Since PR NEWS was founded more than 50 years ago, we have made it a point to be both an advocate for the public relations profession and a watchdog for the communications industry. To take that role one step further, this year PR NEWS launched its Platinum PR Awards to honor the best of your best.
And you didn't disappoint.
After poring through hundreds of outstanding entries and weeks of wrestling over difficult choices, we are pleased to announce six first-place winners in five categories - two campaigns tied in the media relations category. Our choices represent the creme de la creme of PR in 1998.
Companies and firms who demonstrated ROI undeniably stole the show. But you may be surprised that many times the underdogs - those agencies or corporations that didn't have the biggest budget and name clout - were the most impressive. They thought outside-the-box and their campaigns had a definable, clear and measurable voice.
Campaigns we're recognizing (including several honorable mentions) sweep the spectrum, from a Golin Harris/Pillsbury giggle-off contest that made our judges laugh as well, to the publicity that catapulted a Gillette shaver to new product heights. We also salute some very noble goals, including an effort to preserve Hebrew literacy among Jews and a community relations campaign to empower women buying cars.
1999 WINNERS
Internal Communications
U S WEST, Inc. "Public Relations During Union Contract Negotiations: U S WEST Adopts an Innovative Approach"
Media Relations (tie)
Warschawski Public Relations & National Jewish Outreach Program, "Read Hebrew America/Canada" Dome*Newmark*Wolf Communications, "College Illinois!: The Future of Education"
Public Affairs
Cashman & Katz, "New England Patriots Stadium Project"
Marcom
Porter Novelli, New York, "Gillette MACH 3 Launch"
Community Relations
Hyundai, "Power of the Purse"