Bernays Awards

Project by or on behalf of a Nonprofit Organization

• Cultural Council of Palm Beach County (2014)
• Kaye Communications   (2013)
• Loggerhead Marinelife Center  (2012)
• Spady Cultural Heritage Museum  (2011)
• Lynn University   (2010)
• Arthur R. Marshall Foundation  (2009)
• Palm Beach County Cultural Council   (2008)
• NCCI Holdings   (2007)
• Together Against Gangs   (2006)

PR Campaign by a Large Company or Firm (5+ employees)

• The Buzz Agency (2014)
• Lynn University  (2013)
• Tilson PR  (2012)
• Tax Collector, Palm Beach County  (2011) 
• Tilson PR   (2010)
• Clerk & Comptroller, Palm Beach County  (2009)
• Office Depot   (2008)
• Kaye Communications   (2007)
• NCCI Holdings   (2006)
• ME Productions   (2005)

PR Campaign by a Small Company or Firm (under 5 employees)

• Margie Yansura d/b/a Wordsmith Communications (2014)
• Durée & Company  (2013)
• Serbin Media  (2012)
• Elaine Meier / Elaine Meier Associates  (2011)
• No Award Given  (2010)
• Margie Yansura & Wordsmith Communications   (2009)
• Elaine Meier & Elaine Meier Associates   (2008)
• Margie Yansura & Wordsmith Communications   (2007)
• Biscuiti International   (2006)
• barry r. epstein associates   (2005)

Branding or Image Campaign

• Duree & Co. (2014)
• Delray Beach Center for the Arts  (2013)
• Sharon Geltner / Froogle PR  (2012)
• The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach  (2011)
• Wilesmith Advertising / Design  (2010)
• Pierson Grant PR  (2009)
• Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County   (2008)
• Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County   (2007)

Community Service Award

• The Boating & Beach Bash Corp. LLC (2014)
• The Boating & Beach Bash Corp. LLC  (2013)
• Boca Raton Advisory Board for People with Disabilities & Junior League of Boca Raton  (2012 – TIE)
• Labor Finders International  (2011)
• Labor Finders International  (2010)
• Crane’s BeachHouse Hotel & Tiki Bar  (2009)
• American Health Association & Zimmerman Tree Service   (2008 – TIE)
• Gregory Brooks & Junior League of the Palm Beaches, Inc.   (2007 – TIE)

Online PR Campaign

• The Buzz Agency (2014)
• Lynn University  (2013)
• Sharon Geltner  / Froogle PR  (2012)
• Labor Finders International & Norton Museum of Art  (2011 – TIE)
• Sharon Geltner / Froogle PR  (2010)

Special Event

• Kretzer Piano Music Foundation (2014)
• The Buzz Agency  (2013)
• Clerk & Comptroller, Palm Beach County  (2012)
• The Buzz Agency  (2011)
• The Breakers, Palm Beach  (2010)

Collateral Material

• Labor Finders International (2014)
• Marine Barracks Parade Program  (2013)
• Tax Collector, Palm Beach County  (2012)
• Kravis Center for the Performing Arts  (2011)
• Tax Collector, Palm Beach County  (2010)

PR Star Award

• Gary Schweikhart (2014)
• Kaye Communications  (2013)
• Florida Atlantic University  (2012)
• The Buzz Agency  (2011)
• Jay Berkowitz – Ten Golden Rules & Jason Hughes – Lynn University  (2010 – TIE)
• Sharon Patterson – d+g Communications Group  (2009)
• Toni Wolf   (2008)
• Bernie Lipskin   (2007)

Founders Award

• Deborah Bottorff (2014)
• Barbara McCormick  (2013)
• Rich Pollack  (2012)
• Beth Cohen  (2011)
• Jeanne Epstein  (2010)
• NCCI Holdings  (2009) 
• Gary Schweikhart   (2007)
• Barry R. Epstein  (2005)

Judges’ Award

• Doreen Poreba, APR, The PR Czar (2014)
• Constitutional Tax Collector, Palm Beach County  (2013)
• Jim Sackett  (2012)

President’s Award

• Florida Weekly & The Coastal Star (2014)
• Lynn University  (2013)
• Forum Publications  (2012)
• Business Wire  (2011)
• Palm Beach Post / Notables & Sun-Sentinel / Society Scene  (2010)
• Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau – PR Committee  (2009)
• Gale Howden – Palm Beach Post   (2008)
• Jeff Zbar   (2007)
• Gulfstream PRSA & Palm Beach PRSA  (2006)
• Boca Raton News, Palm Beach Post, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, WPEC-TV, WPBF-TV & WPTV – For Hurricane Coverage   (2005)

Entries Can Be Submitted through December 2, 2013

The GOLD COAST PR COUNCIL is now accepting entries for the 10th annual Bernays Awards, honoring excellence by the local PR & Marketing community in the following categories:

• Project by or on behalf of a Nonprofit Organization
• PR Campaign by a Large Company or Firm (5+ employees)
• PR Campaign by a Small Company or Firm (under 5 employees)
• Branding or Image Campaign
• Online PR Campaign
• Special Event
• Collateral Material (Brochure, Media Kit, Newsletter, Video, etc.)
• Community Service

The 2014 Bernays Awards will will be presented at a special luncheon on Friday, January 24, at Boca Dunes Golf & Country, 1400 Country Club Drive in Boca Raton — located west of Lyons Road on S.W. 8th Street between Palmetto Park Road and Hillsboro Blvd.

Previous Bernays Award winners include Lynn University, Kaye Communications, Office Depot, Tilson PR, Elaine Meier Associates, Duree & Company, NCCI Holdings, Wilesmith Advertising/Design, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Labor Finders International, Serbin Media, Delray Beach Center for the Arts, Pierson Grant PR, the Norton Museum of Art, The Buzz Agency, Loggerhead Marinelife Center, the Constitutional Tax Collector-Palm Beach County, The Breakers, the Clerk and Comptroller-Palm Beach County, Wordsmith Communications, The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach, etc.

The winners of the 2014 Bernays Awards will be selected by an independent panel of local PR, Marketing and Media professionals. Following is the list of our eight distinguished judges:

• Ceci Dadisman, président of American Marketing Association Palm Beach
• Katie Edwards, president of PRSA – Palm Beach
• Adrienne Moore, incoming president of FPRA
• Jason Parsley, president of the Society of Professional Journalists
• Paula Randolph, vice president of Datamaniax
• Toby Srebnick, president of PRSA – Greater Fort Lauderdale
• Rhonda Swan, president of the Palm Beach Association of Black Journalists
• Debbie Wemyss, president of DW Consulting Solutions & a member of GCPRC’s board of directors

Attached below is a copy of the Bernays Awards Application. The cost to submit an entry is FREE to all 2014 members of GCPRC and only $35 for everyone else (which will cover the submitter’s membership fee).

It is very simple:

You Submit Your Entry & GCPRC will Email You an Invoice.

Remember – You Can’t Win If You Don’t Enter!

View the Bernays Awards Application

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.

Photos from the 2012 Bernays Awards.

Brittany Jo Miller of the Loggerhead Marinelife Center accepts the BERNAYS AWARD for Best Project By or For a Nonprofit Organization from last year’s winner, Charlene Jones from the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum

Elaine Meier presents the Bernays Award for Best Campaign by a Small Company or Firm to Carol Serbin of Serbin Media.

Elizabeth K. Grace of The Buzz Agency presents the Bernays Award for PR Star to Lisa Metcalf from Florida Atlantic University

Jay Van Vechten presents the first Judges Award to Jim Sackett, retired WPTV anchorman

Former GCPRC President Jeanne Aufseeser presents the Bernays Award for Best Online Campaign to Sharon Geltner of Froogle PR

Joseph Abreu of the Clerk & Comptroller’S Office of Palm Beach County accepts the Bernays Award for Best Special Event from Marlene Ross from WXEL-TV

Leslie Lilly from the Community Foundation of Palm Beach & Martin Counties presents the Bernays Award for Community Service to Jay Van Vechten, representing the Boca Raton Advisory Board for People with Disabilities.

Lexi Savage from Tilson PR presents the Bernays Award for Best Collateral to Karen Clarke from the Palm Beach County Tax Collector

Rich Pollack, GCPRC’s long-time Treasurer, accepts the Founders Award from Michelle Brown of Kaliah Communications

Ruth Young of The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach presents the Bernays Award for Best Branding or Image Campaign to double-winner Sharon Geltner for her campaign on behalf of the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation

Tracy Tilson of Tilson PR accepts the Bernays Award for Best Campaign by a Large Company or Firm from Dan Shube of Labor Finders International. Tilson PR won the award for the Staples Back-to-School Campaign in 2011.