Category: Awards

And the Silver Anvil Award goes to …

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We are thrilled to announce that with our client Ingersoll Rand, Clairemont Communications won a PRSA Silver Anvil for our “Owning the Future: Ingersoll Rand’s Equity Grant” campaign. Our entry received this high recognition in the Events and Observances category, and Clairemont is honored to have partnered with Ingersoll Rand on such a milestone initiative in the company’s history that combined internal communications, external communications and event planning.

Ingersoll Rand committed to make all employees owners in the company and awarded an equity grant of $150 million, one of the largest by an industrial company. To improve employee connection, contribution to financial performance and awareness within the industry, the team united 16,000 global employees during COVID-19 through a virtual bell ringing event with the New York Stock Exchange, meticulously coordinated with 300 simultaneous on-site and remote celebrations.

Since 1944, Silver Anvil Awards have recognized our industry’s outstanding public relations programs and awarded organizations that have successfully addressed challenging issues with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. The honor, often referred to as the “Oscars of the PR Industry,” is bestowed only on the most outstanding programs with proven results. See a complete list of the 2021 Silver Anvil Finalists here.

Thank you to Ingersoll Rand for trusting us to collaborate day in and day out with you on such important, rewarding work!

Interested in reading more about Clairemont Communications’ award-winning work? Check out our blog on the 2019 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards here!

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What does a PR agency do? Vita Vite Gets Social

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Vita Vite, a wine bar and art gallery in downtown Raleigh, had quickly surfaced as a local hotspot since its grand opening in 2015. With her growing customer base, owner Lindsay Rice sought to leverage Facebook as another way to engage Vita Vite’s loyal fans and invite new guests to stop in for a visit.

STRATEGY

Clairemont Communications worked with Lindsay to portray Vita Vite not just as a wine bar but ultimately as a cultural lifestyle she has so carefully crafted. Creative content showcased behind-the-scenes tours of Italian vineyards and exclusive previews of hand-crafted goods Lindsay selected for Vita Vite. Posts featured interior design suggestions for styling Vita Vite’s art as well as fashion tips, underscoring the well-rounded lifestyle that accompanied the wine bar.

Owner Lindsay Rice raises her glass at Vita Vite’s downtown location.

EXECUTION

The Vita Vite Facebook feed showcased the ways fans enjoy Vita Vite, from highlighting Vita Vite’s pooch-friendly porch, “Sip and Sweat” exercise classes and even board games amongst friends. Behind-the-scenes staff pictures and a personal video from Lindsay teaching her fans how to pronounce “Vita Vite” fostered personal connections in an online environment. We also asked for feedback (“Which Vita Vite nook is your favorite?”) and had some fun with Vita Vite-themed personality quizzes (“Red, white or rose today?”). Facebook proffered invites to sold-out events, including an Italian-themed Sunday Supper and the Midsummer’s Party to debut a special beer made in partnership with a local brewery. Vita Vite partnered with organizations like barre3 Fitness Studio and the Downtown Raleigh Alliance for social media takeovers to increase visibility along with advertised posts. Through Facebook, audiences experience a virtual lifestyle of international travel and global tastes from their own Raleigh homes.

RESULTS

As a result, Vita Vite’s Facebook followership increased by 42 percent and engagement rose by 1.5 percent; this was a particularly notable byproduct since average Facebook engagement decreased by 20 percent in 2017 across all industries. In addition, Vita Vite reported a successful year and a full schedule of sold-out events. Vita Vite also secured awards like “Best Place to Get a Glass of Wine” and “Best Girls’ Night Out Spot,” and owner Lindsay earned the Top 40 Under 40 and Women in Business awards from the Triangle Business Journal.

To read more about the work we do with clients, please visit the case study section of our blog.

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What does a PR agency do? Journelle Talks Lingerie

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When New York-based lingerie company Journelle wanted to change the conversation about lingerie by rolling out a major campaign, it turned to Clairemont Communications to help with a 360-degree brand refresh ahead of the launch. The Who Says campaign was Journelle’s rebuff to the two seemingly polarizing trains of thought when it comes to lingerie: slim and sexy, or boring and basic.

STRATEGY

Clairemont’s work included strategy, developing media materials and identification of desirable influencers. We began by evaluating previous influencer partnerships and coverage of Journelle and compiled a list of who to engage during this project as well as who to consider for an exclusive. Journelle came to the table with a handful of media and influencer relationships already in place and needed Clairemont to fill in the gaps by strengthening the relationships with existing contacts and reaching new editors at print publications, outlets that continue to hold clout amongst the fashion community.

Image by Journelle.

EXECUTION

Journelle wanted to seek the support of influencers, and Clairemont had previous success in negotiating with micro and macro influencers (at least 1,000 and 100,000 followers, respectively). Due to this experience, Clairemont compiled a diverse list of these types of influencers whose styles organically aligned with Journelle. Our team looked at follower numbers, as well as at post engagement and follower feedback/influencer interaction. Clairemont successfully secured interest from top influencers in a variety of markets across the country, including New York City, Los Angeles and Houston, TX.

RESULTS

With the goal of securing at least 10 influencers to generate buzz for Journelle around Valentine’s Day, Clairemont successfully engaged 12 micro-influencers. With the goal of securing one exclusive story on the Who Says campaign in a top-tier fashion industry publication with a circulation of at least 50,000, Clairemont exceeded its goal by securing three placements: one prominent inclusion of Journelle on Who What Wear ahead of the launch and two separate placements in “the fashion bible,” Women’s Wear Daily (circulation of more than 59,000) at the time of launch. WWD stories included an exclusive feature on Who Says, including an interview with Journelle’s VP of marketing and brand; and an inclusion in a trend piece with quotes from Journelle. The brand was able to share these successes on social media and with shareholders.

To read more about the work we do with clients, please visit the case study section of our blog.

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What does a PR agency do? A Fiery Campaign

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The North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs (NCAFC) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) banded together to address a critical volunteer firefighter shortage in North Carolina. Research showed that nearly 70 percent of North Carolina firefighters were volunteers, and this number was plummeting by approximately 12 percent annually. In 2018, these organizations secured a federal SAFER Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) targeting 15 high-risk counties in North Carolina needing volunteers. The NCAFC turned to Clairemont Communications and The Felice Agency to launch a community relations campaign to recruit volunteer firefighters across the state.

STRATEGY

The agency team established a strategy targeting two main audiences: 1) North Carolina media, especially those covering the rural counties in the grant, and 2) potential volunteers ages 16-60 located in the 15 rural counties in the grant.

The IAFC and NCAFC conducted a Geographical Information Study (GIS) to create the persona of the candidate most likely to volunteer, including details like location, career, education, political affiliation and even radio station choices. Based on this and other research, we crafted a comprehensive campaign leveraging a combination of traditional recruitment methods. Media pitches targeted reporters with stories on how this shortage would affect their immediate neighborhood, economy and lifestyle. Our partners launched a website, and social and digital marketing coupled with a texting campaign creatively reaching a younger generation.

RESULTS

Our campaign spread the call for volunteer firefighters across the state like wildfire, increasing visibility and securing new recruits to revitalize the North Carolina fire station system.

  • With the goal to secure 20,000 annual page views and 6,500 new users on our website, the agency team secured 26,113 page views with 8,337 new users by May 2019.
  • With a goal of 200 applications and 150 volunteers, our campaign secured approximately 600 applications with 280 new volunteers since launching the campaign in 2018.

CREATIVITY

Clairemont and The Felice Agency faced the challenge of reaching a broad, diverse audience with a limited nonprofit budget. Creative depictions of the need proved to help laser-target our demographics. These included:

  • Our Everyday Hero: The agency team crafted a hero for the NC public, a face to personify the nebulous “volunteer firefighter.” This creative served as the cornerstone for collateral, online promotions and advertisements.
  • “This Is Our State” PSA: The agency team worked with the NCAFC to film a public service announcement – one designed to imbue each viewer with a sense of ownership and pride as part of the North Carolina “family.”
  • Winning Websites: The agency team delivered the campaign messages through a new URL that included easy navigation and effective SEO, peppering the site with fresh content, stories and the PSA.
  • Texting … Saves Lives: We established a texting campaign, providing potential volunteers or concerned neighbors easy access to information. By texting the word “firefighter” to 88799, subscribers were kept up to date on events, invitations, news stories and calls to action.
  • Lighting Up the Media: Clairemont crafted fiery, individualized pitches to major outlets across the state as well as hyperlocal media in the campaign’s 15 rural counties. Clairemont secured 49 stories across print, television and online in less than a year.
  • Getting Social: The agency team developed a strong social media presence. We leveraged the Facebook pages of individual fire departments to post volunteer opportunities on the Facebook jobs board, highlight fire safety tips and post visuals, such as graphics of volunteer positions.

The work Clairemont Communications conducted in partnership with the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs (NCAFC) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) earned both an Award of Excellence and Best in Category by the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America. We are proud that this campaign is represented in the 219 awards we’ve received since starting Clairemont in 2010.

To read more about the work we do with clients, please visit the case study section of our blog.

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Clairemont Takes Home Top PR Awards

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Clairemont Communications secured two prestigious PR industry awards at the 2019 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards banquet hosted by the Raleigh Public Relations Society (RPRS). RPRS named Dana Phelps, founder and CEO of Clairemont, as the recipient of the Watt Huntley Award for Lifetime Achievement. Considered the highest honor given by RPRS, the Watt Huntley Award recognizes “an individual who has made lasting and meaningful contributions to the field of public relations over the course of a career.”

The Clairemont team also received the distinction of 2019 Team of the Year, an honor recognizing its creativity, strategy, tenacity, client successes and excellence in the public relations industry. In addition to these prestigious honors, RPRS recognized several of Clairemont’s PR client campaigns in media relations, social media, events, branding and writing, including two Platinum Awards. Other awards included:

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

We are humbled and grateful to do work we love with clients we love every day. Thank you to our wonderful partners, clients and industry friends. We’re excited to celebrate more than 230 awards and nearly a decade of Clairemont with you!

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