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2017 Winners
PRSA Colorado Recognizes Outstanding Public Relations Programs,
Professionals at 2017 Gold Pick Awards
83 Gold and Silver Picks Awarded;
Philosophy Communication earns Grand Gold Pick
Amy Johnson honored with Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement;
Tami Door awarded Business Person of the Year; and
Ball Corporation wins PR Team of the Year
DENVER(May 5, 2017) —The Colorado Chapter of the Public Relations Society of Americarecognized the 2017 Gold and Silver Pick winners at its annual awards ceremony on May 4. The awards honor the achievements of individuals and organizations for best practices and high ethical standards in public relations.
“Colorado’s public relations professionals continue to develop ingenious communications strategies and ideas that help their companies and clients succeed in today’s fast-paced and increasingly complex business world,” said Renee A. Robinson, APR, PRSA Colorado Chapter president. “Congratulations to all of our award winners, who truly represent the best of the best in our dynamic PR community.”
The awards were presented by Robinson and Emmy Award winning FOX31 on-air personalities Kathie J. and Ken Clark, who emceed the event. Sponsors included Linhart Public Relations, WildRock Public Relations & Marketing, Philosophy Communication, and FUN Productions Inc.
One Grand Gold Pick, 50 Gold Pick and 33 Silver Pick awards were presented in addition to honoring outstanding efforts by individuals, small practices and nonprofits. The winners included:
Special Award Winners:(photos available here.)
- Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award: Amy Johnson, APR Constructive Public Relations
- Public Relations Person of the Year: Catherine B. Lucas, APR, Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Business Person of the Year: Tami Door, Downtown Denver Partnership
- Joe Fuentes Rookie of the Year: Catie Mayer, B Public Relations
- Mentor of the Year Award: Kimberly Stern, Colorado State University
- Chapter Service Award: Michelle Ellis, Ellis Communications Marketing
- Public Relations Team of the Year: Ball Corporation Communications Team
Grand Gold Pick Winner:
The Grand Gold Pick is awarded to the “best in show” campaign(s) earning the highest overall score.
- Philosophy Communication: Colorado Proud “Follow Your Fruits & Veggies” Journey(Reputation/Brand Management-Government)
Small Practice Award Winner:
The Small Practice Award is awarded to the solo/small practitioner earning the highest overall score for a campaign.
- Xstatic Public Relations: CFA Institute MemberNation” to Societies Worldwide (Internal Communications)
Nonprofit Award:
The best in show awarded to the nonprofit organization earning the highest overall score for a campaign.
- Fyn Public Relations: “Building Realities for Children’s Future Brick by Brick”
Gold Pick Winners (G) – 50 and Silver Pick Winners (S) – 33:
|
ORGANIZATION |
PROJECT TITLE |
CATEGORY |
|
B Public Relations |
An Oscar-Worthy Pitch (G) |
Food and Beverage |
|
|
Hearth & Dram Strikes Gold (G) |
Retail Stores and Restaurants |
|
|
Sweet Cooie’s Scoops Up Spotlight (S) |
Retail Stores and Restaurants |
|
Ball Corporation |
The Power of Day 1 Internal Campaign (S) |
Internal Communications |
|
Blake Communications |
13th Annual Doors Open Denver (S) |
Event Nonprofit, Associations |
|
CIG |
CDOT Goes Slow As Colorado Gets High (G) |
Creative Tactics, Government |
|
|
Digital Addiction is a Killer Habit (G) |
Online Videos |
|
|
Don’t Drive Distrac…SQUIRREL (G) |
Social Media, Government |
|
|
I-170 ‘duct-work: Finding Beauty in the Beast (G) |
Events and Observances, Government |
|
|
I-170 ‘duct-work: Finding Beauty in the Beast (G) |
Community Relations, Government |
|
|
I-70 Traffic Gets Animated (G) |
Online Videos |
|
|
Lil’ Mac Pledge – Turning Tragedy Into Action (G) |
Press Conferences |
|
|
Media Gets Caught in Slow-Speed Chase (G) |
Media Relations, Government |
|
|
Media Joins Fight Against Drunk Driving (G) |
Media Relations, Government |
|
|
Winter Issues Drive Engagement (G) |
Social Media, Government |
|
|
Blow to Know!...Your BAC (S) |
Public Service, Government |
|
|
DUI Prevention – There’s an App For That Marketing Campaign (S) |
Marketing, Technology |
|
City of Boulder |
City of Boulder Community Newsletter (G) |
Newsletters, Print |
|
|
City of Boulder Social Media (S) |
Social Media, Government |
|
City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks |
North Trail Study Area Plan (S) |
Integrated Communications, Government |
|
|
North Trail Study Area Plan (S) |
Community Relations, Government |
|
City of Commerce City |
Commerce City Connected (G) |
Tactics, Print Newsletters |
|
|
The Park that became a butterfly: Ground Breaking of Commerce City’s Turnbery Park (S) |
Events and Observances, 7 days or fewer |
|
Colorado State University |
Anticipatory stress of after-hours email exhausting employees (G) |
Media Relations, Government |
|
|
The Sky’s the limit for CSU’s first paraplegic veterinary student (G) |
Feature Stories |
|
|
Astronaut alumnus Kjell Lindgren brings the right stuff to campus (S) |
Public Service, Government |
|
|
The Conversation Charm Offensive (S) |
Internal Communications, Associations/Government |
|
|
No longer lost in translation (S) |
Online videos |
|
|
Study finds troubling new evidence of teens’ lack of physical activity (S) |
Media Relations, Government |
|
Community First Foundation |
Colorado Gives Day 2016 (S) |
Community Relations |
|
|
Colorado Gives Day 2016 (S) |
Events and Observances |
|
|
Colorado Gives Day 2016 (S) |
Integrated Communications |
|
Cutter Communications |
Tap the Vote (G) |
Reputation Management, Associations |
|
Denver Art Museum |
Denver Art Museum Creates Custom Snapchat Geofilters for Star WarTM Exhibition Opening (G) |
Social Media, Associations/Government/Nonprofit |
|
Donor Alliance |
National Donate Life Month Trees for Life (G) |
Events and Observances |
|
Dstreet |
Farm Credit Celebrates 100 Years of Service to Rural Communities and Agriculture (G) |
Reputation/Brand Management, Government |
|
Feed Media |
Feed Media - Punch Bowl Social Public Relations Campaign (G) |
Marketing, Retail Stores & Restaurants |
|
Fyn Public Relations |
Building Realities for Children’s Future Brick by Brick (G) |
Nonprofit Organizations |
|
|
Loveland Fire & Ice Festival Elevates Loveland as National Valentine’s Day Destination (G) |
Travel and Tourism/ Hospitality |
|
|
Refueling Downtown Loveland Tourism with Vintage Americana (G) |
Travel and Tourism/ Hospitality |
|
|
Better Together – Uniting Western States Bank in Three Key Regions (S) |
Financial Services |
|
GKC PR |
National Infertility Awareness Week (G) |
Events and Observances, 7 or fewer days |
|
|
Competition BBQ (S) |
Marketing, Food |
|
|
Mindful Schools (S) |
Community Relations, Associations/Nonprofit Organizations |
|
Johns Manville |
Johns Manville Safety Awareness Campaign (S) |
Global Communications |
|
Kaiser Permanente |
Kaiser Permanente Colorado Rock Star Video Series (G) |
Video Programs, Internal/Intranet |
|
|
NewsBreak Redesign (G) |
Digital Newsletters |
|
|
Battling Opioid Addiction through Holistic Approach(S) |
Media Relations, Consumer Products Health Care |
|
Level 3 Communications |
Gleaning the Positive from Politics: How Technology has Enabled Democracy (S) |
Events and Observances |
|
Linhart Public Relations |
Increasing Grant Applications for the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (G) |
Media Relations, Healthcare |
|
|
Panama Canal: Expanding Media Attention for a Massive Engineering Feat (G) |
Media Relations, Professional and/or Financial |
|
|
Shining the Spotlight on Sunday Dinners with Salad Sunday through Earthbound Farm (G) |
Integrated Communications, Consumer |
|
|
Surprising Shoppers with Free Groceries from Earthbound Farm and WhiteWave Foods (G) |
Media Relations, Food and Beverage |
|
|
White Paper Showcases the value of Construction Management-at-Risk Approach (G) |
Publications, Single Issue Newsletters/Booklet |
|
|
UnitedHealthcare Celebrates Bike to Work Day (S) |
Events and Observances, 7 or Fewer Days |
|
Lola Red |
Lola Red with Sphero (G) |
Media Relations, Consumer Products/ Technology |
|
M&C Communications |
Hirakata Farms "Worth the Wait" Beer (G) |
Marketing, Beverages
|
|
|
Monarch Casino Black Hawk (S) |
Media Relations, Travel and Tourism/Hospitality |
|
Peri Marketing & Public Relations, Inc. |
Vance Kirkland Studio Move (S) |
Events and Observances, 7 days or less, Nonprofit |
|
Philosophy Communication |
Colorado Proud "Follow Your Fruits & Veggies" Journey (G) |
Reputation/Band Management, Government |
|
|
Colorado Proud "Follow Your Fruits & Veggies" Journey (G) |
Community Relations, Government |
|
|
Let's Talk Agriculture "Follow Your Fruits & Veggies" Journey Culmination Lunch (G) |
Events and Observances, Government |
|
|
Colorado Proud “Follow Your Fruits & Veggies” Journey (G) |
Social Media-Government |
|
|
Colorado Proud “A Day in the Life” Farm Videos (G) |
Video Programs - External |
|
|
Drew Sarka: Painting a Picture of Colorado's Premier Western Artist (G) |
Reputation/Brand Management, Business |
|
|
The Secret Recipe for a Powerful Dish (S) |
Newsletters, Digital |
|
The Colorado Tourism Office |
Garnering Awareness of Colorado's Historic Hot Springs Loop (G) |
Marketing, Travel and Tourism/Hospitality |
|
|
Generating Media Coverage of Colorado's Historic Hot Springs Loop (G) |
Media Relations, Travel and Tourism |
|
Webb Strategic Communications |
4A Safer Evergreen is a Winner (G) |
Public Affairs |
|
|
Black Hawk Goes All-in (G) |
Media Relations, Consumer Products |
|
|
Media Relations Costs Less Than a DUI (G) |
Media Relations, Consumer Products |
|
|
Social Norm Really Drive Home the Message (G) |
Creative Tactics |
|
|
Steamy Shower Scene Touts City Services (G) |
Video Programs |
|
|
Creative Testing Ditches Art to Find a Campaign that Connects (S) |
Research/Evaluation |
|
|
Tools to Prompt Drug Disposal (S) |
Community Relations |
|
Weber Shandwick |
Launching HOTSHOT As A Breakthrough Solution To Muscle Cramps (S) |
Marketing, Beverages |
|
WildRock Public Relations & Marketing |
WildRock Helps Akinz Adventure to New Audiences (G) |
Media Relations, Consumer Products |
|
|
WildRock Makes Splash for Beau & Belle Littles (G) |
Media Relations, Consumer Products |
|
|
CycleBar Rides to the Top with WildRock (S) |
Marketing, Consumer Products |
|
|
WildRock Launches Exclusive, Outdoor Adventure: The Steamboat Experience (S) |
Events and Observances, 7 or fewer days |
|
|
WildRock Elevates Moving Mountains with Top-Tier Coverage (S) |
Media Relations, Travel and Tourism/Hospitality |
|
|
WildRock Lands Native Eyewear Record-Breaking PR Spike (S) |
Media Relations, Consumer Products |
|
Xstatic Public Relations |
CFA Institute MemberNation to Societies Worldwide (G) |
Internal Communications |
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About PRSA Colorado
The Public Relations Society of America (www.prsa.org) is the nation’s largest association for the professional practice of public relations. The Colorado Chapter (www.prsacolorado.org) is consistently one of the largest chapters in the country. The chapter provides timely and profession-specific educational programs, information and networking opportunities to all of its members, which include professionals at all levels working at corporations, local and national public relations agencies government offices, universities, nonprofits, and independent PR practitioners.
