Announcing our 2019 Best in Maryland Award Winners
Sandy Hillman Communications Takes Best in Show.
On December 4, Maryland PR/communications pros, students and other guests gathered at the Mt. Washington Dye House in Baltimore for the 2019 Best in Maryland Awards program. During the program, the Maryland Chapter presented awards in 23 categories, six professional awards, and revealed the Best in Show which was presented to Sandy Hillman Communications for “The National WWI Museum and Memorial WWI Centennial.”
The evening began with a reception complete with an array of hors d’oeuvres and food stations where guests mingled and celebrated the year’s successes. The awards program featuring Deborah Weiner of WBAL-TV as emcee followed. After the awards presentation, guests were treated to a dessert table of incredible sweets.
Congratulations to all the award winners and honorees!
Professional Awards
Click here to learn more about our honorees.
Lifetime Achievement – Barb Clapp, Barb Clapp Advertising & Marketing, LLC
Paul E Welsh -Emily McDermott, Van Eperen
Educator of the Year – David Marshall, Ph.D., APR, Morgan State University
Rising Star – Lorraine Walker, Able Communications
PR Team – Planit: Christina Perry, Ashlene Larson, Nikki Bracy, Jennifer Donahoe, Harry Hammel, Kendall Dougherty
Volunteer of the Year – Dianna Fornaro, APR Chair, Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Company
Best in Maryland Awards Winners
Click here for summaries of winning entries.
Components
Annual Reports
Best in Maryland – 2018 Annual Impact Report, The Nature Conservancy Maryland/DC
Best Use of Influencer Communication
Best in Maryland – LiveAbode Influencer Campaign, Planit and Royal Building Products
Award of Excellence – Facebook Live Somos Baltimore Latino, Maryland Auto Insurance
Creative Tactics – Assoc/Nonprofit/Govt
Best in Maryland – “Best Foot Forward” Employee Engagement Socks, LifeBridge Health
Creative Tactics – For Profit
Best in Maryland – Lyft Ride Smart Maryland, Abel Communications
Editorial/Op-Ed Columns/Story Placement
Best in Maryland – Byline Series: You Can Do What with a Library Card?, The Cyphers Agency
Award of Excellence – National Apartment Association Op-Ed Program with Robert Pinnegar, Abel Communications
Magazines/Newsletters – Digital
Best in Maryland – Johns Hopkins’ Hopkins on Alert Newsletter, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Media Relations – Assoc/Nonprofit/Govt
Best in Maryland – Flying Queens Make the Hall of Fame, Abel Communications & Harrison Communications
Award of Excellence – Poe Baltimore, Coster Communications, Ltd.
Award of Excellence – ASK4ME: Two Prongs to Promote the New Bay Plate, The Cyphers Agency
Media Relations – For Profit
Best in Maryland – Cirque du Soleil: Crystal – Baltimore, Weinberg Harris & Associates
Award of Excellence – BrightFarms Series D Funding Announcement, Abel Communications
Podcast
Best in Maryland – A Valuable Perspective: Roland Park Place, Weinberg Harris & Associates
PSAs
Best in Maryland – National Recovery Month, Crosby Marketing Communications
Publications
Best in Maryland – MPT 50th Anniversary History Book, Maryland Public Television
Award of Excellence – JHU Press 2019 Scholarly Journals Catalog, Johns Hopkins University Press
Research/Evaluation
Best in Maryland – Exploring the Spirit of Sagamore Brand, Van Eperen
Social Media – Assoc/Nonprofit/Govt
Best in Maryland – MDOT SHA Explains Winter Weather Safety, MDOT State Highway Administration
Award of Excellence – 13 Folds of the American Flag, Crosby Marketing Communications
Videos
Best in Maryland – Fighting the Celiac Monster, Crosby Marketing Communications
Award of Excellence – Deal Island: Maryland’s Green Suit of Armor, The Nature Conservancy Maryland/DC
Websites
Best in Maryland – Baltimore City Health Department “U=U Maryland”, Devaney & Associates and Chase Brexton Health Care
Award of Excellence – Thank-A-Vet Web App, Crosby Marketing Communications
Campaigns
Community Relations
Best in Maryland – Toyota Promotes ‘Mobility for All’ with Girls Scouts of Northeast Texas, imre
Award of Excellence – Maryland Health Connection Open Enrollment 6, Sandy Hillman Communications
Events and Observances < 7 days
Best in Maryland – Vintage Festival, A. Bright Idea
Award of Excellence – BrightFarms Share the Harvest, Abel Communications
Award of Excellence – Grand Opening – Springwell Senior Living’s The Homestead, Clapp Communications
Events and Observances > 7 days
Best in Maryland – The National WWI Museum and Memorial WWI Centennial, Sandy Hillman Communications
Integrated Communications
Best in Maryland – BGE’s Natural Gas Safety Campaign, BGE
Award of Excellence – Victories for Veterans, Crosby Marketing Communications
Marketing
Best in Maryland – Great Escape New Business Campaign, Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Company
Award of Excellence – Len the Plumber Magnet Postcard Campaign, Victory-360, LLC
Multicultural
Award of Excellence – Los Taxes Mailer, Maryland Auto Insurance
Public Service
Best in Maryland – Victories for Veterans PSA Campaign, Crosby Marketing Communications
Award of Excellence – HASA Hearing Hospitality, Abel Communications
Award of Excellence – Vectren “Don’t Be That Guy” Public Safety Campaign, Devaney & Associates
Reputation/Brand Management
Best in Maryland – Maryland Philanthropy Network Rebrand, Clapp Communications
A Special Thank you to …
Chesapeake Employer’s Insurance Company for sponsoring the valet service, Abel Communications for sponsoring our Educator of the Year award, and Van Eperen for sponsoring the reception.
To A. Bright Idea, Maryland Public Television, and Sandy Hillman Communications for sponsoring the dessert bar.
To tabletop sponsors Clapp 360 Communications, Coster Communications, Ltd., and Planit for your contributions.
To Devaney & Associates for creating the #BIM19 designs, Coyle Studios for documenting the event through pictures (check out this sneak peek on Facebook), Crown Trophies for the assisting with the awards, and Strategic Factory for serving our printing needs.
And to our event chair David Harrison, Harrison Communications, for bringing this all together.
Your generous support is greatly appreciated!
*This year’s awards were judged by PRSA San Antonio Chapter.