Advancing the Profession and the Professional

Awards

Practitioner of the Year	Chapter Service Award
Lifetime Achievement Award	PRSA College of Fellows
Young Professional Award
Outstanding West Virginian	Crystal Award Archive

We've posted the 2011 Crystal Award entries, in addition to the 2011 Crystal Award Call for Entries! Take the time now to let us know if you want to be a sponsor of this outstanding program to recognize the best public relations work in 2010.

Below is a list of all entries and winners in the 2011 Crystal Awards.

Campaigns

Category: A1 Community Relations

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Midland Trail Outdoor Interpretive Exhibit

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Midland Trail National Scenic Highway Association

The Adena people lived in the Kanawha valley long before anyone “discovered” America. The Midland Trail’s community relations project in South Charleston highlights the history of these people and their importance to the region. According to one South Charleston official, “Not only is it a good educational facility for our community, it has proven to be a popular tourist attraction . . . when you walk by the Mound area of South Charleston it is not uncommon to see cars from various other states parked there so their occupants can visit the mound and not only learn about our past, but also visit South Charleston and learn what our community is like today.”

Category: A1 Community Relations

Entry Title: Walk@Lunch Day

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization::Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield with The Arnold Agency

Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield (MSBCBS) took a step toward better health, joining walkers across the country in the 4th annual National Walk @ Lunch Day®. It’s a workplace walking program which encourages people to take time during their lunch break to start walking toward better health. Over 30 companies participated in the Charleston and Parkersburg Walks. And through on-line registration, customizable tool kits were provided to 21 companies across the state that held their own employee walks.

Category: A1 Community Relations

Entry Title: UniCare Community Outreach

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: UniCare Health Plans of WV, Inc., with The Manahan Group

In 2010, UniCare met its goal of stabilizing membership numbers, and increased significantly the number of people who saw its message as media impressions from earned media and promotional efforts rose from 1.2 million in 2009 to 3.9 million in 2010. Additionally, in nearly every targeted region, UniCare maintained or witnessed a slight increase in its market share.

Category: A1 Community Relations

Entry Title: Flu Summit

Award Group: Pro Bono

Organization: West Virginia Immunization Network with The Manahan Group

The West Virginia Immunization Network (WIN) held its first statewide Flu Summit in June 2010 to “promote comprehensive immunization coverage for all aged groups and explore innovative strategies for developing programs and policy to promote immunization.” Media coverage for the event exceeded everyone’s expectations. The event was covered by the area’s four TV stations, the Associated Press, Charleston Daily Mail, Charleston Gazette, MetroNews Radio Network (statewide radio network), WQBE-Radio and WCHS-Radio. The Associated Press story ran statewide which appeared in several print publications. The coverage exceeded 500,000 media impressions.

Category: A2 Special Events and Observances - Seven days or less

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Soul of Coal

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: Mythology Marketing

The Upper Big Branch Mine disaster had just occurred. Mythology understood the opportunity to gain awareness of the ethnic and racial diversity in West Virginia, foster educational, economic opportunities and community alignment. Mythology developed SOUL OF COAL, an event to raise funds and awareness for the Roosevelt Lynch Scholarship and to bring encouragement and inspiration to all who felt the impact of mine disasters. The event was a success, delivering inspiration and raising over $10,000.

Category: A2 Special Events and Observances - Seven days or less

Crystal Award

Entry Title: NAFC Washington, D.C. C.A.R.E. Clinic

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: National Association of Free Clinics with TSG Consulting

TSG Consulting had to promote a one-day free clinic event for uninsured people in Washington, D.C. The immediate task was to reach several hundred potential medical and non-medical volunteers and more than 1,000 potential patients for the clinic. The overall goal was to increase public awareness of how free clinics across the country provide care to uninsured people every day. It all was done for just over $37,000.

Category: A2 Special Events and Observances - Seven days or less

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: Greenbrier County CVB Visitors Center Grand Opening & Dedication

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Greenbrier County CVB with Charles Ryan Associates

The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCCVB) engaged Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) to market its new, state-of-the-art Visitors Center with a special grand opening and dedication ceremony. Following a “soft” opening in early July, the GCCVB wanted a significant event produced on a limited budget to communicate to regional travelers, as well as engage its ambassador audiences in the local market, about the offerings of the new center. The day event yielded tremendous results, reaching a lucrative statewide drive audience, the client was thrilled and the goals were accomplished.

Category: A2 Special Events and Observances - Seven days or less

Crystal Award

Entry Title: 1st Annual Mocombeian Foundation Benefit Golf Classic

Award Group: Students

Organization: Mocombeian Foundation with WVSU Tower Communication

West Virginia State University’s C.R. Bryd Chapter of PRSSA presented the Mocombeian Foundation’s 1st Annual Benefit Golf Classic to establish a Haitian Scholarship Fund at WVSU following the devastating 2010 earthquake that destroyed most of the country’s schools of higher education to “help a neighbor in need.”

Category: A2 Special Events and Observances – Seven Days or less

Entry Title: Money Smart Week

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: AARP and AARP Foundation with The Manahan Group

Money Smart Week exceeded all estimates, attracting more than a thousand participants, including close to 600 people to the Financial Literacy and Education Summit held at the Charleston Civic Center. The event was widely covered by local media outlets.

Category: A2 Special Events and Observances - Seven Days or Less

Entry Title: Essroc Italcementi Group Dedication Ceremony

Award Group: Student

Organization: Essroc Italcementi Group with Charles Ryan Associates

In 2010, Essroc Italcementi Group completed the $500 million upgrade of its Martinsburg, W.Va. cement plant and the company sought to commemorate the occasion with a dedication ceremony and community open house celebration. Essroc sought out Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) to handle logistics, employee relations, community outreach, media relations and government affairs associated with the event. CRA also coordinated with Essroc’s design staff to create the necessary special event materials.

Category: A2 Special Events and Observances - Seven days or less

Entry Title: A Run for the Roses Gala

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Saint Joseph's Hospital and Foundation

St. Joseph's Hospital and West Virginia Wesleyan were challenged in 2010 to create a unique event that would continue the excitement of three previous years of successful Galas. Guests were treated to a "Triple Crown Evening" at "A Run for the Roses." Complete with mint juleps, Kentucky-style cuisine, horse racing at "Track Stonewall" and a hat contest for the ladies, it proved to be a great success, exceeding projected net revenue by more than $13,000.

Category: A2 Special Events and Observances - Seven days or less

Entry Title: Honor the Veterans

Award Group: Pro Bono

Organization: WV Bed and Breakfast Association with The Media Center

The West Virginia Bed and Breakfast Association decided to honor the nation’s men and women that serve in the military. The Media Center worked with the association to honor the veterans through a nationwide campaign that provided the service members some much needed R & R. The observance and media coverage results were up dramatically compared with the previous year, with a statewide campaign going globally.

Category: A2 Special Events and Observances – Seven Days or less

Entry Title: WV CHIP Student Athlete Enrollment Campaign

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV CHIP with TSG Consulting

The West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program (WVCHIP) wanted to enroll more uninsured children. TSG Consulting developed a campaign targeting middle school and high school student athletes during August, when practice for fall sports began. The overall objective was to get more children enrolled in the program by targeting coaches and parents, as well as the general public.

Category: A2 Special Events and Observances - Seven days or less

Entry Title: Regional Raze Kickoff Events

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Dept. of Health and Human Resources with The Arnold Agency

For the last four years, The Arnold Agency has worked with the West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention to coordinate the Youth Program’s annual anti-tobacco summit for teens, called Raze On. Beginning in 2010, rather than holding one, multiple-day event in one location, The Arnold Agency worked to organize a series of five events – located all around the state of West Virginia. By bringing the event to the local schools, it was a huge success!

Category: A3 Special Events and Observances – Eight Days or more

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Mardi Grad Casino & Resort Grand Opening

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: Mardi Gras Casino & Resort with Charles Ryan Associates

The parent company of Mardi Gras Casino & Resort approached Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) to rebrand the facility and increase visibility – thereby increasing player traffic and creating substantial bookings for the new hotel. After conducting research to identify target audiences and visitation habits, an integrated marketing plan was developed including paid advertising, media relations, special events and promotions. Several tactics were executed including a five-day grand opening celebration. As a result, casino officials were pleased and the overall goals were achieved.

Category: A3 Special Events and Observances – Eight Days or more

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: Girl Scout Cookie Drive - 2010

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council - WV with The Media Center

There’s nothing like a Girl Scout cookie. The Girls Scouts of the Black Diamond Council rely on people buying those cookies to fund their activities all year long. The Media Center worked with the Black Diamond Council to build on the sales of those cookies to assist with the funding of the council’s many programs for the young girls. The results were sweet with cookie sales up dramatically compared with the previous year.

Category: A3 Special Events and Observances – Eight Days or more

Entry Title: UC Speaker Series - "Seeking Middle Ground in the Middle East"

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: University of Charleston

In 2011, the University announced that the series would focus on “Seeking Middle Ground in the Middle East,” with the emphasis on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. While the speaker series usually hosted one speaker per semester, this time UC chose to host experts on each side of the topic over a three-month span.

Category: A3 Special Events and Observances – Eight Days or more

Entry Title: Genuine West Virginia Kids Art Contest

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Commerce

2010 was the first year that West Virginia Department of Commerce decided to do a large scale art contest for the youth of West Virginia. The goal was to get children involved in W.Va. issues and to get a fresh idea on design and the state as a whole. The result was over 450 children entered the contest and there were two winners for each category of the contest.

Category: A4 Crisis Communications

BEST IN WEST VIRGINIA

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Upper Big Branch: MHST Crisis Communications Support

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Commerce

Around 3 p.m. Monday, April 5, 2010, an explosion ripped through the Upper Big Branch (UBB) Mine at Montcoal, W.Va. The West Virginia Department of Commerce’s Miners’ Health, Safety and Training Office MHS&T received the call. At about the same time, the media was already calling Commerce’s public information officer (PIO) assigned to MHS&T. What followed between April 5 to April 10 was around-the-clock Commerce team support of MHS&T.

Category: A6 External Communications

Crystal Award

Entry Title:2010 Genuine West Virginia Reunions

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Commerce

2010 was the second year for the Reunions Campaign. Wanting to market the state as a great place to work, live and raise a family, West Virginia Department of Commerce looked to reunion planners hosting family and school reunions. They armed them with good information about the state’s advantages by offering reunion kits for participants. The result was 500 planners sharing information about the state with more than 43,000 guests.

Category: A6 External Communications

Entry Title: Africa Network Annual Conference

Award Group: Student

Organization: Africa Network with WVSU Tower Communications

The Africa Network, a non-profit group of US liberal arts colleges contracted with WVSU’s student run firm Tower Communications to interest historically black colleges and universities “HBCU’s” in attending their annual conference. The goal was to broaden its membership beyond 60 colleges. Through social media, direct mail, and a panel presentation of HBCU representatives the goal was met by 150%. Additionally, a promotional video of conference highlights was produced for the Africa Network.

Category: A6 External Communications

Entry Title: Boy Scouts of America Press Event

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Buckskin Council with The Arnold Agency

When the Boy Scouts of America’s Chief Scout Executive was scheduled to come to Charleston, West Virginia for a major announcement, The Buckskin Council of Boy Scouts of America hired The Arnold Agency to garner media attention and invite the public to the big event. The huge celebration unveiled the vision for the next 100 years of Boy Scouting and the role West Virginia will play in that adventure.

Category: A7 Integrated Communications

BEST IN WEST VIRGINIA

Crystal Award

Entry Title: SMART529 UPromise Launch

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: The Hartford with The Manahan Group

In mid 2010, Hartford Life (The Hartford) linked its SMART529 college savings product with Upromise, a rewards-based program that offers a variety of benefits for SMART529 account holders. The Manahan Group (TMG) was tasked with creating a campaign to launch and promote the new aspect of the SMART529 product. SMART529 is available in West Virginia. TMG came up with an integrated marketing campaign for the Upromise launch that was executed over a period of eight weeks. The campaign included a public event, a press conference, a direct mail piece, brochures, and a television spot. The event we created was a scavenger hunt in a grocery store that children would participate in. For this event, and to better reach mothers, we developed a partnership with Kroger stores in West Virginia. Kroger is a participating member of Upromise, and occasionally takes on issues that it believes are of importance and value to its customers.

Category: A7 Integrated Communications

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: VOTE Lewisburg! Coolest Small Town in America

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Greenbrier County CVB with Charles Ryan Associates

The historic city of Lewisburg, W.Va., was nominated as a contender as the “Coolest Small Town” in America in Fall 2010 by Budget Travel magazine. Online nominations were accepted during the fall of 2010, and Lewisburg was chosen from 80 submissions. The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCCVB), the tourism organization charged with promoting Lewisburg, approached Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) to develop an integrated campaign including paid advertising, media relations, social media, special events and promotions. A variety of tactics were executed, and as a result, the GCCVB officials were pleased the overall goal was achieved – Lewisburg is the Coolest Small Town in America!

Category: A7 Integrated Communication

Entry Title: MTUPP Tobacco Quit Line Campaign

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program with The Arnold Agency

In fall 2010, The Arnold Agency, together with the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program, launched an innovative campaign to drive tobacco users to call the Montana Tobacco Quit Line. The campaign used two sets of unique stories to reach adults ages 18-34 who have become insensitive to traditional anti-tobacco messaging focusing on long-term health effects. The new campaign shows that quitting tobacco is difficult, but the Montana Tobacco Quit Line can help.

Category: A7 Integrated Communications

Entry Title: Our Babies: Safe & Sound

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Team for West Virginia Children with The Manahan Group

TEAM for West Virginia Children, a non-profit organization tasked with education efforts on child abuse prevention, hired The Manahan Group (TMG) and Morgado Design (MD) to help communicated two distinct messages under the heading Our Babies: Safe & Sound. The first message sought to educate new mothers about how to lay a baby down to sleep safely. The second message sought to inform new fathers about how to remain calm around an infant who may be crying uncontrollably. The messages developed by TMG and MD address these points and the designs are geared to these two distinct audiences.

Category: A7 Integrated Communications

Entry Title: Audience-targeted Seach Enginer Marketing

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Commerce

A tourist planning a rafting trip is focused on whitewater information and that is different than someone planning a golf vacation, spa getaway or a motorcycle tour on a scenic byway. Search engine marketing is an effective tool that lets marketers monitor and optimize our advertising dollars, do real time market research and continually optimize the content that we offer the public. This is a responsible way to manage government advertising, with high accountability.

Category: A8 Social Media

Crystal Award

Entry Title: The WV Commerce Social Network

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Commerce

The West Virginia Department of Commerce promotes the state for travel, business and relocation via a network of five related social media properties. After eight months, the WV Commerce Social Network has more than 3,400 fans, and growing. We’ve developed an efficient process for maintaining the channels, weaving it into our regular communication and approval processes. We’ve cross-trained our media staff to write for these outlets, following editorial calendars and using automated distribution tools.

Projects

Category: B1 Annual Report

Crystal Award

Entry Title: BrickStreet 2009 Annual Report

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: BrickStreet Insurance with Charles Ryan Associates

As a mutual insurance company, every year BrickStreet Insurance produces an annual report, which provides the previous year’s financial data along with additional information about the company, its latest news and vision for the future. BrickStreet charged Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) with writing, designing, producing and distributing the annual report for 2009.

Category: B1 Annual Reports

Crystal Award

Entry Title: 2010 Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force Annual Report

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Commerce

The Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force Program (GGWF) helps West Virginia’s labor force upgrade their skills and its companies remain competitive. Each year, the annual report showcases businesses that have used GGWF services. The program’s staff uses the report as a tool to inform members of the state Legislature about the program’s achievements and to recruit potential clients for GGWF training projects. In the 2010 fiscal year, 11,714 workers received training through the GGWF program.

Category: B1 Annual Report

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: Greenbrier County CVB Annual Report

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Greenbrier County CVB with Charles Ryan Associates

The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) produces an annual report each year, and thereby charged Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) with writing, designing and producing the piece for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Research was conducted on the target audiences and information in order to determine the best way to present the data in an aesthetically pleasing and creative manner. The final report was comprehensive and provided snapshots of information clearly and succinctly.

Category: B1 Annual Report

Entry Title: West Virginia Department of Agriculture 2010 Annual Report

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Agriculture

The Annual Report is a showcase of the programs and activities of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Rather than a being a recitation of annual activities, the Annual Report strives to highlight the Department’s outstanding achievements in a colorful, compartmentalized and easily readable package, while still providing a thorough overview of each Division’s activities.

Category: B2 Internal Communications Magazine: Nine Pages or More

Crystal Award

Entry Title:IOGA News

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Independent Oil & Gas Association of WV with Homestead Communications

IOGA News is the monthly magazine of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia (IOGAWV). The magazine’s objectives are to provide timely industry information to the association’s 600 member companies, provide member-to-member marketing opportunities and to do so in a self-supporting manner. The audiences are association members, state regulators and legislators. Based on content and financial results, including increasing net revenue by 44%, Homestead Communications has met the objectives for IOGA News as set by IOGAWV.

Category: B2 Internal Communications Magazine: Nine Pages or More

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: Members Magazine

Award Group: Nonpofit

Organization: Huntington Museum of Art

The Huntington Museum of Art Members Magazine was published three times in 2010. Its purpose is twofold. The first goal is to inform Members of the Huntington Museum of Art about the wide variety of programs, classes, lectures, and exhibitions taking place at HMA. The second objective is to serve as a marketing tool to attract new members. HMA’s membership remains strong at more than 1,200.

Category: B3 External Communications Magazine: Nine Pages or More

Crystal Award

Entry Title: InSide BrickStreet Magazine

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: BrickStreet Insurance with Charles Ryan Associates

BrickStreet publishes a magazine titled InSide BrickStreet to educate and inform agents and policyholders about what’s happening at the company. The magazine contains many features, including a personal letter from the president & CEO, a cover story highlighting a policyholder, a special investigations case review, an agent profile, a safety feature and a pull-out safety poster for policyholders to use in their workplace. The magazine remains a successful part of the overall commitment to communication and helps to maintain the flow of information to vital target audiences.

Category: B3 External Communications Magazine - Nine Pages or More

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Genuinely Home for the Holiday

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Commerce

In his 2008 State of the State address, former Governor Joe Manchin said that for too long we’ve encouraged our children to leave the state to find opportunity. He invited West Virginians living outside the state to come home. Two years later, census numbers show the state’s population is growing. This “Genuinely Home” issue of the magazine celebrates this fact and the reasons why the state is attracting new residents.

Category: B3 External Communications Magazine - Nine Pages or More

Entry Title: What's Good Magazine

Award Group: Pro Bono

Organization: Davis Powell Communications & Design

Initially, the vision of the magazine was to represent and emphasize the differences in the music contained on the CD. In fact client wanted it to look as though the page had been torn, with rap and hip hop on one side of the ripped page and country and rock on the other. But after much counseling we convinced him that no one profits from “dividing” the state. We suggested that he attempt to unify it instead.

Category: B3 External Communications/Newsletter - Nine Pages or More

Entry Title: Change the Future WV Newsletter

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Dept. of Health & Human Services with The Arnold Agency

The “Change the Future WV” campaign was launched to help West Virginians make healthier choices. Because so many of the initiatives are state-wide, they needed to create a centralized means of communication. This newsletter served as a means of disseminating important information about the program to community leaders and members in West Virginia. The newsletter reported on successes around the region and provided information regarding ongoing program evaluation, community news and ways to access program resources.

Category: B4 Writing: Scripts

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Midland Trail Outdoor Interpretive Exhibit

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Midland Trail National Scenic Highway Association

The Midland Trail National Scenic Highway Association is a 180 mile liner community focused on tourism and economic development alone Route 60 – the Old Road – that runs from Kenova in Cabell County to White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County. This script was written for, and delivered at, the public unveiling of an Adena-based community relations project in South Charleston, WV.

Category: B4 Writing: Scripts

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: Change the Future WV Radio Scripts

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Dept. of Health & HUman Services with The Arnold Agency

The Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease’s Office of Healthy Lifestyles created an initiative entitled “Change the Future WV” with the goal of making the healthy choice the easy choice for all West Virginians. The two-year initiative targeted community members to rally support for its mission. Fueled by the understanding that community involvement is critical in a campaign of this nature, Change the Future WV created materials that rallied support and united members of the community through a series of materials, including two 30-second radio spots.

Category: B4 Writing: News Releases Less Than 1,000 Words

Crystal Award

Entry Title: BrickStreet A. M. Best News Release

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization:BrickStreet Insurance with Charles Ryan Associates

In 2010, BrickStreet became eligible to receive its first rating from A.M. Best, a full-service credit rating organization serving the financial services industry and focusing on the insurance sector. Officials worked long and hard to prepare BrickStreet’s presentation and completed the application process in late 2010. In January 2011, BrickStreet received word that it had earned an A- rating and, in conjunction with a release by A.M. Best, charged Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) with drafting and distributing a news release announcing this rating. The release was meant to educate target audiences about the rating and its meaning for BrickStreet and policyholders.

Category: B4 Writing: News Releases Less Than 1,000 Words

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: Money Smart Week Press Release

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: AARP and AARP Foundation with The Manahan Group

As all PR professionals know, in order to receive earned media for your event – you not only need to have excellent media relations, but a press release to help support your efforts. The AARP Foundation West Virginia Office hired The Manahan Group to help coordinate the public relations and marketing efforts for West Virginia’s first-ever Money Smart Week. The event included free financial seminars for consumers and professionals. The goal of the week was to educate people about making good choices when it comes to saving, investing, giving and spending. Money Smart Week exceeded all expectations and projections, attracting more than a thousand participants, including close to 600 people to the Financial Literacy and Education Summit held at the Charleston Civic Center. The event was widely covered by local media outlets.

Category: B4 Writing: News Releases More Than 1,000 Words

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Being West Virginian

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization:WV Department of Commerce

Through individual stories about what West Virginians of diverse backgrounds value about our state, the West Virginia Department of Commerce sought to create an effective communication piece that showcased the Mountain State as being a good place for opportunity, regardless of race. Traffic to the website generated by the Being West Virginian stories totaled more than 2,500 of the 7,918 pageviews (or 33 percent) that our online edition received since its publication.

Category: B4 Writing: News Releases More Than 1,000 Words

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: The Eureka Factor: Creating Technology Jobs in West Virginia

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization:WV Department of Commerce

The Eureka! Factor was a feature in the West Virginia Department of Commerce 2010 special issue of Wonderful West Virginia. The article showcased representatives from the array of high-tech organizations that work to expand the state’s innovation capabilities and commercialization successes. Tackling key issues such as education, research and funding, these entities play a critical role in economic growth and diversification.

Category: B5 Press Kits

Crystal Award

Entry Title: reACTivism in a Box

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program and The Arnold Agency

In 2010, reACT, the youth arm of the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program (MTUPP) wanted to spread their anti-tobacco message to youth across the state. The Arnold Agency worked with reACT program staff to develop an all-in-one kit that included all the materials needed for three activism events, plus collateral materials to help teens become tobacco prevention advocates in Montana.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Posters

Crystal Award

Entry Title: BrickStreet Safety Posters

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: BrickStreet Insurance with Charles Ryan Associates

One of BrickStreet’s signature added-value services is the company’s Safety & Loss Control program, which includes collateral pieces promoting safe workplace practices. In 2010, BrickStreet charged Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) with refreshing its workplace safety posters campaign. Research was conducted on what safety topics needed covered; the list was narrowed to nine of the most prevalent injuries reported in claim filings. Each poster includes an illustration to depict a safety situation, as well as large, easy to read headlines for fast comprehension. Company officials were pleased and subsequently printed each of the nine posters for their personnel to hand out at meetings and trainings.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Posters

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Mpowerment Poster

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Covenant House with The Manahan Group

Mpowerment is a program of Covenant House, a non-profit organization that offers aid to several underserved populations in Southern West Virginia. Specifically, Mpowerment is a social group created to offer gay and bisexual men between the ages of 18 and 29 (31 in lower-population areas) an alternative to the bar scene. The group provides a safe and alcohol-free environment for young men in this population category to meet one another and participate in a variety of social events. TMG decided to create large posters (24 x 36) that we could put into nice frames and hang in gay bars. In addition to the large posters, we also created smaller posters that could be placed in other places young gay and bisexual men might frequent. The large posters included a small business card holder on the frame that held cards that included contact information and that could be pocketed easily by an interested man. The small posters included perforated stubs with contact information and that could be torn off the poster.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Posters

Entry Title: WV CHIP Student Athlete Poster

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV CHIP with TSG Consulting

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Posters

Entry Title: Change the Future WV Posters

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Dept. of Health & Human Resources with The Arnold Agency

The Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease’s Office of Healthy Lifestyles created an initiative entitled “Change the Future WV” with the goal of making the healthy choice the easy choice for all West Virginians. Posters were developed to be used as promotional items for community events in the represented counties. As people planned and executed local events, these posters helped tie their events to the Change the Future WV program.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Brochures

Crystal Award

Entry Title: BrickStreet Policyholder 360^o Brochure

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: BrickStreet Insurance with Charles Ryan Associates

BrickStreet Insurance developed and launched a unique approach to workers’ compensation insurance in 2006, which promised to surround policyholders with superior customer service. Since that time, BrickStreet 360° has evolved into an innovative business model, setting the company apart from its competition. Service teams are based on specific expertise for major market segments, including energy and high-hazard risks. Teams are organized and designed to help manage and minimize a company’s total cost of risk by offering non-traditional, employer-focused solutions for safety, technology, claims, fraud and more. In 2010, BrickStreet charged Charles Ryan Associates with designing a brochure to communicate the updated BrickStreet 360° philosophy to policyholders and potential policyholders.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Brochures

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: BrickStreet Energy 360^o Brochure

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: BrickStreet Insurance with Charles Ryan Associates

With the company’s roots in West Virginia, BrickStreet Insurance has extensive experience in the coal, natural gas and energy production arenas. Many workers’ compensation companies do not write coverage for the energy industries and no others can offer them what BrickStreet can in terms of safety programs, return-to-work services, technology resources and specialized claims management. In 2010, BrickStreet charged Charles Ryan Associates with designing a brochure to communicate the BrickStreet 360° philosophy and its energy expertise to targeted energy policyholders and potential policyholders.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Brochures

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Money Smart Week Program

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: AARP and AARP Foundation with The Manahan Group

The AARP Foundation West Virginia Office hired The Manahan Group to help coordinate the public relations and marketing efforts for West Virginia’s first-ever Money Smart Week. The goal of the week was to educate people about making good choices when it comes to saving, investing, giving and spending. The Manahan Group utilized the national MSW brand to develop all of the materials for the event, including the program that highlighted the events, key note speakers, a map of the facility, survey, session information and much more.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Brochures

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: Inwood Farmers' Market Rack Card

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Agriculture

The single-panel rack card was designed primarily for display at state border welcome centers. A simple, colorful design was chosen to attract immediate attention among the numerous brochures and rack cards found at the welcome centers. Information was kept to a minimum, as the card was intended to drive local traffic to the market in conjunction with interstate signage.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Brochures

Entry Title: BrickStreet Agent 360^o Brochure

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: BrickStreet Insurance with Charles Ryan Associates

BrickStreet Insurance developed and launched a unique approach to workers’ compensation insurance in 2006, which promised to surround policyholders with superior customer service. Since that time, BrickStreet 360° has grown and evolved into an innovative business model which sets the company apart from its competition. The company relies on a broad network of independent insurance agents to market their workers’ compensation coverage. BrickStreet needed a collateral piece to help recruit new agents to its network. In 2010, BrickStreet charged Charles Ryan Associates with designing a brochure to communicate the updated BrickStreet 360° philosophy to agents and potential agents.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Brochures

Entry Title: Logan Farmers' Market Rack Card

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Agriculture

The Logan Farmers’ Market Rack Card was intended to be displayed at Hatfield / McCoy trail visitor centers and local public buildings, such as the convention and visitor bureau. The strategy was to drive tourist traffic - as well as local shoppers - to the market. A simple, colorful design was chosen to attract immediate attention among the numerous publications that tend to populate the typical brochure rack.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Brochures

Entry Title: WV CHIP Summer Enrollment Student Athlete Brochure

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV CHIP with TSG Consulting

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Brochures

Entry Title: District 2 Fishing Guide

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Commerce

A simple and inexpensive fishing guide was needed in a user-friendly format that anglers could carry with them. It was decided to create six guides, one for each Wildlife district in West Virginia. The District 2 guide was the first guide to be created out of this series. Landowners and wildlife biologists were contacted to verify information and to review the publication. Overall, anglers have had positive reviews of the new guide.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Brochures

Entry Title: Change the Future WV Brochure

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Dept. of Health & Human Resources with The Arnold Agency

The Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease’s Office of Healthy Lifestyles created an initiative entitled “Change the Future WV” with the goal of making the healthy choice the easy choice for all West Virginians. A brochure was developed to help disseminate important information about the program to community leaders in West Virginia, including their goals and how to join the initiative. It offered very specific suggestions to members of the communities, including parents, business owners, students, and faith-based leaders.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Invitations

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Winter Manaland

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: The Manahan Group

In late November, The Manahan Group decided to host a holiday open house event. The purpose of the event was two-fold: to thank our clients for a great year and to promote our brand by introducing our city to a new restaurant that was about to open in Charleston. One week before the restaurant’s much-anticipated opening, The Manahan Group held its holiday open house in the restaurant and made it an exclusive event. We called the event Winter Manaland, and it soon became the hottest ticket in town. The invitation we created for the event was sent via an on-line invitation service which required RSVPs. We rolled out the Green Carpet in front of the restaurant (Green being our agency’s brand color), we set up a tent and we roped off the sidewalk. We bought a snow machine and made it snow from the windows on our second-floor above the restaurant.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Invitations

Crystal Award

Entry Title: 2010 Boy Scout Jamboree Trading Card

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Commerce

Commerce designed, printed and coordinated the allocation of over a million West Virginia themed trading cards for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. The cards included the names of the 21 Scout sub-camps and associated them with various West Virginia themes. These cards were given to each Scout to trade between one another. The BSA stated that the cards were a much coveted item and that they expect them to become collectors’ items.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials Logos

Crystal Award

Entry Title: PA REACH East Logo

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Pennsylvania REACH East with WVMI & Quality Insights

Most of the Regional Extension Centers in the nation refer to themselves as RECs. In Pennsylvania, we wished to standout and also put the focus on assistance and HIT. Thus we chose to go with Regional Extension and Assistance Center for HIT, as opposed to Regional Extension Center only. The strategy also involved using segments of the Pennsylvania Keystone to denote which PA REACH was being represented. For example, only the right side of the keystone is present on the PA REACH East logo.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials Logos

Entry Title: Love the Little Ones

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: UniCare Health Plans of W.Va., Inc. with The Manahan Group

UniCare is the state’s largest Medicaid provider in West Virginia, serving more than 80,000 people. The Manahan Group (TMG) works with UniCare in West Virginia to develop and implement public relations and advertising strategies. As part of a larger community outreach effort in 2010, The Manahan Group created a nursery drive on behalf of UniCare. The event was established to help community organizations in a small, rural community stock their baby pantries for families in need of assistance. TMG created a name for the event and designed a logo that would appeal to this audience. The name Love the Little Ones had a strong emotional appeal for women, as did the design which included a heart.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials Logos

Entry Title: Change the Future WV Logo

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Dept. of Health & Human Resources with The Arnold Agency

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Direct Mail

Crystal Award

Entry Title: SMART529 Holiday Direct Mail

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: The Hartford with The Manahan Group

The Hartford’s SMART529 plan is West Virginia’s college savings plan. The primary selling season for 529 products such as SMART529 is the third quarter. The third quarter is so important because of the tax benefits that result from 529 investments. Our approach included a message to both non-account holders and account holders: Giving SMART529 is better than giving a toy. The idea was to convey that giving a new SMART529 account or promising to make a contribution to an existing account would be a gift for which a child would be grateful for the rest of his or her life. To make the giving easier, we designed a direct mail piece that was a single-fold with an inside pocket. In the pocket, is a pig-shaped card that would fit well into a stocking or small box and that could be used as a stocking stuffer or Hanukkah gift. The card included a place for a parent or grandparent to fill out how much of a contribution they were making to the child’s account. More than 77,000 pieces were distributed.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Direct Mail

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: Making A Difference Direct Mail

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: Edgewood Summit with Charles Ryan Associates

Edgewood Summit approached Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) about developing a piece that would promote the facility’s community involvement efforts to garner sales leads with prospective residents and their families. The decision was made to send a direct mail piece outlining the major 2010 charitable projects and marketing the retirement living community as active and engaged, giving residents opportunities to make a difference. The piece was created using graphic elements depicting the various activities and was well received by company officials.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Direct Mail

Entry Title: Nothing Beats Farm Fresh

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Agriculture

The direct mailer was designed as a reminder to previous buyers of the variety and availability of West Virginia Grown products, and the resources available through WVDA to help them find the products they’re seeking. The mailer has also been used as a handout at fairs, festivals and other events to build awareness of West Virginia products.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Direct Mail

Entry Title: AirTran Is Better

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Yeager Airport with The Manahan Group

Yeager Airport is Charleston’s airport and serves the largest portion of the state of West Virginia. It provides daily non-stop service from Charleston to more than 11 destinations. One of those destinations is Orlando, Florida. AirTran airlines has non-stop service from Charleston to MCO (Orlando’s largest airport). The campaign “AirTran is Better” was created by The Manahan Group to get that message across. One aspect of the campaign was a seven-month direct mail effort - the message was simple - ell these people that AirTran is better and tell them why. The result was a significant increase in enplanements for the Orlando flight in Charleston.

Category: B6 Collateral Materials: Holiday Cards

Crystal Award

Entry Title: BrickStreet Holiday Card

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: BrickStreet Insurance with Charles Ryan Associates

BrickStreet requested a holiday card to send to various publics. The purpose of the card was to convey appreciation and warm wishes to BrickStreet’s policyholders, agents, vendors and other parties during the holiday season. Previous holiday cards featured an original painting that was well received. Keeping with the theme of previous cards, an original painting was created under the direction of one of Charles Ryan Associates’ executives. Many compliments were received about the card. It was framed and is currently on display in the company lobby for all visitors and employees to view.

Category: B7 Special Purpose Publication: Single Issue

Crystal Award

Entry Title: BrickStreet Insurance Policyholder Kit

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: BrickStreet Insurance with Charles Ryan Associates

In 2010, BrickStreet Insurance approached Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) with a challenge. The insurance provider typically sent out their annual insurance policies on plain white paper, in a plain, white envelope. The piece was unrecognizable as a BrickStreet policy. BrickStreet sought a piece that would provide a better presentation while limiting additional production and mailing costs associated with the policies and working within the framework of BrickStreet’s mailing system.

Category: B7 Special Purpose Publication: Single Issue

Crystal Award

Entry Title: "Our Vision. Their Future. A Smart Investment." The UC Sports & Fitness Center Campaign

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: University of Charleston with Morgado Design

In the summer of 2010 the University of Charleston began to evaluate ways to reinvigorate its fundraising campaign to build a new sports and fitness center on campus. It was decided after careful planning to hire a consultant to help develop a creative package that would help affirm the need for the project with potential donors and area businesses. With the help of Alex Morgado Design, UC was able to do just that.

Category: B7 Special Purpose Publication: Single Issue

Entry Title: Official Visitors Guide

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Greenbrier County CVB with Charles Ryan Associates

The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) produces a visitors guide every year as one of its essential tools to convince travelers to visit Greenbrier County, W.Va. Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) was charged with writing, designing and producing the 2011 edition. Through research and planning, a storybook concept emerged, encouraging readers and visitors to “start their story” in Greenbrier County. The unique approach received rave reviews from both the tourism industry and travelers.

Category: B7 Special Purpose Publication: Single Issue

Entry Title: Trees of West Virginia Farms and Woodlots

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Agriculture

Many of West Virginia’s trees are part of managed woodlots that are effectively timber farms. Trees also feed and support a wide variety of wildlife, and forest ecosystems are a huge benefit to the state’s $4 billion tourism industry. This booklet is designed to help both tree farmers and forest enthusiasts identify and appreciate the individual characteristics of West Virginia’s trees.

Category: B7 Special Purpose Publication: Single Issue

Entry Title: 2011 Smokey Bear Calendar

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Commerce

At the request of the West Virginia Division of Forestry, the Department of Commerce Marketing and Communications Division created a 12-month calendar to support Smokey Bear’s fire prevention campaign. The calendar used a light-hearted approach by placing Smokey in seasonally appropriate settings and West Virginia tourist spots to get across a very serious message: “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.”

Category: B7 Special Purpose Publication: Books

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Green Chili Cook Off Coloring Book

Award Group: Pro Bono

Organization: Capitol Market with The Manahan Group

In 2010, The Manahan Group was a primary sponsor of the Capitol Market Green Chili cook-off, the largest sanctioned Green Chili event in the nation. Capitol Market is Charleston’s open-air market and a hub of the community. The cook-off is a charity event benefiting the MS Society, and while the event, which is held each year on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, includes green chili and green beer, it is a family event. Capitol Market sought to make the weekend festivities even more family friendly in 2010, and The Manahan Group had an idea how to do that. In 2010, TMG illustrator Rachel Zetterberg and copywriter Amanda Wilson came up with a new character and created a children’s story around O’Guapo and his friends. The story takes place in Charleston, and is told in a coloring book designed by TMG and distributed to children at the Capitol Market Green Chili cook-off.

Category: B7 Special Purpose Publication: Books

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Midland Trail National Scenic Highway Travel Guide 2010-2011

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Midland Trail National Scenic Highway Association

The yearly Travel Guide is a major project for the Midland Trail National Scenic Highway Association. It serves as a means of showcasing the Trail’s 180 mile liner community which is focused on tourism and economic development alone Route 60 – the Old Road – that runs from Kenova in Cabell County to White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County while at the same time being a profit center for the organization. 75,000 copies of the Guide was printed in 2010; demand for the Guide has resulted in 1 100,000 print order for the 2011 Guide.

Category: B7 Special Purpose Publication: Books

Entry Title: Nurse Stories

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WVMI & Quality Insights

The primary objective was to honor our nurses for National Nurses Week. Normally, patients tender thanks for a job compassionately done. But in the corporate environment, nurses often don’t have direct contact with patients. So it is especially important to let them know their efforts are appreciated.

Category: B8 Audiovisual

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Virginia Tourism Corporation Partnership Marketing - Virginia CEOs DVD

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: Virginia Tourism Corporation with Charles Ryan Associates

The Virginia Tourism Corporation’s (VTC) Partnership Marketing division assists Virginia’s tourism community of small businesses, attractions, corporations and associations with marketing initiatives. VTC and Partnership Marketing were in need of a new video to use in industry and community presentations to help educate about the impact of the tourism industry on Virginia’s economy. The group partnered with Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) to develop a DVD for this initiative.

Category: B8 Audiovisual

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: Deadly Driving Distractions: Texting, Cell Phones and Other Killers

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: Motion Masters

Deadly Driving Distractions: Texting, Cell Phones and Other Killers is a nationally distributed educational film for young adults. Dozens of students participated in “focus groups” to discuss driving habits while psychiatrists, surgeons and neurologists contributed their views on the hazards of distracted driving. Dr. David Strayer, the nation’s top expert on distracted driving, also was interviewed. Startling statistics, gritty graphics and shocking revelations from the teens have earned this video a 2011 Telly Award.

Category: B8 Audiovisual

Entry Title: "Today in Agriculture" Opening

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Agriculture

It includes video segments that highlight the variety of agriculture in West Virginia. It also features a new Today in Agriculture logo that incorporates design elements from the new Departmental logo. The theme music was provided by the West Virginia Library Television Network, which distributes the show.

Category: B9 Integrated Communications: Web Sites

Crystal Award

Entry Title: PA REACH West Web Site

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Pennsylvania REACH West with WVMI & Quality Insights

The primary objective was to position PA REACH West as the go-to expert for health information technology assistance. The site had to be appealing, functional, easy to navigate, and easy to update. The ultimate goal was to sign up a high volume of health care providers and support their needs.

Category: B9 Integrated Communications: Web Sites

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Raze Web Site

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Dept. of Health & Human Resources with The Arnold Agency

Raze is West Virginia’s teen-led youth anti-tobacco program and is made up of thousands of teens from around the state. Because members are spread across miles, The Arnold Agency wanted to ensure there would be an open portal for them to communicate and provide resources that can be accessed by all teens and advisors to assist with activism events, t shirt designs and other activities. By creating a user-friendly website that provides opportunities for communication and helpful tools, we helped connect youth and assist them in the fight against Big Tobacco.

Category: B9 Integrated Communications: Web Sites

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: Angela Beth Armstead DDS Web Site

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: Angela Beth Armstead DDS with Vandalia Productions

Vandalia Productions contracted with Angela Beth Armstead, DDS to produce a web site to help regular clients find office information, reach a wider audience and provide printable forms. Vandalia’s objectives for the site included a calm, welcoming look, ease of navigation, ADA-compliance and printable office forms. The results have been successful. In the nine months of operation, the site has received nearly one hundred hits per month. The client is well pleased with the site.

Category: B9 Integrated Communications: Online Publications

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Mardi Gras Weekly News

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: Mardi Gras Casino & Resort with Charles Ryan Associates

Mardi Gras Casino & Resort needed an efficient, economical way to communicate events and promotions, as well as upcoming hotel and dining specials to their Player’s Club members and the general public. Research was conducted and ultimately a weekly news email was created utilizing the new branding of the company. Officials were pleased with the response and have plans to continue the newsletter indefinitely. It has become a successful part of the Resort’s overall promotional communications plan.

Category: B9 Integrated Communications: Online Publications

Entry Title: BrickStreet Insights

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: BrickStreet Insurance with Charles Ryan Associates

BrickStreet publishes and distributes a monthly email newsletter, BrickStreet InSights, to supplement the policyholder magazine. The goal of this publication is to educate and inform subscribers on issues that pertain to the workers’ compensation industry and BrickStreet. InSights remains a successful part of the company’s overall commitment to communication.

Category: B10 Social Media

Crystal Award

Entry Title: WeatherJen on Facebook

Award Group: Pro Bono

Organization: Jennifer Piercy-Igo with The Manahan Group

For Jennifer Piercy-Igo, AKA on Facebook as WeatherJen, checking the weather isn't a tedious part of her daily routine - it's something she does for fun. WeatherJen scans all the weather forecasts so you don't have to. WeatherJen is the fan page of West Virginia’s favorite Facebook weather reporter. She's always Jenny on the Spot with weather reports on the Facebook news feed, and she also posts important weather alerts, school closings and travel information. Once you “Like” WeatherJen you will have access to all the local weather reports you need. Her personal interests include Rain. Snow. Sunshine. Clouds. Wind. Rainbows. Sleet. Hail. Humidity. Freezing Rain. Dew. Dew Points and Jim Cantore.

Category: B10 Social Media

Crystal Award

Entry Title: ExploreWV Facebook Pages

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Commerce

ExploreWV GeoChallenge’s official Facebook page is used to broaden the reach with the general public and encourage visitors to geocache in West Virginia. Other goals are to profile West Virginia’s innovative, interesting people and places and to obtain feedback. The West Virginia Department of Commerce established and designed four ExploreWV GeoChallenge http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/ExploreWV Facebook pages that include pages for information, welcome, events, notes, photos and discussions.

Category: B10 Social Media

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: VOTE Lewisburg! Cooolest Small Town in America

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: Greenbrier County CVB with Charles Ryan Associates

The historic city of Lewisburg, W.Va., was nominated as a contender as the “Coolest Small Town” in America in Fall 2010 by Budget Travel magazine. Online nominations were accepted during the fall of 2010, and Lewisburg was chosen from 80 submissions. The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCCVB), the tourism organization charged with promoting Lewisburg, approached Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) to utilize social media to promote the town and the contest, and as a result, the GCCVB officials were pleased the overall goal was achieved – Lewisburg is the Coolest Small Town in America!

Category: B11 Research

Crystal Award

Entry Title: Real-time Research and Optimization

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Department of Commerce

Category: B11 Research

Honorable Mention

Entry Title: 18-34 Research

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Dept. of Health & Human Resources with The Arnold Agency

The Arnold Agency and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources conducted research among 18-34 year olds in order to launch a public awareness campaign to increase calls to the state’s toll-free tobacco Quitline. The primary information objective of this research was to determine effective messaging, media usage and call-to-action. Five focus groups were held with targeted respondents to investigate how messaging resonated with consumers, and to identify motivations for cessation.

Category: B11 Research

Entry Title: Change the Future WV Research

Award Group: Nonprofit

Organization: WV Dept. of Health & Human Resources with The Arnold Agency

The Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease’s Office of Healthy Lifestyles created an initiative entitled “Change the Future WV” with the goal of making the healthy choice the easy choice for all West Virginians. The first step was to conduct research to test taglines for the campaign. The tagline “Change the Future” was chosen as the clear winner and was later adapted with adding “WV” to reinforce the fact that this is a state-wide initiative. It now serves as a uniting symbol for all campaign materials.

For more information on entering the East Central District's Diamond Awards, please see the ECD page.

Practitioner of the Year

2011 Sara Payne Scarbro

2010 Lynn R. Swann
2009 George Manahan
2008 C. Bryan Brown
2007 Lisa Wharton Turner
2006 Linda Arnold
2005 John Womack, CAE
2004 Joe Stevens
2003 Helen Matheny, APR
2002 Joe Gollehon, APR
2001 Virginia Painter
2000 Karen Mess Frashier, APR
1999 Penney A. Hall, APR
1998 Jeri H. Matheney, APR
1997 Diane Slaughter, APR, CAE
1996 Joe Long, APR
1994 Harry Mitchell
1993 Brent Archer
1992 Communications Staff, Columbia Gas Transmission
1991 Cathryn Gibbs Harris, APR, Fellow PRSA
1990 John W. Wiater, APR, Fellow PRSA
1989 Dan Lacy
1988 Caryn Gresham
1987 Cathryn Gibbs Harris, APR, Fellow PRSA
1986 Ann Green
1985 H. William Chaddock, APR
1984 Roberta Fowlkes, APR
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Chapter Service Award

2011 George Manahan

2010 John Womack
2009 BrickStreet Insurance Corporate Affairs
2008 Bethany Ross and Jennifer Vieweg
2007 Dr. Tee Ford-Ahmed
2006 Brian Peterson
2005 Tammy Harper Wheeler
2004 John Womack, CAE
2003 Jennifer Reynolds
2002 Todd Beane
2001 John Golden, APR
2000 Joe B. Long, APR
1999 Dolores A. Kinder, APR and Virginia R. Painter
1998 Karen Mess Frashier, APR
1997 Chuck Rice
1996 Penney Hall, APR
1995 Ginny Painter and Robin Long
1994 Chuck Rice
1992 Diane Slaughter, APR
1991 Roberta Fowlkes, APR
1990 Cathryn Gibbs Harris, APR, Fellow PRSA
1988 F. David Cotten, APR, Fellow PRSA
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Young Professional Award
2011 Laura Jordan
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Lifetime Achievement Award
2000 Ann Green
1998 F. David Cotten, APR, Fellow PRSA
1996 Thad Epps
1995 Charles E. Ryan, APR
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PRSA College of Fellows
2006 Diane Slaughter, CAE, APR, Fellow PRSA
1998 John W. Wiater, APR, Fellow PRSA
1997 Cathryn Gibbs Harris, APR, Fellow PRSA
1990 F. David Cotten, APR, Fellow PRSA
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Outstanding West Virginian

2011 Jim Justice

2010 Coach Bob Huggins
2007 Dr. H. Keith Spears
2006 Andy Milovich
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