2011 ACE Award Winners battle for a competitive industry edge and recognition
Social Media Release also issued through Canada Newswire.
TORONTO, April 28 /CNW/ – Last night the Canadian Public Relations Society Toronto (CPRS Toronto) honoured the best and brightest of Toronto’s public relations community at the annual Achieving Communications Excellence (ACE) Awards gala. For the winners, the benefits of winning an ACE Award go well beyond the trophies and a short appearance on stage.
“The value of these awards comes from the nature of the judging process,” said Martin Waxman, President, CPRS Toronto. “The ACE Awards are judged by experienced professional communicators. Being scored by industry peers adds a level of credibility and validation to the ACE Award brand that the winners can benefit from, especially in today’s competitive market.”
Companies that have been successful at capturing ACE Awards often see positive returns on the time and effort put into their submission. Receiving an ACE Award can help with market differentiation and raise the winning company’s profile which can lead to the growth of existing relationships or help to attract new business. This year, Strategic Objectives and Yum! Canada captured the PR Campaign of the year for their KFC double down campaign, while Edelman captured the award for best creative campaign of the year for their work on Red Bull’s Crashed Ice campaign.
“Being recognized as an ACE Award winner can help to open doors for any business. Many winners display their trophies in lobbies as a marketing tool showcasing a job well done to visiting clients, prospective employees or even to enhance employee morale,” said Chantelle Bernard, ACE Awards Chair, CPRS Toronto. “When it comes to the ACE Awards, the benefits of winning often far exceed the effort put forth through the application process.”
Congratulations to the 2011 ACE Award winners:
Leadership Awards
PR Professional of the Year: Lawrence Stevenson, APR
PR Student of the Year: Oluwadamilola Omolade Okunlola
Young PR Professional: Erick Bauer
Best Creative PR Campaign
Edelman Canada – Red Bull Crashed Ice 2010
PR Campaign of the Year
Strategic Objectives/ Yum! Canada – KFC Canada Double Down
Winners by Category:
Best Use of Media Relations – Budget Over $50,000
Gold
Edelman Canada – Red Bull Crashed Ice 2010
Fleishman- Hillard – Eye Health Month
Wal-Mart Canada Corp./ APEX Public Relations/ Morin Relations Publiques – Wal-Mart Canada Corp’s “Re-introducing George”
Faye Clack Communications Inc. – 2010 NWPB Media Relations
Silver
Strategic Objectives/ Yum! Canada – KFC Canada Double Down
Fleishman-Hillard Canada – Aviva Community Fund
Edelman Canada/ Labatt Breweries Canada – Stella Artois Draught Master
DDB Public Relations – 2009/2010 Bosch Eco-Leadership
NATIONAL Public Relations – Burning Rubber On Ice
Edelman Canada – Zantac(R) Chilli Challenge
Edelman Canada – 2010 Canadian Olympic Apparel
Hankook Tire: Burning Rubber … On Ice – NATIONAL Public Relations
Paradigm Public Relations/TD Canada – TD Canada Trust educates about fraud
Strategic Objectives – Crohn’s and Colitis Month
Strategic Objectives – Kraft Salad Dressing Launch
Fleishman-Hillard – Abbott Laboratories Everest campaign
Optimum Public Relations – Retire Your Ride Ontario HST
Bronze
Edelman Canada, Technology Practice – Launch of Mint.com
Strategic Objectives – Caramilk Key to the Secret
DDB Public Relations – CTC Locals Know/Gold Medal Getaway
Edelman Canada – Red Bull Air Race World Champions 2010
Best Use of Media Relations – Budget Under $50,000
Gold
APEX Public Relations Inc./ UPS Canada – UPS Peak Packing Season 2011
energi PR – The Powder Room Winter Olympics Campaign
Argyle Communications – Pain: An Emerging Public Health Crisis
Environics Communications – Stanfield’s: The Guy At Home
PraxisPR – The Lifesaving Society: Ethnic Water Safety
Silver
Argyle Communications – UNICEF Gifts of Magic
Environics Communications, eBay Canada Team – 2010 eBay Canada Entrepreneur of Year Awards
Argyle Communications – Maple Leaf: For the Love of Bacon
Argyle Communications/ HOOPP – HOOPP Speaks out on Retirement Income
Environics Communications/ CSA Group – CSA’s Grand Rexdale Re-opening
Environics Communications/ CSA Group – CSA’s Confined Spaces Standard Launch
Praxis PR – GFV Blushin’ Bridesmaids
Argyle Communications/ Franklin Templeton – Franklin Templeton Emotions of Investing
Bronze
Weber Shandwick Canada/ Best Buy – Best Buy Canada Holiday Campaign
Narrative Advocacy Media/ Ontario Science Centre – Ontario Science Centre Mythic Creatures
Optimum Public Relations – Toys “R” Us Black Friday Event
Best Use of Special Events
Silver
Faye Clack Communications Inc. – Red Prince Apple Civility Launch Event
APEX Public Relations – Bringing Samsung’s Galaxy to the Street
Faye Clack Communications Inc. – Score a Touchdown with Ontario Beef
Optimum Public Relations – Retire your Ride Last Call
Toronto Hydro-Electric System – Toronto Hydro Smart Experience
Bronze
Future Shop – Samsung 3D TV Launch
Argyle Communications – Experience the Caribbean… In Canada!
CNW Group – Breakfast with the Media: The New Newsroom
New Product or Service Launch
Gold
Strategic Objectives/ Yum! Canada – KFC Double Down
Paradigm Public Relations/ BOOM Marketing/ Schick – Schick Quattro for Women TrimStyle Launch
Silver
GolinHarris Canada – Moores Canadian Suit Drive
DDB Public Relations – Hennessy Black Ontario Launch
Faye Clack Communications Inc. – Red Prince Apple Civility Launch
Bronze
Narrative Advocacy Media/WIND Mobile – WIND Mobile National Launch
Paradigm Public Relations – The Launch of Molson Canadian 67
Employee Communications of the Year
Gold
Meridian Credit Union – Strengthening Service and Sales
Silver
Meridian Credit Union – 2010 Strategic Plan
Investor/Financial Relations Campaign of the Year
Fleishman-Hillard Canada – Royal LePage HST Education Campaign
Community Relations Campaign of the Year
Gold
Weber Shandwick Canada/ Best Buy – Best Buy Canada Best in Class Fund
Women’s College Hospital – One Thousand Voices for Women’s Health
Silver
Toronto Hydro-Electric System – Light the Night with Toronto Police Service
Bronze
Foresters – Mobilizing Communities and Families
Best Digital Campaign of the Year
Gold
Sequentia Environics – Globe Catalyst
Silver
Weber Shandwick Canada/ Best Buy – Best Buy Canada UNboxing Day Canada
Best Use of Communication Tools
Gold
Sequentia Environics – Globe Catalyst
Silver
RSA Canada – Creating Calm Before the Storm
Brand Development Campaign of the Year
Gold
Environics Communications/Sequentia/ Free For All Marketing – The Globe and Mail Redesign
Future Shop – Holiday 2010
Silver
Fleishman-Hillard Canada – SunChips 100% Compostable Bag Launch
Bronze
GCI Group Canada/ Mattel Canada – Barbie Basics at Fashion Week
elevator communications Inc. – Right at Home on Howe
Weber Shandwick Canada/ Campbell’s Canada – Campbell’s Chunky Most Valuable Coach
PraxisPR – The Pepsi Refresh Project
Public Affairs/Government Campaign of the Year
Silver
World Vision Canada – Five for 5
About the Canadian Public Relations Society Toronto
The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is a national organization that represents the profession of public relations through the establishment and maintenance of high professional, educational and ethical standards. CPRS Toronto was formed in 1948 and is one of the largest of 16 local member societies within the national Canadian Public Relations Society. The Toronto society represents more than 335 public relations professionals from agencies, corporations, government, non-profit groups and other Toronto-based organizations, and nearly 250 students from colleges and universities. Visit www.cprstoronto.com for more information.
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