MADISON, Wis., 2017-May-22 — /Travel PR News/ — The Wisconsin Department of Tourism, along with its agency of record Laughlin Constable, brought home five Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter Paragon Awards, including “Best in Show,” for outstanding work in public relations and social media marketing. The team also recently won a national PRSA Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation and a national Bulldog Media Relations Award.
The latest recognitions add to the Department’s collection of 91 awards, including three PRSA “Best in Show” awards within the last five years, for its public relations, social media and advertising programs since 2011.
“I am so proud of the passion and energy that our team brings to the table each day to help promote Wisconsin travel,” said Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett. “It is a true honor to have our hard work recognized on both a local and national level and we look forward to continuing to market Wisconsin as the top travel destination for fun.”
Recent awards received include:
PRSA Paragon “Best in Show” and Award of Excellence for “Travel Wisconsin’s Real Fun Influencer Campaign”
Last year, the team launched a summer and fall social media influencer campaign that created partnerships with industry influencers and helped grow Travel Wisconsin’s Instagram followers by 122 percent with more than 80,000 social media engagements. This program continues to grow in 2017, emphasizing that “real fun” can happen for everyone in Wisconsin.
PRSA Paragon Award of Excellence for “Travel Wisconsin’s National Travel and Tourism Week”
The Department conducted an outreach initiative to educate the media, local officials and Wisconsin residents about the impact of tourism on the state’s economy and quality of life during National Travel and Tourism Week. Media coverage of the event garnered 48 million impressions and almost 300 statewide media placements, including TV, print and radio.
PRSA Paragon Award of Distinction for “Travel Wisconsin’s Supper Club Showdown”
The Travel Wisconsin Supper Club Showdown was a month-long contest that encouraged in-state residents and out-of-state travelers to vote for their favorite supper club in Wisconsin. The contest produced exceptional results: More than 390,000 votes were cast, PR efforts generated more than 490,000 impressions and the Travel Wisconsin supper club TV commercial views exceeded the viewing goal by 256 percent.
Bronze Bulldog Media Relations Award for “Travel Wisconsin’s Wisconsin Weekend in Chicago” and PRSA Paragon Award of Distinction
Last fall, Travel Wisconsin took everything visitors love about Wisconsin – Northwoods vacations, supper clubs, cheese curds, sports rivalries, friendly people and quirky fun – to Chicago to help reinforce Wisconsin’s No. 1 ranking for fun and uniqueness. Three special events were part of the inaugural “Wisconsin Weekend in Chicago” and the effort resulted in two live Chicago TV interviews, more than 18 million earned media impressions, and a weekend of Wisconsin fun for everyone in attendance.
PRSA Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation for “Travel Wisconsin’s Supper Club Concession Stand Press Conference”
To build excitement about Travel Wisconsin’s new supper club-themed concession stand at Lambeau Field, the team planned and coordinated a press conference unveiling of the new concession stand, featuring a ribbon cutting, VIP speakers, sampling of the new menu and more. The press conference generated more than 85 positive stories about Travel Wisconsin and the concession stand in publications throughout the state and nation.
About the Awards
The PRSA Paragon Awards celebrate high-level work in categories that include media relations, social media, integrated communications and more. The entries were evaluated based on criteria that included objectives, research, planning, creativity, quality and results.
The Bulldog Media Relations Awards recognize exceptional public relations work in 30 categories. In 2017, nearly 200 submissions were judged by award-winning journalists, including a Pulitzer Prize winner.
The Public Relations Society of America Bronze Anvil awards are a prestigious national competition that honor the very best public relations tactics executed each year. This year’s competition drew a total of 564 entries, with only 94 of those organizations selected as Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation winners.
About Wisconsin Department of Tourism
The mission of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism is to market the state as the Midwest’s premier travel destination for fun by executing industry-leading marketing programs and establishing strategic partnerships. The Department plays a significant role in generating greater economic impact and jobs for Wisconsin. The portal for traveler information can be found at www.travelwisconsin.com.
About Laughlin Constable
Laughlin Constable is a 4A’s Top 25, integrated, proudly Midwestern advertising agency, independent since 1976. With offices in Chicago and Milwaukee, Laughlin Constable leverages creativity and technology to take brands From Now to Next®. Its annual billings are in excess of $280 million. The agency’s clients include: Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Bon-Ton Stores, Sears Holdings, Lung Cancer Alliance, Medela, Northwestern Medicine, Acuity, Manpower Group, Master Lock, Paris Presents and Bright Start College Savings/Oppenheimer Funds. For more information, please visit Laughlin.com, Facebook.com/LaughlinConstable or follow LC on Twitter @LaughlinAgency.
Media Contact:
Communications Director
Phone: 608-267-3773
mailto: lmarshall@travelwisconsin.com
Public Relations
Phone: 608-266-0458
mailto: klevan@travelwisconsin.com
Source: The Wisconsin Department of Tourism