Communications professionals from across South Florida gathered in West Palm Beach to celebrate the 20th Annual Bernays Awards, which recognize outstanding public relations, marketing, and communications work throughout the region.
Nearly 100 attendees, including communications professionals, community leaders, and guests, attended the July 23 luncheon at the Airport Hilton, according to a recent announcement.
Special awards honor industry leaders
The prestigious President’s Award was presented to Gary Schweikhart, who co-founded the Gold Coast PR Council in 2002 and has led Boca Raton-based PR-BS, Public Relations By Schweikhart, since 2001.
Additional special honors included:
- PR Star Award: Scott Simmons, Norton Museum of Art
- Founders Award: Angela Cruz Ledford
- Tim Byrd Award: Kelly Henry, Florida Weekly
- Judges Award: City of Boca Raton for "Centennial Celebration: Cheers to 100 Years"
Bernays Award winners showcase diverse campaigns
The Bernays Awards highlight a range of campaigns and projects, from nonprofit initiatives to marketing materials
and crisis management efforts. Here are some of the winners:
- Best Nonprofit Project or Campaign — Large: BlueIvy Communications for "Arts Garage: Sustaining a Cultural Anchor Amid Arts Funding Cuts"
- Best Nonprofit Project or Campaign — Small: The Buzz Agency for "Promise Fund: Expanding Access to Life-Saving Cancer Screenings"
- Best Marketing Material — Print: Palm Beach County Library System for "The Bookmobile Rebrand"
- Best Marketing Material — Digital/Video: Hey, Sandy! PR & Communications for "Renewed Wellness Medical Center Commercials"
- Best Special Event: Discover The Palm Beaches for "Spill the Tea: Bringing The Palm Beaches to New York City Through Immersive Storytelling"
- Best Social Media Campaign — For Profit: Boardroom PR for "Banking for the Next Generation"
- Best Social Media Campaign — Nonprofit: Kaliah Communications and MasterWing Creative Agency for "Dine Local. Savor Greenacres."
- Best Crisis Management: Food For The Poor for "Food For The Poor Responds to Hurricane Melissa"
- Best PR Campaign by a Small Company or Firm: Hey, Sandy! PR & Communications for "T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society: Opioid Prevention Education Series, Season 5"
- Best PR Campaign by a Large Company or Firm: BlueIvy Communications for "A Legacy Through Local Art" Initiative
A legacy of excellence in communications
The Bernays Awards have been celebrating excellence in public relations, marketing, media relations, and communications initiatives throughout South Florida since 2005. The awards are named after Edward Bernays, a pioneer of modern public relations.
Founded in 2002, the Gold Coast PR Council is South Florida's largest independent association of public relations, communications, marketing, and public affairs professionals. The organization provides networking, professional development, recognition, and educational opportunities for communications practitioners throughout the region.
This story was created by web producer Michele Kelley (mkelley@pbpost.com) with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Highlights from the 20th annual Bernays Awards in West Palm Beach
