DCA, Morris Marketing take top honors at 2018 VOX Awards
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Memphis awarded creative communications consulting firm DCA its “Best in Show” honor during the organization’s 25th annual VOX Awards.
DCA received the honor on Thursday, Oct. 25, for public relations strategy and representation of Memphis Greenspace Inc. during that group’s removal of the city’s Confederate statues.
Judges from the Public Relations Society of America Hoosier chapter, Indiana determined the winners. The ceremony took place at The Atrium in Overton Square.
"The 2018 PRSA VOX Awards, 'A Silver Soiree,' was a beautiful evening to honor the best work done by PR professionals in the Mid-South over this past year," said PRSA Memphis president Sarah Sherlock. "Happy 25 years of VOX and congratulations to all of the winners."
DCA took home 16 awards. Of gold and VOX awards, VOX awards are the highest honor.
“We’re privileged to work for and alongside visionary clients who see the value in strategic communications and whose products and services, in turn, add immense value to the fabric of our active, growing city,” said Doug Carpenter, principal of DCA, in a statement.
Valerie Morris, president and CEO of Morris Marketing Group, received the Executive of the Year award. The company’s public relations/marketing communications manager Hayley Grossman, received the Rising Star award.
“I am thrilled that our talented team has been recognized by their peers with these Star and Gold Awards for the great work they do every day,” Morris said in a statement. “I want to thank our clients for putting their trust in us to continue to do this work to create value for them, and I thank the Memphis Chapter of PRSA for all that they do to support talented professionals in this region.”
Shannon Little received VOX awards for Campaigns Community Relations $7,500 or less, Campaigns – Public Service $7,500 or Less and Special Events – One Day $7,500 or Less. Kingdom Quality (KQ) Communications received a VOX award for Special Events – One Day More than $7,500. David Brown and Terrell Gatewood of KQ Communications received a VOX award for Print Tactics – One-Time Special Publication.
Inferno received a VOX award for Special Events Two Days or More - $7,500 or less, Lauren Ready of Forever Ready Productions received a Vox award for external video presentation and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital received a VOX award for viral video.
The full award listing is below:
PR Star Awards:
2018 Rising Star Award: Hayley Grossman
2018 PR Executive of the Year Award: Valerie Morris
2018 VOX Best in Show:
Memphis Greenspace Confederate Statue Removal, DCA
Campaigns Brand Management/Reputation, more than $7,500:
Gold: 2017 PR Strategy for American Chef and Author Melissa Cookston, Morris Marketing Group
Campaigns Community Relations $7,500 or less:
Gold: Kosten Foundation November Awareness Campaign, Morris Marketing Group
Gold: East Buntyn ArtWalk, Shannon Little
VOX: Big Jump Project, Shannon Little
Campaigns Community Relations more than $7,500:
VOX: Explore Bike Share Pre-Launch Community Engagement, DCA
Campaigns Integrated Communications $7,500 or less:
Gold: East Buntyn ArtWalk, Shannon Little
VOX: Tsunami Beer Pairing Dinner, DCA
Campaigns Integrated Communications More than $7,500:
Gold: Carolina Watershed Grand Opening, inferno
VOX: Memphis Public Libraries "Start Here" Campaign, DCA
Campaigns Marketing Communication/Promotion more than $7,500:
Gold: Folk's Folly 40th Anniversary, DCA
Campaigns – Media Relations – Single Project $7,500 or Less:
Gold: EMS "The Right Response", KQ Communications
VOX: Memphis Greenspace Confederate Statue Removal, DCA
Campaigns – Public Service $7,500 or Less:
VOX: Big Jump Project, Shannon Little
Campaigns – Public Service more than $7,500:
VOX: Big River Crossing One-Year Anniversary, DCA
Campaigns – Social Media:
Gold: #MemphisDelivers Amazon HQ2 Campaign, DCA
VOX: Memphis Public Libraries "Start Here" Campaign, DCA
Media Tactics – News Release - Feature:
Gold: Transnetyx "Brick in the Wall" Documentary Promotion, inferno
VOX: LRK Crosstown Concourse LEED Platinum Certification, DCA
Media Tactics – News Release – Hard/Breaking News:
VOX: Memphis Greenspace Confederate Statue Removal, DCA
Online – Email Newsletter:
VOX: Memphis Public Libraries "Start Here" Campaign, DCA
Online – Website:
VOX: Focal Point at Crosstown Concourse, Southern College of Optometry
Print Tactics - Magazine – External or Internal:
VOX: Freight Quarterly Winter 2018, FedEx Freight
Print Tactics – One-Time Special Publication:
VOX: “Hope For The World” Missions Guide, David Brown and Terrell Gatewood of KQ Communications
Visual Elements
Gold: Folk's Folly 40th Anniversary, DCA
Gold: Tsunami Beer Pairing Dinner, DCA
VOX: MERI & Genesis Rebrand, DCA
Special Events – One Day $7,500 or Less:
VOX: East Buntyn ArtWalk, Shannon Little
Special Events – One Day More than $7,500:
Gold: RISE "An Evening of Change in Emerald City," Brittney Elkins and Joyce McKinney of KQ Communications
VOX: SCS Preview Weekend, KQ Communications
Special Events Two Days or More - $7,500 or less:
VOX: Eclectic Eye City & State Pop-Up, inferno
Special Events Two Days or More - More Than $7,500:
Gold: Inauguration of President Marjorie Hass, Rhodes College Office of Communications
Video External Video Presentation
Gold: Memphis Public Libraries "Start Here" Campaign, DCA Gold: “Levi Casabella,” Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
VOX: “Brand New: Regional One Gala,” Lauren Ready of Forever Ready Productions
Viral Video:
VOX: “A New Heart,” Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
