From the sublime— a campaign to raise money for clean water projects in Africa— to the ridiculous— the iconic car shaped like a giant frankfurter on a bun— this year’s inductees into the PR News Platinum PR Awards Hall of Fame class include some of the most creative ideas and campaign executions in PR history.
The induction ceremony for this year’s honorees will take place as part of the 2012 Platinum PR Awards at New York City’s Grand Hyatt Hotel on Friday, September 14.
This year’s honorees include:
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Blendtec – Will It Blend?
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IBM – Smarter Planet
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charity: water
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GEICO – the GEICO Gecko
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Oscar Mayer/Kraft Foods – Oscar Mayer Wienermobile
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Ronald McDonald House Charities
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SELF magazine – Pink Ribbon
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St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Thanks and Giving Campaign
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Target – Take Charge of Education
The Hall of Fame honors campaigns or initiatives with outstanding communications programs that have not just made an impact over the past several years but that the PR News judging panel felt will likely be referred to in years to come. These Hall of Fame campaigns and initiatives have had a larger cultural impact than even its creators might have imagined.
It may seem strange to see the GEICO Gecko and SELF magazine’s Pink Ribbon campaign honored side by side, but this year’s inductees beautifully illustrate the great width and breadth of work that fall under the umbrella of public relations.
“There were many outstanding campaigns up for consideration this year,” said Steve Goldstein, PR News Editorial Director/Events. “This year’s inductees represent the kinds of campaigns that every PR professional strives to create. This is a business of tremendously creative people and these honorees represent the absolute best in the business.” This year’s class joins a group of prior inductees that includes the Aflac Duck, American Airlines’ Fuel Smart Campaign and Yum! Brands World Hunger Relief.
The Platinum PR Awards luncheon will also honor winners in a wide range of categories including PR Firms of the Year (Small, Midsize and Large) as well as honoring the best campaigns over a variety of platforms and tactics.
Charles Duhigg, best-selling author of The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business (Random House, 2012), will deliver the keynote address at the luncheon.
Follow Jon Gelberg: @Jon_Gelberg