luncheon on Sept. 27th at New York City’s Yale Club, where attendees gathered to celebrate the inclusive campaigns that made a substantial impact on communities that have long been underrepresented.

“This year’s Ragan’s CSR & Diversity Awards finalists prove that strategic social impact work remains vital to engaging purpose-driven audiences—even in a year when acronyms are politicized and criticized,” says Ragan CEO Diane Schwartz. “We are honored to shine a spotlight on their substantial and meaningful achievements.”

Ragan congratulates this inspiring group of leaders.

CSR & ESG Business Practices

Employee Volunteer/Community Relations Program

Ernst & Young LLP (EY US): EY Ripples

Carl Zeiss AG: ZEISS – A Heart for Science

Circana: Circana’s Diversity Advantage Program: Empowering Minority- and Women-owned Businesses

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority: DEWA Environmental Engagement Program

Encore Capital Group: Encore Connected Week

Link Logistics and CoreGiving: Link Logistics’ CoreGiving Day

Mars Food & Nutrition: Ben’s Original Commitment to Purpose and Inclusive Opportunities

TouchPoint Support Services: More Than a Partnership: Best Buddies & TouchPoint

VyStar Credit Union: VyStar Volunteerism and Community Engagement

Employer Branding & Activism

UC Davis Health: Believe in Better Brand Campaign

Cisco: We Are Cisco

Environmental Stewardship

Sanofi Consumer Healthcare North America: Sanofi CHC NA B Corp

Fluor: Achieving Our Net Zero 2023 Target

Ivanti: Ivanti’s CSR

Lenovo International Services Supply Chain: Reduces E-Waste and Conscientiously Fulfilling Environmental Responsibilities through Lifecycle Extension – Lenovo ISSC Inhouse Refurbishment Factory

CSR & ESG Engagement and Communications

CSR Campaign

Cisco Systems, Inc.: One Billion Lives

Department of Culture & Tourism Abu Dhabi: Corporate Social Responsibility

L’Oréal Groupe: L’Oréal Climate Emergency Fund

Sallie Mae: National Scholarship Month

CSR or ESG Event (Virtual or In Person)

Cisco Systems, Inc.: Celebrating Diversity and Community: Cisco’s Juneteenth Sponsorship Experience

M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment North America: Toss In, Take Out  -The  Expansion of Coca-Cola 20-oz. bottles made from 100% recycled plastic*

Walt Disney World Resort: Once Upon A Wish Party

Employee Engagement Campaign

Mars Food & Nutrition: Ben’s Original Commitment to Purpose and Inclusive Opportunities

Allied Solutions: Community Engagement Strategy

Ernst & Young LLP (EY US): EY Ripples

Mastercard: ESG in Action

ESG Campaign

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.: Hon Hai Group’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Disability Service Program

Citizens Financial Group: Sustainability and Impact: Citizens ESG Evolution

One97 Communications Limited: Clear Air

Media Relations Campaign

M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment North America, Toss In, Take Out  -The  Expansion of Coca-Cola 20-oz. bottles made from 100% recycled plastic

PR Campaign

Samsung Electronics America: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow national STEM competition

M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment North America: Toss In, Take Out

Mars Food & Nutrition: Ben’s Original Commitment to Purpose and Inclusive Opportunities

Providence-Covenant Health: Breastfeeding Challenge

SkipTheDishes: Zero Waste Chef

Public Affairs/Issues Management Campaign

Walt Disney World Resort: Disney in Florida

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD): Contact SMUD First

Report (CSR, DEI and/or ESG – Print or Digital) 

STO Building Group: STOBG Cares: Corporate Responsibility Report

Ameresco, Inc.: Ameresco’s Impact Report Exemplifies Doing Well by Doing Good for People, Planet, and Policy

CF Industries and FTI Consulting: ESG and Sustainability Report

Cisco Systems, Inc.: The Power of Purpose: FY23 Cisco Purpose Report

Consolidated Asset Management Services (CAMS): CAMS Annual ESG Report

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority: DEWA Sustainability Report

Teladoc Health: 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Social Media Campaign

Megaworld Foundation, Inc.: Mega Summer Ventures 4 All

OLLY: OLLY Mental Health Awareness Month Campaign

Stakeholder Engagement

L’Oréal Groupe: L’Oréal Climate Emergency Fund

Mars Food & Nutrition: Ben’s Original Commitment to Purpose and Inclusive Opportunities

T-Mobile: Earth Day Quiz

Video

Cook County Department of Public Health: Here to Hear You – Suicide Prevention Community Conversations

Howard Community College: Drag[on] Extravaganza: The DRAGumentary

CSR & ESG Social Impact

Cause Advocacy Campaign

OLLY: OLLY Mental Health Awareness Month Campaign

Better Together: Better Together Insight Report: Navigating Biases in Generative AI

Call of Duty Endowment: Loot for Good

DonorsChoose: Unique Impact, Unique Burdens: Insights into the Black Male Educator Experience

First Quality: Diaper Need Awareness Week 2023

Community Affairs

Audible: Audible’s New Business Attraction Program Recruits Diverse, High-Growth Companies to Newark’s Innovation Economy

Corewell Health: Veggie Van

Corporate-Community or Nonprofit Partnership

DraftKings: DraftKings S.E.R.V.E.S.

Cemex Egypt: Very Nile & Cemex Partnership

Dentsply Sirona: Partnering to advance the future of cleft care

ESPN: ESPN’s Wish Granting

F.N.B. Corporation: The FNB Financial Center Project

Ford Motor Company: Team Rubicon Powered by Ford

Hyundai Hope On Wheels: Hyundai Hope On Wheels 25th Anniversary

Mattress Firm: Mattress Firm and its partner Good360 solve Mattress Firm’s obsolete inventory challenges, reduce landfill waste and help 5,000 families nationwide sleep soundly through a collaborative product donation program.

Mercedes-Benz USA: Driving Your Future x Safe Kids Worldwide

PepsiCo Foundation: PepsiCo Foundation-She Feeds The World

Robinhood: Robinhood Retirement for Independent Workers

Southwest Airlines: Repurpose with Purpose

Education or Scholarship Program

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD): SMUD Education Programs

American Motor Honda: Honda Battle of the Bands

BODEN Agency: McDonald’s x BODEN Agency: HACER® National Scholarship

Fox Corporation: FOX For Students

Great Jobs KC: Radically Impacting the Kansas City Community through Job Training and College Scholarships

Mastercard: Girls4Tech

Sallie Mae: National Scholarship Month

Fundraising and Philanthropic Initiative

AstraZeneca Foundation: Accelerating Healthcare Access through Community, Connection & Impact

Link Logistics and CoreGiving: Link Logistics’ CoreGiving Day

Northwell Health: Back to School Drive

Global CSR & ESG Initiative

PepsiCo Foundation: PepsiCo Foundation-She Feeds The World

Carl Zeiss AG: ZEISS – A Heart for Science

Dentsply Sirona: Partnering to advance the future of cleft care

EPAM Systems Inc.: EPAM Response: Water to the Kherson Oblast

Lam Research: FIRST Global Challenge 2023

Pertamina Patra Niaga – AFT Minangkabau: Wahyu Hamdika

Sofidel: Sofidel and Suzano for “Together we plant the future”

Public Health or Safety Initiative

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee: Addressing Disparities Through Data – Health Equity Report

Allergy & Asthma Network: National Trusted Messengers Program to Address Health Inequities

Exact Sciences: Exact Sciences’ Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Campaigns

DE&I Campaigns/Initiatives

Community Relations

BODEN Agency: BODEN Agency x PepsiCo Juntos Crecemos

LAIKA: LAIKA DEI Committee

Mizuho Americas: Pathways to Career Success: Five Years with Genesys Works NYC

Genentech and Syneos Health Communications: Putting Ableism in the Spotlight: A First-of-its-Kind Musical

TouchPoint Support Services: Afghan Refugee Program Makes History in Tulsa

Cultural Celebration or Event

Orange County Transportation Authority: Tet Events for Lunar New Year of the Dragon

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee: African Americans and the Arts – Celebrating Black History Month

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises: Hispanic Heritage- Be the Next Story Told

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment

Criteo: DEI Initiatives

APCO: Accelerate What’s Right

Better Together: Better Together Insight Report: Navigating Biases in Generative AI

Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages: Community Canvas: An Inclusion and Diversity Initiative By Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: DEIB program

Ellucian: Building Company Culture Through DEI

FINEOS Corporation Ltd: FINEOS DEI Embrace

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.: Nissan DEI Champion

Nobel: Global Diversity Awareness Month at Nobel

Philip Morris International: All In for Inclusion

Sallie Mae: National Scholarship Month

TouchPoint Support Services: DEI Commitment

VCU Health: VCU Health’s Commitment to DEI

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

NeoGenomics Laboratories: Employee Resource Groups – NeoGenomics Laboratories

Circana: Circana: Building a Diverse and Dynamic Culture

Criteo: Criteo Cares

LAIKA: LAIKA DEI Committee

NextRoll: NextRoll’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Prudential: BRG Real Talk video series

Purdue Pharma: Employee Resource Groups

Event (Virtual or Live)

Genetech and Syneos Health Communication: Putting Ableism in the Spotlight: A First-of-its-Kind Musical

Criteo: International Women’s Day Events

Howard Community College: Drag[on] Extravaganza

Orange County Transportation Authority: Tet Lunar New Year of the Dragon

Hiring Practices

Cardinal Health: Talent Acquisition Team

Arlo Technologies: Arlo Inclusion Rule

Intranet Strategy

Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman Employee Communications Center of Practice

Arlo Technologies: Arlo Connect

Mentoring Program

Mizuho Americas: M.A.D.E. University

Cloudera: Empowering Diversity through Cloudera’s Sponsorship Program

PR or Marketing Campaign

McCabe Message Partners: The American Nurses Association’s Racial Reckoning

APCO and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.: Driving Dynamic Media Coverage at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 52nd Annual Legislative Conference

Genentech and Syneos Health Communications: Putting Ableism in the Spotlight: A First-of-its-Kind Musical

Social Media Initiatives

Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau: Experience Little Rock in Color

Syner-G Bio Pharma Group: Woman’s History Month Social Campaign

Training

Cisco: Cisco Global Executive Shadow Program

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.: Hon Hai Group’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Disability Service Program

People and Teams

Agency of the Year

BODEN Agency

Headstand and Allison Worldwide Purpose Center of Excellence

Professional of the Year

Allison Martin: GE Appliances

Lesley Forneris: The Center for Health Affairs & CHAMPS Healthcare

Mona Johnson: Consolidated Asset Management Services (CAMS)

Larysa Kautz: Melwood

Andrea Ponce: Porter Novelli

Brian Wolfburg: VyStar Credit Union

Team of the Year

Onyx Collective | The Walt Disney Company: Onyx Collective Publicity & Marketing Team

EPAM Systems Inc.: ESG Team

Orange County Transportation Authority: OCTA Diversity Outreach and Inclusion Team

For more information on our winners, check out their profiles here.

The post Celebrating the winners of Ragan’s 2024 CSR & Diversity Awards: List of winners appeared first on PR Daily.

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PR Daily is proud to announce the finalists for the 2024 Nonprofit Communications Awards. From exceptional client service and strategic vision to outstanding creativity and innovation through groundbreaking campaigns, these finalists are setting new standards in the industry. By delivering impactful storytelling and promoting diverse and inclusive communications, these organizations and professionals are recognized for their exemplary work and move on to the next stage of the competition.

“Congratulations to all the finalists in PR Daily’s Nonprofit Communications Awards!” said Brendan Gannon, senior marketing manager for awards programs. “Nonprofit communicators strive to make the world a better place, and we’re grateful for the excellence of their efforts.”

Read on to see the finalists across all categories who have moved on to this next step. Then, join us as we announce and celebrate the winners at PR Daily’s Nonprofit Communications Awards luncheon on Sept. 27 at the Yale Club in New York City. Teams will celebrate with other finalists and connect with influential professionals whose work built awareness and drove results for important causes.

Click these links to jump to each section.

Grand Prize

Corporate/Nonprofit Partnership of the Year • Nonprofit Communications Campaign of the Year • Nonprofit Communications Rising Star of the Year • Nonprofit Communications Team of the Year

Campaigns and Communication

Advocacy or Awareness Campaign • Branding or Rebranding Campaign • Community-Nonprofit Partnership • Content Marketing Strategy • Corporate-Nonprofit Partnership • Crisis Communications • CSR/ESG Initiatives • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Communications • Employee Communications • Event PR and Marketing • Fundraising & Volunteer Communications • Innovation in Nonprofit Communications • Marketing Campaign • Media Relations Campaign • Multi-channel Campaign • PR Campaign • PR or Marketing on a Shoestring Budget • Public Affairs Campaign • Re-engagement Strategy • Social Media Campaign • Visual Storytelling

Communications Assets

Annual Report • Digital Content • Podcast • Publication/Report • Video • Website

Grand Prize

Corporate/Nonprofit Partnership of the Year

BELFOR Property Restoration: National First Responders Day Initiative

Connected Nation: Teens Teach Tech

Learning Undefeated: PORT-Able Learning Lab

Nonprofit Communications Campaign of the Year

Communications INC: High Seas Treaty Signing and Race for Ratification launch

Concern Worldwide US: Unite to Fight Hunger

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation: Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s “It Takes Guts” Award Contest

PriceWeber: “Believe Me: Help and Hope for Sexual Assault Survivors”

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett: Work Stoppage Communication

The GRACE Foundation of NY: The World’s Largest Human Infinity Symbol

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation: MSF 50th Anniversary

United Methodist Communications: #BeUMC

Nonprofit Communications Rising Star of the Year

Maryanna Antoldi: AARP Florida

Tori Martel: Allergy & Asthma Network

Nonprofit Communications Team of the Year

AARP Foundation: AARP Foundation

CCI Health Service: CCI Health Services Marketing & Communications Team

FHI 360: FHI 360 Corporate Communications

Campaigns and Communication

Advocacy or Awareness Campaign

Arthritis Foundation: 75th Anniversary Lights

Broward County Library: Freedom to Read Campaign

Care New England: Butler Teen Mental Health Campaign

Communications INC: Deep-sea mining at the ISA

Communications INC: High Seas Treaty Signing and Race for Ratification launch

Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area: After the 90-Days: Afghan Allies and the New American Dream

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory: NASA’s Message in a Bottle

NewYork-Presbyterian: NewYork-Presbyterian & Chef Dominique Ansel Partner to Increase Blood Donations in NYC

Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition: Hey, Mama

Orphans Feeding Foundation: Stolen Voices

PriceWeber: “Believe Me: Help and Hope for Sexual Assault Survivors”

Storytelling for Good: Delta Sigma Theta Fights Texas SB1

The Joyce Foundation: Lunch and Learn Gun Violence Prevention Webinar Series

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation: MSF 50th Anniversary

Branding or Rebranding Campaign

Anti-Cruelty: Anti-Cruelty Rebrand

Brooklyn Org: Brooklyn Org Brand

FHI 360: FHI 360 Corporate Communications

Ideas On Purpose: Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Global Cities Impact Communications Series

Oceantic Network: Oceantic Network Rebranding Campaign

Utah Valley University: Branding & Awareness Campaign

Western Resource Advocates: A New Look for the West: WRA’s New Brand

Community-Nonprofit Partnership

Code for America: FormFest: Building Better Government One Form at a Time

Community Care Behavioral Health Organization: Our HAIR Campaign

EECU Credit Union: EECU x Fort Worth ISD “Stuff the Bus” Winter Clothing Donation Campaign

GBU Foundation: Community Grant Awards

Megaworld Foundation: “Walk Into Your Future” Scholarship Caravan

Sēd: Get Joy Saves Halloween for Dogs

Content Marketing Strategy

AHIP: Content Marketing Strategy

OSF HealthCare: Pregnancy & Birthing Content Journey

PriceWeber: “Believe Me: Help and Hope for Sexual Assault Survivors”

Reading Is Fundamental: Rally to Read 100

Corporate-Nonprofit Partnership

Alorica: Making Lives Better with Alorica

Diversity Marketing Consortium: Diversity Marketing Consortium

ESPN: ESPN’s Wish Granting

Learning Undefeated: PORT-Able Learning Lab

Milton Hershey School: 2023 Hershey Sprint Car Experience

Crisis Communications

American Medical Association: Mifepristone Work, AMA Media Relations Team

Conway Regional Health System: Insurance Payor Negotiations

PRCN Procontent: One breath — the right to home treatment under a ventilator

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett: Work Stoppage Communication

CSR/ESG Initiatives

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A.: Konica Minolta’s 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives

TEAM LEWIS Foundation: TEAM LEWIS Foundation Supports 1,500+ Causes Globally

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Communications

DonorsChoose: Identity-Affirming Digital Content

Melwood, Children’s National Hospital, Curley Company and Contrast & Co.: Camp Accomplish Collaboration

Employee Communications

American Medical Association: AMA Employee Communications

Children’s Health: Employee Photo Mosaic Celebrates Team and Workplace in Unique Activation

City of Hope Orange County: OC Marketing & Communication

Goodwill of North Georgia: The Hub

HIROC: HIROCafé

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett: Work Stoppage Communication

Event PR and Marketing

Great Jobs KC: Great Jobs KC x GMA3

Mighty Engine: UNCF UNITE 2023

Sēd: Get Joy Saves Halloween for Dogs

Fundraising & Volunteer Communications

AARP Foundation: AARP Foundation

Minds Matter Bay Area: Back to School Night Fundraiser

University of Central Florida: UCF Day of Giving 2023

Innovation in Nonprofit Communications

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare: The Lifesavers of Chesapeake Regional

Orlando Health with MediaSource & Mastercard: The Test & Learn Approach: Quantifying the Business Impact of Earned Media in Nonprofit Healthcare

The Marfan Foundation: Marfan Awareness Month 2024

Marketing Campaign

Call of Duty Endowment: Loot for Good

Iowa Pork Producers Association: Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon

Ohio Association of Foodbanks: Understanding Ohio’s Medicaid Changes — How Get Covered Ohio Can Help

PriceWeber: “Save My Human”

San Antonio Sports: San Antonio Sports: Activate

Starlight Children’s Foundation: Starlight’s Power of Play Campaign

United Methodist Communications: #BeUMC

Media Relations Campaign

American Diabetes Association: 83rd Scientific Sessions Media Relations

Berkeley Communications: Employer Power in Healthcare: A bold move to reshape the system

Children’s Health: Children’s Health Tackles Youth Mental Health Crisis with Targeted Earned Media Strategy

City of Hope Orange County: The Younger Face of Cancer

Daily Bread Food Bank: Who’s Hungry

Dittoe PR: Evans Scholars Foundation

Ellis Marsalis Center for Music: Branford Marsalis Returns Home to Become Artistic Director of Non-Profit Named for His Father

Environmental Defense Fund: MethaneSAT Campaign

NewYork-Presbyterian: NewYork-Presbyterian Raises Awareness of Groundbreaking Advance in the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease Through One Patient’s Inspiring Story and Physician Expertise

Otter PR: Music Beats Cancer Nonprofit Communications Award Submission for Otter PR

PriceWeber: “Believe Me: Help and Hope for Sexual Assault Survivors”

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett: Work Stoppage Communication

Sēd: Get Joy Saves Halloween for Dogs

The Hodges Partnership: Serving Up Comfort: Mercy Chefs’ Response to Maui Wildfires

The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center — Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute with MediaSource: Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Leverages Multimedia Storytelling, Driving Awareness, Donations and Mammograms

The Thomas Collective: Portraits of Hope

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: Cancer Patient Wedding Story

Multi-channel Campaign

American Society of Radiologic Technologists: “Be Seen” Campaign

Environmental Defense Fund: MethaneSAT Campaign

Global Strategy Group: UnidosUS’s HOME Initiative: Launching a national program to expand homeownership opportunities to four million Latinos

Metrolinx: Ontario’s One Fare Program

Milton Hershey School: The Unique Philanthropist: 100th Anniversary Campaign

Northwell Health Foundation: Baby Michael/NICU video

Ohio Department of Commerce: Recovery Within Reach

PR Campaign

Berkeley Communications: Employer Power in Healthcare: A bold move to reshape the system

Evocati Public Relations: Launching MilitaryConnected.org in a Crowded “Sea of Goodwill”

Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego: Rady Children’s Invitational

PR or Marketing on a Shoestring Budget

Soft Bones: World HPP Day

Storytelling for Good: SOME Trot for Hunger

Storytelling for Good: Thrive Prince George’s Launch

YMCA of Greater New York/BerlinRosen: Water Safety Month

Public Affairs Campaign

AARP: WV Social Security Tax Relief

PRCN Procontent: Safe Hospital is a Safe Patient

Re-engagement Strategy

High Tech High: Discover the ‘Wow’ of Project-Based Learning

The Marfan Foundation: Marfan Awareness Month 2024

Social Media Campaign

Conway Regional Health System: Barbie Breast Cancer Awareness

FOUR PAWS USA: March Napness 2024

High Tech High: Discover the ‘Wow’ of Project-Based Learning

Jhpiego: TB or Not TB?

Megaworld Foundation: Mega Summer Ventures 4 All

Providence Swedish: Wellness Wednesday

The Marfan Foundation: Marfan Awareness Month 2024

Visual Storytelling

AARP: Minnesota Paid Leave

American Society of Radiologic Technologists: “Be Seen” Campaign

Autoimmune Association: Autoimmune Expressions

Casey Family Programs: Thriving Families, Safer Children, Supportive Communities — 2023 Signature Report

Northwell Health Foundation: Baby Michael/NICU video

Northwell Health with MediaSource: Nonprofit Campaign Leverages Video For First-Ever Medical Breakthrough

Communications Assets

Annual Report

AARP Foundation: Annual Report

Casey Family Programs: Thriving Families, Safer Children, Supportive Communities — 2023 Signature Report

Centerstone: Centerstone’s FY23 Annual Report

Children’s Health: Children’s Health 2023 Beyond ABC Report and Symposium Spurs Action for Youth Mental Health Crisis

Health Center Partners of Southern California: Elevating Primary Care | 2022/23 Impact Report

Milton Hershey School: 2022-2023 Brown & Gold Annual Report

Western Resource Advocates: Western Resource Advocates’ 2022 Impact Report — Building A Better West

Digital Content

Children’s Health: Children’s Health Boosts Website Visits, Reaches Spanish Speaking Audience with Translation Initiative

Georgia College & State University: GCSU University Communications

Providence Swedish: Swedish Blog

Podcast

AHIP: The Next Big Thing in Health

Connected Nation: Connected Nation podcast

Miami University: Major Insight

Opportunity Home San Antonio: Beyond Housing Podcast

OSF HealthCare: OSF Health Accelerated Podcast

Publication/Report

Casey Family Programs: Thriving Families, Safer Children, Supportive Communities — 2023 Signature Report

Centerstone: Centerstone’s FY23 Annual Report

Connected Nation: Board of Director’s Report

Great Jobs KC: Great Jobs KC Newsletter

Northwell Health Foundation: Gratitude

SCAN Group: 2024 ESG Report

World Vision U.S.: World Vision magazine

Video

AHIP: AHIP Mission Video

ASEAN-Japan Centre: Golden Bridge Short Video Campaign

CCRC: CCRC Hacker Series

Children’s Museum Houston: Children’s Boo!seum Houston

Georgia College & State University: GCSU University Communications

Miami University: When Hippo Met Watermelon: Miami University’s Viral Moment Wins Hearts

Orphans Feeding Foundation: Stolen Voices

US Youth Soccer: US Youth Soccer National Championships

Website

Code for America: Benefits Enrollment Field Guide

Reading Is Fundamental: Website

Wellstar Foundation: Wellstar Foundation Website

YMCA of Greater Toronto: ymcagta.org

The post PR Daily announces 2024 Nonprofit Communications Awards finalists appeared first on PR Daily.

The 2024 Social Media, Digital & Content Marketing Awards spotlighted the hidden stars and talent behind impressive social and content marketing campaigns to showcase their work and honor professionals in a range of categories, from Best Social Media Campaign to Digital Community Engagement.

PR Daily hosted an awards gala on August 1, where attendees were excited to gather and celebrate fellow social and content marketing luminaries. We applaud the agencies, leaders and campaigns that made the most impact across platforms and industries.

“While the digital and social media landscapes are always in flux, these winning campaigns prove that engagement, education and brand visibility still have the power to help organizations cut through the noise,” says Diane Schwartz, CEO of Ragan Communications and PR Daily.

In their acceptance speeches, honorees were asked to answer one of several prompts, including what motto propelled them to success and what a musical of their efforts would be called.

“Our motto for this effort was survive and advance,” said Blayne Beal senior executive director for the office of the president at Texas Tech University. “When you’re undertaking the largest marketing campaign in the history of an institution, you need to focus on the larger goals at hand. With all the work that went into our efforts, if I had to name our campaign a musical, it would be ‘Thank God It Only Happens Once.'”

Ragan and PR Daily congratulate this trailblazing group of social stars. Read on to see the full list of honorees.

Click these links to jump to each section.

PR Daily Social Media & Digital Awards

Finalists: Grand Prize

Agency of the Year • Campaign of the Year • Team of the Year

Finalists: Campaigns and Categories

Annual Report • Blog • Brand Awareness • Cause Marketing • Collaborative Social Media Communications • Community Engagement • Content Marketing • Crisis Management • CSR/ESG Communications • Digital Community Engagement • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Campaign • Edutainment • Employee Engagement • Employer Branding • Healthcare Marketing Campaign • Influencer Campaign • Instagram • Interactive Content • Intranet • LinkedIn • Livestream • Marketing Campaign • Media Relations Campaign • Metaverse • Micro-Influencer Campaign • Mobile App • Multichannel Campaign • Paid Social Media Campaign • Podcast • Public Relations Campaign • SEO Strategy • Short-Form Video • Social Listening and Real-Time Response • Social Media Campaign • Specialty Campaign • Thought Leadership Campaign • TikTok • Twitter/X • Use of AI • User Generated Content • Video • Visual Storytelling • Website Redesign or Relaunch • Wellness Campaign

Grand Prize

Agency of the Year

CCOMGROUP INC.

IW Group

Campaign of the Year

Hulu: Only Murders in the Building S3 Social Campaign

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan: Blue Cross Virtual Well-Being Bohemian Rhapsody

Factory PR: Repreve’s YOY Growth on Instagram and TikTok

Fight or Flight: Accounts Deceivable

HUGO BOSS: BOSS x NFL

Nemours Children’s Health: Well Beyond Medicine Podcast

SAG-AFTRA

Team of the Year

Torc Robotics: Torc Robotics Social Media Team

Citizens: Citizens Enterprise Social Media and Content Strategy Team

Daversa Partners: Daversa Partners’ Marketing & Communications Team

Hulu – The Walt Disney Company: Hulu Social & Influencer Marketing

SCAD: SCAD Social Media & International Marketing Team

Campaigns and Categories

Annual Report

Link Logistics: 2022 ESG Report

Hampton University: HU Annual Report 2022 – 2023

iQ 360: Hawaiian Electric Industries’ 2022 ESG Report

Blog

The Hoffman Agency: Making Synopsys Discoverable in the Digital Media Era

ACTwireless: ACTwireless Blog

Cisco: WeAreCisco

Maryland Department of Commerce: Showcasing Maryland’s Business Community

Molson Coors Beverage Company: Beer & Beyond

WestEd: WestEd Communications

Brand Awareness

Fight or Flight: Accounts Deceivable

IMA Financial Group: OneIMA: Building the Broker of the Future

JBL Harman Industries: JBL Authentics Launch Campaign

Sela x Newcastle United: We’re Back

Torc Robotics: Torc Robotics Social Media Team

Cause Marketing

Grant Thornton: Purple Paladin Campaign

1Milk2Sugars: TUMS x Second Harvest

Embecta: 2023 World Diabetes Day Campaign | Celebrating 100 Years of Impact

Intention.ly: Campaign for Savvy Ladies: Breaking the Money Silence Through a Gala with a Social Mission

Collaborative Social Media Communications

IMA Financial Group: IMA HoloLens

Cisco: Cisco’s Social Media Campaign for Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo

Citizens: Live from the Citizens Cheer Zone

Dallas Independent School District: Dallas ISD Grad Goals

Penn State University: Penn State Social Media Team

Tenable: Cloud Nine Collaboration: Tenable Cloud Security on Social Media

Vanderbilt University: Welcome Week 2023

Community Engagement

Community X SEEN: COMMUNITY X SEEN – US Launch

Altura Credit Union: Altura Cares

Content Marketing

Daversa Partners: Daversa Partners’ Marketing & Communications Team

Avison Young: Data Bites

BackBay Communications for IMPACT Community Capital: IMPACT Community Capital’s 25th Anniversary Campaign

GKV: Soli Organic 2023 Social Media

VyStar Credit Union: Follow Friday

Crisis Management

The Explorers Club: Titan Search and Rescue

Aqua & Vault Communications: Aqua – Delaware River Chemical Spill Crisis Response Plan

Conway Regional Health System: Insurance Payor Negotiations

CSR/ESG Communications

Adtalem Global Education: Bridging the Gap

TEAM LEWIS Foundation: TEAM LEWIS Foundation: Making a Global Impact, One Local Cause at a Time

Digital Community Engagement

Edelman on behalf of Dove: Dove Community Management Team

PAN Communications: Unlocking Overlooked Markets: Enthought’s Integrated & Agile Approach to Webinar Engagement

Telemundo: Viva Engage Internal Awareness Campaign

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Campaign

HUNTER: Listerine Addresses Diversity in Dentistry with The Whoa Collection

Johnnie Walker: Johnnie Walker “Watch Women’s Sports” Campaign

Visit Philadelphia: Visit Philadelphia | Drag Queen Story Time

Edutainment

CCOMGROUP: Neutrogena Edu-tains During National Healthy Skin Month

Conway Regional Health System: Barbie Breast Cancer Awareness

Fight or Flight: Accounts Deceivable

Employee Engagement

Mastercard: The Mastercard Way Carpool Sessions

Endo: Championing Engagement Excellence: Endo’s Values-Based Data-Driven Journey

IMA Financial Group: Championing Connection: Elevating Workplace Engagement at IMA

MMC & Pfizer Rare Disease: Unifying Pfizer Rare During Times of Change

Telemundo: Viva Engage Internal Awareness Campaign

Tenable: Collaborative Engagement at Tenable: Unleashing Potential by Prioritizing Our People

Employer Branding

Cisco: 2023 #LoveWhereYouWork Contest

Citizens: Employee Advocacy

BorgWarner: BorgWarner: Charging Forward on LinkedIn

National Tank Truck Carriers: See Yourself in a Tank Truck

PCL Construction: I Choose PCL: A Fortune 100 Success Story

Tenable: Team Tenable Wins Together: Workplace and Culture Awards Framework

Healthcare Marketing Campaign

Sanofi and Ruder Finn: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

Adtalem Global Education: Equity, Delivered

Conway Regional Health System: Barbie Breast Cancer Awareness

MOLLI Surgical: MOLLI Surgical

Mount Carmel Health System: Mount Carmel Health System Bariatrics Marketing

Mount Carmel Health System: Mount Carmel Health System Primary Care Marketing

Northwell Health // Revmade: The Well by Northwell Health, with Revmade

Smarty Social Media: #myOPRAjourney – Limb Loss Awareness Month Social Campaign

Influencer Campaign

HUNTER: TABASCO Brand x TINX Normalize Hot Sauce As Dressing

Sanofi and Ruder Finn: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

Ad Council: Elena Havas-Taylor

Brandon: An Idahoan Thanksgiving

CCOMGROUP: COACHELLA by Neutrogena

Ifaw: #DisasterReady

KWT Global: Rewriting the Rules with Lovesac

Red Robin: Burgertini

Westchester County Tourism: Westchester: A Story to Tell

Instagram

PepsiCo Beverages North America: What Makes Us POP (@PeopleOfPepsi)

Visit Philadelphia: Come for Philadelphia. Stay for Philly.

Cisco: WeAreCisco

Life Inside Dropbox: People Behind the Products

Merz Aesthetics: Global Social Media at Merz Aesthetics

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians: Yaamava’ Resort & Casino Social Media Team

SCAD: SCAD Instagram

Sun City Hilton Head: Sun City Hilton Head Instagram

Interactive Content

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan: Blue Cross Virtual Well-Being Bohemian Rhapsody

Fight or Flight for Frontify: Real or Not Real

Visit Philadelphia: Visit Philadelphia Date Filtering

Intranet

The New York Times: At The Times Intranet

Endo: Championing Engagement Excellence: Endo’s Values-Based Data-Driven Journey

Link Logistics: The Link

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals: “RON” Intranet Transformation

LinkedIn

BorgWarner: BorgWarner: Charging Forward on LinkedIn

Bristol Myers Squibb: Bristol Myers Squibb LinkedIn Live Event

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan: Daniel J. Loepp LinkedIn Presence

Link Logistics: LinkedIn Brand Presence

PAN Communications: Ware2Go: Shaping the Future of Fulfillment

Trellix: Trellix Advanced Research Center Newsletter

Livestream

Citizens: Live from the Citizens Cheer Zone

Marketing Campaign

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

HUNTER: Kelis Partners With LACTAID to Get You to Drink Real Dairy

Link Logistics: Link+

Manulife Group Retirement Services: Say Goodbye to Paper Campaign

Material: Material-ABM EV Answers Marketing Campaign

Peraton: Invisible War

Media Relations Campaign

Sanofi and Ruder Finn: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

KWT Global: IRONMAN World Championship

PAN Communications: Taking Jobber From Series D to Media Domination

PAN Communications: Venti Technologies: The Race Towards Self-Driving Success

Red Banyan: Philly Stands With Israel

The Lewis Pugh Foundation: Hudson Swim 2023

The Permanente Federation: Kaiser Permanente Advanced Care at Home Media Campaign

Metaverse

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Art, Beats + Lyrics “The Verse”

Micro-Influencer Campaign

SkipTheDishes: #SkipSquad

IPSY: Glam-O-Ween

Visit Philadelphia: Visit Philadelphia + Philly Mom

Mobile App

Sprout Social: Sprout Social Mobile Application

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: “Talk. They Hear You.” Mobile App

Multichannel Campaign

SAG-AFTRA: SAG-AFTRA

City of Miami Beach Marketing and Communications: “Find Your Wave”

Office of Legacy Management: Twenty Years of Legacy Management

Paid Social Media Campaign

Masonite: Masonite Performance Door System Paid Social Media Campaign

Advocate Health: On Demand Care: Reaching the right audiences with the care they need, when they need it

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

Cisco: Cisco at RSAC 2023

ClickFunnels: Funnel Hacking Live

HOW Agency: HOW x Galanz

Novitas Communications: Vote No on Rent Control Digital Campaign

Smarty Social Media: Igniting Patient Demand for Innovative Bunion Surgery

Podcast

Fight or Flight: Accounts Deceivable

Nemours Children’s Health: Well Beyond Medicine Podcast

Union Station Homeless Services: Changing the Narrative About Homelessness

WestEd: WestEd Communications

Public Relations Campaign

Inizio Evoke Comms: Gr8 Eye Movement Campaign: Bringing Eye Health Into Focus

HUGO BOSS: BOSS x NFL

JBL Harman Industries: JBL Authentics Launch Campaign

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas: Madame Tussauds Las Vegas Reveals First Ever Travis Barker Wax Figure

SEO Strategy

UC Davis Health: Cultivating Health Blog SEO Strategy

The Hoffman Agency: Making Synopsys Discoverable in the Digital Media Era

Short-Form Video

HUNTER: Kelis Partners With LACTAID to Get You to Drink Real Dairy

Material: Material-Chuck E. Cheese Video Submission

Advocate Health: Connecting with our Communities with Impactful Patient Stories

Aggreko: Aggreko Named Official Temporary Power Partner of the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023

AHIP: AHIP Mission Video

Citizens: Small Business Community Champions Video Series

Hampton University: School of Religion Launch

Life Inside Dropbox: People Behind the Products

Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery: We Are Neurointervention

Social Listening and Real-Time Response

The North Face: The North Face Turns Viral Customer Video Into Community Management Win

Advocate Health: Using Social Media to Create a Safe Harbor in Health Care

American Dental Association: ADA Surprise and Delight Program

Edelman on behalf of Dove: Dove Community Management Team

US Postal Service: The World’s Largest Focus Group: applying social data enterprise-wide

Social Media Campaign

AZIONE: HOKA Fly Human Fly Campaign

Cisco: Cisco Live

Great Clips: Back-to-School

IW Group: They’re Just Ken: Ryan Gosling Gifts BTS’ Jimin Ken’s Guitar

Life Inside Dropbox: People Behind the Products

The Lewis Pugh Foundation: Hudson Swim 2023

WestEd: WestEd Communications

Specialty Campaign

TEAM LEWIS: TEAM LEWIS x Palo Alto Networks: “PTO with Palo Alto Networks”

IW Group: They’re Just Ken: Ryan Gosling Gifts BTS’ Jimin Ken’s Guitar

Lincoln Financial: Start Asking Campaign

Thought Leadership Campaign

PAN Communications: Qualtrics: The Making of a Category Leader

Daversa Partners: Daversa Partners’ Marketing & Communications Team

Ivanti: Ivanti CSAM

TikTok

HUNTER: TABASCO Brand x TINX Normalize Hot Sauce As Dressing

Cherokee Nation: Cherokee Nation Social Media Team

Factory PR: Repreve’s YOY Growth on Instagram and TikTok

KWT Global: How Illumina Created #GenomicsTok

National Pest Management Association & Vault Communications: National Pest Management Association’s

@PestWorld Channel: Taking Over Bug TikTok by Swarm

Twitter/X

BorgWarner: The Borg-Warner Trophy Speaks to Racing Fans

Use of AI

Northwell Health // Revmade: The Well by Northwell Health, with Revmade

PCL Construction: PCL Construction’s AI-Mazing April Fools Day Prank

User Generated Content

Penn State University: Penn State Social Media Team

Jive PR + Digital: DSW UGC Campaign

Tenable: Unleashing the Power of People: Tenable’s Trailblazing Journey with Employee-Generated Content

Video

City of Miami Beach Marketing and Communications: “Find Your Wave”

Aggreko: Aggreko Named Official Temporary Power Partner of the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023

Caption Design: Supermajority’s Advocacy 101 Video Series

Jefferson Health: Jefferson Health Multimedia Team

Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin: 75th Anniversary

TEAM LEWIS: TEAM LEWIS x Palo Alto Networks: Cybersecurity Tools to Fortify Your Digital Life

Tulane University: Parade of Possibilities

Utah Valley University: Wolverine Stories

Visual Storytelling

Hancock Whitney: “NO” is a Beautiful Thing

Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith: Nearly a Century of Service

St. Ann’s Community: Celebrating 150 Years of Caring for the Most Important People on Earth

TEAM LEWIS: TEAM LEWIS x Palo Alto Networks: Cybersecurity Tools to Fortify Your Digital Life

The Lewis Pugh Foundation: Hudson Swim 2023

Website Redesign or Relaunch

AHIP: Modern Medicaid Alliance Website Redesign

American Association for Debt Resolution: AADR Rebrand

CARF International: CARF International Website Redesign

Material: Material-The Presidio Website Redesign

Saint Ignatius College Prep: Saint Ignatius College Prep

Wellness Campaign

Be the Change Group: The Proof (BC Cancer Alcohol Awareness Campaign)

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee: BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee WellTuned Blog – Quick “tune-ups” for your health

Thorne: Thorne – Build to Last

PR DAILY CONTENT MARKETING AWARDS

Click these links to jump to each section.

Finalists: Grand Prize

Campaign of the Year • Strategy of the Year • Team of the Year

Finalists: Content Marketing Campaigns

B2B Campaign • Campaign for Educational Institution • DE&I Communications • Editorial Strategy • Executive Visibility • Healthcare Campaign • Influencer Marketing • Integrated Content Marketing • Media Relations Campaign • Product Launch • Public Health Campaign • Purpose-Driven Campaign • Technology Campaign • Thought Leadership Campaign • Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Campaign

Finalists: Content Marketing for the Purpose of

Brand Awareness • Employee Engagement • Executive Communications • Lead Generation • Talent Recruitment or Retention

Finalists: Content Marketing Strategy & Assets

Annual Report • Article or Series • Brand Journalism/Online Newsroom • Branded Content Series • Branded Content Site • Branded Podcast • Content Distribution Strategy • Corporate Blog • E-Newsletter • Event • Innovative Use of Content • Long-Form Video • Microsite • Multiplatform/Omnichannel Content • Overall Use of Video • Publication • Short-Form Video • Use of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning • Use of Research/Surveys • Use of SEO • Use of Social Media • Use of White Paper/Special Report • Video Series

GRAND PRIZE

Campaign of the Year

National Geographic: JFK: One Day in America

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

Hulu: Only Murders in the Building Season 3

Opera Norway: Tabfulness Campaign

SEGA of America: SEGA’s “Sonic Superstars” Brings a Fresh Spin to Classic 2D Sonic the Hedgehog in a Brand-New High-Speed Adventure

Texas Tech University: Eyes on the Horizon: Texas Tech University Centennial Campaign

Zumba Fitness: Zumba Responsibly

Strategy of the Year

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

IMA Financial Group: IMA Content stack

Motorcycle Safety Foundation: 50 Years of Riding with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Team of the Year

ServiceNow: Brand Thought Leadership

Beacon Digital Marketing: Content & SEO

Daversa Partners: Marketing & Communications Team

IMA Financial Group: IMA Financial Group Marketing Team

National Geographic: National Geographic PR Team

CONTENT MARKETING CAMPAIGNS

B2B Campaign

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

GM Defense: Modernizing Military Mobility

Raistone: 2023 Content Marketing Strategy

Campaign for Educational Institution

Texas Tech University: Eyes on the Horizon: Texas Tech University Centennial Campaign

Lee Andrews Group: Pope Valley Unified Crisis Communications

Milton Hershey School: The Unique Philanthropist: 100th Anniversary Campaign

Purdue Global: Purdue Global Comeback Campaign

DE&I Communications

Hensel Phelps: Building Together

Experience Columbus: Experience Columbus’ Minority Business Program

Editorial Strategy

IMA Financial Group: P&C Insurance Content Stack

ServiceNow: Brand Thought Leadership

Executive Visibility

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

Coca-Cola Consolidated: Fostering Connection & Engagement with Executive Leadership

Healthcare Campaign

Sanofi and Ruder Finn: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

Abiomed: Tiny but Mighty: World’s Smallest Heart Pump Makes Huge Difference in Heart Health Awareness

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

Medical University of South Carolina: MUSC Bicentennial Documentary

Influencer Marketing

American Cleaning Institute: Class of Clean: Parents Weekend

9Rooftops: PA Lottery Makes the Holidays Festive with Holiday Scratch-Off Tickets

Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits: Yellow Tail Fresh Twist Influencer Campaign

RTX: How the World’s Most Powerful Fighter Jet Engine is Made

Sanofi and Ruder Finn: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

Integrated Content Marketing

Texas Tech University: Eyes on the Horizon: Texas Tech University Centennial Campaign

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

Circana: Circana Complete Beauty

El Pollo Loco: 12 Days of Pollo

Philip Morris International: Philip Morris International – Rethink Disruption

The Permanente Federation: The Permanente Federation, Kaiser Permanente Advanced Care at Home Integrated Content Marketing Campaign

Traackr & Changemaker Communications: Traackr’s Top Beauty Creators 2023

Media Relations Campaign

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

Miami University: What are the odds? Same room assignment 33 years apart.

Nikon: Nikon Small Word 2023

SEGA of America: SEGA’s “Sonic Superstars” Brings a Fresh Spin to Classic 2D Sonic the Hedgehog in a Brand-New High-Speed Adventure

WagerWire: Creating Movement: HPL & WagerWire

Product Launch

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

Opera: Opera One Launch

Public Health Campaign

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): “Talk. They Hear You.” Campaign

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

Initium Health: Strong as Granite

Purpose-Driven Campaign

Muscular Dystrophy Association: Accessible Air Travel

Call of Duty Endowment: Loot for Good

ESPN: ESPN’s Wish Granting

Milton Hershey School: The Unique Philanthropist: 100th Anniversary Campaign

Nutrien: Conversations Campaign

Technology Campaign

The Hoffman Agency: Supercharging Lightship’s Momentum with Aerodynamic Storytelling

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

Quantum Xchange: Tales From the Crypto

Thought Leadership Campaign

Manulife: Health Insights Reports

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

Exos: Finding Flow campaign

INFUSEmedia: Outlook 2024

PA Consulting: Healthier at Home

Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Campaign

REYA Communications: Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts Featuring Pelorus

Outside: Adventure Under the Radar in South Dakota

The Lake House on Canandaigua: Shine Bright: A Solar Eclipse Spectacle for The Lake House on Canandaigua

CONTENT MARKETING FOR THE PURPOSE OF

Content Marketing for the Purpose of Brand Awareness

Journey Further: Putting the Sizzle Back in Sizzler

AARP: Right Again! Trivia

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

FORTUNE Brand Studio and JBS USA: Creating lasting change in hometown communities

Just Drive Media: RingCentral

Prime Video: Reacher Action Figure Stunt

Milton Hershey School: The Unique Philanthropist: 100th Anniversary Campaign

Purdue Global: Purdue Global Comeback Campaign

SIX: Relaunch SIX Blog

Texas Tech University: Eyes on the Horizon: Texas Tech University Centennial Campaign

Content Marketing for the Purpose of Employee Engagement

BMO Financial Group: Financial Crimes Unit, Cyber Security Awareness Month

Korn Ferry: Be More Than

Lamb Weston: Purpose, Mission & Values

UC Davis Health: Believe in Better Brand Campaign Internal Launch

Content Marketing for the Purpose of Executive Communications

Children’s Health: Children’s Health Engages Team Members with Custom Communications Plan for Industry-Leading Nursing Award

Hulu: Hulu Executive Communications Campaign

Content Marketing for the Purpose of Lead Generation

Lincoln Financial Group: Market Intel Exchange Quarterly Report

Daversa Partners: Marketing & Communications Team

Content Marketing for the Purpose of Talent Recruitment or Retention

IMA Financial Group: Culture Catalysts: Building the Broker of the Future

Perituza Software Solutions: Where Innovation, Team Culture, and Giving Back Meet

CONTENT MARKETING STRATEGY & ASSETS

Annual Report

Army & Air Force Exchange Service: Annual report

Aspire Indiana Health: 2023 Annual Report

Novant Health: 2022 Annual Report

Article or Series

Daversa Partners: Marketing & Communications Team

University of Illinois System: Real Impact: University of Illinois System

Vizient: Spotlight on Maternal Health

Brand Journalism/Online Newsroom

Rowan University Content Team: Recruitment Marketing

Porter Novelli for Microsoft Source: Microsoft Source

Branded Content Series (Print or Digital)

Providence: Mental Health Moment

MissionSquare Retirement: MissionSquare Retirement Content  Marketing

Purdue Global: Purdue Global Comeback Campaign

Purdue University: Purdue Motorsports Engineering Partnership

ServiceNow: Brand Thought Leadership

Branded Content Site

Porter Novelli for Microsoft Source: Microsoft Source

White Lady Funerals: White Lady Funerals – Brand Reposition

Branded Podcast

Nemours Children’s Health: Well Beyond Medicine Podcast

Ametros: It’s Settled-The Ametros Podcast

Buildertrend: “The Building Code” Podcast

Circana: Circana Growth Insights

Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry Briefings Podcast

Content Distribution Strategy

Purdue University: Purdue Motorsports Engineering Partnership

Eaton Corporation: Advocacy at scale

Purdue University: Purdue’s Mark on the Indianapolis 500

Corporate Blog

ServiceNow: Brand Thought Leadership

Cisco: WeAreCisco Blog

iQ 360: iQ 360 Blog

SIX: Relaunch SIX Blog

E-Newsletter

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

Broward County Library: Senior Spotlight eNewsletter

Peppercomm: Peppercomm’s Wit + Wisdom Newsletter

Teladoc Health: Teladoc Health Chronic Condition Management Newsletter

Event (Live or Virtual)

Sanofi and Ruder Finn: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

CeraVe: CeraVe Acne Academy

Children’s Health: Children’s Health 2023 Beyond ABC Report and Symposium Spurs Action for Youth Mental Health Crisis

Circana: Circana Growth Summit

IMA Financial Group: Putting People First: IMA’s Employee Benefits Summit Champions Human-Centric Content

Prime Video: Reacher Action Figure Stunt

PayIt: 2023 Digital Government Excellence Symposium

runDallas: HCK2 Partners

Ubisoft: Skull and Bones ‘Impress The Kingpin’ Activation

Innovative Use of Content

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

imre: STIHL Weather-Based Social Targeting

Quantum Xchange: Tales From the Crypto

Long-Form Video

William Grant & Sons: Quest for Craft

9Rooftops: Greatness Grown

Feed Media: Industry videos

Medical University of South Carolina: MUSC Bicentennial Documentary

Microsite

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

IMA Financial Group: IMA Client Microsite

Multiplatform/Omnichannel Content

St. Croix Hospice: Celebrating National Hospice & Palliative Care Month

Atrium Health: MoMo Twins

Lee Andrews Group: Driving Inclusivity: Branding and Empowering the Access for All Initiative

Overall Use of Video

Philip Morris International: Philip Morris International – Future Reimagined

Aspire Indiana Health: CEO retirement video

Opera Norway: Tabfulness Campaign

Purdue Global: Purdue Global/AP Video Hub – Campus Insights

Publication (Print or Digital)

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center: Synthesis magazine, Summer 2023

The Content(ed) Copywriter: Cicada x Tech23 Insights Report

World Vision U.S.: World Vision magazine

Short-Form Video

FORTUNE Brand Studio and JBS USA: Creating lasting change in hometown communities

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

Aptive Environmental: This or This Commercial

Flagler College: WFCF 30th Anniversary

Opera Norway: Tabfulness Campaign

Purdue University: All Hail Purdue!

Use of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

imre: STIHL Weather-Based Social Targeting

Jacksonville Jaguars: Duuuval Designs

IMA Financial Group: Capturing Targeted Audiences Through Clear Visual Identity

IMA Financial Group: Leveraging AI: Prompt Prose and the AskIMA Initiative

Noisy Trumpet Communications: San Antonio Museum of Art “Still Brewing Art”

Purdue University: Semiconductor Campus Illustration

Use of Research/Surveys

Revenue Management Solutions: Restaurant Trends (monthly report)

Digital Third Coast: America’s Changing Views on Marriage: Research and Survey-Based Media Relations Campaign

Opera GX: Panic Button

ServiceNow: Brand Thought Leadership

SIX: The Future of Finance Study

The Harbinger Group: Leveraging Survey Insights to Strengthen RevSpring’s Industry Expertise

Use of SEO

SIX: Relaunch SIX Blog

Digital Third Coast: Sober Curious Nation: SEO Link Building Campaign

UC Davis Health: Cultivating Health Blog SEO

Use of Social Media

Cisco: Cisco Live

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

AHIP: Social Content Strategy Refresh

Army & Air Force Exchange Service: Expanded Patronage

BERNINA of America: BERNINA 790 PRO Launch

Hallmark Media: The Way Home Season 2

Philip Morris International: Philip Morris International – Best Use of Social Media (LinkedIn)

Use of White Paper/Special Report

Manulife: Health Insights ADHD

SIX: The Future of Finance Study

Video Series

Room to Read: She Creates Change

9Rooftops: Greatness Grown

Buildertrend: Behind the Business

Destination Cleveland: The Land for Life Storytelling Project

Peoples Gas System: People of Peoples Gas

William Grant & Sons: Quest for Craft

For more information on our winners, check out the Social Media & Digital Awards and Content Marketing Awards pages.

The post Congratulations to the winners of PR Daily’s Social Media, Digital & Content Marketing Awards! appeared first on PR Daily.

So often, social media managers and strategists are hidden behind avatars, their real names never known even as they produce innovative, creative work in the digital space.

PR Daily’s Social Media & Digital Awards Luncheon is a chance for these professionals to step out of the shadows and take their place in the spotlight.

The lunch, held Aug. 1 at the Yale Club, will celebrate leaders from across social media management, influencer campaigns, visual storytelling and more. Attendees will learn about the most impactful ideas and most cutting-edge techniques from winners, as well as Emcee Jazmin Griffith, founder & social media strategy partner at Queloque.

Perhaps most importantly, though, attendees will have a chance to network among other stars in the social media industry, directly swapping ideas, sharing stories and planning the next big thing.

Seats are limited, so don’t wait to reserve your table. Find more information on the event and the finalists here.

The post Mingle with the best at the Social Media & Digital Awards Luncheon appeared first on PR Daily.

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Communicating goes far beyond just using words to get the message across. Sometimes a splashy video or informative animation will help add depth to a campaign and really help drive it home for the audience.

We’ve chosen a few winners from last year’s Ragan Video, Visual and Virtual Awards to highlight their successful strategies and tactics. Be sure to apply to this year’s edition of the awards before the July 19 deadline.

B2B Video: Planable, Collaboration has never been this easy

The background: We talk about how important collaboration in the workplace is all the time. But rather than tell it, why not show it? That’s what Planable set out to do with their B2B commercial.

The message “collaboration has never been this easy,” formed the core of the commercial’s intent and aimed to show how Planable makes workplace collaboration easier and increases brand awareness. Planable started its distribution approach with a two-pronged strategy on YouTube. First, the company aimed to have its ad placed on videos on carefully selected channels. Next, it aimed to widen its audience through the usage of broader interest audiences. This allowed for a wide approach and increased customer awareness.

Planable also took to TikTok to promote the campaign to younger audiences, Reddit for niche audiences, and Meta for specific communities. The commercial focused on three personalities in the workplace and how Planable can help alleviate each of their struggles, showcasing the organization’s abilities.

The commercial was a major success. It reached an audience of 18 million people, with 8 million views across various platforms.

The takeaway: A catchy slogan, a relatable topic, and a slick video can help you hit those hard-to-reach targets.

Humorous Video: Equifax, EFX Moms

The background: Equifax is a major player in the financial industry and employs over 14,000 people. But the company’s overall achievements can sometimes be hard to describe verbally because they’re so all-encompassing. So why not get the most honest people around to do it for them – a bunch of kids!

As a fun Mother’s Day promo, Equifax asked the children of Equifax Moms about their jobs. In a posting on the company intranet to solicit responses, employees received a set of questions including what the kids thought their mothers’ titles were and what they did for work. It also asked that the moms film their kids from their cell phones for ease of submission. Equifax also engaged several employee resource groups for further participation.

The post rolled out the Friday before Mother’s Day to ride the social media wave ahead of the holiday. It was shared both internally and externally, with Equifax attaching it to multiple employee communications to encourage sharing the light and fun content.

The post was a hit, and was the most viewed social post ever posted by Equifax on LinkedIn upon release. The metrics included 32,000 impressions and 21,000 organic video views.

The takeaway: Crowdsourcing content for a little bit of levity and fun can humanize your employees and the work they do on social media—and make them feel seen in the process.

Editing: Smithsonian’s NMAAHC, Juneteenth: Senses of Freedom

The background: With Juneteenth on the horizon, it’s as good a time as ever to reflect on the meaning of the holiday and its context. When the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) launched its Senses of Freedom campaign for the 2023 commemoration of Juneteenth, it took an approach that looked at the historical context of the holiday and sought to provide unique ways to mark the occasion.

The campaign broke up its rollout into five smaller subcampaigns that each lasted one week. Each focused on a different area of historical storytelling to dive deeper into the meaning and significance of Juneteenth to the African American community and the history of the United States.

The rollout of the campaign used X, Instagram, and Facebook to raise awareness and drive traffic back to the NMAAHC site for viewers to learn more about the campaign and its mission. The website served as a clearing house for all things Juneteenth, from traditions and celebrations to history and storytelling.

The campaign was a major success with audiences — so much so, the NMAAHC’s Juneteenth page was the most popular resource on the holiday only behind the Wikipedia page for Juneteenth. The campaign also earned the second and third spots on the page for a Google search of the term “Juneteenth”.

The takeaway: Strategic planning, editing and dripping your content out can illuminate a longer narrative that takes your campaign from pedestrian to next-level quickly.

Sean Devlin is an editor at Ragan Communications. In his spare time he enjoys Philly sports and hosting trivia.

The post Highlighting past winners of Ragan’s Video, Visual and Virtual Awards appeared first on PR Daily.

Great campaigns can take many forms. Whether audio, visual, written or a combination of more than one type of media, the main measure of PR’s success always ties back to how the work resonates with its intended audience.

We’ve highlighted some of the winners of last year’s PR Daily Awards to gain a better perspective on their strategies and tactics for doing just that. Don’t forget to apply to this year’s awards before the June 21 deadline.

Healthcare Campaign of the Year: Jackson Spalding – How One Georgia Peach is Helping 2.7 Million Medicaid Members Stay Informed About Their Health Care Coverage

The background: Georgia is nicknamed the “Peach State” because of the fruits of the same name associated with the state, but what if the Georgia peach wasn’t just a tasty treat, but a relatable character that helped marginalized communities stay on top of their health care options.

That’s what Jackson Spalding did for the Georgia Department of Human Services’ “Stay Informed, Stay Covered” program with its title character, George A. Peach. When a federal mandate required Georgia to verify its citizens’ eligibility for Medicaid programs and 2.7 million people as a target audience as members of the programs, Jackson Spalding sought to increase access to updated information for Medicaid members and boost both email as a contact method and awareness of the Medicaid redetermination process.

To earn audience attention, Jackson Spalding used its mascot George A. Peach to add a sense of humor and fun for people, particularly those with children. The campaign used social posts, TV and radio ads, and static billboards to promote the program across the state. It earned 87 million impressions in a 10-week run and saw 33% of people use email as a contact method for Medicaid, as opposed to just 14% before the campaign.

The takeaway: Creative and odd takes on iconic figures (or fruit) can add character with mass appeal to an already great campaign.

Community Event: Converse Soundskates

The background: Shoes are a great way to express yourself. So is participating in a sport. With this in mind, Converse wanted to increase its presence in Toronto’s skateboarding community, which led it to create unique experiences for the city’s skaters.

The result of the marriage of skating and style was Soundskates: A Sonic Skate Jam. The event used sound-activated skate ramps for skaters to explore with their movements. Additionally, skater and DJ Louke Man curated the sound environment and a track that complemented the movements of skaters on the ramps.

In addition to the event, Converse created a mural touting the project. It also worked with skate shop BTL and local skate insiders Kadence World to host a skate contest with a cash prize and Converse shoes up for grabs.

This unique combination of sport and art was a major hit. Over the three days of the event, over 500 skaters participated, and the event’s ad campaigns earned over 15 million impressions.

The takeaway: Immersive experiences can create a literal and digital footprint of your products in action that helps redefine and expand your brand reach.

Podcast: T-Mobile – Mobile Diaries Podcast

The background: Did you pick up any new podcasts during the pandemic? If you did, you’re not alone. Keying on that theme, T-Mobile created the Mobile Diaries podcast, exploring the mobile personas and archetypes that emerged during our months of lockdown. Leveraging T-Mobile’s previous brand journalism work, the series explored topics that the audience found informative for audiences within the new podcast.

The podcast’s efforts began with a dedicated landing page, promotional efforts via social media, and targeted messaging within advertising materials to garner more listeners. The podcast launched with a “Mobile Mindfulness” episode, promoted via T-Mobile social channels and available on all major podcast platforms. The final episode of the series featured T-Mobile CMO Mike Katz talking about the future of 5G, demonstrating leadership buy-in and contributing to the podcast’s goals.

The podcast was a success, earning listeners from organizations including IBM, Cisco and more, indicating successful entry into the market. With both internal and external amplification of the podcast, T-Mobile’s show reached both stakeholders within the company and in the world beyond.

The takeaway: Leadership involvement can help your brand newsroom’s work manifest in multiple ways— while urging them to get creative with how they speak about the wider industry can serve as a strong mixternal play.

To apply to this year’s PR Daily Awards by the June 21 deadline, click here.

Sean Devlin is an editor at Ragan Communications. In his spare time he enjoys Philly sports and hosting trivia.

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The finalists on PR Daily’s 2024 Content Marketing Awards list represent storytellers who know how to create content that stands out in the crowded content landscape. The awards categories encompass campaigns, purpose-driven initiatives and strategy . To stand out, these content marketing teams demonstrated excellence in several key areas, including originality, quality, storytelling and measurable results.

The 2024 Content Marketing Awards also honor Campaign, Strategy and Team of the Year — efforts that led to success for their organization and clients while overshadowing the competition.

“Congratulations to the finalists in our 2024 Content Marketing Awards,” said Brendan Gannon, senior marketing manager for Ragan’s and PR Daily’s Award programs. “Your work stood out to our judges among the wide array of entries received in this year’s program, and your recognition is a testament to your compelling campaigns and content.”

Read on to see the finalists across all categories who have moved on to this next step. Then, join us as we announce and celebrate the winners at our Content Marketing Awards Luncheon on August 1, 2024, at the Yale Club in New York City. Teams will celebrate with other finalists and connect with other influential professionals creating these amazing campaigns.

Click these links to jump to each section.

Finalists: Grand Prize

Campaign of the Year • Strategy of the Year • Team of the Year

Finalists: Content Marketing Campaigns

B2B Campaign • Campaign for Educational Institution • DE&I Communications • Editorial Strategy • Executive Visibility • Healthcare Campaign • Influencer Marketing • Integrated Content Marketing • Media Relations Campaign • Product Launch • Public Health Campaign • Purpose-Driven Campaign • Technology Campaign • Thought Leadership Campaign • Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Campaign

Finalists: Content Marketing for the Purpose of

Brand Awareness • Employee Engagement • Executive Communications • Lead Generation • Talent Recruitment or Retention

Finalists: Content Marketing Strategy & Assets

Annual Report • Article or Series • Brand Journalism/Online Newsroom • Branded Content Series • Branded Content Site • Branded Podcast • Content Distribution Strategy • Corporate Blog • E-Newsletter • Event • Innovative Use of Content • Long-Form Video • Microsite • Multiplatform/Omnichannel Content • Overall Use of Video • Publication • Short-Form Video • Use of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning • Use of Research/Surveys • Use of SEO • Use of Social Media • Use of White Paper/Special Report • Video Series

GRAND PRIZE

Campaign of the Year

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

Hulu: Only Murders in the Building Season 3

National Geographic: JFK: One Day in America

Opera Norway: Tabfulness Campaign

SEGA of America: SEGA’s “Sonic Superstars” Brings a Fresh Spin to Classic 2D Sonic the Hedgehog in a Brand-New High-Speed Adventure

Texas Tech University: Eyes on the Horizon: Texas Tech University Centennial Campaign

Zumba Fitness: Zumba Responsibly

Strategy of the Year

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

IMA Financial Group: IMA Content stack

Motorcycle Safety Foundation: 50 Years of Riding with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Team of the Year

Beacon Digital Marketing: Content & SEO

Daversa Partners: Marketing & Communications Team

IMA Financial Group: IMA Financial Group Marketing Team

National Geographic: National Geographic PR Team

ServiceNow: Brand Thought Leadership

CONTENT MARKETING CAMPAIGNS

B2B Campaign

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

GM Defense: Modernizing Military Mobility

Raistone: 2023 Content Marketing Strategy

Campaign for Educational Institution

Lee Andrews Group: Pope Valley Unified Crisis Communications

Milton Hershey School: The Unique Philanthropist: 100th Anniversary Campaign

Purdue Global: Purdue Global Comeback Campaign

Texas Tech University: Eyes on the Horizon: Texas Tech University Centennial Campaign

DE&I Communications

Experience Columbus: Experience Columbus’ Minority Business Program

Hensel Phelps: Building Together

Editorial Strategy

IMA Financial Group: P&C Insurance Content Stack

ServiceNow: Brand Thought Leadership

Executive Visibility

Coca-Cola Consolidated: Fostering Connection & Engagement with Executive Leadership

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

Healthcare Campaign

Abiomed: Tiny but Mighty: World’s Smallest Heart Pump Makes Huge Difference in Heart Health Awareness

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

Medical University of South Carolina: MUSC Bicentennial Documentary

Sanofi and Ruder Finn: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

Influencer Marketing

9Rooftops: PA Lottery Makes the Holidays Festive with Holiday Scratch-Off Tickets

American Cleaning Institute: Class of Clean: Parents Weekend

Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits: Yellow Tail Fresh Twist Influencer Campaign

RTX: How the World’s Most Powerful Fighter Jet Engine is Made

Sanofi and Ruder Finn: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

Integrated Content Marketing

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

Circana: Circana Complete Beauty

El Pollo Loco: 12 Days of Pollo

Philip Morris International: Philip Morris International – Rethink Disruption

Texas Tech University: Eyes on the Horizon: Texas Tech University Centennial Campaign

The Permanente Federation: The Permanente Federation, Kaiser Permanente Advanced Care at Home Integrated Content Marketing Campaign

Traackr & Changemaker Communications: Traackr’s Top Beauty Creators 2023

Media Relations Campaign

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

Miami University: What are the odds? Same room assignment 33 years apart.

Nikon: Nikon Small Word 2023

SEGA of America: SEGA’s “Sonic Superstars” Brings a Fresh Spin to Classic 2D Sonic the Hedgehog in a Brand-New High-Speed Adventure

WagerWire: Creating Movement: HPL & WagerWire

Product Launch

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

Opera: Opera One Launch

Public Health Campaign

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

Initium Health: Strong as Granite

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): “Talk. They Hear You.” Campaign

Purpose-Driven Campaign

Call of Duty Endowment: Loot for Good

ESPN: ESPN’s Wish Granting

Milton Hershey School: The Unique Philanthropist: 100th Anniversary Campaign

Muscular Dystrophy Association: Accessible Air Travel

Nutrien: Conversations Campaign

Technology Campaign

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

Quantum Xchange: Tales From the Crypto

The Hoffman Agency: Supercharging Lightship’s Momentum with Aerodynamic Storytelling

Thought Leadership Campaign

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

Exos: Finding Flow campaign

INFUSEmedia: Outlook 2024

Manulife: Health Insights Reports

PA Consulting: Healthier at Home

Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Campaign

Outside: Adventure Under the Radar in South Dakota

REYA Communications: Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts Featuring Pelorus

The Lake House on Canandaigua: Shine Bright: A Solar Eclipse Spectacle for The Lake House on Canandaigua

CONTENT MARKETING FOR THE PURPOSE OF

Content Marketing for the Purpose of Brand Awareness

AARP: Right Again! Trivia

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

Delta Dental of California: Taking Menopause from a Whisper to a Shout: The Overlooked Oral Health Connection

FORTUNE Brand Studio and JBS USA: Creating lasting change in hometown communities

Journey Further: Putting the Sizzle Back in Sizzler

Just Drive Media: RingCentral

Prime Video: Reacher Action Figure Stunt

Milton Hershey School: The Unique Philanthropist: 100th Anniversary Campaign

Purdue Global: Purdue Global Comeback Campaign

SIX: Relaunch SIX Blog

Texas Tech University: Eyes on the Horizon: Texas Tech University Centennial Campaign

Content Marketing for the Purpose of Employee Engagement

BMO Financial Group: Financial Crimes Unit, Cyber Security Awareness Month

Korn Ferry: Be More Than

Lamb Weston: Purpose, Mission & Values

UC Davis Health: Believe in Better Brand Campaign Internal Launch

Content Marketing for the Purpose of Executive Communications

Children’s Health: Children’s Health Engages Team Members with Custom Communications Plan for Industry-Leading Nursing Award

Hulu: Hulu Executive Communications Campaign

Content Marketing for the Purpose of Lead Generation

Daversa Partners: Marketing & Communications Team

Lincoln Financial Group: Market Intel Exchange Quarterly Report

Content Marketing for the Purpose of Talent Recruitment or Retention

IMA Financial Group: Culture Catalysts: Building the Broker of the Future

Perituza Software Solutions: Where Innovation, Team Culture, and Giving Back Meet

CONTENT MARKETING STRATEGY & ASSETS

Annual Report

Army & Air Force Exchange Service: Annual report

Aspire Indiana Health: 2023 Annual Report

Novant Health: 2022 Annual Report

Article or Series

Daversa Partners: Marketing & Communications Team

University of Illinois System: Real Impact: University of Illinois System

Vizient: Spotlight on Maternal Health

Brand Journalism/Online Newsroom

Porter Novelli for Microsoft Source: Microsoft Source

Rowan University Content Team: Recruitment Marketing

Branded Content Series (Print or Digital)

MissionSquare Retirement: MissionSquare Retirement Content  Marketing

Providence: Mental Health Moment

Purdue Global: Purdue Global Comeback Campaign

Purdue University: Purdue Motorsports Engineering Partnership

ServiceNow: Brand Thought Leadership

Branded Content Site

Porter Novelli for Microsoft Source: Microsoft Source

White Lady Funerals: White Lady Funerals – Brand Reposition

Branded Podcast

Ametros: It’s Settled-The Ametros Podcast

Buildertrend: “The Building Code” Podcast

Circana: Circana Growth Insights

Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry Briefings Podcast

Nemours Children’s Health: Well Beyond Medicine Podcast

Content Distribution Strategy

Eaton Corporation: Advocacy at scale

Purdue University: Purdue Motorsports Engineering Partnership

Purdue University: Purdue’s Mark on the Indianapolis 500

Corporate Blog

Cisco: WeAreCisco Blog

iQ 360: iQ 360 Blog

ServiceNow: Brand Thought Leadership

SIX: Relaunch SIX Blog

E-Newsletter

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

Broward County Library: Senior Spotlight eNewsletter

Peppercomm: Peppercomm’s Wit + Wisdom Newsletter

Teladoc Health: Teladoc Health Chronic Condition Management Newsletter

Event (Live or Virtual)

CeraVe: CeraVe Acne Academy

Children’s Health: Children’s Health 2023 Beyond ABC Report and Symposium Spurs Action for Youth Mental Health Crisis

Circana: Circana Growth Summit

IMA Financial Group: Putting People First: IMA’s Employee Benefits Summit Champions Human-Centric Content

Prime Video: Reacher Action Figure Stunt

PayIt: 2023 Digital Government Excellence Symposium

runDallas: HCK2 Partners

Sanofi and Ruder Finn: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

Ubisoft: Skull and Bones ‘Impress The Kingpin’ Activation

Innovative Use of Content

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

imre: STIHL Weather-Based Social Targeting

Quantum Xchange: Tales From the Crypto

Long-Form Video

9Rooftops: Greatness Grown

Feed Media: Industry videos

Medical University of South Carolina: MUSC Bicentennial Documentary

William Grant & Sons: Quest for Craft

Microsite

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

IMA Financial Group: IMA Client Microsite

Multiplatform/Omnichannel Content

Atrium Health: MoMo Twins

Lee Andrews Group: Driving Inclusivity: Branding and Empowering the Access for All Initiative

St. Croix Hospice: Celebrating National Hospice & Palliative Care Month

Overall Use of Video

Aspire Indiana Health: CEO retirement video

Opera Norway: Tabfulness Campaign

Philip Morris International: Philip Morris International – Future Reimagined

Purdue Global: Purdue Global/AP Video Hub – Campus Insights

Publication (Print or Digital)

The Content(ed) Copywriter: Cicada x Tech23 Insights Report

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center: Synthesis magazine, Summer 2023

World Vision U.S.: World Vision magazine

Short-Form Video

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

Aptive Environmental: This or This Commercial

Flagler College: WFCF 30th Anniversary

FORTUNE Brand Studio and JBS USA: Creating lasting change in hometown communities

Opera Norway: Tabfulness Campaign

Purdue University: All Hail Purdue!

Use of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

IMA Financial Group: Capturing Targeted Audiences Through Clear Visual Identity

IMA Financial Group: Leveraging AI: Prompt Prose and the AskIMA Initiative

imre: STIHL Weather-Based Social Targeting

Jacksonville Jaguars: Duuuval Designs

Noisy Trumpet Communications: San Antonio Museum of Art “Still Brewing Art”

Purdue University: Semiconductor Campus Illustration

Use of Research/Surveys

Digital Third Coast: America’s Changing Views on Marriage: Research and Survey-Based Media Relations Campaign

Opera GX: Panic Button

Revenue Management Solutions: Restaurant Trends (monthly report)

ServiceNow: Brand Thought Leadership

SIX: The Future of Finance Study

The Harbinger Group: Leveraging Survey Insights to Strengthen RevSpring’s Industry Expertise

Use of SEO

Digital Third Coast: Sober Curious Nation: SEO Link Building Campaign

SIX: Relaunch SIX Blog

UC Davis Health: Cultivating Health Blog SEO

Use of Social Media

ABB: Infrastructure Campaign

Aggreko: Demystifying New Technologies

AHIP: Social Content Strategy Refresh

Army & Air Force Exchange Service: Expanded Patronage

BERNINA of America: BERNINA 790 PRO Launch

Cisco: Cisco Live

Hallmark Media: The Way Home Season 2

Philip Morris International: Philip Morris International – Best Use of Social Media (LinkedIn)

Use of White Paper/Special Report

Manulife: Health Insights ADHD

SIX: The Future of Finance Study

Video Series

9Rooftops: Greatness Grown

Buildertrend: Behind the Business

Destination Cleveland: The Land for Life Storytelling Project

Peoples Gas System: People of Peoples Gas

Room to Read: She Creates Change

William Grant & Sons: Quest for Craft

The post PR Daily’s 2024 Content Marketing Awards finalists announced appeared first on PR Daily.

Changing the world doesn’t happen without strong communications support.

Whether you’re trying to end world hunger, empower people living with disabilities or foster a more diverse workplace, these ideas from Ragan’s 2023 CSR & Diversity Awards will get your creativity ready to make a difference. Read on for practical ideas you can implement in your organization. And to find your name in our next article, enter this year’s awards by April 26.

Winner for ESG Campaign: PepsiCo Foundation’s Food for Good

The challenge: The PepsiCo Foundation wanted to promote its Food for Good campaign to help achieve an ambitious goal of zero hunger worldwide. To do that, they needed an aggressive omnichannel campaign to spread the word to make people aware of global hunger and empower them to make a difference. This campaign would also Help expand Food for Good from the United States to 28 countries.

The solution: “The Journey to Zero Hunger” podcast featured conversations with food security experts and influencers like Lauren Bush Lauren. With each episode shared on social media using the hashtag #journeytozerohunger, the Foundation donated meals to a partner nonprofit, resulting in 6,000 meals donated across the United States.  The Journey to Zero Hunger podcast garnered 3,490 downloads and 7.5 million audio impressions.

The “FFG Changemakers” video series showcased local leaders making a sustainable impact on food security in their communities, earning 11 million views. Finally, sales of a custom tote bag also contributed meals to children.

The idea to steal: Don’t just tell people why they should care – show them. Incorporate storytelling in formats that people already enjoy in order to ensure you aren’t just preaching but truly educating and entertaining.

Read more.

Winner for E&I Campaigns/Initiatives: Media Relations: Genentech

The challenge: Even though more than a quarter of the U.S. lives with a disability, many can’t find clothing that is accessible to their needs and as expressive as their personalities are. Additionally, stereotypes of people living with disabilities doesn’t show them as stylish or independent. Genentech wanted to change all that.

The solution: The Double Take campaign collaborated with 15 members of the spinal muscular atrophy to stage a prelude runway event at New York Fashion Week. The event featured ADA-compliant amenities and an on-site ASL interpreter to ensure accessibility. Genentech facilitated a livestream hosted by popular YouTubers Shane and Hannah Burcaw, who actively engaged with the SMA community, resulting in over 222,000 views and widespread online engagement.

The campaign’s media outreach garnered 140+ earned media stories, with prominent outlets like People, Daily Beast and Forbes covering the event and its core messages of disability visibility and adaptive fashion. Vogue praised Double Take, noting that the fashion industry has much to learn from such initiatives, while Elle listed it among the top five NYFW moments.

The idea to steal: Look for ways to subvert expectations and shatter stereotypes. Involve marginalized groups in your campaigns at every phase and empower them to tell their own stories.

Read more.

Winner for Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment: Alorica

The challenge: The largest minority-owned business process outsourcing provider in the country, Alorica, wanted to champion its diversity in a way that felt tangible. With a workforce of 61% women globally and 72% employees from minority backgrounds in the U.S., diversity is critical to Alorica’s success.

The solution: Alorica engaged diverse and experienced leaders to lead interactive “Real Talk” sessions in which employees discussed issues critical to them, including localized topics such as disabilities, veterans, empathy, LGBTQ+ Pride, mental health and cultural awareness. The Real Talk sessions also featured advice on leadership and career development.

The learnings from these sessions were consistently shared across the organization, including via quarterly newsletters and recordings available on Alorica’s intranet. The sessions had strong attendance, fostering meaningful conversations and emotional connections. Their dedication to diversity also strengthened CSR partnerships with key clients, resulting in greater interest in DE&I from the workforce, leaders and clients.

The idea to steal: Alorica’s commitment to diversity shined through in both their actions and their communications – a powerful combination. Not only did they hold these sessions, they also kept up a constant communications drumbeat to support them both to employees and to clients, resulting in a stronger culture overall.

Read more.

Enter this year’s awards today.

The post Steal these ideas from Ragan’s CSR & Diversity Award winners appeared first on PR Daily.

The 2024 Employee Communications and Top Places to Work Awards highlighted an impressive cohort of internal communicators who, during another year where the only constant was change, were once again central to cultivating culture and engaging employees.

We celebrate the campaigns, content, people and teams that helped their organizations tell timely stories, unite their workforce across great distances, navigate change with empathy and always put people first.

Ragan Communications hosted an awards gala on April 18th at Chicago’s Fairmont Hotel, where attendees were excited to gather and celebrate fellow employee comms champions.

“The winners in this year’s Employee Communications and Top Places to Work Awards show that the real work starts from within,” says Diane Schwartz, CEO of Ragan. “Winners demonstrated how communicators can demonstrate results and position themselves as strategic advisors who grow the business, reinforcing trust upping the ante for what’s possible in the role.”

Ragan congratulates this trailblazing group of communications leaders.

Grand Prize

Best Overall Intranet

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: The Hub Intranet Redesign

AbbVie: My AbbVie

Amerant Bank: The Insider

Denver Water: Employee Intranet & Mobile App: Inflow

Moderna: myModerna: Company Intranet

Samuel, Son & Co.: A New Era of Employee-Centric Excellence at Samuel, Son & Co.

Southwest Gas Corporation: Southwest Gas Communications Hub

Tarion: MyTarion – A Re-invented Employee Experience

Employee Communication Campaign of the Year

T-Mobile: Magenta Giving 2023

Ahold-Delhaize: 2023 Open Enrollment Communications

Discover Financial Services: Love Wins Culture & Engagement Campaign

Endo: Championing Engagement Excellence: Endo’s Data-Driven Journey

IBM: IBMer watsonx Challenge

Navy Federal Credit Union: Human Capital Management (HCM)

Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider: Unveiling the Future of America’s Defense and Deterrence

RBC: Make It Yours

TransUnion, Inc.: TransUnion Internal Communications Team

Employee Communications Team of the Year

Genesys: Comms Driving Company Strategy

BAE Systems, Electronic Systems: ES TeamComms

CHG Healthcare: Corporate Communications

Delta Dental of California: Executive & Internal Communications Team

Hewlett Packard Enterprise: Team Member, Digital, and Creative, Reimagining the HPE team member experience

IMA Financial Group: IMA Internal Communications Team

Intel: Employee Communications and Employer Brand Team

Navy Federal Credit Union: Human Capital Management (HCM)

ServiceNow: Employee Communications and Engagement

symplr: Internal Communications Team

TE Connectivity: TE Global Internal Communications Team

Communications Campaigns/Initiatives

Alignment with External Communications

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Communications

Aflac: Aflac Employee Communications

Delta Dental of California: Senior Oral Health

Southern Company Gas: Southern Company Gas and National Excavator Initiative Get Dirty with Mike Rowe Safe Digging Campaign

Annual Report

Providence: Providence Annual Report to Our Communities

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: 2022 AAOS Annual Report: Better Together

Exelixis: Exelixis 2022 Annual Report

Seattle Children’s Hospital: Seattle Children’s 2022 Nursing Annual Report

Article Series

Discover Financial Services: Inclusion Matters

The SEFA Group, LLC: Veteran Spotlight Articles

Benefits Communication

Sonic Automotive, Inc.: Internal Communications for the Launch of Gympass, an Employee Well-being Application

AAA Northeast: For Your Benefit Video Series

ChenMed: ChenMed Benefits Me

Kalamazoo College: K College OE Campaign

Best Remote Work Experience/Culture

Businessolver: Workspace Anywhere

Tealium: Our WOW Culture

The Lifetime Value Company (LTVCo.): Fostering a People-First and Inclusive Remote Work Culture: The Lifetime Value Company’s Journey

Walgreens: W Connect team member app

Blog

Cisco (We Are Cisco): We Are Cisco Blog

Royal Society of Chemistry: Connect

Change Communication

TransUnion, Inc.: TransUnion Internal Communications Team

BAE Systems, Electronic Systems: ES TeamComms

Benesch: Key Tower Office Move

bswift LLC: bswift Transition to Standalone Organization

Cox Enterprises: Flexing Forward: The Cox Atlanta Campus Renovation

MSU Federal Credit Union: Microsoft 365 Launch

STV: Acquisition of AEI

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Communications

Community Relations

Wray Ward: EmpoWWer Service-Grant Program

ABB: ABB U.S. Community Relations

Royal Canin North America: Royal Canin Celebrates 7,000th Adoption from Missouri Puppies for Parole Program

Stewart Information Services Corporation: Stewart Title Foundation

Syngenta Crop Protection: Syngenta has a heart!

CSR/ESG Report

JK Design: The Children’s Place 2022 Environment, Social & Governance (ESG) Report

Southwest Gas Corporation: Southwest Gas Corporation ESG Report

Email Communication

Seattle Children’s Hospital: Seattle Children’s Email Communications: Evolving Every Day

Franco: Thoughts From the 313

Hackensack Meridian Health: Connecting and Inspiring Team Members Through Email Communication

Employee-Generated Content

International Monetary Fund: Internal Communications Division

Cisco (We Are Cisco): #WeAreCisco

Metropolitan Transportation Authority: Rolling Stock

Seattle Children’s Hospital: Workforce Members Share Their Stories as Patients

TE Connectivity: Orange Day

Employer Branding

Orbia: One Orbia – Where Purpose Comes To Life

Children’s Health: The Children’s Health Difference

Sonic Automotive, Inc.: Amplifying the Sonic Automotive Employer Brand through LinkedIn

Executive/Leadership Communication

Corvias: Leadership Development Program Launch

Aflac: Aflac Corporate Communications

Delta Dental of California: Brushing Up with Our SVPs

e.l.f. Beauty: Tarang Amin, e.l.f. Beauty

Hagerty: Culture & Caffeine

NeoGenomics: Chris’ Corner CEO V-Blog

Ozinga: Ozinga Townhalls

Reddit, Inc.: Clarity Through Communicative Leadership

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Communications

UC Davis Health: CEO David Lubarsky’s TEDx Folsom talk on January 21, 2023

Feature Article

Brooks Running: BrooksLife Feature Story

Horizon Therapeutics, now a part of Amgen: Feature Article

HR Communication

The Kroger Co.: 2023 Open Enrollment Campaign

Corvias: Leadership Development Program Launch

Innovation in Internal Communications

3M: 3M Forward Virtual Fairs

Discover Financial Services: Discover Day

Endo: Championing Engagement Excellence: Endo’s Data-Driven Journey

International Monetary Fund: Internal Communications Division

Mastercard LAC: The Passion Challenge in LAC

Model N: Ignite 2023: Employee Kick-Off Event

Peraton: Enterprise Communications Team Innovation

Royal Canin North America: The Game Plan for Growth: Leadership Summit

Royal Society of Chemistry: Connect

Viettel Group: Innovative-me

Internal Email

Campbell’s: What the Tech? Email Campaign

Aflac: Aflac Employee Communications

Bon Secours Mercy Health: BSMH Associate Communications Evolved Email Strategy

Magazine

Dennis Group: Bread & Butter Magazine

Northrop Grumman: One Magazine

Pacific Dental Services: PDS Life Magazine

Texas Department of Transportation: TN Magazine

Manager Communication

Delta Dental of California: Upleveling Our Leaders

Retail Business Services: Manager Minute

Measurement and Data

Hilton: Global Internal Communications

Cisco Global Communications: Cisco Employee Communications

Endo: Championing Engagement Excellence: Endo’s Data-Driven Journey

U.S. Postal Service: Mapping Social Media Increases Happiness

Mission and Values Communication

CBRE: Serving Up Ethics with Creativity, Innovation & Espresso

Bekaert: Introducing a Bold New Bekaert

Bucketlist Rewards: Bucketlist Goal Getters

Park National Bank: Tailgate Tuesday

Newsletter

Prologis: The Weekly – Building a Culture of Communications

AARP Foundation: AARP Foundation Insider Newsletter

American Institutes for Research: AIRWeekly Newsletter

Appspace: This Week at Appspace

Citi: Information overload: How a 210 -year-old bank is using technology and tenacity to revolutionize the corporate newsletter

Inovalon: Internal Newsletter

Metropolitan Transportation Authority: ‘Going Places’ Newsletter

Syner-G: Inspiring News Newsletter

Partnership with Human Resources

CBRE: Effective Allies in Engaging, Supporting and Inspiring Employees

Navy Federal Credit Union: Human Capital Management (HCM)

SAP: I’m In for SAP

Sonepar: Sonepar 2023 Communications Awards

Podcast

Optus: Internal leadership podcast

ConnectiveRx: CRx Voices: Using the Power of Podcasts for Sales Training

Horizon Therapeutics, now a part of Amgen: The Horizone Podcast

UPMC Health Plan: Inspire Employee Podcast

Pulse Survey

Honeywell PMT: Tag Your Voice

Xperi: Xperi Internal Communications Engagement Survey

Recruitment

Payoneer: Recruitment Video Feed

Lincoln Financial Group: Comeback Campaign

Social Media

Cisco (We Are Cisco): 2023 #LoveWhereYouWork Contest

United States Postal Service: Promote, Don’t Punish: USPS’ Social Media Ambassador Program

Storytelling

Children’s Hospital Colorado: DifferenceMakers Storytelling Campaign

American Medical Association: Together we Thrive

UC Davis Health: Patient Painter

Visual Storytelling

Honeywell Process Solutions: Weekly #SafetyMoment

Campbell’s: What the Tech? Workplace Group

ConnectiveRx: Countdown to Launch

Employee Experience Campaigns/Initiatives

Amazing Workplace Culture

Hewlett Packard Enterprise: Grilling Around the Globe Video Series

Amgen: Women Find Purpose – and Support – at Amgen

N-able

Nissan: Great Place to Work employee pride campaign

Brand Ambassador Program

Nissan: Nissan INSIDERS

Cisco (We Are Cisco): 2023 #LoveWhereYouWork Contest

Noblis: Ignite the Spark

DEI & ESG Commitments

Infineon Americas: Diversity & Inclusion Commitment

AAA Northeast: 10-Day Racial Equity Challenge

Alkermes: A Culture Built on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

ConnectiveRx: ConnectiveRx DEI – Empowering Teammates with ConnectiveRx Employee Resource Groups

Honeywell PMT: PMT Sustainability Month

Horizon Therapeutics, now a part of Amgen: National Minority Health Month

N-able

SCAN Health Plan: SCAN Health Plan, DEIB Internal Communications Campaigns

symplr IQ: uniquely symplr

Employee Education/Training Program

Mastercard LAC: Decrypted Series in LAC

Campbell’s: QuickHelp Education Platform

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Devereux ASCEND

J&J MedTech: MT TranSCend

Employee Engagement

Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider: Unveiling the Future of America’s Defense and Deterrence

University of Miami: Powered by You, University/UHealth Marketing and Communications Team

Ares Management: Ares in Motion – Employee Engagement and Volunteer Program

Cox Enterprises: 2023 Come As You Are: ERG Membership Drive

Endo: Championing Engagement Excellence: Endo’s Data-Driven Journey

Hackensack Meridian Health: Hackensack Meridian Health Engages with Team Members through StandOut

International Monetary Fund: Internal Communications Division

Mastercard LAC: The Passion Challenge in LAC

Navy Federal Credit Union: Navy Federal Serves

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises: 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup & 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup at Telemundo

Orbia: Orbia – Where Purpose Comes To Life

Royal Society of Chemistry: Connect

Employee Recognition or Reward Program

PepsiCo Beverages North America: ‘She Is PepsiCo’ National Campaign Spotlights Women on the Frontline and Illustrates Why Representation and Recognition Matters

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.: Konica Minolta Recognition and Rewards Program

Pacific Dental Services: You Make Us Smile

Power Design: CRUSHED IT Program

Sandia National Laboratories: 2023 Employee Recognition Awards

Employee Resource Groups

Syngenta: Syngenta for FFA: Supporting the next generation in agriculture

ConnectiveRx: ConnectiveRx DEI – Empowering Teammates with ConnectiveRx Employee Resource Groups

ServiceNow: Cultural Moments

Employee Volunteer Program

Ares Management: Ares in Motion – Employee Engagement and Volunteer Program

Noridian: Vitalizing Employee Paid Time off to Volunteer

Employee Well-Being Program

Telemundo: Health & Wellness: Tu Bienestar

Atrium Health: Mental Health Awareness

Cox Enterprises: Five Pillars of Wellness

Gallagher: LiveWell @ Prisma Health

Mower: Fierce Friends Move for Mental Health

Pacific Dental Services: You Make Us Smile

Hybrid Workplace Strategy

Providence: Co-Caring Nursing Model

American Medical Association: Together we Thrive

BAE Systems, Electronic Systems: ES TeamComms

Campbell’s: QuickHelp Education Platform

Cox Enterprises: Flexing Forward: The Cox Atlanta Campus Renovation

SAP: I’m In for SAP

Internal Event Strategy

ServiceNow: ServiceNow Live and Employee Kickoff

AbbVie: 2023 All-Employee Meeting

BVI Medical: New Manufacturing Building Inauguration

IDB Invest: KW23

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.: FY23 Kickoff Event

LeasePlan: 60 Years of LeasePlan

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Internal Communications

U.S. Department of Labor/OCIO: Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022

Leadership Development Program

Corvias: Leadership Development Program Launch

Power Design: Licensed to Lead Program

UKG: Lead Forward: 2023 UKG Leadership Immersion & Development Program

Intranet Campaigns/Initiatives

Employee Engagement

CBRE: Connecting Our Employees, Wherever They Work

Andersen Corporation: Access for Everyone through Andersen’s Circle Intranet & Mobile App

Campbell’s: What the Tech? Workplace Group

Launch or Relaunch

Andersen Corporation: Access for Everyone through Andersen’s Circle Intranet & Mobile App

Horizon Therapeutics, now a part of Amgen: The Pulse

Tarion: MyTarion – A Re-invented Employee Experience

Zebra Technologies: zConnect Modernization Project

Intranet Content

QI Group: QI Quiet Heroes: Unveiling the Unsung Heroes of the QI Group

Cox Enterprises: Flexing Forward: The Cox Atlanta Campus Renovation

Organon and Ruder Finn: Connection to Mission Campaign: Understanding Our Impact

Intranet Design/Redesign

symplr: Internal Communications Team

Amerant Bank: The Insider

Link Logistics: The Link

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: The Hub Intranet Redesign

Remote Culture Campaigns/Initiatives

Virtual Employee Engagement

Hagerty: Leader Livestream

Samuel, Son & Co: A New Era of Employee-Centric Excellence at Samuel, Son & Co.

Syner-G BioPharma Group: Morning Brew

Virtual Events/Celebrations

U.S. Department of Labor/OCIO: Federal Tech Day 2023

Retail Business Services: Remote Culture – Virtual Events – RBS Friendsgiving

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Internal Communications

Virtual Onboarding

Foundation Medicine: A new era of onboarding

Royal Canin North America: New Associate Orientation Exceeds in Engaging through a Virtual Setting

Virtual Town Hall

Orbia: Where Purpose Comes To Life – Virtual Town Hall

Appspace: Appspace Town Hall & All Hands

Capital Insurance Group: Live with Leadership

Prologis: Virtual Town Hall

Reddit, Inc.: All Hands & Hearts

Xperi: Xperi Virtual Global Town Halls

Tech

Best Employee App

Ontario Northland: ON Dispatch App

Ryman Hospitality Properties: Adopting a Mobile-First Employee Communication Strategy

Southwire: Southwire Circuit Launch

Walgreens: W Connect team member app

Video Campaigns/Initiatives

Humorous Video

Salesforce: Marketing Cloud Edge TV

SAS: SAS campus but make it a Wes Anderson film

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Internal Communications

Informational Video

Mastercard LAC: Decrypted Series in LAC

Gallagher: Video Series: Highlighting the key features of Anywhere Real Estate’s well-being program

Lincoln Financial Group: Education Series on Lincoln’s Enterprise Strategic Objectives

Organon and Ruder Finn: Connection to Mission Campaign: Understanding Our Impact

Sonepar USA: 2023 Safety Month

Inspirational Video

Hewlett Packard Enterprise: Grilling Around the Globe Video Series

Baptist Health South Florida: Baptist Health Everyday Heroes

Bethany Children’s Health Center: PK graduates after life-altering vehicle collision

TE Connectivity: Employee Appreciation Day Video

Interview Video

Retail Business Services: We are RBS

Hewlett Packard Enterprise: My Story Video Series

Perituza Software Solutions: Perituza’s Early Careers Program Spotlight | Dharani Rajasinghe, SharePoint Administrator

Leadership Video

CarMax: Under the Hood

Corvias: Leadership Development Program Launch

Infineon Americas: An Introduction to President Maher Matta

Infineon Americas: Rainer Hoehler’s Engagement Pulse Check Video

ServiceNow: Keeping it Real

Outstanding Video Communications

ServiceNow: Top 10 Training

Amgen: A Passion for Science; A Love of Culture

Caliber: Artisans of Caliber

Payoneer: One Payoneer. Endless Stories

Seattle Children’s Hospital: Seattle Children’s Connecting to Mission Recruitment Videos

ServiceNow: Our World Our Work

Employee Communications Professionals of the Year

Kakie Atwell: IMA Financial Group

Desiree Elsharif: ServiceNow

Alejandra Fehrmann: Nissan

Giselle Heraux: AutoNation

Reed Horanburg: TE Connectivity

Meghan Keating: 3M

Wes Milligan: St Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Alice Nagle: Genesys

Jennifer Nelson: Prologis

Janisse Cuevas: University of Miami

Janet Rivera Hernandez: Mastercard LAC

Brigitta Witt: T-Mobile

2024 Top Places to Work

5WPR

Aadi Bioscience

Aspectus Group

Bell

Boden PR

Cincinnati Children’s

Corporate Ink

Coyne PR

Hager Sharp

Henry Schein, Inc.

Horizon Therapeutics

Hotwire

HUNTER

Identity

iQ 360 Inc.

Kaplow Communications

KCSA Strategic Communication

Marathon Strategies

McCownGordon Construction

Merz Aesthetics

Meteorite

Mower

Next PR

Pace Public Relations

Peppercomm, a Ruder Finn company

PwC

Red Hat

Sachs Media

Sage Communications

Schmidt Public Affairs LLC

Seattle Children’s Hospital

Sharp Think

SourceCode Communications

The Kroger Co.

The Levinson Group

Vault Communications

Vested

Zeta Global

For more information on our winners, check out their profiles.

The post Ragan honors the 2024 Employee Communications and Top Places to Work Awards in Chicago: list of winners appeared first on PR Daily.

Nonprofit communicators have some of the most compelling stories to share. Their messages support efforts that transcend a simple bottom line.

We’ve highlighted some of the first-place winners from last year’s Ragan PR Daily Nonprofit Communications Awards to take a closer look at their tactics and successes. Be sure to apply to this year’s awards before submissions close on April 5.

Best Media Relations Campaign: Brodeur Partners — Returning to the Boston Marathon Course

The situation: The Boston Marathon’s Jimmy Fund Walk is a heralded event in New England each year. Benefiting the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the walk usually takes place along the famed route of the Boston Marathon. But when the COVID pandemic broke out, the walk ended up being canceled in favor of a virtual event in both 2020 and 2021. When the walk returned to the course, Brodeur Partners needed to ensure that the word got out in a big way.

The solution: To celebrate the walk’s return, Brodeur looked for the faces that made the walk a special event. The team looked through hundreds of submissions to find the right walker stories, eventually identifying 257 walkers and listening to 70 unique walker accounts to gain a better perspective on the cancer battles and courage that led people to the walk.

The campaign also leveraged influencers to help spread the story of the walk’s return throughout the Boston area. One notable influencer on the campaign was Spencer the Dog, at the time the official dog mascot of the Boston Marathon.

Brodeur’s work paid off, earning nearly a thousand media placements, including two in the Boston Globe and a feature in the Boston Herald, in addition to millions of impressions.

The takeaway: Highlighting the people who make a difference in a nonprofit campaign is just as important as communicating about the campaign itself.

Best Public Affairs Campaign: FleishmanHillard and AARP — The Fight for Fair Rx Prices

The situation: Americans spend more on their prescriptions than any other country in the developed world. This issue is particularly pronounced for Americans over 65, with 3.5 million older people in the U.S. struggling to afford their medications.

The solution: In collaboration with FleishmanHillard, AARP created a target media campaign following President Biden’s highlighting of drug pricing reform in his 2022 State of the Union Address. Titled “Fair Rx Prices Now,” the campaign called upon Congress to take action on pricing reform, highlighting women over 50 as an important voting bloc. Fair Rx Prices Now earned 340,000 earned media placements and over 620 million impressions.

The joint campaign helped influence the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which included provisions for drug price negotiation, expanded vaccine coverage, and capped insulin costs. AARP CEO Jo Ann was also invited to the law’s signing ceremony in honor of the organization’s contributions.

The takeaway: Strategic collaborations can expand the scope of what’s possible to make a meaningful difference.

Nonprofit Communications Campaign of the Year: Stop AAPI Hate — No Place for Hate

The situation: The COVID pandemic saw an unfortunate rise in hate crimes against people of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) descent.

The solution: Stop AAPI Hate, which documents incidents of hatred against AAPI people, launched No Place for Hate. This campaign aimed to shift the burden of these hateful incidents away from individuals and towards public agencies that can help.

The campaign had two main goals. The first was the passage of two bills in California co-written by Stop AAPI Hate to further the conversation about stopping street harassment. The other was to increase awareness around harassment in the public forum.

The campaign featured virtual and in-person events with people discussing the issues of street harassment across different communities. Additionally, there was a social media aspect to the campaign, in which people held whiteboards that had a blank space after “I want a #SaferPlace to _____”. These images were displayed both in public spaces and across social platforms.

The legislative push succeeded when in late 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed both bills into law. The campaign also secured more than 120 media hits across local, state, and national outlets such as the San Francisco Chronicle and NBC News.

The takeaway: Supporting a just cause that’s focused on one specific community can create impact that resonates across multiple communities.

Read more here.

Sean Devlin is an editor at Ragan Communications. In his spare time he enjoys Philly sports, a good pint and ’90s trivia night.

The post Lessons from Ragan Nonprofit Communications Awards winners appeared first on PR Daily.

The post Entries now open for PR Daily’s Top Agencies Awards 2024 appeared first on PR Daily.

March is Women’s History Month, which celebrates the accomplishments of women across all industries and occupations. In this spirit, we’re looking back at some of the winning speeches from Ragan and PR Daily’s Top Women in Marketing Awards, Class of ’23, when winners reflected on their careers and shared a piece of advice they’d give their younger selves.

“The most successful people in the world are the ones who learned really quickly how to fail fast,” said Vanessa Mbonu, vice president of digital marketing and communications at the NAACP. “If you learn anything, fail fast and build slow.”

“Don’t burn bridges,” said Sue Dietrich, marketing director at Stanley Brand. “You never know when another opportunity is going to come for you. Listen to all of the advice that all of you beautiful women have given everyone today.”

“I would tell her that she should own her expertise, know she is a leader, said April Augustine, director of marketing at Gaming Laboratories International (GLI). “She deserves to be in every room that she has been invited to and that she should own it, because she’s great.”

“I would tell her to be bold, to be on herself, to not let anyone steal her joy,” said Aliah Davis McHenry, Executive Director of Corporate Marketing, Corporate Communications, Bristol Myers Squibb. “And then I also would give her a big hug and say ‘You got this, sis.’”

Think someone you know is award-worthy? Entries are open for the 2024 Top Women in Marketing Awards now.

Sean Devlin is an editor at Ragan Communications. In his spare time he enjoys Philly sports and hosting trivia.

The post Ragan and PR Daily’s Top Women in Marketing Class of ’23 on the advice they’d give their younger selves appeared first on PR Daily.

Even well-meaning parents can have trouble recognizing the signs of neurodiversity in their children and can feel overwhelmed by what to do next. 

Understood.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people who learn and think differently, created its 2022 “Be the Reason” campaign to bridge those gaps. The campaign focused on educating parents, increasing their awareness and turning skeptics to supporters. 

According to Understood.org’s Neurodiversity and Stigma Study, 6 million of the 25 million parents of neurodiverse children are skeptical or unaware of their child’s learning differences. Even among those who are aware, more than 50% of parents with neurodivergent children are concerned about telling others because of potential biases, the study found.  

Understood.org created “Be the Reason,” an original short film, to show a teen whose parents don’t understand the challenges they face as a neurodivergent person. 

The nearly 2-minute film featured a neurodivergent cast, including Miya Kofo, a real teen who was diagnosed with ADHD in middle school. The film was featured on the campaign’s landing page, Understood.org social media channels and in digital ads. 

The campaign also featured an original song by The Holderness Family and sung by Penn Holderness, a social media influencer who shared his experiences living with ADHD.  

The team was a winner of an advocacy or awareness campaign in PR Daily’s Nonprofit Communications Awards last September. 

Here’s what you can learn from the campaign. 

Humanizing abstract concepts 

Nathan Friedman, co-president and chief marketing officer of Understood.org, told PR Daily that the campaign used the film and song to share stories of what it feels like to have ADHD. 

The film opens with a closeup of Kofo’s tennis shoes lightly bouncing under her classroom desk as she struggles to sit still during a lesson. Kofo then fidgets and taps her fingers.    

“I can’t seem to focus, so I smile,” Kofo said in a voiceover. “Why does school seem to come easy for other kids when I feel like I’m barely getting by?”  

Kofo narrates feeling misunderstood, especially by her parents who tell her to “try harder.” 

“Mom, Dad, I’m depending on you to help me figure this all out,” she said later looking directly at the camera near the end. “Be my reason.” 

Friedman said that the film brought Kofo’s experiences to the forefront. 

“It’s from her point of view and it really talks about what happens when her parents ignored it. It’s a real-life story. These are not actors,” Friedman said. 

In addition to the actors, the crew and director were also neurodiverse.  

“I think it’s important to show stories from people about people who can relate to the story that we’re telling,” Friedman said.  

Understood.org distributed the video through its social media channels, websites and organizational partners. 

The “Be the Reason” film garnered 45.3 million views, with 24.6 million people finishing the entire video. Both figures exceeded goals.   

Using social media

Understood.org took to social media platforms with a #YouCanBeTheReason challenge parents to engage other parents and raise awareness about the important role they play. The Holderness Family kicked off the challenge along with other influencers Understood.org pulled from their influencer roster. The challenge encouraged parents to post on social media ways they helped their children with ADHD thrive. 

Friedman said collaborating with The Holderness Family was a natural fit because Penn Holderness freely shared his experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and had credibility on the topic. 

“It was really about how do we work with them to cultivate a community of parents and parenting influencers, to share how they can help shape their child’s life so they can thrive,” Friedman said. 

Friedman said that Understood.org also engaged their parenting influencer network to share how their children can thrive and tips on how to make that happen. 

“It was kind of a cascade effect, starting with The Holderness Family reaching other influencers that we work with and then also amplifying what we do on our social channels to our more than a million people who follow us on different platforms,” Friedman said.  

#YouCanBeTheReason posts earned 2.2 million impressions and generated thousands of positive comments. 

Friedman said that the campaign wanted to encourage parents to do what they can, when they can, to help their children achieve their full potential. 

“I think the important thing to realize is that as we learn more, it is becoming critically important that parents take that first step and that parents understand what their child is going through so they can ensure that they thrive,” Friedman said. “There’s a lot of little things (they can do) that can go a long way.” 

Sherri Kolade is a writer and conference producer at Ragan Communications. She enjoys watching old films, reading and building an authentically curated life. Follow her on LinkedIn. Have a great PR/comms speaker in mind for one of Ragan’s events? Email her at sherrik@ragan.com.

The post Understood.org launched the ‘Be the Reason’ campaign to help parents support their neurodivergent children appeared first on PR Daily.

The 2024 Ragan Top Women in Communication Awards celebrated the trailblazing achievements of the women who have raised the bar for the rest of the comms world through their work developing high-performance, relentlessly creative work across internal and external communications, HR, public relations and beyond

Ragan Communications hosted an awards luncheon on Feb. 29th at New York City’s City Winery, where attendees took time to celebrate each other in the face of both global and internal trials to overcome today’s most urgent challenges.

“This year’s class of Top Women exemplifies the heights that women can reach across our industry when they come together,” said Diane Schwartz, CEO of Ragan. “It’s an honor to recognize their power and celebrate their ability to enact meaningful change through their efforts.”

Ragan also had two Hall of Fame honorees in attendance, who spoke to crowd about their takeaways from their accomplished careers.

“What this industry really needs is great people, and we need one another,” said Marian Salzman, senior vice president at Philip Morris International. “What we need is a workplace that embraces differences, champions strengths, and guides us all through it together.”

Susan Donlon, chief communications officer at KeyBank, acknowledged that her induction as a Hall of Famer wasn’t an individual pursuit.

“I want to thank my team because they always bring professionalism and fun to my role every day,” she said.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and nominees.

Bridge Builders

Melissa Buscher, Vice President, Chief Communications and Marketing, Officer SPX FLOW

Laci Hasenour, Vice President of Global Marketing and Global Brand Owner, Berry Global, Inc.

Kimberly Leidgertwood, Vice President, Internal Communications, Cognia

Trish Nicolas, Executive Vice President, rf.engage, Ruder Finn

Yolanda Schufford, Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer, Beyond Finance

Gina Spatafore, Vice President of Corporate Communications & Public Relations, Ancestry

Angela Sullivan, EGM/SVP of Communications, Xero

Racquel White, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Royal Canin North America, Royal Canin North America

Crisis Navigators

Marisa Bluestone, Senior Director, Communications, Macmillan Learning

Kristy Campbell, Chief Communications Officer, OneTrust

Gina Czark, System Vice President Public Relations and Content Strategy, CommonSpirit Health

Atalanta Rafferty, Co-Founder and Senior Executive Managing Director, RF|Binder

Sara Sendek, Managing Director, FTI Consulting

Data Dynamos

Jacqueline Boggess, Director of Communications, Corn Refiners Association

Alex Christian, VP, Research & Analytics, EvolveMKD

Karen Cyphers, Partner and Director of Research, Sachs Media

Sally Slater, EVP, Head of Innovation, The Bliss Group

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champions

Ti’Ara Brown, Manager, Brand Communications, McDonald’s

Eliza Chlebeck, Vice President, Communications & Community, Andersen Corporation

Jewelyn Cosgrove, Vice President of Government and Public Relations, Melwood

Gigi García Russo, Chief Innovation + Growth Officer, HUNTER

Madeline Hiller, Senior Account Executive, French/West/Vaughan (FWV)

Priscila Martinez, Founder and CEO, The Brand Agency

Leah Reynolds, Principal, Engagement Practice, Buck, A Gallagher Company

Jenny Wang , Senior Vice President, Clyde Group

Dynamic Do-ers

Holland Behn, Lead US PR Manager for Smartphones and Lifestyle – Mobile, Samsung Electronics America

Lenee Breckenridge, Senior Vice President of Communications, UFC

Cortney Collins, Director, US Communications and Employee Engagement at Haleon, Haleon

Kenzie Freeman, Senior Program Specialist, Communications, Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO)

Erin Frostad, Employee Communications and Involvement Manager, Mohegan Sun

Reed Handley, Executive Vice President, Head of Growth, Financial Services Practice Co-Lead, The Bliss Group

Mayra Hernandez Bergman, Vice President, Communications & Marketing, Pepco Holdings

Megan Kessler, Chief of Integrated Marketing and Strategy, PAN Communications

Christina Leeds, Senior Director Public Relations, Amtrak

Stephanie McCay, Director, U.S. Communications, PCL Construction

Claire Nance, Head of Global Communications & Industry Marketing, Activision Blizzard

Jasmine Palmer, Supervisor, Brand Communications, McDonald’s

Krysta Pellegrino, Chief Client Officer, Health+Commerce

Amy Persons, Senior Manager, Earned Media, Aflac

Jordan Phillips, Senior Manager of Public Relations, Avocados From Mexico

Rania Rostom, Head of Global Communications & Marketing for GE, GE

Stephanie Rufo, Senior Manager, Brand PR & Influence, PATRÓN Tequila

Julie Sculley, Director, Corporate Communications, Virgin Pulse

Athena Snow, Senior Manager of Public Relations & Giving, Coldwell Banker Real Estate

Steph Spanos, Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Operations, Exact Sciences

Kristina Spychalski, Head of Communications, Spire Global, Inc.

Michelle Trautman, Director, Marketing Communications, SPX FLOW

Nancy White, Senior Director, Communications, Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association

Alison Zurcher, Director, Internal Communications, Seattle Children’s Hospital

Leaders

Jodi Amendola, CEO, Amendola Communications

Dawn Buzynski, Assistant Vice President, Communications, Hy-Vee, Inc.

Katie Clark, Vice President of Communications, Mattress Firm

Anne DeAngelis, Executive Vice President, Employee Engagement, Zeno Group

Vanessa DeGier, AVP, Communications, Providence

Nina Devlin, Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Keally DeWitt, VP Marketing & Public Policy, GAF Energy

Megan Doern, Public Relations & External Communications Leader, Deloitte Consulting, LLP

Theresa Dolge, EVP, Chief Media Relations Office, Evoke Kyne

Monique Fahlstedt, Senior Director, Internal Communications, ESPN

Melanie Fatouros-Richardson, Vice-President, Communications and Government Relations, SkipTheDishes

Brittany Geldmacherm, SVP, Head of Corporate Brand & Communications, Scopely

Erin Griffin, SVP of Marketing & Communications, Riddell

Mara Hedgecoth, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, APCO Worldwide

Suzanne Hendery, Chief Marketing, Communications & Customer Officer at Renown Health, Renown Health

Jennifer Hines, Chief Communications Officer, Tyler ISD

Jessica Hohn-Cabana, VP of Global Communications, Rocket Software

Katie Huang Shin, President, Big Valley Marketing

Ashley Kline Shapiro, Vice President, Publicity ABC Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company

Melissa Lander, Vice President, Communications, Trinity Health

Kate Laufer Gorenstein, Founder & President, KLG Public Relations

Lisa Lesniak, Senior Vice President and Chief Public Affairs Officer, Advocate Health

Amanda Marotti, Director, Strategic Communications & OCM, AWL Strategies, LLC

Johnna Muscente, Vice President of Communications & Public Relations, The Corcoran Group

Rebecca Nunez, Founder & CEO, The MRN Agency

Lauren Pearson Riley, Director of Communications, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Joellen Perry, Global Head of Public Relations, SAP

Dalya Qualls White, Senior Vice President, Chief Communications Officer, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Melissa Sachs. Senior Vice President, Communications, Link Logistics

Lauren Triffler, Director of Corporate Communications, HARIBO of America

Hannah Vazzana, SVP, Chief Communications Officer, Hilton Grand Vacations

Heather Young, Vice President, Communications, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)

Mentors & Coaches

Samantha Anderson, Vice President, EvolveMKD

Cindy Auten, Senior Partner, Communications, ICF

Ellen Bremseth, Director, Strategic Communications, Milhouse

Elizabeth Erpelding, Head of Partner & Client Experience, Marketing and Communication, Albertsons Media Collective

Jessie Monroe, Communications Consultant, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.

Susan Stipa, Executive Vice President, CG Life

Tech Leaders

Donetta Allen, Chief Social + Digital Officer, HUNTER

Rachel Pipan, Founder, Maneuvre

Kelly Waltrich, Co-Founder and CEO, Intention.ly

Stephanie Wilson, Director, Global Marketing and Communications, ZS

Trailblazers

Diana Castellanos, Head of Marketing & Communications, Atlas Renewable Energy

Adrienne Chance, Senior Vice President of Communications and Executive Director of the SpartanNash Foundation, SpartanNash

Karlin Keller, Senior Director, Employee Communications and Employer Brand, Intel

Erin Lickliter, VP, Associate & Clinical Communications, Bon Secours Mercy Health

Stephanie Lowenthal, Global Head of Communications, Builder.AI

Tess Mattingly, Director, Brand Communications, McDonald’s

Kelly Miller, Managing Director, FTI Consulting

Justine Sacco, Chief Communications Officer, Match Group

Christina Stejskal, VP of Global PR & Communications, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation

Jody Sunna, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Philip Morris International

Nichole Tillman, EVP-Communications, Philadelphia Housing Authority

Cheryl Waide, Chief Communications Officer, Vote Run Lead

Sharlene Wells, Senior Vice President of Public Relations and Organizational Communications, Mountain America Credit Union

Visionaries

Sara Aiello, VP, Corporate Marketing, Trellix

Rhiannon D’Angelo-Parsons, Director of External Communications & Media Engagement, Reynolds American Inc.

Gina Faridniya, Vice President, Spaces, Antenna Group

Tori Fernandes, VP, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company

Sara Garibaldi, President, BODEN Agency

Jenna McMullin, Vice President of Communications, Lockheed Martin, Space

Marisol Mendez Peron, Senior Vice President, Communications & Corporate Affairs, Genmab

Jennifer Moreau, Vice President, Public Relations, Dollar General

Kristina Peterson-Lohman, Vice President, Global Communications, Weber

Amanda Schoch, Chief Communication Officer,, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Tracy St. Pierre, Executive Vice President, Global Communications & Marketing, Universal Studio Group

Emily Williams, Senior Vice President, Global Strategy Group

Courtney Young, Director Hulu Originals Publicity, Hulu

Jill Zuckman, Partner, SKDK

Rising Stars (Age 30 and Under)

Kristen Blomstrom, Director, The Levinson Group

Julia Brown, Director of Strategy, Kaplow Communications

Jessica Bryant, Account Manager, SourceCode Communications

Samantha Casamento, Senior Account Executive, EvolveMKD

Allison Chavez, Associate State Director of Communications, AARP-Florida

Amy Climenhage, Account Manager, Sachs Media

Sawyer Coffey Noel, Director of Communications and Marketing, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Kelsey Dalton, Senior Media Relations Specialist, City of Hope Orange County

Jane Ha, Manager, Communications, The Walt Disney Company

Sunjay Lee, Account Supervisor, Ruder Finn

Vianca Lopez, Account Manager, The MRN Agency

Samantha Miller, Senior Manager, Internal Communications, Xperi Inc.

Sabrina Negron, Director, FTI Consulting

Annah Otis, Account Supervisor, The Bliss Group

Michele Owen, Communications Director, City of Muncie

Maredie Palmer, Digital Communications and Employee Experience Manager, Dominos

Bailey Williams, Manager, Crisis Communications, McDonald’s

Michaela Zukowski, Senior Manager, Publicity ABC Entertainment, Walt Disney Company

Learn more about our full list of winners here.

Sean Devlin is an editor at Ragan Communications. In his spare time he enjoys Philly sports, a good pint and ’90s trivia night.

The post Celebrating the 2024 Ragan Top Women in Communications appeared first on PR Daily.

Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards is one of our most prestigious programs, saluting the women who embody the past, present and future of the discipline; whose innovations have the power to shape workplaces and employee experience; and whose efforts reach across their organizations and far beyond.

Each year, we honor dozens of communicators, but only three join our Hall of Fame. The inductees into the 2024 Top Women in Communications Hall of Fame aren’t just professionals, but forces of influence that fundamentally uplift the way we interact with and uplift one another. Their extensive experience and unrivaled expertise set them apart as champions to be emulated.

This year, Ragan is honored to induct:

Susan Donlan

Chief Communications Officer at KeyCorp

Marian Salzman

Senior Vice President & Chief Corporate Citizenship Officer, U.S., at Philip Morris International

Kathy Krenger

former Chief Communications Officer at The Kraft Heinz Company

These leaders and the rest of the Top Women in Communications, Class of 2024, will be honored at a luncheon in New York City on Feb. 29, 2024. Read on to learn about the monumental impact they have made on communications and the world.

Susan Donlan: The calm in the storm

Over the course of her career, Susan Donlan’s influence and impact has blazed the trail for women in the banking industry, in which a vast majority of leadership and board roles are still held by men.Currently chief communications officer at KeyCorp, a financial services company with assets of approximately $189 billion and more than 17,000 employees, Donlan launched her career working with the government of Canada in research and international policy, as well as advising multiple ministers. She went on to serve in the Canada Revenue Agency and the Office of the Minister of Labor and Housing, laying the foundation of her communications career.

At T.D. Bank, Donlan used her ability to build rapport and relationships to lean further into corporate communications, mastering internal and external communications, executive communications, media relations and crisis communications while ascending through the ranks to the post of vice president in 10 years.

“I have always valued the ability to listen — actively listen,” Donlan told Ragan. “You learn so much when you listen to how people are saying things, what they are sharing with you and how they feel about it. It connects you with your audience and helps you understand them. That makes you a better communicator.”

In 2018, Donlan relocated to the United States to join KeyBank as chief communications officer in Cleveland, Ohio. Once there, Donlan made sweeping changes to the corporate communications team, including establishing a leadership team and affording senior members of her team with development and leadership opportunities. Since then, she has led the team through worldwide crises and historic challenges to the banking industry.

One challenge, of course, was the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit shortly after a CEO transition. Donlan developed a reputation for being the “calm in the storm,” steadily leading her team through the pandemic while ensuring all KeyBank stakeholders were supported. Her efforts included a comprehensive internal and external plan, consumer relief, small business and Paycheck Protection Program support and continued support in the community.

Then came the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March 2023. The two largest bank failures since 2008 sent shockwaves through the industry, especially for regional institutions like KeyBank. Donlan mobilized the team with an action plan that supplied employees with essential information, ensuring that clients remained confident in KeyBank’s strength and stability. She also addressed numerous media inquiries and positioned CEO Chris Gorman as KeyBank’s voice in the public.

“I’ve learned how important it is to be the voice of calm within the chaos — even if I’m not feeling that calm on the inside,” Donlan said. “Experience has taught me to focus on how we move forward and out of the crisis instead of worrying about how we got there. There’s always time to reflect back and determine how to learn from a situation once the crisis passes, not from a blame perspective, but from the perspective of how we can do better.”

An active participant in KeyBank’s formal mentoring program, Donlan is involved in the Cleveland community, serving as a director on the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Board and as a member of the Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation Board.

“The field has changed so much since I began my career,” she reflected to Ragan. “The day of prose memos is long gone — you need to be able to package your content in small, digestible pieces, focusing on what you really need the audience to know.  This can be a real challenge when you are dealing with complex information — the ability to synthesize complexity is a more important skill than ever for communicators.”

She advises other communicators to slow down and take time to appreciate where they are and what they’re working on. “I was always in such a hurry to get to the next thing, like I was running out of time,” she said. “Instead of focusing on the next opportunity or role, now I really try to enjoy all of the things I get to do and learn every day in my current role.”

Marian Salzman: Redefining the future

Marian Salzman’s career has always focused on the future — and she has consistently shaped that future. In the early 1990s, when the internet was still considered the domain of nerds, she founded the world’s first cybersecurity consultancy — holding online focus groups via her startup, American Dialogue, also known as Cyberdialogue.

It’s no exaggeration to call her a cultural icon: she helped introduce the word “metrosexuality” to the world in 2003, sparking a global media frenzy that ultimately resulted in “metrosexual” being named Word of the Year.

“People radar matters a lot,” Salzman told Ragan. “You can accomplish anything when you surround yourself with the best people, and when you work for and with people who are smarter than you are, and who share your commitment to great work, and good fun.”

And Salzman was a driving force behind #GivingTuesday, which encourages consumers to offset the gluttony of Black Friday and Cyber Monday by helping others and raising tens of billions of dollars for community programs.

In a PR career spanning three decades, Salzman has served as CEO of Havas PR North America and chair of the Havas Global PR Collective. In 2016 she moved to Philip Morris International (PMI) as senior vice president, global communications, to help the company deliver a smoke-free future.

Salzman guides PMI’s communications, media and other stakeholder engagement, forging productive alliances with NGOs, advocacy groups, policymakers and others. The end goal: making it easier for adult smokers to move away from cigarettes and toward the better science-based alternatives now available.

Using her global platform to combat misinformation, promote transparency and advance positive change, Salzman sparks conversations around important issues via her annual trends report, newsletter and PMI whitepapers — including “Hate Is in the Air,” a report that dissects the drivers of hate and challenges companies to contribute to solutions.

She says curiosity and energy are the most important skills for communicators. “If you aren’t in continuous learning mode, you will quickly be left behind.” She lives out that advice herself: Salzman told Ragan that she was taking remote courses in government at Johns Hopkins University when the pandemic began. “This engagement gave me a whole lot of brainfood at a time when socialization was largely screen-based. I developed considerable expertise by going back to school thirty-odd years after I had completed my formal education, and this made me a much better leader and professional. Studenting also knocked any arrogance I had right out of my system.”

As a commentator for a range of global and national media outlets, Salzman has been featured on the BBC, NBC News, Euronews, Sky News and Bloomberg Radio, as well as podcasts like Andrew Yang’s “Forward.” She also regularly serves as a keynote speaker or panelist at such venues as GWPR VOICE, IAA Creativity 4 Better Conference, University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business and more, and is the author or co-author of 18 books.

Her advice to rising communicators: “Go abroad frequently, work there feverishly, savor the friendships you made in the early days because at the end of a career, it is the experience collecting, the human relationships, that carry you forward and make you better and more able to face the challenges day-to-day. I also wish I had become addicted to Pilates earlier, had embraced casual dress sooner, and would have dreamed as big as life carried me. I always treasured the journey and picked bosses but never planned my career, so I wish I would have known how lucky I would be — that would have made it easier to relax more, to worry less, and to have confidence that I would never have to compromise ‘me’ to succeed in the world of ‘we.’”

Kathy Krenger: Iconic work for iconic brands

In 2021, as Kraft Heinz was navigating one of the most visible transformations of the decade, its CEO decided to rebuild the company’s communications team from the ground up. The person he selected to lead that team was Kathy Krenger, prompted by her stellar leadership as senior vice president of global communications at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, where she guided the hospitality brand through one of its most challenging periods amid pandemic lockdowns.

“I also watched as our entire industry collapsed in a matter of days,” Krenger said of her experience at Hyatt. “Even now, when I look back at how volatile those first few months were, I can hardly believe it was real. But the work we were doing then was vital, critical, even ground-breaking. People needed our communications. They needed the information we created to survive. And sometimes, the content we were developing was the only thing giving them hope. I know this sounds a little dramatic today, but in that instant it was true.”

Building upon that experience, Krenger joined Kraft Heinz as chief communications officer. Her task: Take what had been a small support function within the company and create a best-in-class global center of communications to serve as a strategic partner to the business.

Two major initiatives demonstrate Krenger’s work boosting Kraft Heinz’s reputation:

From 2022 to 2023, Krenger’s team increased annual corporate media coverage results by 265%. In addition, negative news coverage decreased to 9% (down from 31% in 2021), with 91% of media coverage positive to neutral. Kraft Heinz ranked No. 28 in the 2023 Axios Harris “100 Reputation Rankings,” moving up the list from 2022 (and not making the list at all in 2021).

And when employees reported feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from each other and their leaders. In response, Krenger’s communications team launched a new, mobile-enabled engagement platform, “The Vine,” to deliver timely and easily accessible information to the company’s 37,000 employees. To date, 97% of users have engaged on the platform, and a recent employee survey showed that 80% of respondents have greater trust in information coming from the company.

She told Ragan that an underrated quality for communicators to master is the ability to “read the room… and pivot the conversation based on someone’s preferences or need for clarity. It’s easy to forget that you may have spent the last two weeks focused on this topic, but your audience has not. They need time to absorb, ask questions and understand how this conversation or topic impacts them and if you are able to see their pause as an opportunity bring them along on the journey, be comforted by your understanding of all sides of the issue, you will have a partner and advocate rather than a detractor.”

She also touted the importance of writing skills. “Now more than ever, words matter,” she said. “Connected to words, I believe the ability to influence is a critical skill for communicators. Senior communicators will often find themselves being the one person in the room with a contrary position. Being able to explain your position without sounding like a dream killer is key.”

Thanks to Krenger’s efforts, the team today consists of 55 internal and external communication professionals across 15 countries. The team manages internal and external communications media relations, executive thought leadership, crisis and issues management, creative content generation and much more for the company.

“In an era where everything is about reputation management, and where there are pitfalls and opportunities at every turn, [Krenger] has elevated the communications function to be a go-to partner to guide company actions that span far beyond traditional communications practices,” says Alex Abraham, vice president, global corporate communications and reputation management at Kraft Heinz.

“Know yourself so you can believe in yourself,” Krenger advises. “I spent far too much time lamenting as to why I wasn’t the star of or the best at X, Y or Z. I wish I had really leaned into my strengths more, stopped worrying about other people and what they were doing and learned how to use my strengths as my superpower.”

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The Top Women in Communications Awards highlights a tremendous group of communications leaders who consistently influence and inspire everyone around them. Honorees include community givers, crisis navigators, DE&I champions, mentors, trailblazers, visionaries, rising stars and many more.

And not to be left out, we’re welcoming a new class of Hall of Fame inductees. This year includes Susan Donlan, chief communications officer at KeyCorp, Kathy Krenger, chief communications officer at Kraft Heinz, and Marian Salzman, senior vice president of global communications at Philip Morris International.

Donlan shared what she wishes she’d known earlier in her career: “You know, at the beginning of my career, I was always in a big hurry. Always looking at what came next. And now I really try to slow down and enjoy just being in the moment and taking my time.”

In anticipation of this year’s celebration, happening Feb. 29 in New York City, we offered honorees a chance to share either their best piece of advice for rising comms professionals or something they wished they’d known earlier in their career. Below are just a handful of what this year’s class had to say.

Jennifer Hines, chief communications officer at Tyler Independent School District, is an award-winning news anchor with 20 years of media experience across Texas. She joined the academic communications industry in 2019, right before schools across the country were plunged into uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic. Hines oversaw the district’s two flagship high schools changing their names; crafting Return to Learn guidelines during the pandemic with messaging for parents, staff, the community and media; boosting recruitment efforts as the country grappled with teacher shortages; and launching a bus driver hiring campaign that received national and local coverage.

Yolanda Schufford, chief communications & public affairs officer at Beyond Finance, protects consumers by educating the public and influencing policymakers about debt issues. She was instrumental in helping stave off potentially restrictive legislation for North Carolina consumers in debt resolution programs and helped transform potentially harmful policies in California. In New York and New Jersey, Schufford was part of a team that introduced a model bill designed to initiate positive industry legislation.

Jill Zuckman, one of five partners at SKDK, has found herself in pivotal moments that have made global news. One of Zuckman’s standout achievements is her leadership in the media campaign to free Alan Gross, an American unjustly imprisoned in Cuba for over five years. Her efforts kept the media engaged, building public pressure that led to a historic announcement by President Obama, thawing relations between the U.S. and Cuba, which resulted in Gross’ freedom.

Dawn Buzynski, assistant vice president of communications at Hy-Vee, Inc., handles traditional communication duties, including overseeing Hy-Vee’s PR team, serving as its spokesperson, burnishing the company’s brand image, and devising its corporate messaging, but she also oversees the chain’s considerable CSR activities. Buzynski spearheaded Hy-Vee’s Homefront effort, which supports military members and their families and raised more than $475,000 to support veterans in 2022.

Rhiannon D’Angelo-Parsons, director of external communications & media engagement at Reynolds American Inc., is experienced as a media spokesperson and brand champion, directing marketing efforts and leading crisis communications and social media efforts. In her three years at Reynolds, D’Angelo-Parsons has demonstrated her original thinking and strategic prowess in navigating the complexities of the regulated and negatively perceived industry. Notably, she has communicated the company’s diversity and inclusion ambitions, achieving recognition for workplace inclusion while highlighting achievements across various platforms.

Nina Devlin, senior vice president and chief communications officer at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, guides medicines through development, trials and approvals in multiple global markets. Her mantra, “always stay hands-on,” means she’s intimately involved in building relationships with healthcare media and regulators. As a leader in a global company, she must maintain a vast network and knowledge base but also think strategically while operating in international markets.

Also, don’t forget to check out the profiles of all the Top Women in Communications, available after the event.

Do you know someone who should be honored as a Top Women in Communications? The call for entries for the 2025 class of Top Women in Communications Awards will be open soon. The deadline to enter is October 18, 2024.

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