2013 Bernays Awards Winners
The Gold Coast PR Council recently announced the winners of this 2013 Bernays Awards honoring local excellence in PR & marketing, with Lynn University picking up three awards for last year’s Presidential Debate, and Kaye Communications of Boca Raton taking home two of the 12 highly coveted trophies.
Following is a list of this year’s Bernays Award winners in eight competitive categories and four additional recipients selected by GCPRC’s Board of Directors and the eight judges:
+ Project By or For a Nonprofit Organization
KAYE COMMUNICATIONS
Our Legend, Her Legacy: Countess de Hoernle’s 100th Birthday Celebration
Serving as official Strategic Communications, Community Relations and Media Relations Partner for this multi-part celebration, Bonnie & Jon Kaye expanded the project with a communitywide “Red, White & Boca-Blue Countess Appreciation Day” and by creating a record-setting community “wall of wishes” that was presented at the Gala – and in so doing generated a massive amount of media coverage and community support.
The award was presented by Shaun Castillo of the Sun-Sentinel. Pictured L-R: Tim Byrd “The Byrdman, Judy Joffe of NCCI, Bonnie & Jon Kaye of Kaye Communications.
+ PR Campaign By a Large Company or Firm
LYNN UNIVERSITY
Presidential Debate 2012
Not only was this the largest media relations investment in Lynn’s history, it was one of the truly pivotal moments in last fall’s campaign that generated thousands of positive media placements worth millions and millions of dollars.
The award was presented by Bruce Serbin of Serbin Media and accepted by Joshua Glanzer, Lynn University’s Director of Public Relations.
+ PR Campaign By a Small Company or Firm
DURÉE & COMPANY
Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade
Honored with a BizBash Top 100 Award, this campaign included a new fundraiser – Claws for Kids – in alliance with the venerable Joe’s Stone Crab; generating $617,000 worth of free media coverage – or a PR investment ratio of 25 to 1.
Award winner Durée Ross.
+ Branding or Image Campaign
DELRAY BEACH CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Long known as Old School Square, the Centre created a new name, logo, collateral, ads, tagline and website, which they unveiled last September, followed by a super-duper Launch Party that attracted more than 3,500 fans.
The award was presented by two-time Bernays Award winner Tracy Tilson of Tilson PR and accepted by Melissa Carter, Director of Marketing & PR for the Delray Beach Center for the Arts.
+ Online PR Campaign
LYNN UNIVERSITY
#lynndebate Social Media Campaign
As part of its comprehensive PR campaign both pre- and post-debate, Lynn’s marketing team created a multi-platform social media campaign utilizing Twitter, Facebook and more, generating tens of thousands of followers and messages.
The award was presented to Laura Stephens, Lynn University’s social media expert, by GCPRC Board member Debbie Wemyss of DW Consulting Solutions.
+ Special Event
THE BUZZ AGENCY
Best of Boca & Beyond 2012
Nearly 700 people attended this festive event that raised funds for the Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation, while also generating major exposure for Boca Raton Magazine and Boca Center and its new Courtyard. For this project, The Buzz Agency solicited restaurants, secured entertainment and sponsors and handled all marketing efforts.
The award was presented by Kathy Burstein and Joe Donzelli from the Clerk & Comptroller’s Office, Palm Beach County and accepted by Elizabeth Kelley Grace (center), Partner & Co-Founder of The Buzz Agency.
+ Collateral Material
PRDC
Marine Barracks Parade Program
This commemorative, 8-page photo booklet program for Friday evening parades at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. contained a weekly insert highlighting dignitaries and guests and new photos displaying the Corp’s growing diversity. It was so popular, they needed to do a second print-run mid-season.
The award was presented PRDC Founder J.W. Arnold by Pilar Portela of Business Wire, the official sponsor of the 2013 Bernays Award luncheon.
+ Community Service
THE BOATING & BEACH BASH CORP. LLC
The 4th Annual Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities
Designed to provide a free, no-strings-attached fun-day for kids and adults with physical and/or intellectual challenges, plus their families and caregivers, this incredible Beach Bash attracted 4,463 guests and is now the largest event in the United States for the special needs community.
The award was presented by Karen Clarke from the Office of the Constitutional Tax Collector, Palm Beach County, and accepted by Jay Van Vechten, Director & Founder of the Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities. Standing behind Jay is his son Nick Van Vechten.
+ Founders Award
BARBARA McCORMICK
GCPRC’s official photographer and South County’s premier social shutterbug for years accepted this award from last year’s winner in this category, Rich Pollack of Pollack Communications.
+ PR Star Award
KAYE COMMUNICATIONS
This PR firm has built a solid reputation for serving a variety of business, lifestyle and nonprofit clients over the years. Under the able leadership of Jon and Bonnie Kaye, it continues to do deliver market-relevant strategies and game-changing original content that empowers clients to grow and dominate.
Lisa Metcalf from Florida Atlantic University, last year’s recipient of this honor, presented the PR Star Award to Bonnie & Jon Kaye of Kaye Communications in Boca Raton.
+ Judges’ Award
CONSTITUTIONAL TAX COLLECTOR, PALM BEACH COUNTY
After reviewing all 39 entries in eight competitive categories, the eight Bernays Judges singled out one contender for overall marketing and communications excellence that is matched by an intense dedication to better serve all the people in this area.
The award was presented to Joseph Abreu and Karen Clarke by author and writer Sally J. Ling, who served as one of this year’s Bernays Award judges.
President’s Award
LYNN UNIVERSITY
Presidential Debate 2012
The numbers tell it all: 3,500 credentialed media from all over the world, up to 934,258 daily impressions on Facebook, 6.5 million debate-related tweets and 59.2 million viewers. Lynn University’s team of smart, strong and savvy PR professionals dazzled the entire planet.
The award was presented to Gregory Malfitano, Lynn University’s Senior Vice President for Administration, by GCPRC Co-Founder Gary Schweikhart, president of PR-BS, Inc.
Additional Photos from 2013 Bernays Awards
Lynn University’s Marketing & PR Team with their three Bernays Awards. Front row right is Barbara McCormick, winner of this year’s Founders Award.
Bernays Awards Judge Kevin Kaminski (center) is flanked by Gregory Brooks of the Florida Magazine Association and Chris Portalatin of Brown Printing Company.
Tim Byrd “The Byrdman,” the masterful emcee of the 2013 Bernays Awards luncheon.
