Professional of the Year

Payal Patel
Audacity Communications
This award honors the accomplishments of one exceptional public relations professional. It recognizes the professional achievements and activities that have advanced the profession and the practice of public relations during the duration of their career.

Young Professional of the Year

Stella Waddington
Walker Sands
This award celebrates the accomplishments of a rising star in the public relations profession. It recognizes the spirit of the next generation of leaders and awards a young professional with six or fewer years of experience.

D&I Champion of the Year

Wynona Redmond
Wyn-Win Communications
This award recognizes one exceptional individual who is a role model and champion of diversity and inclusion through both their present actions, as well as throughout their career.

BEST OF SKYLINE

“Introducing Minyoli: A PR-Led Launch of Cultural Cuisine” by Minyoli in collaboration with Junipr Public Relations

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.

“Crave-Worthy Coverage: A Recipe for B2B Media Success” by Kellanova Away From Home in collaboration with Schafer Condon Carters 

“Rescuing belugas from a warzone” by Oceanographic Valencia, the Georgia Aquarium and SeaWorld in collaboration with Public Communications Inc.

“Goldfish Grows Up: A Viral Rebrand for the Adult Snacker, With Record-Breaking Results” by Goldfish/The Campbell’s Company in collaboration with Zeno

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.

BEST COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT

DePaul University College of Communication Public Relations and Advertising Program

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

“More Than Books: Connecting the Roselle Library to its Community” by Roselle Public Library District in conjunction with Public Communications Inc.

Business Products and Business Services

“Reimagining the North and LaSalle Corridor” by Fern Hill Company in conjunction with C-Strategies Inc.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

“Addressing homelessness in Gompers Park” by Restore Gompers Park Coalition in conjunction with Own It Public Relations

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

“Ride Kind: Humanizing Pace Drivers One Story at a Time” by Pace Suburban Bus in conjunction with Gatesman

Business-to-CONSUMER

“Turning Up the Heat with Honeywell Home’s Targeted Winterization Campaign” by Resideo in conjunction with L.C. Williams & Associates

cORPORATE REPUTATION

“Positioning MxD as a convener and leader in the manufacturing supply chain” by Manufacturing x Digital (MxD) in conjunction with APCO

“Rewriting the Narrative on Illinois’ Business Ecosystem” by Intersect Illinois in conjunction with C-Strategies Inc.

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.

“Rescuing belugas from a warzone” by Oceanografic Valencia in conjunction with Georgia Aquarium, SeaWorld and Public Communications Inc. 

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.

“Communicating McCormick Place’s Strides in Bird Protections” by Hawthorne Strategy Group in conjunction with Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority

Events and Observances

Includes programs or events, such as commemorations, observances, openings, yearlong anniversaries, celebrations, or other special activities.

Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations

“Cullinan Properties Celebrates Infrastructure Milestone” by Cullinan Properties in conjunction with Laughlin Constable Public Relations

“Strategic Event Planning Leads to Controlled Message Rollout of Historic Announcement” by Big Shoulders Fund in conjunction with Hawthorne Strategy Group

"Wellness West’s Food Inequity Forum” by Wellness West in conjunction with Wyn-Win Communications and Si! Communications

CONSUMER Products and Services

“BRACH’S Unveils 'Candy Corn Suite' for a Sweet Getaway at Great Wolf Lodge” by BRACH’S and Great Wolf Lodge in conjunction with Agency H5

“Porsche Activates at Two Iconic Cultural Events” by Porsche Cars North America in conjunction with Cramer-Krasselt, PHD and Public School

“Thanksgiving Without Compromise: How ALDI Won the Holiday for $47” by ALDI in conjunction with Zeno

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

“Cicada Tourism & Tree Care Campaign” by The Morton Arboretum

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS

“2024’s A PSA on PSA” by Cleveland Diagnostics in conjunction with CG Life

Consumer Products

“Hestan Culinary: Cooking Up Awareness with Cookware Innovation” by Hestan Culinary in conjunction with Zapwater Communications

“Persil® Laundry Detergent’s 24-Hour Wardrobe Refresh Hotline” by Persil Laundry Detergent in conjunction with Agency H5

Consumer Services

“Framing a Bold, Integrated Launch for America’s Best x Vontélle” by National Vision Inc. in conjunction with Gatesman

“SKYDECK CHICAGO: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF ELEVATED EXPERIENCES” by Skydeck Chicago in conjunction with Zapwater Communications

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.

CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

“Introducing Minyoli: A PR-Led Launch of Cultural Cuisine” by Minyoli in conjunction with Junipr Public Relations

“Philadelphia Bagel Wholes” by Philadelphia Cream Cheese in conjunction 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.

“Securing Economic Opportunity through Data Residency with Metro Edge Development Partners” by Metro Edge Development Partners in conjunction with C-Strategies Inc.

Public Service

Includes programs that advance public understanding of societal issues, problems, or concerns.

“Words of the Woods Podcast, Season 3” by Lake County Forest Preserve District