The Public Relations Society of America’s Southeastern Wisconsin chapter recognized the best public relations programs and tactics implemented in 2024 at its annual Paragon Awards event.
The event brought together more than 120 industry professionals to celebrate with over 44 awards presented for PR programs and tactics. Recipients included local agencies, organizations, and nonprofits that exhibited industry-best standards and remarkable results-driven execution.
Highly experienced communications professionals from the Alaska chapter of PRSA judged the entries. The judges were asked to consider the research, planning, execution, and results of each award submission, scoring entries on a 50-point scale. The Paragon Awards program includes two levels of recognition: Distinction (scoring between 40 and 45 points) and Excellence (scoring over 45 points).
Laughlin Constable Public Relations, with its unwavering dedication and exceptional work, won the Best in Show distinction. It secured the highest overall score for its Integrated Communications campaign, O&H Danish Bakery Reindeer Tracks Kringle “Sleighs” Holidays.
Public relations programs/tactics recognizing Awards of Excellence include:
- 2023 U.S. Senior Open, Sentry Insurance (Events and Observances) – Core Creative
- 100 Minutes for 100 Years: North Shore Bank Gas Giveaway (Events and Observances) – Laughlin Constable Public Relations
- Milwaukee Public Schools Donation Press Kit (Press Kit) – Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
- Wahl Benevolent Beards Mailer (Direct Mail) – Hoffman York
- Village of Shorewood Manager’s Memo (Newsletter) – Village of Shorewood
- 2022 Sustainability Report (Annual Report) – Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
- #SaveTheBus Video Storytelling (Video) – Boelter + Lincoln
- Marshfield Clinic Health System’s All of Us Research Comes to Rural WI (PR Programs – Media Relations) – Laughlin Constable Public Relations
- Milwaukee Diaper Mission Scores Big with NBA Star Partnership (PR Programs – Media Relations) – Serve Marketing
- Visit Montana Organic Social Presence (Social Media Campaign) – Hoffman York
- Wahl #CollegeTry Campaign (Social Media Campaign) – Hoffman York
- 2023 AMC Marketing Campaign (Content Marketing) – LePoidevin Marketing
- KEEN Utility Camden Work Boot Launch (Influencer Marketing to Expand Awareness) – Punch PR
- Museum Days Influencer Campaign (Influencer Marketing to Expand Awareness) – Visit Milwaukee
- Kalahari Influencer Program (Influencer Marketing to Expand Awareness) – Morning Walk
- #SaveTheBus Campaign (Public Affairs) – Boelter + Lincoln
- Visit Montana Yellowstone National Park Flood Response (Crisis Communications) – Hoffman York
- Wahl ‘Benevolent Beards’ Contest (Integrated Communications) – Hoffman York
- Wahl Pro Series High-Visibility Trimmer Launch (Marketing Consumer Products/Services) – Hoffman York
- Monumental Representation (Grassroots Marketing) – Campe + Co
Public relations programs/tactics recognizing Awards of Distinction include:
- CDA: Building Homeownership in Milwaukee (Events and Observances) – Athena Communications
- CONNECT 1, Milwaukee County Transit System (Events and Observances) – Boelter + Lincoln
- Kalahari Resorts & Conventions: Virginia Groundbreaking (Events and Observances) – Morning Walk
- Wahl PRO SERIES High Visibility Trimmer (Direct Mail) – Hoffman York
- Standard Process Social Media (Social Media) – Hoffman York
- Baird Center: Construction Inclusion Week Series (Video) – Wisconsin Center District
- Wahl Manscaper Videos (Video) – Hoffman York
- Baker Tilly Sizzle Reel (Miscellaneous) – BVK
- Beyond King Tut (PR Programs – Media Relations) – Wisconsin Center District
- 2023 Sentry B2B Media Relations Program (PR Programs – Media Relations) – Core Creative
- Guest House Volunteer PR Program (PR Programs – Media Relations) – Guest House of Milwaukee
- Gala Giveaway (Community Relations) – Wisconsin Center District
- Community Partnership with Gee’s Clippers & Salon (Community Relations) – Froedert Health
- Milwaukee Navy Week (Community Relations) – Punch PR
- On the Edge of Equity: Leadership is in Session (Content Marketing) – Athena Communications
- Wahl Influencer Program (Influencer Marketing to Expand Awareness) – Hoffman York
- Wahl’s Dirty Dogs Contest (Issues Management) – Hoffman York
- Mighty Small Moments, City of Milwaukee Office of Early Childhood Initiatives (Public Service) – Serve Marketing
- GoodWheat “Stay Picky” (Integrated Communications) – Hoffman York
- Montana Dinosaur Trail (Integrated Communications) – Hoffman York
- WisGo, Milwaukee County Transit System (Integrated Communications) – Boelter + Lincoln
- Kent Nutrition Group Home Fresh “Quality of Life” (Marketing Consumer Products/Services) – Nelson Schmidt
- LiuGong North America “Go with Lou” (Marketing Business to Business) – Nelson Schmidt
- ZE-net (Internal Communications) – Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
- Weekly Briefing Expansion with Leader2Team Notes (Internal Communications) – Froedert Health