Exponent PR Clinches Best of Show at 40th anniversary edition of Classics Awards, 45 other award-winners formally recognized
MINNEAPOLIS (April 23, 2018) – Exponent PR took home Best in Show for its Wading into Uncharted Waters communications program, in conjunction with WinField United, as the Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (Minnesota PRSA) held the 40th Annual Minnesota PRSA 2018 Classics Awards. The annual event held on April 19 at The Grand 1858 at Minneapolis Event Centers serves as a celebration of top communications efforts executed within the chapter territory, which includes Minnesota, the Dakotas and western Wisconsin.
"The Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards is a celebration of not only the exceptional work being done in our region but also vibrant communications community we have in Minnesota," said Minnesota PRSA President, Eva Keiser, APR.
In total, 46 awards were presented during the evening, honoring professional achievements from 2017. Awards included 37 awards highlighting strategic communication elements and communications programs, and four student awards. Holli Henderson (Young Professional Award), Paul Maccabee (Padilla Award), Jack Nachtigal (Dr. Willard Thompson Scholarship First Place) and Rachel Oehlke (Dr. Willard Thompson Scholarship Runner-up) were also recognized for their individual achievements.
2017 Best in Show Award
Exponent PR beat out 21 other program award winners en route to taking home the evening’s top prize. The Wading into Uncharted Waters campaign aims to educate stakeholders about the use of fresh water in agriculture and the long-range effects of not protecting this vital natural resource. Specifically, the message initiated a conversation regarding the responsible use of water in farming.
Donald G. Padilla Distinguished Practitioner Award
Minnesota PRSA recognized Paul Maccabee, of Maccabee Public Relations, as the Donald G. Padilla Distinguished Practitioner Award recipient. The award is given to an outstanding individual who has made selfless contributions to the public relations industry and demonstrated exceptional professional achievement.
Young Professional of the Year Award
Holli Henderson, working for U.S. Bank, was recognized as the Minnesota PRSA Young Professional of the Year. This award is given to a rising star in the chapter who has contributed to their organization, industry and community.
Dr. Willard Thompson Scholarship
Jack Nachtigal, a student at the University of Minnesota, was the first-place finisher for the scholarship, netting him a $2,000 prize and complimentary PRSA membership. Rachel Oehlke, also a student at the University of Minnesota, was selected as the runner-up, earning a $1,000 prize and complimentary PRSA membership.
Student Awards
News/Feature Writing
A New Appreciation for the American Soldier
Leah Blom, Augustana University
PR Campaigns
Pole Vault Clinic PR Campaign
Maria Missurelli, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Personal Branding/Portfolio
Eastern Europe: Cultural Trauma, Communications, and the Camera
Grace Fjellanger, Augustana University
Digital Projects
Augustana PRSSA ‘No Meth Ever’ Social Media Campaign
Augustana University PRSSA Chapter
Classics Awards Program Winners
Community Relations (Agency/Organization with fewer than 25 Employees)
Bringing Minnesota’s Fire Community Together
Bellmont Partners
Community Relations (Agency/Organization with more than 25 Employees)
Stacy’s Helps Women Rise into Leadership Roles in Kitchens Across America
Carmichael Lynch Relate
Institutional Programs (Agency/Organization with more than 25 Employees)
Engaging Young Journalist to advance Health Equity
Padilla
Special Events/Observances (Less than Seven Days, Agency/Organization with fewer than 25 Employees)
Getting “Up Close” with the 2017 Artability Art Show & Sale
Bellmont Partners
Special Events/Observances (Less than Seven Days, Agency/Organization with more than 25 Employees)
Sun Country Airlines Hometown Lakes Project
Carmichael Lynch Relate
Special Events/Observances (More than Seven Days)
Minnesota Wild Turns Pond Water into Hockey Gold
ICF Olson
Public Services
Engaging Young Journalist to Advance Health Equity
Padilla
Marketing Services (Agency/Organization with fewer than 25 Employees)
Empowering Energy Education with Unified Branding & Messaging
Strother Communications Group
Marketing Services (Agency/Organization with more than 25 Employees)
The 40-Year Neighborhood Watch: Omega Property Management with Rocket55
Rocket55
Marketing Products (Agency/Organization with fewer than 25 Employees)
Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP Empowers Women with POP of POSITIVITY Tour
Kohnstamm Communications
Marketing Products (Agency/Organization with fewer than 25 Employees)
Garden of Life Fuels Fitness Fanatics with #GOLSport Clean Nutrition
Carmichael Lynch Relate
Crisis/Issue Management
Medtronic Weather the Storm and Returns to Full Operations in Puerto Rico
Medtronic
Reputation/Brand Management
Everyday Life. Powered Locally.
Exponent PR
Internal Communications
Operation: Newsletter
Weber Shandwick
International/Multicultural Public Relations
Engaging Young Journalists to advance Health Equity
Padilla
Integrated Programs (B2B Products)
Feeding the World – It Starts With an Acre
Exponent PR
Integrated Programs (B2B Services)
Living Acres: Preserving Monarch Butterflies
Padilla
Integrated Programs (Consumer Products)
Minnesota Wild Turns Pond Water into Hockey Gold
ICF Olson
Integrated Programs (Consumer Services)
Wading Into Uncharted Waters
Exponent PR
Integrated Programs (Government/Non-Profit)
Winning the Awareness Battle for Soldier Protection
Padilla
Integrated Programs (Healthcare)
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota - Reverse It Prediabetes Awareness Campaign
Padilla
Integrated Programs (Technology)
Honeywell Goes Live to Drive Demand Worldwide
Weber Shandwick
Classics Awards Elements Awards
Special Purpose Publications
Minnesota State Viewbook
Neuger Communications Group
Multimedia
The Timberwolves Launch a #NewEra
Olson Engage
Annual Reports
The Future of Rural Communities Starts with You
Exponent PR
Influencer Outreach
Edwards Serves Piece on Pi(e) Day
Carmichael Lynch Relate
Newsletters
Operation: Newsletter
Weber Shandwick
Media Relations (Agency/Organization with fewer than 25 Employees)
3M: Becoming the BSI thought leader
Inprela Communications
Media Relations (Agency/Organization with more than 25 Employees)
Garden of Life Fuels Fitness Fanatics with #GOLSport Clean Nutrition
Carmichael Lynch Relate
Feature, Speech and Public Relations Writing
Bringing Urgency to Trauma
Weber Shandwick
Digital Execution
Planting the Seed for Better Crop Health
Exponent PR
Brand Research and Insights
Trending Topics: Collegis Education Research
Beehive Strategic Communication
Social Content Series (Agency/Organization with fewer than 25 Employees)
Creating Customers with IWCO Direct's Industry Leading Blog
Strother Communications Group
Social Content Series (Agency/Organization with more than 25 Employees)
The Timberwolves Launch a #NewEra
Olson Engage
Social Media Promotion (Agency/Organization with fewer than 25 Employees)
Creating Customers with IWCO Direct's Industry Leading Blog
Strother Communications Group
Social Media Promotion (Agency/Organization with more than 25 Employees)
Edwards Serves Piece on Pi(e) Day
Carmichael Lunch Relate
Creative PR Tactics
Edwards Serves Piece on Pi(e) Day
Carmichael Lunch Relate