Audio - Podcast

Second

Addiction: The Next Step

NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports

“Addiction: The Next Step” is a podcast produced by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). This insightful series explores the complexities of addiction, from personal stories of recovery to cutting-edge research and treatment approaches. Through candid conversations with experts, individuals in recovery, and those impacted by addiction, “Addiction: The Next Step” aims to reduce stigma, foster understanding, and empower listeners on their journey toward healing and hope.

Third

Out of the Streets of Portland

Joint Office of Homeless Services - Multnomah County, Oregon

Out of the Streets of Portland is a podcast by the Joint Office of Homeless Services focused on sharing the stories of people who are currently or formerly homeless in our community, and the services available to help people move out of homelessness and back into housing.

Audio - Other

Third

The MBTA Joins Autism Transit Project

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) provides public transportation in Massachusetts. In April 2024, the MBTA celebrated Autism Acceptance Month by inviting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to create and record public service announcements which were played in more than 150 stations across the subway system. The MBTA played a total of 31 announcements, one each day. Announcements included tips on how to safely board trains and remembering to be kind while riding the T. 

Digital - Electronic Publication

Second

Tracks Interactive Map

King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

As we generated more positive environmental stories throughout King County that feature higher-quality photos, videos, and graphics, we wanted to create a more engaging way to present our biggest achievements to the public. The result is Tracks, an interactive map that displays our best success stories with our strongest visuals. It has proven to be a popular and effective way to engage prospective employees, new hires, environmental advocates, and reporters new to the Seattle market.

Third

Overhaul of Oregon PERS Employer Tutorial Guides

Oregon PERS

When PERS added an employer communications specialist, the first task tackled was updating PERS employer resources. We could simply update large, jargony manuals, but we had a greater vision to create:
• A complete series of instructional guides divided by task for easy access.
• A source of detailed, vetted information to serve as a foundation for other projects.
• Plain English explanations of complex pension concepts.
• A solution to errors, frustration, and turnover.

 

Digital - E-Newsletter

First

Around the Center

Reston Community Center (RCC)

Reston Community Center’s “Around the Center” e-newsletter is an essential guide to the upcoming two weeks, featuring a lead article for an insider’s look at significant upcoming events. It also includes a comprehensive list of classes, programs and activities open for registration, meticulously organized into categories such as fitness, aquatics and community events. This structure ensures that patrons can easily find opportunities that align best with their interests and schedules.

 

Second

Northville Township Today Quarterly E-Newsletter

Charter Township of Northville

Every quarter, Northville Township Today delivers pride and knowledge to residents’ inboxes. The newsletter shines the spotlight on all things new and helpful to those who live, work and play in Northville Township. Written in newspaper prose, it’s a key tool to connect and engage the community. It stirs enthusiasm about the achievements unfolding in their backyard. The tone is such that it builds pride in their hometown, their local government. And that’s a win!

Third

City Highlight: the Art of Keeping You Informed

City of Bainbridge Island

The City of Bainbridge Island’s weekly email newsletter evolved from the City Manager’s Report to City Highlight: Updates from City Hall in November 2024. The refresh brought beauty and clarity, boosting sign-ups and readership while keeping the community engaged. With a modern design and improved content, the newsletter now delivers key updates in a visually appealing and accessible way, ensuring residents stay informed and connected with city news more effectively than ever.

 

 

Digital - Social Media Campaign (Paid)

Second

PA Creators Drive Awareness for PA Lottery’s Holiday Scratch-Off Tickets

Pennsylvania Lottery and 9Rooftops Marketing

Celebrating the holidays in the Keystone State just got a whole lot more festive with the new holiday Scratch-Off tickets from the Pennsylvania Lottery! 9Rooftops planned and executed a campaign where thoughtfully selected creators were hired to raise awareness of the new tickets in engaging ways on Instagram. 

 

Digital- Social Media Outreach (Nonpaid)

First

I Rely on You

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

The I Rely on You campaign tackled the critical issue of transit operator assaults, raising awareness and fostering public responsibility for operator safety. The campaign featured heartfelt operator stories, urging riders to take action through the MBTA’s See Say app. Using multi-channel approach—including videos, car cards, and in-station displays—the campaign inspired empathy and empowered riders to report incidents discreetly. This initiative highlighted the MBTA’s commitment to creating a safer environment for operators and riders alike.

Second

“Becoming Visible: Bringing American Women’s History into Focus”

Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum

Women have been making history for centuries, but their stories are often missing. “Becoming Visible: Bringing American Women’s History into Focus” showcases five women's stories to demonstrate how stories have gone untold and learn what you can do to change it. Our social media trailer introduces the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and our first digital exhibition to audiences with the question, “why does it seem like women’s history has been written in disappearing ink?”

Third

From streams to social: Engaging millions with salmon viewing content

King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

“From streams to social: engaging millions with salmon viewing content" exemplifies King County’s ability to creatively connect people with our environment through digital storytelling. Creating vibrant, engaging social media posts, our campaign captivated audiences and drew millions to learn about salmon restoration and watershed stewardship. Highlighting the journey of Pacific salmon, the campaign combined creativity and accessibility to achieve record-breaking organic reach — 16 million views across TikTok and Instagram, while fostering meaningful public engagement.

 

Website

First

The Wonderful World of Retirement

Missouri State Employees' Retirement System (MOSERS)

Our MOSERS Month campaign is a month-long initiative dedicated to educating our members about their MOSERS benefits. For our 2024 campaign, we chose a nostalgic theme, The Wonderful World of Retirement, as a nod to the Wizard of Oz. Throughout the month, members traveled down the yellow brick road, meeting familiar characters along the way as they learned more about their Annual Benefit Statement, defined benefit pension, and retirement savings with MO Deferred Comp.

Second

MDHS Website Comes to the 20th Century

Mississippi Department of Human Services Communications Team

MDHS focuses on strengthening families, reducing poverty, and promoting self-sufficiency through our programs. Because the MDHS website touches over 1.3 million users, we needed to update our website experience. We redesigned its website to enhance user experience, accessibility, and efficiency. With the help of Creative Distillery, we launched a modern, mobile-friendly site with improved navigation, content clarity, and functionality. Since launch, engagement time increased by 36% and organic search traffic has grown.

Third

2024 Website Redesign

Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County

The Constitutional Tax Collector’s office is tasked with collecting more than $5 billion in annual property taxes. We also issue driver licenses, IDs and motor vehicle registrations for the citizens of Palm Beach County, and provide additional services, including collecting business and tourist development taxes. To deliver a better user experience, we completely redesigned and enhanced our website to include new navigational structure, clear and comprehensive content, and an interactive reservation system.

 

Educational or Promotional Campaign (greater than $100,000)

First

"Get Smart Before You Start" E-Bike Safety Campaign

New York City Department of Transportation

A multi-language, multimedia campaign to promote safe use of electronic bicycles (e-bikes) on New York City streets.

Second

Open Road Tolling Promotional Campaign

PA Turnpike Commission

Open Road Tolling (ORT) is the culmination of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s (Commission) decade-long journey to modernize operations and meet customer expectations for seamless, nonstop travel. ORT is a safer, more convenient way for customers to travel and represents the future of toll collection worldwide. To prepare customers for the transition, the Commission developed an integrated promotional campaign to raise awareness of the new technology and educate customers of its benefits.

Third

Launch to Legacy Campaign

South Carolina Department of Commerce

The South Carolina Department of Commerce sought to rebrand their agency and develop a marketing campaign to create awareness of the state with CEOs, business decision makers and site selectors when considering new site selection or relocation for their company. The scope of work included primary qualitative and quantitative research, a full rebrand, the development of an integrated marketing campaign and media (strategy, implementation and measurement).

 

Educational or Promotional Campaign (less than $100,000)

First

Yes!fest

High Plains Library District

In planning and marketing our regional youth engineering and science festival, we created a host of robots with a wide range of shapes, sizes, and color palettes. We had previously creating Yes!bot and Sparky, a yellow robot and its dog. We added on a myriad of other robots this year to create visually engaging advertisements before the event and even designs made physical from wood for the day of the festival.

Second

Storm Drain Art Contest

City of Carrollton, Texas

The Storm Drain Art Contest was the first initiative of its kind in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, launched by the City of Carrollton to creatively engage the community in stormwater pollution awareness. Artists submitted designs that fit themes of preventing stormwater pollution, water conservation, and protecting natural habitats. Winning artists painted eye-catching designs on storm drain inlets in Downtown Carrollton in 2024 to raise awareness about stormwater pollution and contribute to the City's art community.

Third (tie)

Don't Just Live, Thrive

Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Kane Communications

In 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services was the only Wisconsin state agency to receive a $75,000 talent attraction marketing grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation designed to attract new talent to work in Wisconsin. In collaboration with Kane Communications, we designed a digital marketing campaign to encourage out-of-state professionals to apply for critical direct health care roles at our seven treatment facilities.

Third (tie)

You are Here: U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón Brings Poetry to Parks

Library of Congress Office of Communications

The U.S. Poet Laureate, appointed and managed by the Library of Congress, inspires and encourages Americans to enjoy reading and writing poetry, and the Library of Congress Office of Communications implemented a comprehensive strategic communications plan to support the current poet laureate, Ada Limón, as she connected public service and the natural world through a national parks adventure featuring poetry.

 

K-12 Educational Program

Second

Protecting the Next Generation One Classroom at a Time

Clark County Regional Flood Control District

Over half of Clark County, Nevada, elementary school students have played near hazardous flood areas, indicating a need for flood safety education. The Clark County Regional Flood Control District (the District) transitioned from outdated presentations to a multimodal campaign to engage students. This new program includes a nine-and-a-half-minute animated video, an interactive activity booklet, and a flood demonstration table. Teacher feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with students showing an increased understanding of flood dangers.

Third

Teek and Tom Explore Planet Earth

NOAA's National Ocean Service Communications and Education Division

"Teek and Tom Explore Planet Earth" is a five-part animated educational series with accompanying lesson plans that takes viewers on an exploration of the ocean’s influence on Earth’s weather and climate and demonstrates how NOAA uses high tech tools to gather information about our changing planet. Through the actions and inquisitiveness of main characters Teek, a student from the planet Queloz, and Tom, a NOAA climate scientist, this series provides a hopeful climate narrative.

Event- Community Engagement Forum

First

North Port University

City of North Port

Seeing a need to empower citizens and foster open dialogue and collaboration with residents, the City of North Port launched its first citizens academy, North Port University. The inaugural class was a huge success, with almost a quarter of the graduates joining a city advisory board and lending their voices, ideas and energy to create positive change. Since the completion of Class I, additional sessions have been added, as well as an annual Alumni Summit.

Second

Port St. Lucie International Fest

City of Port St. Lucie

The Port St. Lucie International Fest offered residents a global experience without leaving the City. The event showcased diverse music, food and traditions. Attendees enjoyed exhibits, interactive booths and international cuisine from various countries. The event featured language and dance workshops, and an exhibition that highlighted fashion from many different countries. Approximately 2,700 people attended the event, which promoted better understanding of the residents who make up the diverse Port St. Lucie community.

Third

Tillery Neighborhood Park Community Gathering

City of Austin Parks and Recreation

As Austin grows, preserving natural spaces has become more challenging. This is the story of how Parks and Recreation partnered with community members to turn the newly acquired Tillery Pecan Grove into a neighborhood park for historically underserved East Austin. Under the shade of the heritage trees, community members were excited to discuss their priorities such as conservation, connectivity, play features, and accessibility. Staff helped neighbors visualize improvement ideas, address concerns, and ensure ongoing discussions.

 

Event - Special Event or Conference

First

Books Build Us Up: The 2024 National Book Festival

Library of Congress Office of Communications

The Library of Congress hosted the 24th annual National Book Festival in August 2024, welcoming a large and diverse crowd to the nation’s capital for a day-long book party and celebrating the love of learning through literature. The Library’s Office of Communications (OC) led efforts to promote the event, using earned media, social media, paid advertising, media partnerships and in-kind donations to raise awareness and generate excitement for this beloved annual event.

Second

Alexandria Library Black Family Reunion

The Alexandria Library

The first public library in Alexandria, VA was established in 1937 during a time of racial segregation in the US. Despite a thriving black community, the Library’s local history archive failed to collect many records from this population. To preserve this history, the Library created the Black Family Reunion in 2023, repeated in 2024, inviting black community members to donate family photos, records and documents to the local archives for researchers and future generations.

Third

Destination: Retirement. The Oregon PERS Expo

Oregon PERS

PERS Expo 2024: Destination: Retirement is a virtual conference that provided members, retirees, and beneficiaries with essential retirement education through live presentations, real-time Q&A sessions, and downloadable resources. Leveraging employer partnerships, new video resources, and an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, the event expanded reach and improved engagement. With over 7,800 attendees, Expo successfully empowered Oregon PERS members with the knowledge and tools needed for their retirement journey, reinforcing PERS' commitment to member education and support.

Display

First

14th Annual Festival at the Switchyard Poster

City of Carrollton, Texas

Created in-house, this poster advertised the City of Carrollton’s annual signature event – the Festival at the Switchyard. Each year, staff develops a unique visual tool that captures the audience’s attention and represents the event’s characteristics. The design pays homage to the historic train-based Festival location. The poster design was used to create a consistent style for branding and awareness. Due to sponsorship dollars covering printing costs, the total cost for the posters was $0.

Second

1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In Traveling Exhibit

Alexandria Library

In 1939 the Alexandria Library became the site of an early civil rights protest organized by 26-year-old attorney Samuel Tucker when five young black men were denied library cards and subsequently arrested for using the segregated public library. To share their story and keep their legacy of courage alive, the Library created a traveling exhibit to loan to schools, libraries, museums, and other organizations interested in learning about the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In.

 

Graphic Arts

First

King County Wastewater Treatment Division Visual Branding

King County Wastewater Treatment Division

This visual rebranding effort for the King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) met the widely varied outreach needs of the division by delivering a clean, flexible, and modular system to redo the look and feel of all communications materials. Special attention was paid to meeting the accessibility needs of our community. Two distinct audiences were identified, and the format of the Visual Design Style Guide was customized for each.

Second

Yes!fest Robots

High Plains Library District

In planning and marketing our regional youth engineering and science festival, we created a host of robots with a wide range of shapes, sizes, and color palettes. We had previously creating Yes!bot and Sparky, a yellow robot and its dog. We added on a myriad of other robots this year to create visually engaging advertisements before the event and even designs made physical from wood for the day of the festival.

Third

14th Annual Festival at the Switchyard Poster

City of Carrollton, TX

Created in-house, this poster advertised the City of Carrollton’s annual signature event – the Festival at the Switchyard. Each year, staff develops a unique visual tool that captures the audience’s attention and represents the event’s characteristics. The design pays homage to the historic train-based Festival location. The poster design was used to create a consistent style for branding and awareness. Due to sponsorship dollars covering printing costs, the total cost for the posters was $0. 

 

Infographic

Second (tie)

998 Data Dashboard

Wisconsin Department Health Services, UW Population Health Institute, Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin

The 988 data dashboard allows the public to monitor the performance of Wisconsin's 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline contact center managed by Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin under a contract from WIDHS. This tool is part of ongoing work to monitor the effectiveness of investments in this service and to be more transparent with information on this service. See the dashboard at the URL link.

Second (tie)

Englewood CRA Map

Sarasota County Government Communications

Sarasota County’s Englewood community is a vibrant tourist destination with a common problem — its visitor map was a mess. Landmarks crowded together, no visual hierarchy. It listed nearly 80 businesses, rendering it obsolete every time the businesses changed. The new map cleared the clutter and peppered landmarks with cheeky Florida-themed illustrations. It now functions as an entertaining graphic, ad, foldable handheld piece and kiosk display with a longer “shelf life” and fewer reprint costs.

Third

Holly Jolly Temple Infographic

City of Temple, Texas

This magazine advertorial showcases the City’s new holiday event, Holly Jolly Christmas, with an engaging article outlining the event’s month-long festivities. A Candyland-style infographic visually maps out 30 days of holiday fun, featuring custom graphics and photos from key events. This creative approach not only informs but excites the community, driving interest in the inaugural event and traffic to the website.

 

Crisis Communications Plan

Third

Fox River Valley Public Library Crisis Communication Plan

Fox River Valley Public Library

The goal of the Fox River Valley Public Library’s Crisis Communication Plan is to ensure clear, accurate, and timely communication during emergencies, protect the Library’s reputation, and maintain trust with the community, staff, and stakeholders while minimizing disruption.

 

Internal Communications

First

Ready to Return Communications Campaign

U.S. Census Bureau

The U.S. Census Bureau team implemented the Ready to Return communications campaign to prepare 4,700 employees to return to the office. This 4-year headquarters construction project was necessitated by a 38% footprint reduction to accommodate another federal agency. To ensure a smooth return in 2024, the campaign included 308 pieces of content, including emails, multi-media and reentry orientation sessions to help employees return and adapt to their new work environment.

Second

Turnpike Town Hall

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

On May 15, 2024, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission hosted its first-ever in-person Turnpike Town Hall to increase transparency and information sharing in the organization, celebrate staff achievements, project milestones, and share the vision for the future. The event brought together 1,500 employees across more than 30 locations, including 23 maintenance sheds, three office buildings, and other field sites. The 1.5-hour event was streamed live from four locations, with all AV production occurring internally.

Third

Giddy Up for Wellness

Adams County, CO

Each fall, Adams County’s Journey to Wellness program hosts a series of employee-only events at which staff can receive a number of health screenings and other perks. To make sure these annual event offerings—and the significance of these great benefits—don’t become “background noise” to county staff, the Communications team fully customizes and themes branding each year. The 2024 effort, Giddy Up for Wellness, was highly successful, visually striking, and engaging for employees.

Other- Grassroots Marketing Campaign

Third

Trolley Refresh & Ridership

City of Englewood, CO

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Englewood Trolley shuttles saw a sharp decrease in ridership due to a variety of mitigating factors. With shuttles set to be replaced in 2024, Englewood’s Community Development Department and Communications Department took this as an opportunity to not only rebrand, but survey locals to find out what would entice them to utilize the trolley more. The rebrand planned to include a new name, new bus wrap design and new buses.

 

Multicultural Communications Program 

Second

Safer fishing for immigrants and refugees

King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

We saw a unique storytelling opportunity when our Freshwater and Marine Toxics Monitoring Program partnered with immigrant and refugee community members who fish to learn which lakes, shorelines, and fish were popular to catch and eat but had not been previously tested for toxic chemicals. We developed a news and social strategy to promote a 5-minute documentary-style video -- each translated all the content into multiple languages -- to reach immigrant and refugee communities.

Third

Local Services Wants to Speak Your Language

King County Department of Local Services

King County’s Department of Local Services made connecting with its residents who speak a language other than English a priority in 2024. The department serves some of the most diverse communities in Washington state. It took a multi-pronged approach that included inviting cultural- and language media outlets to its headquarters to build relationships, producing dozens of videos about its services in other languages and pushing a sweeping multi-language campaign on issues that affect everyday life.

Photography Portfolio

Second Place

Triple Threat: The 2024 Hurricane Season A Collection

Sarasota County Government Communications

The 2024 hurricane season will be remembered as the most destructive for Sarasota County. For three consecutive months, storms battered the region with an onslaught of sand and sea that culminated in a historic direct hit on Siesta Key. Hurricane Milton barreled through Florida’s west coast arriving less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene sideswiped an already battered Sarasota, which had experienced flooding in a deluge of rainfall caused by Hurricane Debby.

Third Place

Capturing a Community in Moments—Wes Walker Portfolio

Adams County, CO

Adams County offers a number of events, programs, and services to our community every year, and in return, our county government has the privilege of being a core part of our residents’ lives. Capturing that exchange—both the offerings of Adams County and the meaningful experiences of our residents—is an important Communications Team effort and is crucial to telling the Adams County story. 

News Release

First

Restoring the Snoqualmie River for fish and farms

South Suburban Park and Recreation District

For an Earth Week press tour of King County's largest-ever floodplain restoration project, we produced an enhanced news release that provided context, background, and an accessible description of what our project team accomplished and the multiple benefits they produced. We created photo illustrations that highlight project achievements, a stylized map that provides geographic context, and a photo gallery, b-roll package, and drone footage that news organizations used in their coverage.

Second

Northville Township Police Department Launches Donation Drive for Hurricane Helene Relief

Charter Township of Northville

Six short days is all the Northville Township Police Department had to collect key cleanup supplies for those struggling to recover from Hurricane Helene’s damage. Fifteen media outlets covered the drive, including a national publication. While the drive successfully collected hundreds of pounds of tarps, work gloves and the like from the generous community, it also cemented the Police Department’s reputation for helping others not only in their own backyard, but those across the country.

Third

Five Crisis Stabilization Facilities Now Open Across Wisconsin

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

This news release announced another milestone in the work of the WIDHS to transform Wisconsin’s system of care for people experiencing mental health and substance use emergencies into a network of services that provides the right support, at the right time, in the right setting through someone to contact, someone to respond, and a safe place to go for help with the opening of five crisis stabilization facilities for adults serving most of the state.

 

Public Affairs and Outreach Campaign

First

Maryland Parkway BRT Project - Construction Engagement

Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada

The RTC developed a 12.5-mile Bus Rapid Transit Project to reduce congestion, improve air quality/accessibility, and help expand redevelopment opportunities and future investment along Maryland Parkway, a critical corridor. After 10 years in development, construction began thanks to a $150M federal grant. With a goal of ‘no surprises,” the RTC's community engagement campaign uses grassroots outreach, traditional and digital media, and stakeholder coordination to effectively inform and prepare our community for construction.

Second

Harm Reduction Delivered

NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports

“Harm Reduction Delivered" was a groundbreaking campaign combating the fentanyl crisis. Leveraging diverse channels, the campaign highlighted the dangers of fentanyl and promoted the use of naloxone and fentanyl test strips. A key component was a first-of-its-kind online ordering portal for free delivery of these harm reduction supplies. The campaign included engaging messaging, including the poignant story of a young woman who tragically overdosed, underscoring the urgency of this initiative.

Third

Recycling Exists Campaign

Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties

A collaboration of six Twin Cities counties, Recycling Exists aimed to correct misconceptions about recycling through a juxtaposition of engaging, playful visuals, and accurate recycling messaging. Residents were inspired to reconsider what they thought was fact, explore educational materials, and learn the truth about what happens locally to recycled items. This campaign schedule ran from December 2023 through December 2024, and additional campaigns are scheduled for 2025.

Brochure

First

Coastal Science Navigator Companion Guide

U.S. Geological Survey

The Coastal Science Navigator Companion Guide introduces stakeholders to coastal change hazards-related products developed by the USGS. It encourages readers to explore the Coastal Science Navigator, an online gateway that helps stakeholders find USGS information, data, tools, and software that fits their specific scientific and decision-making needs. The guide showcases the products included in the Coastal Science Navigator’s initial publication in July 2023.

Second

Interview Preparedness Guide

Ventura County Fire Department

The Ventura County Fire Department developed an interview preparedness guide to help field personnel who do not regularly interact with the media successfully navigate interviews with reporters, provide the public with important information and represent the department in a professional manner. The pocket guide is available on every piece of department apparatus as a quick reference should an incident draw media coverage when a PIO is not available.

Third

Unscripted Bal Harbour Art Basel Miami Art Week Brochure

Bal Harbour Village

As an avid supporter of the arts, Bal Harbour Village has become synonymous with curated activations and exclusive access to arts and culture in South Florida. Through its Unscripted Art Access and Art in Public Spaces programs, residents and guests enjoy unparalleled access to the visual arts. The brochure is an all-inclusive guide for residents and visitors to enjoy a carefully curated selection of private tours, VIP experiences, and activations within Bal Harbour.

 

Calendar

First

Town of Vienna Calendar 2025

Town of Vienna

Since 1969, the Town of Vienna has produced a printed calendar to provide information about Town services, Town-sponsored events and other opportunities to engage the community in civic activities. It has evolved over time from a simple, one-color municipal publication to a partnership between the Town, local artists and non-profit organizations. It is mailed to every Town household and business and is a treasured Town tradition.

Second

Englewood Student Art Calendar

City of Englewood

Each year, the City of Englewood releases the Student Art Calendar, featuring creations by some of the community’s most talented student artists. The calendar features artwork created by local kids, from kindergarten through 12th grade, who either live in or attend school in Englewood. The calendar is also filled with city information and resources for community members.

Third

St. Clair Shores 2025 City Calendar

City of St. Clair Shores

For decades, the City of St. Clair Shores has produced and distributed an annual calendar to residents that lists holiday closures and important dates. This year, the calendar serves not only to inform residents but to inspire them to enjoy their city and celebrate the unique experiences available to them. Form and function make this calendar visually appealing and incredibly useful.

 

Magazine

First

The Heritage Magazine for Alumni and Friends

Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation

The Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation Alumni Magazine showcases the accomplishments, stories, and milestones of our alumni community. Through features, interviews, and updates, the magazine illustrates the transformative impact of alumni support. The magazine serves as a platform to celebrate our alumni while, at the same time, inspire continued financial commitment to educational philanthropy.

Second

TRWD's Centennial Book

Tarrant Regional Water District

TRWD's Communications and Outreach Department spearheaded the creation of a 136-page centennial book that captured the District's 100-year legacy of service. This collaborative project combined meticulous historical research, employee recognition, and organizational storytelling to create a lasting tribute to TRWD's impact on the community.

Third

City Connects: The Transformation of an Island’s Go-To Publication

City of Bainbridge Island

In 2024, an ordinary newsletter once bound for the recycling bin became City Connects, Bainbridge Island’s premier publication. With stunning visuals, engaging storytelling, and clear, digestible updates, we’ve increased readership, strengthened community ties, and made local government more relatable. By prioritizing beauty, clarity, and delight, City Connects now informs, inspires, and excites residents—turning city updates into a must-read experience that truly reflects the heart of our island.

 

Newsletter

First

Vienna Voice Newsletter

Town of Vienna Government

Print publications may be dead in some places, but the 65-year-old “Vienna Voice” printed newsletter is alive and well in the Town of Vienna. The newsletter’s purpose is to inform and engage residents and businesses in Town government affairs, events and other activities. In a 2023 community survey, 80% of residents said they considered the “Vienna Voice” a major local news source. By contrast, only 11% considered the local newspaper a major news source.

Second

City of Temple Employee Newsletter

City of Temple, TX

The City of Temple launched an employee newsletter to improve internal communications and strengthen community among staff. After nearly a decade without a communication tool, this initiative bridges gaps across departments and ensures every voice is heard. Targeting all employees, the newsletter provides a platform for sharing information and celebrating achievements. The newsletter is created entirely in-house, showcasing innovation and resourcefulness while boosting engagement, satisfaction, and employee connections.

Third

CIty View

City of Kalamazoo, MI

City View is a City of Kalamazoo public newsletter, produced by City of Kalamazoo Communications, that informs City residents on what's happening in Kalamazoo. The publication is delivered bimonthly to City of Kalamazoo households. It shares items like events, news, project updates, and other important notices. The first edition appeared in residents' mailboxes in January 2024.

Annual Report

First

King County Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy

King County - Executive Climate Office

King County created the Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy following a three-day heat event in 2021 that killed 125 people in Western Washington and 34 in King County. The Strategy presents an action plan for reducing inequities in heat exposure across King County and addressing issues through ongoing preparations. The plan includes 20 actions for helping people stay cool and increasing heat safety awareness so we can prepare for more extreme heat events in the future.

Second (tie)

PERS by the Numbers 2024: A comprehensive overview of Oregon’s public pension system

Oregon PERS

The PERS by the Numbers report provides a clear, accessible overview of Oregon’s public pension system. The 2024 edition features a redesigned layout that enhances readability, visual appeal, and brand consistency. By simplifying complex data into engaging visuals and plain language, the report serves as a trusted resource for PERS members, legislators, media, and other stakeholders. Early publication ensured timely access to critical information, increasing transparency and fostering trust in PERS operations and financial health.

Second (tie)

City of Temple Business Plan

City of Temple, TX

The FY2025 Business Plan serves as a comprehensive financial guide that ensures transparency, accessibility, and engagement for residents, city officials, and stakeholders. Designed with a clear, modern layout and engaging visuals, the document presents complex financial information in a digestible format. By prioritizing clarity and usability, our team transformed a standard municipal budget into a compelling, informative, and user-friendly resource.

Third

City of Englewood Annual Report

City of Englewood

The City of Englewood 2023 Annual Report provides a clear, engaging overview of the city's accomplishments, financial stewardship and community impact. Through concise storytelling, dynamic graphics and data-driven insights, the report reflects Englewood’s commitment to progress and transparency.

 

Technical or Statistical Report 

Second

Department of Health and Human Services Audit Report

North Dakota State Auditor's Office

Our audit team found critical issues at the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). These issues included children being left in extreme abuse situations, controlled substances not being safeguarded at the state hospital, and grant payments totaling over $7,260,000 being given to ineligible employees. Our team believes that taxpayers have a right to know how their government is spending their money, and the only enforcement arm our office has is public awareness.

Third

Coastal Science Navigator Companion Guide

U.S. Geological Survey

The Coastal Science Navigator Companion Guide introduces stakeholders to coastal change hazards-related products developed by the USGS. It encourages readers to explore the Coastal Science Navigator, an online gateway that helps stakeholders find USGS information, data, tools, and software that fits their specific scientific and decision-making needs. The guide showcases the products included in the Coastal Science Navigator’s initial publication in July 2023.

Educational/Instructional Video

First

Pavement Management Series

City of Temple, TX

The Pavement Management Video Series is a six-episode segment within the Let’s Talk Temple video series, designed to educate the community on how the City of Temple selects and maintains road projects. Covering topics such as street ratings, crack sealing, slurry seal, mill and overlay, full reconstruction, and traffic calming measures, the series provides a comprehensive look at pavement management—explaining the what, when, why, and how behind the city's approach to road maintenance and improvements.

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Security in the Wild

City of Saco

The tech wilderness can be a dangerous place. The City of Saco wants to make sure that every employee is equipped with the knowledge and skills to avoid compromising their personal or sensitive data. A nature mockumentary, "Security in the Wild" follows the pitfalls and successes of Stephen the Mouse as he navigates the treacherous environment of his local coffee shop.

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Killer Instinct: ADEQ Makes Recycling Spooky with Michael Myers Parody Videos

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

Arizona communities struggle to know which items are recyclable in each community, because materials vary from city to city. So, facilities may see 30% of the materials wasted due to contamination. Recycling the wrong items can lead to sorting machines breaking, wasted materials, fires, and other safety issues caused by managing the non-recyclable waste. Our Recycling Coordinator had a “killer” idea to capture the public’s attention and educate them to help prevent these common issues.

 

News Video

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Baytown Breakdown

City of Baytown, TX

In our ongoing mission to be Baytown's most trusted source of information, the Public Affairs team launched the Baytown Breakdown, an engaging video series designed to keep residents informed about major city projects and important community updates, while having a little fun along the way. Now in its second year, Baytown Breakdown has become the go-to resource for the community, delivering clear, engaging, and accessible content that keeps residents connected to what's happening in Baytown.

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Let's Talk Temple Video Series

City of Temple, TX

The Let’s Talk Temple video series is an engaging and educational initiative that highlights ongoing capital improvement projects in the City of Temple, Texas. Designed to keep residents educated and informed, the series provides clear, accessible explanations of major infrastructure projects, from road maintenance to facility upgrades. With 14 episodes to date—including the Pavement Management Video Series—Let’s Talk Temple enhances transparency, fosters community engagement, and showcases the city’s commitment to progress through visually compelling storytelling.

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City Manager's Spotlight Videos

City of Bainbridge Island

The City of Bainbridge Island delivers weekly high-quality video news updates that are short, engaging, and easily digestible. These videos keep residents informed on key issues in a visually compelling and accessible way. By blending storytelling with clear, concise information, we make government more transparent, relatable, and engaging. Residents also get to see and hear directly from city staff, strengthening community connection and trust.

 

Promotional/Informational Video (> 3 minutes)

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A New Generation to Protect Puget Sound

King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

After an apprenticeship program by our Wastewater Treatment Division won a national industry award, we produced a documentary-style video showing how our staff successfully recruited and trained the next generation of treatment operators . Rather than promoting the award itself, we showed why our team's approach succeeded at a time when the public and private sectors have struggled to hire skilled tradespeople, highlighting the engaging personalities of the program's leads and participants.

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Loss and Remembrance

Waukesha County

“Loss & Remembrance” is a poignant video from Waukesha County's series on the fentanyl crisis, where local parents courageously share their devastating stories of loss. Through these personal narratives, the video underscores the urgent necessity for heightened awareness, educational initiatives, and preventive strategies to combat this epidemic. By humanizing and localizing the crisis, it has been a catalyst for community engagement and policy action, fostering a more informed response to the pervasive impact of fentanyl.

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The Power of Water Recycling: OCWD in Action

Orange County Water District

As middle and high school students returned for tours of its Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), the Orange County Water District (OCWD) created The Power of Water Recycling – OCWD in Action, a dynamic video using humor and relatable analogies. Replacing disengaging presentations, this approach captivates students from the start, enhancing their understanding of the water recycling process and orients them with the facility – which happens to be the world’s largest facility of its kind.

 

Public Service Announcement (PSA) Short (up to 3 minutes)

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Paige Gibbons “One Pill. One Time.”

NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports

The “One Pill. One Time.” PSA features the poignant story of Paige Gibbons, who tragically overdosed after taking a single pill laced with fentanyl. This video underscores the unpredictable nature of the drug supply and highlights the importance of harm reduction strategies. The PSA was developed to raise awareness, promote the use of naloxone and fentanyl test strips, and encourage New Yorkers to utilize the OASAS ordering portal to access these life-saving supplies.

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Cleaning Catch Basins

City of Fort Lauderdale

This video highlights the crucial role of catch basins in maintaining the stormwater drainage system of Fort Lauderdale. The City's proactive stormwater inspection and maintenance program is showcased using the teams on the ground to explain how crews inspect, clean, and troubleshoot catch basins year-round. The video educates residents on the importance of reporting blockages and debris to prevent flooding, emphasizing community involvement and the technical expertise required to maintain effective stormwater management.

Portfolio

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The Choreography of Diversions: A Look into Alternative Service

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

The diversion series describes how the MBTA planned and implemented the temporary service shutdowns that enabled the agency to successfully complete its Track Improvement Program, a project that eliminated more than 200 speed restrictions throughout the system, and accomplish more than 40 years of maintenance work in one year.

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Jess Camp

City of Westminster, CO

Jess Camp’s writing commands attention, regardless of where it’s published. Her internal “staff stories” have employees flocking to our intranet to read detailed profiles and learn more about their coworkers. Her stories for The Westy magazine are carefully researched and written with a clear heart and compassion that resonates with residents. Although she has a news background, she writes like a best-selling author, and her work is impossible to put down once you start reading.

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Crafting Commissioner Voice—Nikki Wellander Writing Portfolio

Adams County, CO

The Adams County Commissioners are the highly visible executive body of elected officials in Adams County, Colo. As such, it’s vital that communications efforts on their behalf center county priorities and values, while also taking into consideration each commissioner’s individual voice. This portfolio contains prepared remarks for different commissioners, as well as a letter from the entire Board, to showcase efforts to strategically hone commissioner identity, voice, relatability, and transparency through thoughtful writing.

 

Single Piece

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TRWD's Centennial Book

Tarrant Regional Water District

TRWD's Communications and Outreach Department spearheaded the creation of a 136-page centennial book that captured the District's 100-year legacy of service. This collaborative project combined meticulous historical research, employee recognition, and organizational storytelling to create a lasting tribute to TRWD's impact on the community.

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Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent's Guide to Substance Use Prevention

Drug Enforcement Administration

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Department of Education publish this guide to provide parents and other caregivers with information to help them raise children who understand the risks of drug use. It includes suggestions for how to talk to youth about drugs, tailored to their age group.

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Prevention with Purpose: A Resource for Preventing Substance Use Among Students-Athletes

Drug Enforcement Administration

In January 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration published a revised edition of Prevention with Purpose: A Strategic Planning Guide for Preventing Drug Misuse Among College Students. In May 2024, DEA published a new supplemental resource to this guide, Prevention with Purpose: A Resource for Preventing Substance Use Among Student-Athletes, to highlight drug use rates among this population and strategies prevention staff can use to help ensure student-athletes do not turn to drug use.