2024 Skyline Award Winners
2024 Professional award recipients
Professional of the Year
Natasha Vuppuluri
Young Professional of the Year
Rachel Bednarz
D&I Champion of the Year
Terri Dickinson-Creasey, Esq.
“SKYDECK CHICAGO: ELEVATING ENTHUSIASM POST-RENOVATION” by Skydeck Chicago in collaboration with Zapwater Communications
Best of Skyline Finalists
The Best of Skyline is an honor bestowed upon a campaign that has achieved a perfect score, as evaluated by our esteemed colleagues from the PRSA Cleveland chapter. In instances where there is a tie for this recognition, like this year, a team of Chicago area senior level judges with more than 20 years of public relations industry experience vote to break the tie to name the Best of Skyline award recipient.
“O&H Danish Bakery “Sleighs” Holiday Season with Reindeer Tracks Kringle Debut” by O&H Danish Bakery in collaboration with Laughlin Constable Public Relations
“SKYDECK CHICAGO: ELEVATING ENTHUSIASM POST-RENOVATION” by Skydeck Chicago in collaboration with Zapwater Communications
Skyline Program Awards Categories
All agencies and organizations listed on the following pages are recipients of either the Skyline Award or the Award of Excellence in their respective categories.
Community Relations
Includes programs that aim to improve relations with, or seek to win the support or cooperation of, people or organizations in communities — a specific geographic location or locations — in which the sponsoring organization has an interest, need or opportunity.
Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations
“A Place to Belong: Community Recreation Center for Park District of Oak Park” by Park District of Oak Park in collaboration with Public Communications Inc. and Parks Foundation of Oak Park
Business Products and Business Services
“Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation's Land of Smiles Program Tackles Childhood Tooth Decay” by Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation in collaboration with Meyocks
Content Marketing
Programs that effectively demonstrate a strategic program that includes creating and distributing valuable content to attract, acquire, and engage target audience(s).
Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations
“Horizons Magazines” by Lake County Forest Preserves
Business-to-Business
“Building a B2B Thought Leadership Content Marketing Powerhouse from the Ground Up” by bioMérieux in collaboration with Junipr Public Relations
Crisis & Issues Management
Includes programs undertaken to deal with an unplanned event that required an immediate response or issues that could extraordinarily affect ongoing business strategy.
“AVMA: Mysterious Canine Respiratory Outbreak” by American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
“Protecting Medicine from Government Interference” by American Medical Association
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Efforts devoted to promoting inclusivity and/or dismantling discrimination for racial, ethnic, religious, or sexual orientation and gender differences.
“’McDonald’s Road Rally’ with Flowers Communications Group” by BMOA McDonald's in collaboration with Porter Novelli, Hernandez & Garcia and Flowers Communications Group
ESG Commitments
Program that enhances corporate reputation and demonstrates a business approach to initiatives that positively impact society. Campaigns to highlight the positive impact that they have had delivering environmental and/or social benefits to stakeholders.
“Leveraging Strategic PR to Competitively Position Benevity as the Leader in Social Impact” by Benevity in collaboration with Walker Sands
Events and Observances
Includes programs or events, such as commemorations, observances, openings, yearlong anniversaries, celebrations, or other special activities.
Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations
“AANA CRNA Week 2023 — CRNAs: The Original Anesthesia Experts” by American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
“Elevating AAPI Voices During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month” by Hawthorne Strategy Group in collaboration with Chinese American Service League
“Stadium Chef Series: Refining the Connection Between Sports & Culinary Excellence” by Marquee Development and The James Beard Foundation in collaboration with Zapwater Communications
Business Products and Services
“Pace: On Board with Pride” by Pace Suburban Bus in collaboration with Gatesman
Consumer Products and Services
“BRACH’S Debuts First-Ever Candy Corn Club” by BRACH’S in collaboration with Agency H5
“The 40th Annual Maui Invitational: Navigating Tragedy and Transition” by Maui Invitational in collaboration with KemperLesnik
“Virginia Groundbreaking Event” by Morning Walk
Integrated Communications
Includes any program that demonstrates leadership of public relations strategies and tactics in a creative and effective integrated campaign, along with other marketing or communications. The program must demonstrate the clear leadership of public relations, along with its integration with other disciplines.
Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations
“CORE: ‘No Body Is Perfect’ to Save & Heal Lives” by Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) in collaboration with Gatesman
Consumer Products
“O&H Danish Bakery ‘Sleighs’ Holiday Season with Reindeer Tracks Kringle Debut” by O&H Danish Bakery in collaboration with Laughlin Constable Public Relations
“Philly Tax-Free Bagel” by Philadelphia Cream Cheese in collaboration with Zeno Group, GUT and Publicis 57
Consumer Services
“Skydeck Chicago: Elevating Enthusiasm Post-renovation” by Skydeck Chicago in collaboration with Zapwater Communications
Multicultural Marketing
For any type of program, such as institutional, marketing and community relations, specifically targeted to a cultural group.
“The 1961 Project by Eastside Golf and Flowers Communications Group” by Eastside Golf in collaboration with Flowers Communications Group
“Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited” by Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy in collaboration with Wyn-Win Communications, Inc.
“’McDonald’s Road Rally’ with Flowers Communications Group” by BMOA McDonald’s in collaboration with Porter Novelli, Hernandez & Garcia and Flowers Communications Group
"Nielsen's Black Audience Communications Efforts” with Nielsen in collaboration with Flowers Communications Group
New Product Launch
Includes a program that demonstrated a successful launch of a new product that was effective, innovative, and creative bringing new business, products, or services to market.
Business-to-Business
“MOTION: The New CRNA Career Exploration Platform” by American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
Product Brand Development
For any type of program that has achieved success in developing, reinvigorating, or
re-launching an established brand, B2B or consumer.
“ANGOSTURA’s ‘Masters of Mixology’ Bartender Advocacy Program” by ANGOSTURA in collaboration with Schafer Condon Carter and TimeZoneOne
“Breaking Ground: Ecore's Journey to Reinvent Flooring with Heritage Motivate PVT” by Ecore International in collaboration with L.C. Williams & Associates
“HEINZ Ketchup & Seemingly Ranch” by HEINZ in collaboration with Zeno Group
Public Affairs
Includes programs specifically designed to influence public policy and/or affect legislation, regulations, political activities, or candidacies — at the local, state, or federal government levels — so that the entity funding the program benefits.
“Play with Purpose® Illinois Lottery” by Allwyn North America in collaboration with Flowers Communications Group
“Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation” by Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation
Public Service
Includes programs that advance public understanding of societal issues, problems, or concerns.
“IDPH: Tis The Sneezin'” by Illinois Department of Public Health in collaboration with TimeZoneOne and Schafer Condon Carter
“Voices of Change” by One Aim Illinois in collaboration with Stomping Ground Strategies
“Water Colors Life” by Morning Walk
PROJECT AWARDS CATEGORIES
All agencies and organizations listed on the following pages are recipients of either the Skyline Award or Award of Excellence in their respective categories.
Best Brand Content
Innovative, unconventional, creative content used as part of a public relations program to promote a brand.
“Oscar Mayer Hot Dog Straw” by Kraft Heinz - Oscar Mayer in collaboration with Zeno Group, Johannes Leonardo, P57 and The Kitchen
Best Earned Media Relations
Tactics, programs, and events where earned media relations was a critical driver of measurable success.
Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations
“Interrupting Violence with the One City Basketball League” by Noah's Arc Foundation in collaboration with C-Strategies Inc.
“Oakton College Reintroduces Itself to the Community” by Oakton College
“Visit Finland Happiness Campaign: Find Your Inner Finn” by Visit Finland in collaboration with Zapwater Communications
Business-to-Business
“Leveraging a Legacy to Build a New Brand” by Sightline Commercial Solutions
“Positioning Schneider as a Leader on Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)” by Schneider in collaboration with APCO
Consumer Products
“Illinois Office of Tourism’s 2023 Illinois Made Class Announcement” by Illinois Office of Tourism in collaboration with TimeZoneOne and Schafer Condon Carter
“The One Where BRACH’S Launched FRIENDS Conversation Hearts” by BRACH’S and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products in collaboration with Agency H5
Consumer Services
“Dollarita Steve” by Applebee's in collaboration with Current Global and Grey
“Great Wolf Lodge Heats Up 8/4 Day” by Great Wolf Lodge in collaboration with Agency H5 and J/PR
“Mekky Media Creates a Mic Drop Moment for Hyde Park Summer Fest” by Hyde Park Summer Fest in collaboration with Mekky Media Relations
“The Maisel Tov Martini: Grubhub Delivers a Farewell Toast to Midge” by Grubhub in collaboration with Golin
Best Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing focuses on individual(s) the audience sees as a trusted source of information and which can be differentiated far better than through advertising or content marketing.
“Kalahari Resorts Influencer Program” by Morning Walk
“USG: DIY in a Contractor World” by USG Corporation in collaboration with Gatesman
Best Sponsorship Activation
Sponsorships represent the alignment of shared values and goals and can be profitable marketing opportunities for building harmonious partnerships. Activation requires a deep understanding of brand synergy to support how affiliations are formed and promoted to vetted demographics.
“Bush's Chili Commissioner” by Bush's Beans
Best Use of Broadcast/Film/Video
Broadcast, film and/or video content created and distributed to engage target audiences about an event, product, service, issue, or organization.
“Hear to Hear You’ Cook County Department of Public Health and Flowers Communications Group” by Cook County Department of Public Health in collaboration with Flowers Communications Group
“The College of American Pathologists Blues Brothers Video Series” by The College of American Pathologists
Best Use of Digital Marketing
Best launch of a new website, newsroom, app, or other digital platform with a marketing plan.
“PCA’s Microsite Launch: Educating Audiences on Decarbonization Across the Cement Industry” by Portland Cement Association (PCA) in collaboration with APCO
“Strategic Digital Advertising To Increase Membership Engagement” by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in collaboration with Public Communications Inc.
Best Use of Print/Online Publishing
Exceptional print and online mediums within the publishing landscape designed to provide in-depth information about an organization or topic — a pressroom, media room, press center or media center as a website, web page or site section — that contains distributable information about a corporation or organization.
“Habilitative Systems Newsletter Delivers on All Fronts” by Habilitative Systems, Inc. in collaboration with Wyn-Win Communications, Inc.
“Horizons Publication” by Lake County Forest Preserves
“The SMILE Report: Delta Dental of Illinois’ Corporate Social Responsibility Report” by Delta Dental of Illinois in collaboration with Meyocks
Best Use of Social Media
Recognized social media strategies that drove outstanding results and awareness.
“AARP Illinois Engages Older Adults Through Virtual Events on Social Media” by AARP Illinois in collaboration with Public Communications Inc.
“Heinz #FindtheKetchupBoatGuy” by Heinz in collaboration with Zeno Group and The Kitchen
“Porsche Rennsport Reunion 7” by Porsche Cars North America in collaboration with PHD Media and Race Service
