Hennes Communications Crisis Planning Work Helps Win Two Silver Anvils at National Awards Event
Our firm was proud to be part of the communications team, led by one of our clients, Destination Cleveland, that accepted two Silver Anvil Awards last week in New York City in recognition of the work done to support the 2016 Republican National Convention (RNC), held here almost exactly one year ago.
The two awards, one for the best Integrated Communications program and one for the best program in the category of Events and Observances – Fewer than Seven Days, recognized the collaborative effort that extended for almost two years to create a communications campaign designed to take the RNC beyond politics and use it as an opportunity to showcase Cleveland to visitors and generate local pride. In addition, our entry in the Events and Observances category was recognized as one of five finalists for the Best of Silver Anvil Award, the top national honor bestowed by the Public Relations Society of America each year. Hennes Communications was one of five marketing and communication agencies that worked on the campaign, supporting Destination Cleveland and seven other public and private entities.
The Destination Cleveland campaign is a perfect example of the communication planning approach we always urge clients to take: make sure crisis preparedness is part of your overall communications strategy. Even the best conceived marketing, community relations, employee relations (or you name it) program can be undermined by an unexpected crisis event or reputational issue. If you haven’t anticipated the response you’ll need to address these threats, you will find your team attempting to create a response on the fly – potentially undermining the investment you’ve made to build your brand, engage stakeholders and support your business.
PRSA’s Silver Anvil program, now in its 70th year, is considered the public relations profession’s most prestigious award. For more about the Destination Cleveland campaign and the resulting Silver Anvils, click here. For a great video that will remind you of last summer and all the work that was done to welcome the world to Cleveland, Ohio, click here.
Thanks, Destination Cleveland, for allowing us to be part of this great initiative!