Ragan’s PR Daily Awards finalists announced
Winners will be announced at an event at the Edison Ballroom in New York City on November 2.
During another year of consistent surprise and endless news cycles, public relations professionals were once again central to engaging audiences through all the noise. This work helped organizations and clients alike tell timely stories and create meaningful messages during international crises, domestic disasters and everything in between.
Ragan’s PR Daily Awards celebrates the PR pros, marketers, agencies and campaigns that stand out and engage audiences in an age of uncertainty and distraction.
All finalists will be recognized — and category winners will be announced — during a special event at New York City’s Edison Ballroom as part of Communications Week.
Congratulations to all nominees and finalists.
Grand Prize
PR Campaign of the Year
5WPR: Axiom Space
Funko: PR Team
GlaxoSmithKline: Theraflu’s Right to Rest and Recover
Identity: Hudsonville Ice Cream x Little Debbie: The Two Billion Impression Scoop
WM Technology / Weedmaps: Hijacking the Super Bowl Ad Conversation to Battle Cannabis Censorship
Campaigns
Arts & Entertainment Campaign
IW Group: McDonald’s Hall of Zodiacs
Tara, Ink.: Tara, Ink.
B2B Campaign
Brodeur Partners: Launching a Sustainable Future for Cannabis Packaging
Clarity: W3W: Lost and found in LA County
Gravitate PR: Strivr: The Bridge to the Metaverse
Landing AI: Democratizing AI
Oracle: 2021 AI@Work Campaign
SpotOn: Points of Profit
Ted Miller Group, LLC.: Matter’s Takeover of CES
Beauty, Fashion or Lifestyle Campaign
Diffusion: All Eyes on EyeBuyDirect – EyeBuyDirect with Diffusion
Jeneration PR: Reinvigorating a baby brand’s connection to new mothers
L’Oréal: CES 2022
Branding Campaign
FARO Technologies, Inc.: Brand Refresh Campaign
Keurig Dr Pepper: A Snapple Corner Story
Cause-Related Marketing Campaign
3M: Not the Science Type
Funko: PR Team
Georgia Commute Options: Air Quality Improvement Initiative
Mower: Roam The Empire
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises: Our Girls, the Unstoppable Women of the Future
Philip Morris International (PMI): United to Safeguard America from Illegal Trade (USA-IT)
Community Engagement Campaign
Disney Parks, Experiences & Products: planDisney
Mars Petcare: How Mars Petcare Inspired its Community to Save 285 Pets during its Annual Adoption Weekend
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/Accenture Federal Services: 2022 GI Bill Summit
Community Relations Campaign
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee: FREE AND FUN FOR ALL: BLUECROSS HEALTHY PLACES
IW Group: McDonald’s APA Next
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises: Planifica tu Vacuna
Philip Morris International (PMI): United to Safeguard America from Illegal Trade (USA-IT)
Violet PR: Revitalizing Newark Symphony Hall
Content Marketing Initiatives
McDermott Will & Emery: Engaging Clients with Case Studies
Sage Growth Partners: Sage Growth Partners and Prealize Health, State of Health PR Campaign
TD Bank: TD Bank Digital Content Team
UC Davis Health: Employee Open Enrollment 2022
Corporate Communications Campaign
Comprise x CableLabs: 10G Challenge
East Cambridge Savings Bank: Benefits of a Mutual Bank
OneTrust: OneTrust Launches the World’s First Trust Intelligence Platform
Covid-19 Communications Campaign
MolinaCares and Forbes Tate Partners: COVID-19 Vaccine Education Campaign
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises: Planifica tu Vacuna
Pratt Institute: Making a Difference
Sage Growth Partners: Sage Growth Partners and National Minority Health Association PR Campaign
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: The LLS National Patient Registry
Virginia Commonwealth University: VCU Better Together – Student Vaccine Campaign
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Campaign
Jackson Family Wines: Rooted For Good: Roadmap to 2030
Philip Morris International (PMI): United to Safeguard America from Illegal Trade (USA-IT)
Target: Moving Target Forward
DE&I (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Communications
Ascension: ABIDE
Children’s Health: Children’s Health Expands Diversity & Inclusion Program to Support and Empower Employees, Patients and Community Members
Double Shot: Double Shot
IW Group: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire presents Drag Queen Summer Glamp
National League for Nursing: Taking Aim: Addressing Structural Racism, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Implicit Bias & Social Justice
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises: Cebrando el Mes del Orgullo
R+Co: Pride Edition: DREAMHOUSE Cold Pressed Watermelon Wave Spray
Education Campaign
IW Group: McDonald’s APA Next
Jackson Spalding: Delivering the Future: Jackson Spalding, The Coca-Cola System & The Technical College System of Georgia
ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) Communications
Austin Resource Recovery: Curbside Composting Program
Landis Communications, Inc.: Fish Run Place
LG&E and KU: You ‘herd’ it here first: LG&E and KU launch live sheep cam
Target: Moving Target Forward
Webster Bank: Webster Bank’s 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance Report
Event PR or Marketing Campaign
1Milk2Sugars: Keys Soulcare X Sephora Canada Launch
Cloud Native Computing Foundation: CNCF: Resilience Realized
Diffusion: Scripps National Spelling Bee x Diffusion Make History with First Black American Winner
Fraser Health: Increasing community immunity through a Vax-a-thon event
Green Giant with Gillian Small PR: Green Giant® Partners with PEEPS® to Pull The Ultimate April Fool’s Day Prank: Green Giant® Cauliflower-Flavored PEEPS®
Mars Petcare: Helping 285 Pets Find Homes with Mars Petcare’s 13th Annual Adoption Weekend
TV One Networks: Urban One Honors
Food or Beverage Campaign
Beyond Meat: Beyond Fried Chicken
HUNTER: PEBBLES® SLAM DUNKS NATIONAL CEREAL DAY WITH NIKE COLLABORATION
Identity: Hudsonville Ice Cream x Little Debbie: The Two Billion Impression Scoop
IW Group: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire presents Drag Queen Summer Glamp
Mohegan Sun: Mohegan Sun serves the bold with launch of newest coffee shop, The Crafty Stir Cafe
Popeyes: Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Launch
Rinck Advertising: Dunkin’ Maine Blueberry Line-Up
Global PR Campaign
3M and Ketchum: State of Science Index 2021
East Bay Municipal Utility District: EBMUD Fossil Discovery
Hilton: To New Memories
L’Oréal: CES 2022
The Hoffman Agency: A World-class PR Program on a Shoestring Budget; Elevating the Supermicro Brand and CEO Profile in the U.S., EU and APAC
Influencer Campaign
Endo International, plc: Really Cellulite Influencer Campaign
IW Group: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire presents Drag Queen Summer Glamp
JPA Health: Getting Out of the Rough
Kaplow Communications: Warners Is All You Need with Kaplow Communications & ShopStyle Collective
Peppercomm / Honeymoon: Peppercomm / Honeymoon for Binance
The Hoffman Agency: From Water Jugs to Dumbbells — Bowflex Influencers Bring Fitness Home
Integrated PR & Marketing
Cloud Native Computing Foundation: CNCF: Resilience Realized
East Cambridge Savings Bank: Benefits of a Mutual Bank
Gravitate PR: Hired: State of Tech Salaries
Havas Formula: Core Hydration Summer 2021 Campaign
iQ 360: Hawaii Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccines for Keiki
MyWHY Agency: American Medical Association 175th Anniversary Campaign
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises: Come with Us / Juntos Imparables
OneTrust: OneTrust Launches the World’s First Trust Intelligence Platform
Marketing Campaign
JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc.: Tick Free NH
LG&E and KU: Empowering Convenience with LG&E and KU’s New Mobile App
Made You Feel: TUSHY Super Bowel
P1FCU: 1% Cash Back Refi
Media Pitch
Experience Columbus: Holiday Press Box Mailer
Lincoln Financial Group: Spring Clean Your Finances
Notably: Rowan Valentine’s Day Survey Pitch
Smithsonian’s NMAAHC: Jackie Robinson 75
Aurora Strategy Group: Canadians for Nuclear Energy
Media Relations Campaign
Airfoil Group: MSHDA MIHAF Launch Campaign
Children’s Health: Children’s Health Educates and Empowers Parents, Physicians with COVID-19 Media Relations Campaign
Diffusion: Honey, I’m Home: Maximizing Burrow’s Revenue Through Targeted Media Strategy
Endo Aesthetics: Endo’s QWO: Launching the First and Only FDA-Approved Injectable for Cellulite
GlobalFoundries: Ascent to Semiconductor Industry Leader
L’Oréal: CES 2022
Mars Petcare: Earning 551M Impressions to Spotlight Pet Adoption with Mars Petcare’s 13th Annual Adoption Weekend
Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History: Jan. 6 Capitol Attacks Anniversary
Technica Communications: Fast EV-Charging Goes to Washington: Tritium’s PR journey from nascent Australian brand to White House Endorsement
Ted Miller Group, LLC.: Matter’s Takeover of CES
The Home Depot with MSL and Hartmann Studios: How to Sleigh the Holidays: The Home Depot Halloween & Holiday Program 2021
Multicultural Campaign
5WPR: REVOLT
Buchanan’s, DIAGEO NA: BUCHANAN’S Scotch Whisky Introduces The What Glory We Are Campaign Celebrating Those Who Embody the Spirit of the 200%: 100% Hispanic and 100% American
Century 21 Real Estate: CENTURY 21 Empowering Latinas Program
IW Group: McDonald’s Hall of Zodiacs
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises: Come with Us / Juntos Imparables
VCU Health: Hispanic COVID-19 vaccine outreach
Nonprofit Campaign
Berg & Associates LLC: Keeping Oregon Wildlife Safe One License Plate Sale at a Time
Brodeur Partners: Transforming an Iconic In-Person Walk into a Virtual Event Amid a Pandemic
GENYOUth: Taste of the NFL: A Campaign to End Student Hunger
Team Rubicon: Afghanistan Resettlement
The Dayton Foundation: Centennial Celebration – 100 Gifts to the Community
The Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFW #StillServing
Original Research
Cigna: Cigna Healthy Workforce
Civic Alliance: The Corporate Civic Playbook
EvolveMKD: The Evolution of Communications
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation: Fender Uses Nationwide Survey, Doubles Down On Beginner Tools To Break Down Barriers, Demystifies Guitar
Gravitate PR: Hired: State of Tech Salaries
Hilton: The Changed Traveler: Hilton Explores Emerging Travel Trends Two Years Into the Pandemic
Oracle: 2021 AI@Work Campaign
PR on a Shoestring Budget
Disney Parks, Experiences & Products: Disney Parks
Nouveau Communications: HipDot x Cup Noodles Launch
Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History: Jan. 6 Capitol Attacks Anniversary
Public Affairs Campaign
Aurora Strategy Group: Canadians for Nuclear Energy
CYBER.ORG: National K-12 Cybersecurity Learning Standards
Marino: FixRx’s Campaign to Fix NY’s Broken Prescription Drug System
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/Accenture Federal Services: Post-9/11 GI Bill Enrollment Verification Rollout Campaign
Public Service Campaign
Jackson Spalding: #ListentoGwinnettMoms Campaign
JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc.: Rhode Rules for Rhode Island
Philip Morris International (PMI): United to Safeguard America from Illegal Trade (USA-IT)
Re-branding or Re-positioning
BorgWarner: BorgWarner Rebranding Campaign
Canine Companions: Canine Companions
Clean Energy Buyers Association: Clean Energy Buyers Association Renaming & 2030 Strategy Rollout
Peraton: One Peraton
Social Media Campaign
Novartis Pharmaceuticals with BCW: Expanding Patient Support and Resources with ENTRESTO Chatbot
Disney Parks, Experiences & Products: Disney Parks
L’Oréal: CES 2022
NBC Sports Next: “Celebrating Women in Golf” Social Campaign: A Hole-in-One for GolfPass
Storytelling Campaign
Clarity: Zesty.ai: Reshaping the Insurance Industry
Lockheed Martin: The Need for Speed – Telling the Story of Lockheed Martin’s Role in Top Gun: Maverick
United Way of the National Capital Area: When None Are Ignored, All Will Thrive
Technology Campaign
5WPR: Axiom Space
Clarity: W3W: Lost and found in LA County
Comprise x Valyant AI
Elev8 New Media: Vuzix Unveils Shield™ Smart Glasses at Consumer Electronics Show 2022
IW Group: McDonald’s Hall of Zodiacs
L’Oréal: CES 2022
Quarter Horse PR: EngageSmart IPO Campaign
SutherlandGold: Sila x WHOOP
Ted Miller Group, LLC.: Matter’s Takeover of CES
Thought Leadership Communications
ABB Installation Products: Food & Beverage Safety and Productivity Series
Berg & Associates LLC: Community-Based Thought Leadership Elevates OnPoint’s Position as Financial Wellness Leader
Civic Alliance: The Corporate Civic Playbook
Comprise x Terrapin: “Explore Responsibly” Campaign
ECMC Group: ECMC Group Lays the Groundwork for Education at the Speed of Change
Landing AI: Democratizing AI
Notably: Tealbook
The Agency: Thought Leadership Communications
Use of Data and Measurement
3M and Ketchum: State of Science Index 2021
ECMC Group: ECMC Group Helps Teens Question The Quo in Education
Subject Matter: Kastle’s Back to Work Barometer
Video Campaign
AGAR: IT IS US
Bacardi: Belonging at Bacardi
MolinaCares and Forbes Tate Partners: Andrew’s Journey COVID-19 Video Campaign
New York Independent System Operator: PR Daily video campaign
Ruder Finn: The Quest for Sleep
Health Care PR and Marketing
Health Care Content
Children’s Health: Children’s Health Shares Facts – Not Fear – With COVID-19 Content Strategy
Cigna: The Cigna Newsroom
EvergreenHealth: Redesign Builds Digital Front Door for Tech-Savvy Patients
Glooko, Inc.: Glooko Byline Articles on the Value of Remote Patient Monitoring
Health Care Covid-19 Communications
Aegis Sciences Corporation: TestingWorks! Allows Students to Return to the Classroom Safely
Baptist Health South Florida: Baptist Health COVID-19 Outreach
Jackson Spalding: #ListentoGwinnettMoms Campaign
MolinaCares and Forbes Tate Partners: COVID-19 Vaccine Education Campaign
SoutheastHEALTH: COVID Vaccine Clinics
Health Care Communications Campaign of the Year
Ascension: Thought Leadership
Baptist Health South Florida: Baptist Health COVID-19 Outreach
Fraser Health: Increasing community immunity through a Vax-a-thon event
Ruder Finn: The Quest For Sleep
Health Care PR Campaign
Amendola: Amendola Amplified DrFirst’s Healthcare Brand
Crowe PR: DermTech Melanoma Awareness Month Campaign
dna Communications/NVS Pharmaceuticals: Leveraging a Compelling Patient Story to Raise Awareness for Dry Eye Disease (DED) and Advance Competitive Edge for a Dry Eye Treatment
HSA Bank: The 2021 HSA Bank Health & Wealth Index℠
Lightspeed PR/M: How Lightspeed PR/M Told The Moving Story of MoveAgain
Raffetto Herman Strategic Communications: PlushCare
Ruder Finn: The Quest For Sleep
Health Care Publication
CARF International: Consumer Guide to Life Plan Communities
Changi General Hospital: Caring
McDermott Will & Emery: The Next Evolution of Healthcare Private Equity
UC Davis Health: UC Davis Health Magazine (Summer 2021)
Health Care Thought Leadership Communications
Amendola: Amendola helps HSBlox educate the market on value-based care
Ascension: Thought Leadership
Health Care Video
Conde Nast: Conde Nast (Epicurious) x Entresto
MolinaCares and Forbes Tate Partners: Andrew’s Journey COVID-19 Video Campaign
People and Teams
Corporate PR Team of the Year
Peraton: Corporate Communications and Engagement
Responsible Initiative for Justice: Responsible Business Initiative for Justice
Solebury Trout: Solebury Trout’s Corporate Communications Team
Marketing Team of the Year
Blackstone: Blackstone Marketing Team
March of Dimes: March of Dimes Marketing Department
St. Thomas University (STU): STU Marketing & Communications
PR Agency of the Year
Caliber Corporate Advisers: Caliber Corporate Advisers
EvolveMKD: EvolveMKD
Factory PR: Factory PR
JPA Health: JPA Health
Just Drive Media: Just Drive Media
The MRKT: Yanelis Garcia
PR Leader of the Year
Marissa Eigenbrood: Smith Publicity, Inc.
Astrid Greve Spencer: Enablon
Nicole Rodrigues: NRPR Group
Melissa Skottegaard: Cigna
Heather Zoumas-Lubeski: Endo International, plc
PR Professional of Year
Megan Driscoll: EvolveMKD
John Gonda: Sage Growth Partners
Podcasts & Publications
Annual Report
Children’s Health: Children’s Health 2021 Beyond ABC Symposium Spurs Critical Dialogue about Mental Health Amid COVID-19
iQ 360: HEI’s 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance Report
Mars Petcare: Mars Petcare Keeping People and Pets Together Report
Public Relations Society of America: PRSA 2021 Year in Review
UNC Health: UNC Health 2021 Annual Report
Webster Bank: Webster Financial Corporation’s 2021 Annual Report
Publication
Changi General Hospital: Caring
Marcus Thomas LLC: Sherwin-Williams Market Pulse, Vol. 2 Publication
NBC Sports Next, SportsEngine and 59 Creative: NBC Sports Next and 59 Creative Collaborate to Introduce First-Ever Interactive Kids’ Guide to the Olympics for Future Athletes
Non-Obvious Company: The Non-Obvious Insights Email Newsletter
Online Newsroom or Media Center
Metropolitan State University of Denver, RED online newsroom
Nissan Motor, Nissan News
OSF HealthCare, OSF HealthCare Newsroom
UC Davis Health, UC Davis Health News website (health.ucdavis.edu/news)
Podcast
American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology: Moving the Needle: A Nurse Anesthesiology Podcast
Aon: “On Aon” Podcast
JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc.: The Power of Prevention Podcast
Nordstrom: The Nordy Pod
SurePayroll: SurePayroll Back of the Napkin Podcast, Season 3
Webcast
National League for Nursing: NLN.org
Nissan Motor: Nissan News
P1FCU: P1FCU.ORG
UC Davis Health: UC Davis Health, open enrollment website (choosehealth.ucdavis.edu)
PR Events (Live or Virtual)
Employee Event
Bandwidth: Spirit Week 2022
Target: Take Five
Influencer Event
Cloud Native Computing Foundation: CNCF: Resilience Realized
Red Havas: Elevating Expertise at Transitions the Studio
The MRKT: Gordita Chronicles: A Strategic Partnership between HBO Max and Agency Partner The MRKT
Press Event or Media Tour
Identity: Identity, Guiding the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office During the Oxford High School Shooting Crisis Response
Jackson Spalding: TK Elevator Grand Opening
Keurig Dr Pepper: A Snapple Corner Story
The Home Depot with MSL and Hartmann Studios: SkeleTON of Fun: Halloween and Holiday Virtual Media Showcase 2021 by The Home Depot
Social Media Communications By Channel
Novartis Pharmaceuticals with BCW: Expanding Patient Support and Resources with ENTRESTO Chatbot
SPM Communications: Community Coffee Social Campaign
AGAR, Kroger: Boost by Kroger Plus
SPM Communications: Community Coffee Social Campaign
Endo International plc: LinkedIn: Engaging Team Members in a Highly Regulated Industry
Grey Matter Marketing: Grey Matter Marketing Reimagines Surgery with Asensus Surgical
TikTok
1Milk2Sugars: SPOTMYUV
HUNTER: TABASCO® Brand Enters the #HotSauceWars
Visit Orlando: Visit Orlando – Social Media Team
The subhead says winners will be announced November 2 but these finalists are already winners of honors and perhaps major money soon.
Money is likely because committees that hire PR firms and people would rather hire a finalist than one who isn’t. The honors in being a finalist are there because week after week the experts of PR Daily and Ragan see the best PR work by the world’s top PR people. University professors and professional association officers may not see even 10% as much real world PR work.
If you’re on a selection committee, the horde of candidates may sound very much alike and after awhile almost look alike. But a candidate who is a finalist was selected after being vetted by a team of savvy PR experts. A finalist, being one of the best, has a shot at getting the best accounts and money because there’s always more demand for the best than availability.
Many selection committees operate with the objective that to get top quality, let’s pay what we have to.