Nothing Soft or Fluffy Here: Local and National PR Work Recognized in This Year’s Impact Awards for Southern Arizona
Kathleen Brown
November 13, 2015
This week, I’d like to take this column space to do a little PR for some of the award-winning PR that’s happening in the region. (See? We’re good at that.) If you’ll indulge me, I think you might find that there is some great work happening in our neck of the desert. And that good PR work is actually contributing to the bottom line.
Nationwide, the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) awards criteria are considered more arduous than other awards programs in the industry. The entries aren’t just judged for a single element such as visual appeal. PRSA requires a thorough analysis of the quantifiable research behind the project, the quality of the execution, and–most importantly–the quantifiable, measurable results of the effort. In other words: Entrants have to prove that their work actually contributes to the bottom line.
That’s notable for Public Relations and even marketing, often considered “soft” business units where it can be more complex to identify a Return on Investment and connect a program or campaign to an organization’s objectives. Winners include no fluff. No spin. Just good work, and good business.
At the IMPACT Awards Ceremony event held last week, winners were honored with either an IMPACT Award, recognizing the highest category of achievement, or a Certificate of Excellence. This year’s entries were judged by the PRSA Greater Kansas Chapter.
This Year’s Best in Show Winner, scoring the highest number of points, is:
“The Innovative Minds Challenge”
Tech Parks Arizona, with Innovate UA
The 2015 IMPACT Award recipients are:
News Release/Public Service Announcements:
“I’m Sorry, I Didn’t Get That:” Voice-Activated Features Lead to Dangerous Distractions
AAA Arizona Certificate of Excellence:
“Solar Zone Completes Phase One”
Tech Parks Arizona Brochures:
“Cox in the Community Impact Report”
Strongpoint Marketing / Client: Cox Communications
“Brewer’s Journal”
Russell Public Communications / Client: Barrio Brewing Co.
Marketing Communications:
“The Innovative Minds Challenge”
Tech Parks Arizona, with Innovate UA
“How To Ride”
Kaneen Advertising & Public Relations / Client: The City of Tucson Department of Transportation and the Regional Transportation Authority
“Caring Cart”
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona
Certificate of Excellence:
“Walk Safe. Drive Safe.”
Pima Association of Governments
Overall Public Relations
“Whole Foods Oracle Road Grand Reopening”
Strongpoint Marketing / Client: Whole Foods Market
Media Relations/Media Placement:
“Girl Scouts Have the Courage to Go Over the Edge”
Strongpoint Marketing / Client: Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona
Certificates of Excellence:
“Official Launch of the MAP Dashboard”
Strongpoint Marketing / Client: Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
“A Patient Safety Story”
Russell Public Communications / Client: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
Community Relations:
“Jeep Cherokee Charity Raffle”
Russell Public Communications / Client: Jim Click Automotive Team
Special Events and Observances—Corporate/Brand:
“Sun Link Streetcar Launch”
Kaneen Advertising & Public Relations / Client: City of Tucson Department of Transportation and the Regional Transportation Authority
“A New England Tavern in Tucson”
