Agency Recognized with Nine Honors in Annual Public Relations Award Program
RALEIGH, N.C. (July 6, 2010) – French/West/Vaughan, one of the nation’s largest independent public relations, public affairs and brand communications agencies, won nine Sir Walter Raleigh Awards as part of the annual recognition program hosted by the Raleigh Public Relations Society. The RPRS honored seven FWV campaigns and named two “Best in Division,” which made FWV the most decorated agency at this year’s awards.
The Sir Walter Raleigh Awards recognize exemplary work by public relations and communications professionals throughout North Carolina. Judged by an independent panel of out-of-state public relations practitioners, recipients were recognized for work conducted during the 2009 calendar year and honored at an awards banquet June 29.
Taking home two of the night’s highest recognitions, FWV won “Best in Division” for its work on the following programs:
- Division Three, Public Relations Writing: FWV drafted a feature bylined article for Saft, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech batteries, and secured placement in key industry trade publication, Electronic Products. The one-and-a-half-page article ran in the magazine’s Annual Power Supplement, earning 308,108 media impressions and $53,000 in PR value. The RPRS also recognized this program with a Silver Award in the Opinion/Feature Writing category.
- Division Four, Interactive Communications: FWV developed a fully integrated social media campaign for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s basketball tournament. Utilizing Facebook and Twitter, the three-month program included a sweepstakes that resulted in an increase of more than 20,000 Facebook fans, a 14 percent increase in unique traffic to the tournament website and contributed to a 63 percent increase in ticket sales. The RPRS also recognized this program with an Honorable Mention in the Social Media category.
FWV took home a second Silver Award for its work on behalf of NEHST Studios. In the Special Events category, FWV was recognized for an innovative satellite media tour in support of the film “Running the Sahara,” a feature documentary directed and produced by Academy Award™ winner James Moll, and narrated and executive produced by Academy Award™ winner Matt Damon. Aimed at heightening mainstream awareness of the film, the successful SMT resulted in 30 media placements with target broadcast outlets – generating more than 10.6 million impressions and a PR value of more than $1.2 million.
Additionally, FWV received Honorable Mention Awards for the following programs:
- Organizational Identity/Promotion: FWV executed a national campaign promoting Structure House founder, Dr. Musante, as a world-renowned expert on obesity. FWV’s work generated more than 55.5 million earned media impressions, starting with a high-profile placement with Health magazine naming Structure House America’s healthiest diet program. In total, resulting media coverage led to an 18 percent increase in consumer inquiries for the program.
- Crisis Communications: On behalf of the Bridgewater Community Association in Florida, FWV spearheaded a successful strategy to increase community camaraderie, drive undesirable activities out of the neighborhood and position it as a community leading the way out of the soft housing market. Taking proactive measures to improve real estate value, FWV was able to generate more than 1.4 million earned media impressions and nearly $173,000 in PR value.
- Social Media: Leveraging a sponsorship of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, FWV developed a strategic digital marketing campaign on behalf of Wrangler to launch the brand’s Facebook page. Including executing an exciting consumer promotion on the platform, FWV’s work secured 13,548 distinct contest entries; high fan interaction and engagement; and an average of one new fan every 90 seconds during the first month – leading to 26,103 fans for the new Facebook page in just 31 days.
- More Bang for the Buck – Special Event/Campaign: FWV developed a yoga-themed media event to show national magazine editors that the Riders by Lee line of affordable “Instantly Slims You” jeans is as good for your body as yoga – and all without stretching your budget. Highlighted by creative invitations printed on full-size yoga mats, the event secured the highest editorial attendance in brand history, generated nearly 80 million media impressions and led to an 866:1 return on the client’s investment.
Including these recognitions, FWV has received 20 North Carolina public relations awards for its work in 2009. In May, FWV took home 11 InSpire Awards, including a top honor “Best of Show” award, from the North Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
About French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan is the Southeast’s largest public relations, public affairs and brand communications agency, independent or otherwise. National and international clients represented by the agency include the Coca-Cola Company, Wrangler, the Justin Boot Company, the International Gemological Institute, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, The Free Enterprise Nation and Moe’s Southwest Grill restaurants. The agency also offers award-winning advertising, graphic design, media planning and placement, and digital and social media marketing and monitoring services for a wide range of clients. FWV is headquartered in Raleigh and has offices in New York City, Tampa and Dallas. For more information, please visit www.fwv-us.com.
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