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

Read the full article at The Daily Memphian here.

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