Awards

Our clients keep us inspired! And since our inception in 2010, they have kept us in InSpire and Sir Walter Raleigh awards — with a current count of 249 industry awards. This now includes a PRSA Silver Anvil in 2021 for our internal communications work with Ingersoll Rand and a Charlotte PRSA Queen City Award. We are grateful that our clients give us the opportunity to do work we love that is meaningful to their brands and recognized for excellence in the PR industry.

2021 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Excellence in Communications

2021 InSpire Awards presented by the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America

2020 InSpire Awards presented by the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America: Clairemont’s CEO, Dana Phelps, delivered the keynote speech.

2019 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards presented by the Raleigh Public Relations Society

  • 2019 Watt Huntley Award for Lifetime Achievement: Dana Phelps
  • 2019 PR Team of the Year
  • Silver Award in Campaigns: Media Events: “Vita Vite Midtown Hosts a Toast-Worthy Preview”
  • Honorable Mention Award in Campaigns: Organizational or Branding: “Who Says? Journelle Forces Lingerie Conversations into Limelight”
  • Silver Award in Campaigns: Organizational or Branding: “Western Governors University Builds a Brand in North Carolina”
  • Silver Award in Campaigns: Special Events: “Theodore Alexander and Charles, 9th Earl Spencer Debut Royal Furniture Line”
  • Gold Award in Campaigns: Social Media: “Reimagining Holiday Traditions with Riceland”
  • Platinum Award in Campaigns: Community Relations: “Lighting a Fire for Everyday Heroes”
  • Silver Award in Tactics: Websites: “Your People Are Here – Briar Chapel’s Website Refresh”
  • Silver Award in Tactics: Writing – Op/Ed: “WGU North Carolina Takes Higher Education to Another Level”
  • Gold Award in Tactics: Writing – News Releases: “Transfer Co. Food Hall Hits the Downtown Scene”
  • Silver Award in Tactics: Writing – Blog or Feature: “Briar Chapel’s Four Great Gains of Going Green”
  • Platinum Award in Tactics: Media Relations: “Royal Media Affairs with Lord Spencer and Theodore Alexander”

2019 InSpire Awards presented by the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America

  • Best in Show for “Media Relations: A Royal Media Affair with Lord Spencer and Theodore Alexander”
  • Best in Category for “Integrated Communications: Governments/Associations/Nonprofit Organizations: Lighting a Fire for Everyday Heroes”
  • Best in Category for “Websites: Briar Chapel’s Website Refresh”
  • Best in Category for “Editorials/Op-Ed Columns: WGU North Carolina Takes Higher Education to Another Level”
  • Best in Category for “Media Relations: Theodore Alexander and Lord Spencer Unveil Royal Furniture”
  • Best in Category for “Events and Observances: Theodore Alexander and Charles, 9th Earl Spencer Debut Royal Furniture Line”
  • Best in Category for “Reputation/Brand Management: Western Governors University Builds a Brand in North Carolina”
  • Award of Excellence for “Websites: Briar Chapel’s Website Refresh”
  • Award of Excellence for “Editorials/Op-Ed Columns: WGU North Carolina Takes Higher Education to Another Level”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: Theodore Alexander and Lord Spencer Unveil Royal Furniture”
  • Award of Excellence for “Events and Observances: Theodore Alexander and Charles, 9th Earl Spencer Debut Royal Furniture Line”
  • Award of Excellence for “Reputation/Brand Management: Western Governors University Builds a Brand in North Carolina”
  • Award of Excellence for “Integrated Communications: Governments/Associations/Nonprofit Organizations: Lighting a Fire for Everyday Heroes”
  • Award of Excellence for “Feature Story: Briar Chapel Feature Story”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: A Royal Media Affair with Lord Spencer and Theodore Alexander”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: Vita Vite Hosts a Toast-Worthy Preview”
  • Award of Excellence for “Social Media: Reimagining Holiday Traditions with Riceland”
  • Honorable Mention for “Marketing Consumer Products/Services: Carrie Knowles – A Laureate’s New Laurels”
  • Honorable Mention for “Video News Releases/Satellite Media Tours/Internal External Video Programs: Wendell Falls: Open Campaign Videos”

2018 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards presented by the Raleigh Public Relations Society

  • Platinum Award in Integrated Communications: “Babalu’s Grand Opening Rocks the Guac“
  • Platinum Award in Campaigns: Green/Sustainability – One Time or Special Event: “Briar Chapel’s Pepper Festival Turns 10”
  • Platinum Award in Campaigns: Special Events – One to Five Days: “Il Palio Fires Up at the James Beard House“ (This award received a perfect score.)
  • Platinum Award in Campaigns: Special Event – Media Event: “Western Governors University Comes to North Carolina”
  • Platinum Award in Tactics: Media Relations: “Talbots and Oprah Magazine Dress for Success“
  • Platinum Award in Tactics: Media Kit: “Il Palio’s Freshly Baked Media Kit”
  • Gold Award in Tactics: Videos – Broadcast/Web Commercial: “Wendell Falls Builder Spotlight Videos”
  • Silver Award in Tactics: Social Media: “The Vita Vite Lifestyle“

2018 InSpire Awards presented by the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America

  • Bronze Best in Show for “Newland Feature Story”
  • Best in Category for “Social Media: The Vita Vite Lifestyle”
  • Best in Category for “Press Kit/Media Kit: Il Palio’s Freshly Baked Media Kit”
  • Best in Category for “Integrated Communications: Babalu’s Grand Opening Rocks the Guac”
  • Best in Category for “Editorials/Op-Ed Columns: Newland Editorial: Gains of Going Green”
  • Award of Excellence for “Feature Stories: Newland Feature Story”
  • Award of Excellence for “Press Conferences: WGU NC Launch”
  • Award of Excellence for “Integrated Communications: Babalu’s Grand Opening Rocks the Guac”
  • Award of Excellence for “Events and Observances: Briar Chapel’s Annual Pepper Festival Turns 10”
  • Award of Excellence for “Social Media: The Vita Vite Lifestyle”
  • Award of Excellence for “Editorials/Op-Ed Columns: Newland Editorial: Gains of Going Green”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: Talbots and Oprah Magazine Dress for Success”
  • Honorable Mention for “Videos: Wendell Falls Builder Spotlight Videos”
  • Honorable Mention for “Press Kits/Media Kits: Il Palio’s Freshly Baked Media Kit”
  • Honorable Mention for “Creative Tactics: Il Palio at the James Beard House”

2017 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards presented by the Raleigh Public Relations Society

  • Platinum Award in Campaigns: Branding (Community or Product) for “Il Palio Dishes Up Something New”
  • Platinum Award in Campaigns: Organizational Identity/Promotion for “Wendell Falls Busts Real Estate Myths”
  • Platinum Award in Digital Communications: Social Media Campaign for “A Taste of Italy at Il Palio”
  • Gold Award in Campaigns: Branding (Community or Product) for “Il Palio Dishes Up Something New”
  • Gold Award in Campaigns: Special Events for “Fire It Up! Briar Chapel’s 9th Annual Pepper Festival”
  • Gold Award in Campaigns: Organizational Identity/Promotion for “Briar Chapel Back on the Map
  • Gold Award in Digital Communications: Video/Podcast/Videocast Program for “Our Coffee Cares Video”
  • Silver Award in Event Marketing for “Vita Vite Creates ‘Raleigh’s Sunday Spot’”
  • Silver Award in Media Event for “Hoedown Showdown at Wendell Falls”
  • Silver Award in Publication & PR Writing: Press Release for “DQ’s Miracle Treat Day Benefits Duke Children’s Hospital”

2017 InSpire Awards presented by the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America

  • Best in Show for “Creative Tactics: The Lincoln Apartments Moves in Downtown Raleigh”
  • Best in Show for “Creative Tactics: Hoedown Showdown at Wendell Falls”
  • Best in Category for “Creative Tactics: Hoedown Showdown at Wendell Falls”
  • Best in Category for “Events and Observances: Fire It Up! Briar Chapel’s 9th Annual Pepper Festival“
  • Best in Category for “Media Relations: The Media Digs Chef Teddy Diggs”
  • Best in Category for “Social Media: A Taste of Italy at Il Palio”
  • Best in Category for “Video: Our Coffee Cares at Wendell Falls”
  • Best in Category for “Feature Stories: Briar Chapel Unveils Encore”
  • Best in Category for “Brochures: Unlocking Your Child’s Future with Wendell Falls”
  • Best in Category for “Press Kits/Media Kits: Applebee’s Hand-Cut Wood-Fired Media Kit”
  • Best in Category for “Editorial/Op-Ed Columns: Piña Coladas, Creativity and #PinkBeetle“
  • Best in Category for “Advertorial: Newland Communities Advertorial for Wake Living”
  • Award of Excellence for “Creative Tactics: Hoedown Showdown at Wendell Falls”
  • Award of Excellence for “Creative Tactics: Vita Vite Creates Raleigh’s Sunday Spot”
  • Award of Excellence for “Creative Tactics: Briar Chapel Asks, ‘How Spicy is Your Personality?’”
  • Award of Excellence for “Events and Observances: Fire It Up! Briar Chapel’s 9th Annual Pepper Festival”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: The Media Digs Chef Teddy Diggs”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: DQ’s Miracle Treat Day to Benefit Duke Children’s Hospital“
  • Award of Excellence for “Social Media: A Taste of Italy at Il Palio”
  • Award of Excellence for “Video: Our Coffee Cares at Wendell Falls”
  • Award of Excellence for “Feature Stories: Briar Chapel Unveils Encore“
  • Award of Excellence for “Brochures: Unlocking Your Child’s Future with Wendell Falls”
  • Award of Excellence for “Press Kits/Media Kits: Applebee’s Hand-Cut Wood-Fired Media Kit”
  • Award of Excellence for “Editorial/Op-Ed Columns: Piña Coladas, Creativity and #PinkBeetle”
  • Award of Excellence for “Advertorial: Newland Communities Advertorial for Wake Living”
  • Award of Excellence for “Reputation/Brand Management: Il Palio Dishes Up Something New”
  • Award of Excellence for “Integrated Communications: Il Palio Dishes Up Something New”
  • Honorable Mention for “Social Media: Briar Chapel Asks, ‘How Spicy is Your Personality?‘”

2016 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards presented by the Raleigh Public Relations Society

  • Best in Division in Digital Communications for: “Clairemont Communications Celebrates Six Years with Good to Be Alive Video”
  • Gold Excellence in Public Relations Writing for: “Growers Reinvent Farming Practice with New Technologies”
  • Gold Excellence in Total Campaign for: “The Lincoln Apartments Ribbon Cutting”
  • Gold Excellence in Total Campaign for: “Raising the Barn: Wendell Falls Grand Opening”
  • Gold Excellence in Digital Communications for: “Clairemont Communications Celebrates Six Years with Good to Be Alive Video”
  • Silver Excellence in Total Campaign for: “Unveiling New Digs: Il Palio Revamps and Renews”
  • Honorable Mention in Total Campaign for: “Briar Chapel Adds Heat to the 8th Annual Pepper Festival”
  • Honorable Mention in Total Campaign for: “Papa Spud’s Delivers Farm Fresh Food to Your Doorstep”

2016 InSpire Awards presented by the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America

  • Best in Show for “Creative Tactics: The Lincoln Apartments Moves in Downtown Raleigh”
  • Best in Category for “Creative Tactics: The Lincoln Apartments Moves in Downtown Raleigh”
  • Best in Category for “Events and Observances: Raising the Barn – Wendell Falls Grand Opening”
  • Award of Excellence for “Reputation and Brand Management: Unveiling New Digs: Il Palio Revamps and Renews”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: Growers Reinvents Farming Practice with New Technologies”
  • Award of Excellence for “Creative Tactics: The Lincoln Apartments Moves in Downtown Raleigh”
  • Award of Excellence for “Events and Observances: Raising the Barn – Wendell Falls Grand Opening”
  • Honorable Mention for “Community Relations: Papa Spud’s”
  • Honorable Mention for “Events and Observances: Briar Chapel Adds Heat to the 8th Annual Pepper Festival”
  • Honorable Mention for “Social Media: Cheers and Cheese at Grounds Café”
  • Honorable Mention for “Creative Tactics: Walking in a New Direction – Briar Chapel’s Podcast Tour”

2015 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards presented by the Raleigh Public Relations Society

  • Best in Division in Total Campaign for: “LEKKER Bikes U.S. Rolls into America”
  • Best in Division in Public Relations Writing: “LEKKER Bikes U.S. Rolls into America”
  • Best in Division in Digital Communications: “PDQ Invites Mom Bloggers to Experience Fresh Concept”
  • Gold Excellence in Total Campaign for a Promotional Campaign: “LEKKER Bikes U.S. Rolls into America”
  • Gold Excellence in Total Campaign for Misc. Special Events: “Briar Chapel Spices Up 7th Annual Pepper Festival”
  • Gold Excellence in Total Campaign for Misc. Special Events: “LEKKER Bikes U.S. Rolls into America”
  • Gold Excellence in Publications for a Media Kit: “Pepper Festival Media Kit”
  • Gold Excellence in Public Relations Writing for a News Release: “LEKKER Bikes U.S. Rolls into America”
  • Gold Excellence in Digital Communications for Social Media: “PDQ Invites Mom Bloggers to Experience Fresh Concept”
  • Silver Excellence in Total Campaign for Organizational Identity: “T.MAC Expands to the Triangle”
  • Silver Excellence in Total Campaign for Organizational Identity: “Lowes Foods Reinvents Grocery Shopping”
  • Honorable Mention in Total Campaign for a Promotional Campaign: “PDQ Builds a Brand in the Triangle”

2015 InSpire Awards presented by the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America

  • Best in Category for “Media Relations: LEKKER Bikes US Rolls into America”
  • Best in Category for “Creative Tactics: LEKKER Bikes US Rolls into America”
  • Best in Category for “Events and Observances: LEKKER Bikes’ First 24 Hours in America”
  • Best in Category for “Marketing: T.MAC Expands to the Triangle”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: LEKKER Bikes US Rolls into America”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: Briar Chapel Spices Up 7th Annual Pepper Festival”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: The Design Network Lands Channel on Time Warner Cable”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: PDQ (People Dedicated to Quality)”
  • Award of Excellence for “Social Media: PDQ Mom Blogger Campaign”
  • Award of Excellence for “Creative Tactics: Clairemont Shakes It Up for PDQ”
  • Award of Excellence for “Creative Tactics: LEKKER Bikes US Rolls into America”
  • Award of Excellence for “Events and Observances: LEKKER Bikes’ First 24 Hours in America”
  • Award of Excellence for “Events and Observances: Briar Chapel Spices Up the 7th Annual Pepper Festival”
  • Award of Excellence for “Marketing: T.MAC Expands to the Triangle”
  • Award of Excellence for “Marketing: LEKKER Bikes US Rolls into America”
  • Award of Excellence for “Integrated Communications: Lowes Foods Reinvents Grocery Shopping”
  • Honorable Mention for “Events and Observances: PDQ Invites Moms to Experience ‘Fresh’ Concept”

2014 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards presented by the Raleigh Public Relations Society

  • Best in Division in Total Campaign for: “Briar Chapel 5th Anniversary”
  • Gold Excellence in Communication in Social Media for: “Refresh Your Home with $10,000 from Thomasville Furniture”
  • Gold Excellence in Communication in Misc. Special Events for: “Refresh Your Home with $10,000 from Thomasville Furniture”
  • Honorable Mention in Promotional Campaign for a Product, Program, Topic or Issue for: “Brink’s Home Security Push Pull Rotate Product Line”

2014 InSpire Awards presented by the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America

  • Best in Category for “Media Relations: Clairemont Invites the Media to Come Fly Away at Briar Chapel”
  • Best in Category for “Brochures: XiLi Mobile Brochure”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: 10 for Humanity’s Tiger Eye Security Sensor”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: Clairemont Invites the Media to Come Fly Away at Briar Chapel”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: Brinks Home Security Introduces First ‘Hands-Full’ Doorknob”
  • Award of Excellence for “Social Media: Brinks Home Security Blogger Outreach”
  • Award of Excellence for “Events and Observances: Clairemont Invites the Media to Come Fly Away at Briar Chapel”
  • Honorable Mention for “Social Media: Refresh Your Home with $10,000 from Thomasville Furniture”
  • Honorable Mention for “Creative Tactics: Clairemont Invites the Media to Come Fly Away at Briar Chapel”
  • Honorable Mention for “Brochures: XiLi Mobile Brochures”

2013 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards presented by the Raleigh Public Relations Society

  • Best in Division in Special/Event Campaign for: “Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit”
  • Best in Division in Media Kits for: “Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit”
  • Best in Division in News Releases for: “Newland in The Wall Street Journal”
  • Gold Excellence in Communication in Special Event/Campaign for: “Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit”
  • Gold Excellence in Communication in Media Kits for: “Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit”
  • Gold Excellence in Communication in Organizational Identity/Promotion for: “Briar Chapel”
  • Silver in News Releases for “Newland in The Wall Street Journal”
  • Honorable Mention in Social Media for: “Thomasville Furniture”
  • Honorable Mention in Social Media for: “Briar Chapel’s Best Buddy Contest”
  • Honorable Mention in Promotional Campaign for a Product, Program, Topic or Issue for: “Briar Chapel’s Best Buddy Contest”
  • Honorable Mention in Employee Relations for “Wrangle Dave & the Railinc Cow”

2013 InSpire Awards presented by the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America

  • Best in Category for “Social Media: Thomasville Furniture”
  • Best in Category for “Media Relations: Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit”
  • Best in Category for “Creative Tactics: Railinc”
  • Best in Category for “Press/Media Kits: Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit”
  • Best in Category for “Community Relations: Briar Chapel’s Best Buddy”
  • Best in Category for “Events/Observations: Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit”
  • Best in Category for “Internal/Employee Relations: Railinc”
  • Award of Excellence for “Social Media: Thomasville Furniture”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit”
  • Award of Excellence for “Creative Tactics: Railinc”
  • Award of Excellence for “Press/Media Kits: Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit”
  • Award of Excellence for “Community Relations: Briar Chapel’s Best Buddy”
  • Award of Excellence for “Events/Observations: Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit”
  • Award of Excellence for “Internal/Employee Relations: Railinc”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: Newland”
  • Honorable Mention for “Social Media: Briar Chapel’s Best Buddy”
  • Honorable Mention for “Research/Evaluation: Briar Chapel’s Best Buddy”
  • Honorable Mention for “Integrated Communications: Briar Chapel”

2012 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards presented by Raleigh Public Relations Society

  • Best in Division in Interactive Communications for Social Media: Thomasville Furniture
  • Best in Division in Audio/Visual Communications for Video and Film: Thomasville Furniture
  • Best in Division in More Bang for the Buck for Triangle Family Services 9th Annual Gingerbread Benefit
  • Gold Excellence in Communication in Social Media: Thomasville Furniture
  • Gold Excellence in Communication in Organizational Identity/Promotion for Briar Chapel
  • Gold Excellence in Communication in Crisis Communications for Edenmoor Becomes Walnut Creek
  • Gold Excellence in Communication in More Bang for the Buck for Triangle Family Services 9th Annual Gingerbread Benefit
  • Silver in Opinion/Feature Writing for Confessions of a New Business Owner
  • Silver in Video and Film for Thomasville Furniture
  • Honorable Mention in Miscellaneous Special Events for Briar Chapel Earth Day Celebration and Chef Challenge
  • Honorable Mention in News Releases for Newland’s Humanitarian Award

2012 InSpire Awards presented by the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America

  • Bronze Best in Show for “Social Media: Thomasville Furniture”
  • Best in Category for “Social Media: Thomasville Furniture”
  • Award of Excellence for “Social Media: Thomasville Furniture”
  • Best in Category for “Internal/External Videos: Thomasville Facebook”
  • Award of Excellence for “Internal/External Videos: Thomasville Facebook”
  • Best in Category for “Non-Profit Event: Triangle Family Services 9th Annual Gingerbread Benefit”
  • Award of Excellence for “Non-Profit Event: Triangle Family Services 9th Annual Gingerbread Benefit”
  • Award of Excellence for “Integrated Communications: Briar Chapel”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: Newland’s Humanitarian Award”
  • Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: Thomasville/Drexel Heritage News Conference with Senator Hagan”
  • Award of Excellence for “Creative Tactics: MSNBC-TV Makeover of Asheville Playgrounds”
  • Honorable Mention for “Reputation and Brand Management: Edenmoor Becomes Walnut Creek”
  • Honorable Mention for “Community Relations: Briar Chapel”
  • Honorable Mention for “Editorials and Op-Ed Columns: Confessions of a New Business Owner”

2011 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards presented by Raleigh Public Relations Society

  • Best in Division in the “More Bang for the Buck” Special Event/Campaign category for the Eighth Annual Triangle Family Services Gingerbread Benefit
  • Gold Excellence in Communication in the “More Bang for the Buck” Special Event/Campaign category for the Eighth Annual Triangle Family Services Gingerbread Benefit
  • Gold Excellence in Communication in the Total Communications/Community Relations Campaign for Organizational Identity/Promotion category for Briar Chapel
  • Silver in the Publications/Brochure/Handbook/Guidebook category for our Drexel Heritage furniture collections brochures
  • Silver in the Publications category for our Clairemont Communications Quickie Card
  • Honorable Mention in the Employee Relations category for “I Love Thomasville”
  • Honorable Mention in the Interactive Communications/Social Media for Thomasville Facebook

2011 InSpire Awards presented by the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America

  • Best in Category for ”Integrated Communications: Briar Chapel”
  • Award of Excellence for “Integrated Communications: Briar Chapel”
  • Best in Category for “Social Media: Thomasville Furniture”
  • Award of Excellence for “Social Media: Thomasville Furniture”
  • Best in Category for “Websites: Drexel Heritage Website and Blog”
  • Award of Excellence for “Websites: Drexel Heritage Website and Blog”
  • Best in Category for “Brochures: Drexel Heritage Furniture Collections”
  • Award of Excellence for “Brochures: Drexel Heritage Furniture Collections”
  • Award of Excellence for “Non-Profit Event: Triangle Family Services 8th Annual Gingerbread Benefit”
  • Honorable Mention for “Research: UNC Kenan Flagler Business School Social Media Audit”
  • Honorable Mention for “Internal/External Videos: Thomasville Facebook”
  • Honorable Mention for “Creative Tactics: I love Thomasville”
  • Honorable Mention for “Community Relations: Briar Chapel”
  • Honorable Mention for “Direct Mail/Direct Response Clairemont QR Code Quickie Card”