Advancing the Profession and the Professional

Awards

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

We've posted 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. In fact, as you finish your best campaign or project work this year, start compiling your entries now and make the early-bird deadline next spring! The work will be done, the entry will be finished, the stress will be gone and you'll save money...all you'll need to do is make your reservation for the 2011 Crystal Awards Gala on Wednesday, June 15, 2011!

Below is a list of all entries in the 2010 Crystal Awards, including our Crystal Award and Honorable Award winners..

Campaigns

Crystal Award
Category: A1 Community Relations

Entry Title: Putnam Co. School Bond

Award Group: Issue and Political Management

Organization: Community Schools Coalition to Catch-up/Rainmaker Media

After voters rejected a school bond in Putnam County five times, our agency was hired to get it passed. Research ascertained winning messages. During a national recession, we knew it would be tough to get voters to pass a measure which would increase their taxes. Our community relations campaign tackled the issues that moved voters. We also utilized direct mail, ads, earned media and grassroots organization to win with 56% of the vote.

Honorable Mention
Category: A1 Community Relations

Entry Title: Montana Clean Indoor Air Act Campaign

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program and The Arnold Agency

In order to build excitement for the implementation of Montana’s Clean Indoor Air Act, The Arnold Agency was charged with building a multi-faceted marketing, public relations and media campaign. Each piece of the campaign included paid media, state and local capacity building and aggressive media advocacy. Today state officials and many media outlets are calling full implementation of the smoke free law a public health success story.

Honorable Mention
Category: A1 Community Relations

Entry Title: I Choose UniCare

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: The Manahan Group and UniCare Health Plan

UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia, Inc. (UniCare) has engaged The Manahan Group since 2007 to assist them with the development and implementation of public relations and advertising strategies in West Virginia. UniCare is the state’s largest Medicaid provider in West Virginia, serving more than 70,000 lives. During the previous year (2008), UniCare informally surveyed Medicaid members attending their events regarding the (brand) awareness of UniCare and the services they provide. Nearly half (46%) of the members had heard of UniCare while their main competitor had a higher recognition (55%). Of those who were UniCare members, nearly all of them (80%) rated their services as Excellent or Good. Their competitor was ranked lower (68%). The results showed us that once Medicaid members knew about UniCare, they chose the plan over competitors. The survey results led to our theme for the year: “I Choose UniCare.”

Honorable Mention

Category: A1 Community Relations

Entry Title: Helping Hungry Hearts

Award Group: Student

Organization: Huntington Area Food Bank/ Marshall PRSSA

Marshall The Helping Hungry Hearts public relations agency raised awareness of hunger issues in the region, and more than $10,000 for the Huntington Area Food Bank (HAFB). The campaign attained more than 500,000 media impressions. The agency hosted the Outrunning Hunger 5K Run/Walk, Change 4 Change penny drive, a spaghetti dinner, and other initiatives. The agency was successful in gaining widespread community support for the HAFB and the hunger problem in the Tri-State area.

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

Entry Title: Forum on the Future of Energy

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: University of Charleston

In January 2010, the University of Charleston hosted the “Forum on the Future of Energy” featuring Don Blankenship and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The event brought the critical conversation on the future of energy to the world from West Virginia, the state at the very center of the controversy. The event also gave the University national exposure as an institution committed to intelligent discourse on topics of worldwide importance.

Honorable Mention

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

Entry Title: Girls in Pearls: The Black & White Bash

Award Group: Pro Bono

Organization(s): Inside Out Creative with the YWCA of Charleston

Under the creative direction of Inside Out Creative, the 11th annual Girls Night Out to benefit the YWCA Resolve Program became “Girls in Pearls: The Black & White Bash.” Reflecting the vision to create a cost-effective, elegant and classic event, Inside Out Creative designed high-fashion materials without the high-end price tag. A comprehensive promotional plan led to a record turnout of 650 attendees and record net of $110,000.

Honorable Mention

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

Entry Title: Circle of Hope

Award Group: Business

Organization: The Manahan Group and UniCare Health Plan

UniCare asked TMG to create an event that would support Mountain Mission, a local community-based organization assisting low-income families in the region.

The Manahan Group created The Circle of Hope – a seven day event that raised cash and food donations for Mountain Mission. Working closely with a local media sponsor, UniCare staff and a local Wal-Mart store, The Manahan Group organized an event that raised over $28,000 in cash and several truckloads of food for Mountain Mission. In addition, the event led to significant brand exposure for UniCare and the not-for-profit agency. The concept of the event was to create a circle in a large parking lot, outlined by the radio station, major sponsors, and UniCare. Members of the public would drive into the circle and make their food or cash donation.

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

Entry Title: Oso Onion Showdown

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: Oso Sweet Onions/Rainmaker media

Grown in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Chile, the Oso Sweet onion is becoming the first year-round sweet onion. To prove that the Oso Sweet onion is the sweetest onion in the world, our firm developed a blind taste test event. Held at the local farmers’ market participants sampled sautéed Oso Sweet onions and Vidalia onions. 2 out of 3 people preferred the Oso Sweet onion.

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

Entry Title: West Virginia Rx

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: TSG Consulting

West Virginia Rx, a free pharmaceutical program for people without drug coverage, wanted to increase registration and reach out to health care providers with charity care, as well as promote its toll-free phone number and Web site. TSG Consulting brought the program together with two organizations with 10,000 eligible people for an announcement by the governor. Web hits and phone calls increased, 200 people immediately registered and more registered later.

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

Entry Title: 2009 Raze On: Decades

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services and The Arnold Agency

In summer 2009, The Arnold Agency worked with the West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention to coordinate the youth program’s annual anti-tobacco summit for teens – Raze On. The theme was “Decades” focusing on the manipulative corporate tobacco advertising from the 70s, 80s, 90s and today. The conference had a 17% increase in participants from the previous year and surveys distributed at the end of the conference showed that nearly 70 percent of teens claimed they’d give the event an “A+”.

Crystal Award

Category: Special Events and Observances – Eight Days or more

Entry Title: A New Owner Reviatlizes The Greenbrier

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: The Greenbrier with The Media Center

The goals of this corporation were to achieve positive news coverage of the organization, its new owner and increase the company’s business. The plan consisted of communicating numerous announcements to media via releases, press conferences, interviews and social media, using services of an agency for maor announcements. The results have been exceptional: call volume to reservations has increased 250-500% over last year; the group sales office is booking at a record pace; and the company real estate subsidiary has been successful in a down economy.

Crystal Award

Category: Special Events and Observances – Eight Days or more

Entry Title: SMART529 “When I Grow Up” Contest

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: The Harford/ The Manahan Group

Through research (focus groups and phone interviews) and experience from the previous year, both The Manahan Group and The Hartford agreed that a contest involving parents and their children would be a new way to create excitement and with parents, especially mothers, and children alike. The contest proved to be a success from all standpoints.

The campaign met our three main goals: it increased brand awareness, added credible / screened list of targeted parents and caregivers to our direct mail list, and led to a solid number of new accounts, even in a struggling economy.

Crystal Award

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

Entry Title: Cotton: From Blue to Green denim drive

Award Group: Student

Organization: Marshall University Public Relations Student Society of America

The Cotton: From Blue to Green denim drive was launched across eight college campuses in Fall 2009, including Marshall University. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) teamed up with Cotton Incorporated and the Huntington Area Habitat for Humanity to promote the cause. The campaign ran throughout the month of October. Afterwards, all donated denim was recycled into insulation for homes, including some for Hurricane Katrina relief in the Gulf Coast.

Honorable Mention

Category: A4 Crisis Communications

Entry Title: Appalachian Power: Winter Weather, Power Outages and Service Restoration

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: Appalachian Power
As we all remember, a major winter storm moved across this company’s service area, causing the greatest power outage and service restoration effort the company has experienced. The storm caused 364,000 customers to lose electricity. As the storm and restoration efforts continued for 18 days, corporate communications responded by consistently communicating with customers using a variety of media from traditional to social, all of which were effective in the effort.

Honorable Mention

Category: A5 Internal Communications

Entry Title: Appalachian Power Safety Stories

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: Appalachian Power

Safety Stories features Appalachian Power employees telling their unique stories about injuries or accidents they have sustained on the job. The aim is to raise safety awareness by having fellow employees share firsthand their personal safety stories. In each video, participants also share how their accident affected them and their loved ones. Employees shared their stories in hopes of helping others recognize the impact an injury can have, both at work and at home.

Honorable Mention

Category: A6 External Communications

Entry Title: West Virginia Wesleyan Campaign

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: West Virginia Wesleyan College/Rainmaker Media Group

Founded in 1890 by the United Methodist Church, West Virginia Wesleyan College I a private, selective, coeducational comprehensive college located in Buckhannon, West Virginia. WV Wesleyan College commissioned our firm to develop a creative concept for the existing recruitment view book and travel brochure to depict the essence of an education from Wesleyan. We also presented Wesleyan with a third communication tool, the visit brochure, to help with increasing the admissions rate in the college.

Honorable Mention

Category: A6 External Communications

Entry Title: Mental Health Care Crisis Campaign

Award Group: Not-for-profit

Organization: West Virginia Behavioral Healthcare Providers Association with TSG Consulting, Kisner Communications and Beyond Marketing

This campaign addressed the long-standing problems of underfunding for community-based mental health programs in West Virginia. It resulted in unanimous support from the Legislature, a pledge by the governor to devote increased funding (more than eight times greater than originally sought) to mental health, improved public awareness of mental health issues and a better working relationship between the state and mental health care providers.

Best in West Virginia
Crystal Award

Category: A7 Integrated Communications

Entry Title: YWCA 24 for 24 Pledge Campaign

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: YWCA of Charleston with Morgado Design and The Media Center

The YWCA 24 for 24 Pledge Campaign encouraged area young professionals to make a small commitment while making a big difference by donating $24 a month for 24 months to the YWCA’s social service programs. Utilizing a wide variety of social media in addition to radio, print, and a 24-day, hands-on, city-wide scavenger hunt initiative, the campaign raised more than $72,000 for the YWCA.

Crystal Award

Category: A7 Integrated Communications

Entry Title: Wwat Virginian's Campaign for a Healthy Future

Award Group: Political or Issue Management

Organization: West Virginians' for a Healthy Future with The Manahan Group
In 2008, six major organizations which had traditionally opposed each other on health care issues came together to form a new coalition. It was formed to provide a unified voice to a broad alliance of West Virginia residents, businesses, labor unions, consumer advocates, and people of faith united by a shared challenge and committed to a common mission. In the end, the campaign was responsible for passing what one national advocate called "the most significant health care reform legislation passed by any state legislature this year (2009).”

Crystal Award

Category: A7 Integrated Communication

Entry Title: Empty Bowls

Award Group: Student

Organization: Marshall University PRSSA

Empty Bowls is a national campaign striving to end hunger in communities throughout the United States. Handcrafted ceramic bowls are sold for $12 each and include a soup lunch. This event raises money for the Huntington Area Food Bank. (HAFB) Approximately 91,000 people in the Tri-State area go hungry every month. Through this event we are able to help those in our area struggling to put food on the table.

Honorable Mention

Category: A7 Integrated Communications

Entry Title: Subway Fielder’s Choice Campaign

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: Subway restaurants and The Arnold Agency

The Arnold Agency worked with the Cincinnati Subway restaurant market to reach the young adult audience and localize Subway brand by putting designing an integrated marketing deal with the Cincinnati Reds’. Reds’ players were enlisted to participate in a friendly competition to convince fans to purchase their favorite sandwiches - $ footling vs. Fresh Value Meal. The players also participated in fan event at a local restaurant, making sandwiches behind the counter.

Honorable Mention

Category: A7 Integrated Communications

Entry Title: Come Home for the Reunion and Stay

Award Group: Not-for-profit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Commerce
Knowing West Virginia is a destination for family and school reunions, this state agency reached out to reunion planners, offering free reunion kits filled with literature on tourism and economic development. Sponsoring reunions was a triple win. The planners got free West Virginia-themed materials to distribute to about 20,000 guests. The state agency got its message out about West Virginia’s advantages for business and quality of life. Guests got a fresh perspective on a place they love.

Category: A7 Integrated Communications

Entry Title: Energize West Virginia

Award Group: Not for Profit

Organization: Energize West Virginia/Rainmaker Media

The main goal of Energize West Virginia is to promote the benefits of natural gas. In 2009 our firm embarked on a media campaign consisting of advertisements, radio spots and direct mail pieces to disseminate information to the general public and elected officials highlighting that natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel, leaves the lightest footprint on the environment, and the industry has created 3,000 new jobs in WV

.Category: A7 Integrated Communications

Entry Title: “Power of the Pen” Campaign

Award Group: Political/Issue Management

Organization: TSG Consulting

This campaign was developed and implemented quickly after the Legislature unanimously approved $1.5 million for long-underfunded community-based mental health programs in West Virginia. It urged the governor to sign the bill. Although he yielded to pressure from a state agency to veto the bill, he also pledged $12.7 million for mental health, more than eight times the bill’s funding. The campaign also influenced a related court case.

Crystal Award

Category: A8 Social Media

Entry Title: YWCA 24 for 24 Pledge Campaign

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: YWCA of Charleston

The YWCA 24 for 24 Pledge Campaign encouraged area young professionals to make a small commitment while making a big difference by donating $24 a month for 24 months to the YWCA’s social service programs. Utilizing a wide variety of social media including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blogs – in addition to radio, print, and a 24-day, hands-on, city-wide scavenger hunt initiative – the campaign raised more than $72,000 for the YWCA.

Projects

Honorable Mention

Category: B1 Annual Report

Entry Title: 2009 University of Charleston Annual Report

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: University of Charleston

The University of Charleston’s 2009 Annual Report combines elements of a traditional alumni magazine with an annual reporting of the year’s events, donor lists, and financial information. The result is an engaging and informative publication that anchors the annual communications plan for alumni and supporters.

Honorable Mention

Category: B1 Annual Report

Entry Title: West Virginia Lottery Progress Report

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: West Virginia Lottery with Charles Ryan Associates

In 2009, this PR agency was charged with creating a piece that would inform and educate taxpayers, state leaders and elected officials about the recipients of this state agency’s proceeds. While in the past the state agency had relied heavily on the annual report to convey this message, the PR firm proposed developing printed educational and informational pieces that could more completely convey the depth of services provided by the state agency proceeds in an attention-grabbing, reader-friendly piece.

Honorable Mention

Category: B1 Annual Report

Entry Title: West Virginia Department of Agriculture Annual Report

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Agriculture

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

Category: B1 Annual Reports

Entry Title: West Virginia - Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force Program Annual Report

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: West Virginia Department of Commerce

The Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force Program (GGWFP) provides financing and technical assistance to West Virginia’s new and expanding businesses. The GGWFP annual report is designed to be a reporting tool of the program’s achievements, as well as a marketing tool for attracting new enterprises to West Virginia. The goal of the report is to successfully communicate that companies locating or expanding in West Virginia have a competent, skilled and adaptable work force.

Category: B1 Annual Reports

Entry Title: WV Housing Development Fund Annual Report Folder

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: WV Housing Development Fund/ The Manahan Group

The West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) asked The Manahan Group (TMG), to prepare an annual report that would have a bigger impact than the standard booklet the WVHDF usually produced. They wanted something that would leave a lasting impression with its audience, including stakeholders in the Housing Development Fund, the Governor, other major state and local officeholders, members of the Board of Directors, and others. TMG helped the WVHDF Annual Report evolve by putting it on a DVD and creating packaging for it that would also be used as a general marketing piece. By serving two purposes, the package would be very cost-effective. The client liked the piece so much, that the next annual report will follow the same format.

Honorable Mention

Category: B2 Social Media

Entry Title:The Greenbrier Valleu Convention & Visitors Bureau Social Media Project

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: Greenbrier Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau with Charles Ryan Associates
In March 2009, this client tasked their agency with helping them increase visitors to the area during the upcoming spring season. At the same time, the client’s staff charged the agency with increasing visits to their Web site and helping them establish a strong social media presence. The client also relied on the agency’s efforts to serve as a foundation for its use of social media moving forward.

Honorable Mention

Category: B2A Internal Communications Magazine: 1-3 color

Entry Title: Members Magazine

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: Huntington Museum of Art

The Huntington Museum of Art Members Magazine was published three times a year in 2009. 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 during the next four months. The second objective is to serve as a marketing tool to attract new members. HMA’s membership remains strong at 1,411.

Honorable Mention

Category: B2A Internal Communications Magazine: 4 or more color

Entry Title:The Daily Message

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: BrickStreet Insurance with Charles Ryan Associates
This corporation maintains a daily communication with all employees. This is a company memo updated every morning on the front page of the company’s intranet site. Messages feature announcements, reminders, volunteer and wellness opportunities and more. Pictures, forms and other documents may also be included, depending on the nature of the topic. In April 2009, this agency was charged with all drafting and distribution responsibilities for the client’s daily communcations.

Honorable Mention

Category: B3A External Communications Magazine - nine pages or more

Entry Title: InSide BrickStreet

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: Charles Ryan Associates

Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) publishes a quarterly magazine for BrickStreet Insurance entitled InSide BrickStreet to educate and inform agents and policyholders about what is happening at the company. Each magazine contains many features, including a special investigations case review, a message from the CEO and a pull-out poster highlighting a current campaign. The magazine remains a successful part of BrickStreet’s overall commitment to communication and helps maintain the flow of information to vital target audiences.

Category: B3A External Communications Magazine - nine pages or more

Entry Title: Charleston CVB Visitors Guides

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau/ The Manahan Group

In 2009, the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau asked The Manahan Group to help solve a problem with its annual Visitors Guide. The problem was that the large, magazine-sized publication was too bulky to comfortably transport to trade shows, and the publication’s intended audience at trade shows (meeting planners) did not want to pick it up and carry it around. The Manahan Group came up with a three-pronged approach to solving the problem. First, TMG designed a smaller visitor’s guide, 5.5 x 8.5 that featured quick access to information meeting planners need in order to do their jobs. The small guide was lightweight, easy to transport and would fit comfortably inside a briefcase or purse. Second, TMG developed an electronic version of the Visitors Guide for use on the CVB’s website. The entire guide can be viewed or downloaded from the site. Third, TMG developed a plan for putting the Guide on a DVD the size of a business card. In addition, TMG also created a full-sized Visitors Guide for use in the CVB, its partner locations and for mailing in response to requests from both tourists and meeting planners.

Category: B3A External Communications Magazine - nine pages or more

Entry Title: Wonderful West Virginia: From Farm to Table

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Commerce

The concept behind this 2009 holiday edition of Wonderful West Virginia was“From Farm to Table -- Including the Table." Commerce developed original articles and photography to present unique items for holiday feasting and gift-giving, locally sourced or made in West Virginia. The issue also included features on West Virginia Main Streets and green building practices. The 40-page magazine was one of the first elements in Commerce’s new
Genuine West Virginia Campaign.

Honorable Mention

Category: B3B External Communications/Newsletter - eight pages or less

Entry Title: Smart Family Newsletter

Award Group: Business/ Industry

Organization: Hartford Life/ The Manahan Group

The SMART Family News is an annual publication that goes out in September. It is distributed through the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office and the West Virginia Department of Education to all schools Kindergarten through 5th grade, reaching more than 142,000 students. The “When I Grow Up” edition of the newsletter included a tear-out contest entry sheet along with a story about the contest. Parents could also download an entry form at SMART529.com, but the hope was that the majority of entries would come from the newsletter, which would prove its effectiveness. Contest entries increased significantly from the 2008 level and a majority of them came from the school newsletter entry form.

Crystal Award

Category: B4A Writing Scripts

Entry Title: Come Home & Stay Radio Spots

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Commerce

Gov. Joe Manchin said that for too long we’ve encouraged our children to leave the state to find opportunity. Citing positive economic trends, he said: “It is important to let others know that with every new day, West Virginia becomes a better place in which to work, live and raise a family.” This series of eight radio ads provides eight compelling reasons why people should “Come Home for the Reunion & Stay for a Lifetime.”

Honorable Mention

Category: B4A Writing Scripts

Entry Title: Energize West Virginia Radio Scripts

Award Group: Not for profit

Organization: Energize West Virginia/Rainmaker Media

Energize West Virginia developed a media campaign that included radio spots narrated by native John Corbett, centering on the following three messages: natural gas leaves the lightest footprint on the environment; natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel; and the natural gas industry has created 3,000 new jobs for West Virginia

A fourth spot was used to tie in the three messages and wrap up the campaign.

Crystal Award

Category: B4C Articles More Than 1000 Words

Entry Title: Mmmm …Maggie’s: A Salsa Success Story

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Commerce

Mmmm …Maggie’s: A Salsa Success Story is a feature article written for Wonderful West Virginia Magazine. The article not only praises the success of entrepreneur Maggie Cook-Garcia and promotes her products, but also gives would-be entrepreneurs an example of a real-life small business success story and agencies to contact for more information.

Honorable Mention

Category: B4C Articles More Than 1000 Words

Entry Title: West Virginia: Building a Business Climate for Success Expansion Solutions 2009

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Commerce

West Virginia: Building a Business Climate for Success appeared in the September 2009 Expansion Solution, a bimonthly magazine serving economic development consultants, corporate real estate brokers and manufacturing executives. As recommended by baseline research, the article emphasized education, emerging technology sectors and global firms operating in the state. The Expansion Solutions article is one component of an ongoing strategy to redefine how the state is perceived.

Crystal Award

Category: B5 Press Kits

Entry Title: Title: reACTivism in a Box

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program and The Arnold Agency

The Arnold Agency needed to corral over 90 groups of teens across Montana to get them all speaking the same tobacco-fighting message. The solution was “reACTivism in a Box,” a series of do-it-yourself press kits that gave teens everything they needed to make loud, attention-grabbing statements against corporate tobacco. The kits reached hundreds of students statewide and generated extensive media coverage.

Honorable Mention

Category: B5 Press Kit

Entry Title: Greater Parkersburg Convention & Visitors Bureau 2009 Media Kit

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: Greater Parkersburg Convention & Visitors Bureau with Stonewall Retail Marketing

With no budget to produce a media kit, the Greater Parkersburg CVB and Stonewall Retail Marketing worked together to create a kit that could be printed in-house by the bureau and then repurposed electronically on the CVB Web site and to CD for media contacts. The kit was distributed to various media outlets in 2009 and media marketplaces. The bureau secured nearly $62,000 in earned media during the course of the year.

Category: B5 Press Kit

Entry Title: West Virginia Division of Tourism

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Commerce, Marketing and Communications

The West Virginia Division of Tourism releases an online press kit to in-state and out-of-state media every quarter. These releases focus on new tourism industries or ideas for travel during that season. Each kit contains up to six stories, photos and contact information. These kits are distributed via e-mail to more than 350 media contacts including newspapers, magazines and Internet sites.

Crystal Award

Category: B6A Collateral Materials/Posters

Entry Title: “A City Becomes a Work of Art”

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: FestivALL Charleston

FestivALL is an annual celebration of the arts in Charleston. A few years ago, designer and creative director Alex Morgado, along with FestivALL’s marketing team, developed the theme “A City Becomes a Work of Art” for FestivALL. In 2009, Morgado and FestivALL’s leader Larry Groce brought the theme alive by turning the poster design project for FestivALL into a collaborative effort that involved 22 local artists who produced letter-forms that spelled out the theme.

Honorable Mention

Category: B6A Collateral Materials/Posters

Entry Title: Anti-Smoking Posters

Award Group: Not for-Profit

Organization: Covenant House, Charleston WV/ The Manahan Group

Covenant House wanted to get the word out about their smoking cessation classes to popular Charleston LGBT night clubs during the holidays. Covenant House was determined to make a big impression with the LGBT community, and wanted the posters to be edgy and fun. Since the audience for the posters was limited to members of the LGBT community who smoke and visit LGBT bars (rather than the general public or the non-smoking, non-drinking LGBT community), the client wanted to take a very bold approach with some of the messaging. Catchy phrases along with eye-catching designs on 11” x 17”, full color posters, helped to grab the attention of the smoking, bar-going LGBT community in Charleston over the holidays. The Smoking Cessation class was a huge success. The enrollees in the class exceeded the client’s expectations, and the posters themselves created a very big buzz in the community, including a few requests to have some of them framed.

Honorable Mention

Category: B6A Collateral Materials/Posters

Entry Title: Capitol Market – Green Chili Pepper Cut-Outs

Award Group: Pro Bono

Organization: Capitol Market/ The Manahan Group

When the Green Chili Committee made the announcement of the two new mascots, The Manahan Group decided that O’Guapo and Enojado needed to be present at the Green Chili Shoot Out. The mascots were well received not only by the committee, but by the public as well. O’Guapo and Enojado were able to attend their first Green Chili Shoot Out and be apart of the fun (however, they did not partake in the pepper eating contest).

Honorable Mention

Category: B6B Collateral Materials Brochures

Entry Title: Edgewood Summit Viewbook

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: Charles Ryan Associates

In spring 2009, Edgewood Summit was faced with a surprising number of its independent living apartments vacant. As Charleston’s premier senior-living community, Edgewood Summit is typically filled near capacity and its staff found themselves in unfamiliar territory – needing to aggressively recruit new residents. Edgewood Summit’s leadership turned to Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) to help strengthen its collateral sales materials to help recruit of new residents. CRA responded with a new, engaging piece titled the Viewbook.

Honorable Mention

Category: B6B Collateral Materials Brochures

Entry Title: West Virginia Wesleyan Viewbook

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: West Virginia Wesleyan College and Rainmaker Media

WV Wesleyan partnered with our firm to revamp the current viewbook the college used as a recruiting tool. After conducting focus groups with current freshmen and first year undergraduate students, we concluded that viewbook needed to contain more detailed information about academic offerings at the college while maintaining an edgy feel and incorporating tailored photography of the campus.

Honorable Mention

Category: B6B Collateral Materials Brochure

Entry Title: West Virginia Wesleyan Visit Brochure

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: West Virginia Wesleyan College and Rainmaker Media

WV Wesleyan approached our firm to develop a brochure that recruiters could use while traveling. The piece needed to be informative and showcase the campus. We incorporated an old-world style map of the campus in order to help visitors to easily navigate around the campus. The use of bold graphics and tailored photography kept the piece consistent with the other marketing materials.

Honorable Mention

Category: B6B Collateral Materials Brochures

Entry Title: West Virginia WIC Income Guideline Brochure

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services and The Arnold Agency

The Arnold Agency worked with the West Virginia WIC program to develop and produce an easy-to-understand brochure for WIC participants – outlining the changes to the approved food list. The firm created a tabbed brochure sectioning off specific areas of food – such as a formula, juice and cereal. Two versions of the brochure were created – one for participants and one for grocery store cashiers. At a statewide meeting of local WIC offices, many local team members expressed the ease of navigation when educating new participants about WIC approved foods.

Category: B6B Collateral Materials Brochures

Entry Title: West Virginia Wesleyan Travel Brochure

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: West Virginia Wesleyan College/Rainmaker

WV Wesleyan partnered with our firm to revamp their existing travel brochure in order to capture the true essence of the campus. Using bold graphics and tailored photography to portray the overall feel of the campus the travel brochure encompassed the overall objective of being a communication tool that would be attractive to high school juniors.

Honorable Mention

Category: B6C Collateral Materials Invitations

Entry Title: YWCA $2 Million Challenge Campaign Celebration Invitation

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: YWCA of Charleston

The YWCA successfully completed its $2 Million Challenge Campaign on December 31, 2009, exceeding its $2 million goal by $100,000. To celebrate this success, thank donors, and pay tribute to the campaign’s benefactor Mr. Lyell Clay, the YWCA planned an event centered on Mr. Clay’s legacy of music. This memorable yet cost-effective invitation incorporated YWCA branding, musical themes, and an actual CD composed by Mr. Clay.

Category: B6C Collateral Materials Invitations

Entry Title: Governor Joe Manchin Inaugural Collateral and Invitation

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: Charles Ryan Associates

After winning re-election to a second term as governor of West Virginia, Joe Manchin and his wife Gayle turned to Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) to serve on their inauguration committee - overseeing direction of corporate identity and creation and management of the inaugural invitations and other key collateral pieces. CRA developed the themes “Celebrating the Journey” and “A New West Virginia” for Manchin’s inauguration celebration. These themes would be used throughout the pieces and invitation.

Crystal Award

Category: B6D Collateral Materials Logos

Entry Title: Logo

Award Group: Pro Bono

Organization: Alex Morgado for the YWCA of Charleston

When the YWCA embarked on a new mini-campaign targeting young professionals to give $24 a month for of 24 months, creative consultant Alex Morgado volunteered his design services to create a campaign logo for use in print, web, video and other campaign materials. Incorporating the national YWCA’s branding, Morgado designed a semi-revered out logo solely utilizing elements from the campaign name in a bold, modern, and geometrically artistic style.

Crystal Award

Category: B6D Collateral Materials Logos

Entry Title: Putnam Bond Logo

Award Group: Issue and Political Management

Organization: Community Schools Coalition to Catch-Up/Rainmaker media

The Putnam County Board of Education had placed a bond issue to build new school facilities on the ballot five different times. Voters defeated the bond each time. No school bond had passed in Putnam County since 1974. Our agency was hired to develop a family of logos highlighting each of the messages used throughout the campaign.

Honorable Mention

Category: B6D Collateral Materials Logos

Entry Title: Bring on the HEATT

Award Group: Pro Bono

Organization: Flinn Elementary School

The Bring on the HEATT logo was created for Flinn Elementary School’s Bring on the HEATT (Healthy Eating Activity Team & Tactics) wellness outreach program for students, parents, and community members. The program’s main goal is to promote healthy eating habits and regular exercise in the youth of the community. Get up and Bring on the HEATT!

Honorable Mention

Category: B6d Collateral, Logos

Entry Title: Watts Elementary Read, Lead, Succeed Logo

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: Charles Ryan Associates

In August 2009, CRA met with its partner in education, Watts Elementary, to discuss a new logo for the school. The school had recently undergone extensive changes and the old logo was not reflective of the new direction of the elementary school. As the school serves an economically-challenged area of town, the team determined that three statements – read, lead and succeed – would resonate with the students and inspired them to succeed in school and beyond.

Honorable Mention

Category: B6D Collateral Materials Logos

Entry Title: Genuine West Virginia – Logo

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Commerce

The Genuine West Virginia logo is part of a campaign celebrating pride in West Virginia products, places and talent – and in our business quality. Commerce modeled our logo development strategy after the "Intel Inside" brand, exploring how we might create a brand with a mark that literally could be stamped on West Virginia products. Genuine West Virginia includes entrepreneurs, Main Streets, performing artists and other unique service providers in the state.

Category: B6D Collateral Materials Logos

Entry Title: WV Beer Wholesalers Association – Logo

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: WV Beer Wholesalers Association/ The Manahan Group

The West Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association was concerned about their brand and visibility, The Manahan Group (TMG) suggested updating their current logo as part of their rebranding process. Taking the results of a strategic planning session with the association (TMG) was able to brainstorm about new logo options for the organization. The final logo was able to help with the organization’s rebranding efforts – showing the target audience that the organization was serious, passionate and committed to the organization and what they represent. You can find the logo on the association’s new web site and on the association stationery as well.

Category: B6D Collateral Materials Logos

Entry Title: West Virginia Lottery Progress Report

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization Charles Ryan Associates

In 2009, the West Virginia Lottery tasked Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) with creating a piece that would inform and educate taxpayers, state leaders and elected officials about the recipients of Lottery proceeds. While in the past the Lottery had relied heavily on the agency’s annual report to convey this message, CRA proposed developing a printed educational and informational piece that could more completely convey the services provided by Lottery proceeds in an attention-grabbing, reader-friendly piece.

Category: B6D Collateral Materials Logos

Entry Title: Williams Logo

Award Group: Business and Industry

Organization: Williams Law Office and Rainmaker Media

Roger Williams commissioned Rainmaker Inc. to develop a new identity for his law firm located here in Charleston. The logo was developed using rich dark brown and platinum metallic on a cream linen paper. The brown in the “W” was designed to have the understated look and feel of eagles in tribute to Mr. Williams being in the military.

Category: B6D Collateral Materials Logos

Entry Title: Capitol Market – Fiesta Verde Logo

Award Group: Pro Bono

Organization: Capitol Market/ The Manahan Group

The final logo was well received not only by the committee, but by the public as well. The logo is used in print advertising, e-Blasts and collateral materials for the event. The logo has been able to help tie the two events together – however, it has worked nicely with individual publicity as well – allowing the event to have its own identity. The events raised $8,500.00 for the National MS Society, more than double the previous year with only one event.

Honorable Mention

Category: B6E Collateral Materials Direct Mail

Entry Title: Smith Company Motor Cars Wish Book

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: Charles Ryan Associates

CRA is the agency of record for Smith Company Motor Cars and the dealership relies heavily on CRA to develop creative approaches to advertising that help set them apart from competition. In fall 2009, CRA identified a unique opportunity for SCMC to capitalize on the holidays by creating a wish list - the SCMC Wish Book. The piece highlighted SCMC’s franchises and also focused on “wishful” makes and models and the dealership’s commitment to service.

Category: B6E Collateral Material Direct Mail

Entry Title: Energize Direct Mail

Award Group: Not for profit

Organization: Energize West Virginia/Rainmaker Media

Energize WV‘s main goal is to promote the benefits of natural gas. Rainmaker embarked on a media campaign to help dispel information that was inaccurate regarding the natural gas industry. A three part direct mail campaign was developed to deliver the three messages of being the cleanest burning fossil fuel, leaving the lightest footprint on the earth and how the industry has created 3,000 new jobs in WV.

Category: B6E Collateral Materials Direct Mail

Entry Title: Trade Show Pre-Mailer

Award Group: Not for-Profit

Organization: Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau/ The Manahan Group

Through out the year, there are several out-of-state tradeshows that offer convention and sales people an opportunity to participate in to help showcase their city to meeting planners. In order to help the tradeshow attendees be better prepared when they visited the CVB booth, a pre-mailer was designed, produced and mailed in advance to all the tradeshow attendees. The mailers let to a record number of conferences in the city for 2009, including city-wide events, such as: Bishop T.D. Jakes, World Championship Chili Cook-off, International Jet Ski Championship and EVP Pro Volleyball Tournament.

Crystal Award

Category: B6F Collateral Material Holiday Cards

Entry Title: Hartford Life Holiday Card

Award Group: Not-for-Profit 

Organization: Hartford Life/ The Manahan Group

In 2009, The Hartford asked The Manahan Group (TMG) to create a unique direct mail piece that would promote its SMART529 College Savings Plan.

People who received the card saw a mystery gift box and were asked to go to www.SMART529.com to find out what was inside the box. Once they arrived at the site, they saw the box again (this time, animated so what was inside it appeared to be moving around), and they were able to click on the box to open it. When they clicked, the SMART529 pig jumped out with information about how making a gift of a contribution to college savings is the perfect gift to give a child. There were 15,635 visits to the web site during the 4th quarter of 2009, the most visits in one quarter. In the month of December, there were 6,219 visits to the web site, making December the 2nd largest month for visits to the web site. Additionally, 866 people opened an account page in the month of December, the most on-line account pages opened in any month.

Honorable Mention

Category: B6F Collateral Material Holiday Cards

Entry Title: BrickStreet Holiday Card

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization Charles Ryan Associates

Each year, BrickStreet commissions a holiday card to send to policyholders, agents, vendors and other parties. An original painting was created by one of Charles Ryan Associates’ (CRA) executives and senior counsel. The design includes a warm fire framed by a brick arch – similar to the company’s logo. Several comments were made about the work, so it was framed and is currently on display in the company lobby for all visitors and employees to view.

Category: B6F Collateral Material Holiday Cards

Entry Title: Steptoe & Johnson Holiday Card

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: Steptoe & Johnson and The Arnold Agency

The Arnold Agency worked Steptoe & Johnson to create its Energy Group’s 2009 Holiday Card. The advertising agency produced the “Thank You” Holiday Card. Whether the Holiday Card’s recipient was a CEO, the attorney’s best friend, a family member or a client the attorney talks to on the phone every day the message was relevant and important. Since the card was hosted on the Steptoe & Johnson website and provided a link to the firm’s homepage, the marketing team saw an increase in website traffic during the latter part of December.

Category: B6F Collateral Material Holiday Cards

Entry Title: 2009 University of Charleston Holiday Card

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: University of Charleston

The University of Charleston’s 2009 holiday card featured a combined holiday greeting, update on the year’s achievements, and preview of the first graduating classes from the School of Pharmacy and Master of Business Administration and Leadership program. The card was designed to be a visual representation of the “gift” these graduates will be for their communities. One of the University’s four annual communications pieces, the card was designed to engage, inform, and thank constituents.

Crystal Award

Category: Special Purpose Publication Single Issue Newsletter/Booklets

Entry Title: White House Clean Energy Meeting

Award Group: Issue/Political Management

Organization: West Virginia Department of Commerce

President Barack Obama met with members of the National Governor’s Association to discuss building a clean energy economy, including West Virginia Governor, Joe Manchin III. West Virginia is a leading energy state and must work with the federal government to continue producing energy, but doing so without damaging the state’s economy. A brochure outlines the importance of energy production in West Virginia, and provides key recommendations for responsibly meeting the nation’s energy needs.

Honorable Mention

Category: B7A Special Purpose Publication Single Issue Newsletter/Booklets

Entry Title: AMFM Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers 2010 Calendar Booklet

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization: AMFM Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers Nursing home.

What images do you see? How about vibrant? Exciting? Dedicated, compassionate employees who care for their patients, and who enjoy a full life of activity and skilled care all close to home. AMFM Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers opened eyes by using their annual calendar to show audiences the care and commitment of employees, the achievements of their 11 nursing care communities and what quality nursing care in West Virginia really looks like.

Honorable Mention

Category: B7A Special Purpose Publication Single Issue Newsletter/Booklets

Entry Title: The Division of Forestry’s 2010 Centennial Calendar

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Commerce

In cooperation with the West Virginia Division of Forestry (DOF), the West Virginia Department of Commerce Communications and Marketing section created a 12-month calendar chronicling the 100-year history of the DOF. This calendar effectively mixed archive photos and written history with present day images and program information to educate West Virginia’s citizens about the history of the state’s forest and the important role the DOF played in it.

Honorable Mention

Category: B7A Special Purpose Publication Single Issue Newsletter/Booklets

Entry Title: Potomac Headwaters Water Quality Report

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: WV Department of Agriculture

The development of this 218-page booklet required close work between WVDA technical and communications staff. The objective of the project were to distill 10 years worth of data into a format that would be easily understandable by the general public, regulators, farmers and environmental activists. Because of the size of the full report, a 39-page summary report was also developed. It is available on the WVDA internet homepage

Category: B7A Special Purpose Publication Single Issue Newsletter/Booklets

Entry Title: Greater Parkersburg CVB 2010 Visitors Guide

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: Stonewall Retail Marketing

The 2010 Greater Parkersburg Visitors Guide is the largest comprehensive guide the Greater Parkersburg CVB has published in its 25 year history. The CVB and Stonewall Retail Marketing worked to promote the value of advertising in the guide to bureau partners and new businesses. The effort paid off with an increase in overall ad sales by 16.1% over the 2009 publication, thus allowing for eight additional pages to be included featuring new area activities.

Category: B7A Special Purpose Publication: Single issue newsletter/booklets

Entry Title: Pocahontas County Visitors Guide

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization Blackwell and Co

Blackwell and Co.’s approach to the 2010 Pocahontas County Visitors Guide was unique from years past in that they immersed themselves in all things Pocahontas County, literally. Over the course of one week, their team spent time exploring the county including eating, sleeping, kayaking, biking, and hiking. The 2009 Visitors Guide served as their compass. They drew from their own experience to develop and write content for the piece.

Category: B7A Special Purpose Publication Single Issue Newsletter/Booklets

Entry Title: WV Department of Agriculture Annual Report

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: WV 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.

Crystal Award

Category: B8 Audiovisual Presentations

Entry Title: This is Our West Virginia Video

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization Charles Ryan Associates

In summer 2009, Charles Ryan Associates’ (CRA) leadership challenged the company’s staff to help commemorate the firm’s 35 years in business by creating something distinctive that would give back to the state that helped make the business what it is today. CRA’s staff responded by producing a unique video that would serve as a gift for the West Virginia Chamber to help businesses recruit new employees, attract investment and iinspire pride in the Mountain State.

Honorable Mention

Category: B8 Audiovisual Presentation

Entry Title: Energy Alternative: Coal to Liquids

Award Group: Not for profit

Organization: WV Dept. of Commerce

Energy Alternative: Coal to Liquids was developed as a live presentation before the Council of State Governments Annual 2009 Conference. The presentation was given by a live speaker supported by images, text and video in Prezi, a Flash-based presentation system. The program was designed to educate the audience about the fundamentals of coal-to-liquid fuel technology in general and to increase awareness of the advances in environmentally-responsible coal use being made in West Virginia in particular.

Category: B8 Audio Visual Presentation

Entry Title: Trade Show Video

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau/ The Manahan Group

In 2009, the CVB took an opportunity to be a sponsor at an out-of-state trade show. Their sponsorship included time at the opening reception to play a self-promotion video. The CVB wanted to take this opportunity to not only show what the city had to offer, but what the entire state had to offer. The CVB looked upon The Manahan Group for their expertise. The video, coupled with the convention mailers, let to a record number of conferences in the city for 2009. Those events included several city-wide events, such as: Bishop T.D. Jakes, World Championship Chili Cook-off, International Jet Ski Championship and EVP Pro Volleyball Tournament.

Category: B8 Audiovisual Presentation

Entry Title: ISP Sports Marshall University Portfolio Presentation

Award Group: Pro Bono

Organization: ISP Sports

IISP Sports is a multimedia sports marketing company that connects Tri-State Businesses to Thundering Herd Athletics. This portfolio presentation highlights the benefits and opportunities available to clients to get involved with Marshall Athletics. From touchdowns to slam dunks, ISP is there for all the action.

Category: B9A Interactive Communications Web Sites

Entry Title: Energize West Virginia Flash

Award Group: Not for profit

Organization: Energize West Virginia/Rainmaker media

The main goal of Energize West Virginia is to promote the benefits of natural gas. In 2009 our firm embarked on a media campaign consisting of advertisements, radio spots and direct mail pieces to disseminate information to the general public and elected officials about the benefits of natural gas. All forms of media were developed to drive people to the website. A new site was created with the same look and feel as the campaign using flash animation.

Honorable Mention

Category: B9A Interactive Communications Web Sites

Entry Title: www.wvcommerce.org -- The Commerce Web Platform

Award Group: Not-for-Profit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Commerce

The West Virginia Department of Commerce’s overall mission is to promote the state as a world-class destination for travel, business and relocation. The Commerce Web Platform is organized with an audience-first approach –
rather than its agency structure. The main sections are: 1) Travel and Recreation; 2) Business and Workforce; 3) Energy; 4) Natural Resources; 5) People and Places; and 6) News and Information. After six months online, the platform receives 250,000 page views each month.

Honorable Mention

Category: B9C Interactive Communications, e-newsletters

Entry Title: BrickStreet InSights

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization Charles Ryan Associates

CRA publishes and distributes a monthly email newsletter on behalf of BrickStreet, entitled BrickStreet InSights, to serve as supplement to the quarterly magazine. The goal of this publication is to educate and inform subscribers on issues that pertain to the workers’ compensation industry and BrickStreet. Due to a recent survey conducted of subscribers, the newsletter was redesigned to be more efficient and reader-friendly. InSights remains a successful part of the company’s overall commitment to communication.

Category: B9A Interactive Communications Web Sites

Entry Title: West Virginia Department of Transportation Website

Award Group: Not for Profit

Organization: West Virginia Department of Transportation

West Virginia Department of Transportation faced a growing problem—a woefully outdated website nearly a decade old. The agency opted to train eight-seven employees as Website Content Managers. According to Google Analytics, from the web site’s formal launch December 1, 2009 to April 14, 2010, it has received over 770,500 visits from 160 countries, nearly double the old site traffic. www.transportation.wv.gov is a functional, attractive web that was completed in a timely, cost-effective manner.

Category: B10 Social Media

Entry Title: The Greenbrier Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau Social Media Project

Award Group: Business/Industry

Organization Charles Ryan Associates

In March 2009, the Greenbrier Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) tasked Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) with helping them increase visitors to the Greenbrier Valley during the upcoming spring season. At the same time, the CVB staff charged CRA with increasing visits to their Web site and helping them establish a strong social media presence. The CVB also relied on CRA’s efforts to serve as a foundation for its use of social media moving forward.

Category: B10 Social Media

Entry Title: Dave Hardy Social Media

Award Group: Issue and Political Management

Organization: Dave Hardy Social Media/Rainmaker Media

Efficiency is paramount in political campaigns, and social media vehicles effectively maximize candidate exposure and foster an interactive dialog between politicians and their constituents. This is why Kanawha County Commissioner Dave Hardy chose to utilize this media vehicle for this 2010 re-election campaign. This project proliferated Hardy’s visibility, garnered positive viral publicity, and showcased the overwhelming contributions Commissioner Hardy has made to the County.

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

Practitioner of the Year

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