Milwaukee’s PR professionals shine at 2015 Paragon Awards

The Public Relations Society of America Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter held its annual Paragon Awards banquet on May 21, 2015 at the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. The awards program celebrated high-level work in public relations and honored accomplishments of over 10 local agencies and companies in 16 categories, including media relations, social media, integrated communications and community relations among others.

Larry O'Brien of Bader Rutter

Larry O’Brien of Bader Rutter

Bader Rutter of Brookfield, Wis. received the coveted Best of Show award for its work with Zoetis on the Hoof-Tec New Product Introduction. The creative “Too Much Metal” campaign introduced a new footbath product to dairy farmers and veterinarians used for bathing cow hooves. The product uses up to 40 percent less copper sulfate. Results included an increased awareness of 50 percent in just nine months after the campaign and increased product sales. Print and online placements attracted nearly 1.5 million impressions. The launch news release received 447,848 impressions, and this was the most-clicked story of the March Inside Dairy Wellness e-newsletter.

Other Best of Show finalists included Bader Rutter for its work for Sauder, BVK for its work with Weddings by Funjet and Hawai’i Health Connector, and Celtic, Inc. for its work with Edvest.

This year’s entries were judged by the Greater Kansas PRSA Chapter and were evaluated based on five criteria: objectives, research and planning, execution, budgets and results.

Chapter president Bill Bussler

Chapter president Bill Bussler

“It’s wonderful to see the volume of great public relations work produced right here in Southeastern Wisconsin,” said Bill Bussler, chapter president. “Our members are creative, resourceful and savvy. The work featured at the Paragon Awards gets better each year, and we look forward to continuing to see the outstanding work our members produce.”

Stephanie Klett, recipient of the Communicator of the Year award

Stephanie Klett, recipient of the Communicator of the Year award

The events also recognized two established professionals for their admirable work in the local community. The Communicator of the Year award was presented to Stephanie Klett, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. Under her leadership, the Department of Tourism has earned an unprecedented 65 regional, national and international awards.

Carol Weber, recipient of the Dorothy Thomas Black award

Carol Weber, recipient of the Dorothy Thomas Black award

The Dorothy Thomas Black award was presented to Carol Seeger Weber, APR, director of communications and marketing at the Wisconsin Dental Association. Carol is a member of the board of directors for the chapter, serving as director-at-large. She also is a past president of the chapter.

The PRSA Paragon Awards were created in 1983 to honor public relations professionals on their exceptional work. A complete list of winners is included below.

You can view event photos on our Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/1PAUwYH.

 

COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS

  1. Communicator of the Year Award: Stephanie Klett, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism
  1. Dorothy Thomas Black Award: Carol Seeger Weber, APR, director of communications and marketing at the Wisconsin Dental Association
  1. Best of Show:
  • Winner:
    • Bader Rutter – Zoetis, Hoof-Tec New Product Introduction
  • Finalists:
    • BVK – Weddings by Funjet Launch
    • BVK – Hawai’i Health Connector
    • Bader Rutter – Sauder Social Media Program
    • Celtic, Inc. – Edvests’ Big Apple Giveaway
  1. Social Media Campaigns:
  • Award of Merit
    • BVK – Guitars for Vets
    • BVK – Foresters
    • BVK – Funjet Vacations, The Funjet Insider
    • BVK – Mystik Lubricants
  • Award of Excellence
    • BVK – CITGO Fueling Good
    • BVK – Hawai’i Health Connector
    • Bader Rutter – Sauder Woodworking
    • BVK – Weddings by Funjet
  1. Community Relations:
  • Award of Merit
    • State Farm – Neighborhood Assist
  1. Public Service:
  • Award of Merit
    • State Farm – Celebrate My Drive
  1. Integrated Communications – Government/Nonprofit:
  • Award of Merit
    • Laughlin Constable – 2014 Wisconsin Department of Tourism Campaign
    • Bethesda – Peoria Community Engagement Campaign
  1. Integrated Communications – Business/Industry:
  • Award of Merit
    • American Transmission Co. – Helps Landowners to Grow Smart Campaign
    • Wisconsin Dental Association – “Own Your Smile” Oral Health Literacy, Public Awareness Campaign
  • Award of Excellence
    • Bader Rutter – Zoetis, 2014 Honoring Caregivers Program
    • Bethesda – Peoria Community Engagement Campaign
    • Celtic, Inc. – Edvest’s Big Apple Giveaway
    • Bader Rutter – Zoetis, Hoof-Tec Product Introduction
  1. PR Tactic (Media Relations) – Release/Other:
  • Award of Merit:
    • Laughlin Constable – Wisconsin Association of Nurses on behalf of Pfizer, School Nurses Vaccination Effort – No Shots, No School!
    • Bader Rutter – Case IH, Media Event/Farm Progress Show
  • Award of Excellence:
    • KOHLER Engines – Trade Editor’s Conference
  1. PR Tactic (Media Relations) – Press Kit; Services/Events:
  • Award of Merit:
    • Laughlin Constable – Wisconsin Tourism Media Kit
  • Award of Excellence:
    • Cramer-Krasselt – Appvion, Inc., Alpha Free Multimedia News Release
  1. Poster:
  • Award of Merit:
    • Cramer-Krasselt – Evinrude, The Power to Choose
  1. Newsletter:
  • Award of Excellence:
    • Laughlin Constable – Wisconsin Industrial Sand Association, Spreading the Word e-newsletter
  1. Special Events
  • Award of Merit:
    • Cramer-Krasselt – Evinrude, Club Evinrude
  1. Brochure
  • Award of Excellence:
    • Carroll University – General Brochure
  1. Social Media Tactic
  • Award of Merit:
    • Cramer-Krasselt – TIKI Brand Outdoor Entertaining Blogger Program
  1. Online E-news
  • Award of Excellence
    • Bader Rutter – National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council, ProkCares.org

Top 3 PR Articles of the Week: Friday, January 30, 2015

Here we are with the first month of the year already behind us. Hopefully all of you have successfully implemented your PR plans for 2015, are well on your way or at least started thinking about it. The top articles of this week might be a little premature when it comes to social media planning for 2016 but we also examine Target’s exit from Canada and how to make sure social media fits in your business strategy. Enjoy!

DIGIDAY
Target Canada: A lesson in brand marketing? Read>>>

Forbes
How to properly use social media to fit your business strategy Read>>>

Social Media Today
Where will social media users go in 2016? Read>>>

Kristin Rabas (@krabas)
Sr. Public Relations Advisor
Aurora Health Care

Top 3 PR Articles of the Week: Friday, January 16, 2015

It’s an especially happy Friday in southeast Wisconsin today! Not only did we all wake up to 30 degree weather this morning, but it’s supposed to be 40 degrees tomorrow and the Packers are playing in the NFC championship on Sunday! While this has nothing to do with PR, I couldn’t contain my excitement. So, before you start to enjoy the weekend ahead, check out the articles below pertaining to Target’s PR nightmare, must-have marketing tools and resources for better writing. Enjoy!

Milwaukee Business Journal
Target’s latest PR nightmare: The ripple effect of a bad business decision Read>>>

Entrepreneur
15 must-have marketing tools for 2015 Read>>>

Inc.
50 awesome resources to help you be a better writer (and content marketer) Read>>>

Kristin Rabas (@krabas)
Sr. Public Relations Advisor
Aurora Health Care

Top 3 PR Articles of the Week: Friday, October 10, 2014

Many public relations professionals do a lot more than traditional public relations work. Many of us are also diving into the world of social media, media buying or even graphic design. While many budgets are decreasing, the demand to wear many hats is increasing. Therefore, the top three articles from this week span a variety of topics including marketing, social media and the traditional news release. Enjoy!

Mashable
The Millennial that marketers are targeting does not exist Read>>>

Mediabistro
Hashtags 101: How to create your own Read>>>

Entrepreneur
The venerable press release remains the cornerstone of public relations Read>>>

Have a great weekend!

Kristin Rabas (@krabas)
Sr. Public Relations Advisor
Aurora Health Care

Top 3 PR Articles of the Week: Friday, August 1, 2014

In this modern (and sometimes ADD) age, it’s hard to have a brand that stands out from the crowd. Every business wants a groundbreaking idea and every brand wants to go viral. The Top 3 PR Articles from this week show some unique examples of branding and marketing that demonstrate what great PR can accomplish in this modern age. Enjoy!

Adweek
Buzzfeed Video is discovering how people identify with brands and relate to content. Read>>>

PR Daily
This past week, “Weird Al” Yankovic scored his first No. 1 record, Mandatory Fun, and used the hashtag #8videos8days to do it. Read>>>

PRNewser
A Make-a-Wish project for a little boy that went viral last November is now being turned into a documentary film by a non-profit Moving Train, Inc. with the help of crowd funding giant, Indiegogo. Read>>>

Zach Hindes (@zachindes)

Top 3 PR Articles of the Week: Friday, June 6, 2014

Public relations professionals are commonly asked to predict the future. Ok, maybe that’s a little bit of an exaggeration, but it is true that PR professionals are always trying to stay ahead of the curve and get involved in the next big thing before our competitors. Therefore, this week’s Top 3 PR Articles of the Week concentrate on the future. Enjoy!

Bulldog Reporter
Only 26% of Marketers Can Prove the Value They Bring to Their Business, New Research Shows: 85% Feel Increasing Pressure to Measure Marketing’s Value and Contribution Read>>>

Social Media Today
The New Facebook Page Design Is Coming: What It Means For You Read>>>

Fortune
Words are dead. Here’s what will replace them. Read>>>

Have a great weekend!

Kristin Rabas (@krabas)
Sr. Public Relations Advisor
Aurora Health Care

Top 3 PR Articles of the Week: Friday, May 9, 2014

Public relations experts typically wear many hats. Besides working on traditional public relations strategies or tactics, we may be asked to manage social media accounts, purchase advertising, draft a marketing campaign and more. So, it’s important that we all stay educated in a number of communication vehicles.

Many of us no longer consume news by watching TV or picking up a newspaper; we have the USA Today app on our phones. We don’t watch the new episode of Modern Family live; we DVR it so we can skip the commercials. To combat this way of consuming information and entertainment, many organizations are turning to digital advertising. Therefore, the week’s Top 3 PR Articles focuses on that exact topic.

Social Media Today
Online advertising case study: Facebook Ads vs. Google AdWords vs. LinkedIn
http://bit.ly/1g4dfv3

New York Times
The great unwatched
http://nyti.ms/1kEyqPU

Digiday
The age of big data won’t be easy for marketers
http://bit.ly/SrzDDZ

Leave us a comment – Has your organization seen a shift in where advertising dollars are spent?

Have a great weekend!

Kristin Rabas (@krabas)
Sr. Public Relations Advisor
Aurora Health Care