2012 CPRS ACE Awards Honour the Best of the Best in Public Relations

Top PR Campaigns of the Year Celebrated at the Much-Anticipated Annual ACE Gala

TORONTO, April 26, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Public Relations Society Toronto (CPRS Toronto) congratulated the PR industry's elite this evening at the annual Achieving Communications Excellence (ACE) Awards gala. Held at Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, the ceremony commemorated an ever-growing and evolving community of PR professionals for its outstanding success in the last year.

"It's an absolute thrill to honour this industry's growth, innovation and commitment to success," says Vincent Power, President, CPRS Toronto. "The winning campaigns this year are of the highest calibre, and after passing through a highly competitive judging process, we truly feel that this year's ACE Award winners reflect the best of the best in public relations."

The 2012 ACE Awards gala was filled with celebration for winning campaigns and praise for peers in the communications field. The top prize of the evening, PR Campaign of the Year, went to GolinHarris for its McHappy Day 2011 campaign. NATIONAL Public Relations took home the title of Best Creative PR Campaign for Harlequin Office for the Preservation of the Kiss. Both programs endured three comprehensive ACE judging sessions before they were selected as Best of Show.

"An ACE trophy is a symbol of merit and credibility in the PR community." says Laurie Smith, ACE Awards Chair, CPRS Toronto. "Peer-issued awards have lasting benefits beyond the immediate joy of the winners. They are helpful in establishing an organization's reputation for quality, which can lead to new business, enhanced employee engagement and client satisfaction."

Congratulations to the 2012 ACE Award recipients:

PR Campaign of the Year

• GolinHarris - McHappy Day 2011

Best Creative PR Campaign

• NATIONAL Public Relations - Harlequin Office for the Preservation of the Kiss

Leadership Awards

• PR Professional of the Year: Maryjane Martin, APR, MJ Martin & Company
• Young PR Professional of the Year: Matt Juniper, PRAXIS
• Student of the Year: Robin Smith, Centennial College
• Volunteer of the Year: Amanda Laird, Mansfield Communications
• Lois Marsh Award: Blair Peperdy, Toronto Hydro

Best Use of Media Relations - Budget Over $50,000
Gold

• Argyle Communications - Ripley's Aquarium of Canada Launch
• Faye Clack Communications - USA Rice's Brown Rice Campaign Breaks Records
• NATIONAL Public Relations - Harlequin Office for the Preservation of the Kiss
• Strategic Objectives - Transat Holidays Vacationer for a Year
• Thornley Fallis Communications - Allstate Canada's 2011 Communications Program

Silver

• APEX Public Relations - Rimmel's Spring Summer Media Relations Launch
• Broad Reach Communications - Broad Reach Communications (Deloitte Canada) 
• Edelman Canada - Make Your Face a Maynards
• Edelman Canada - Breaking News for the Caramilk Key to the Secret
• Environics Communications - Coca-Cola Ltd.'s Arctic Home Campaign
• Environics Communications - Advil Nighttime Launch
• GolinHarris - McHappy Day 2011
• GolinHarris - McCafe
• Paradigm Public Relations - TD Leads  with Mortgage Advice
• Polaris Public Relations Inc. - S. Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Canadian Regional Competition
• PRAXIS - Launch of the Environmentally-Friendly 7Up EcoGreen Bottle
• PRAXIS - 2011 Quaker Unlock Amazing PR Launch Campaign
• Strategic Objectives - The White Cashmere Collection 2011: Fashion with Compassion
• Strategic Objectives - Magnum Ice Cream Bars Canadian Launch
• Temple Scott Associates - 2011 Media Relations Program (Clif Bar & Company)

Bronze

• Argyle Communications - Schneiders Country Naturals: Just the Good Stuff
• Citizen Optimum L.P. - Future Shop Holiday 2011
• Edelman Canada - Holiday & Mom: The Chief Gift Buyer
• Edelman Canada - Arthritis Alliance of Canada National Media Launch
• MAVERICK Public Relations - People for Good
• Shaw Media - Top Chef
• Strategic Objectives - TOPSHOP TOPMAN Takeover
• Thornley Fallis Communications - Elections Ontario Makes Voting Easy
• Thornley Fallis Communications - Taking Action Against Distracted Driving

Best Use of Media Relations - Budget Under $50,000
Gold

• APEX Public Relations/ UPS Canada - UPS Canada™'s Peak Season
• Argyle Communications - Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. Investment Forum: Capitalize on a Changing World
• NATIONAL Public Relations - Smart Shopping is in the Palm of Your Hand
• Strategic Objectives - Grimbergen Launch

Silver

• APEX Public Relations - "Get Going to Keep Going" Guide
• APEX Public Relations/UPS Canada - Maintaining the Momentum: UPS Canada™'s Summer Survey Campaign
• Fleishman-Hillard Toronto - The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation
• Paradigm Public Relations - Molson Canadian Introduces the Red Leaf Project
• Paradigm Public Relations - Tenderflake Declares 2011 the Year of the Pie
• Polaris Public Relations Inc. - The Lost Wallet Program

Bronze

• Argyle Communications - Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation: The Climb to Conquer
• Edelman Canada - Alexander Keith's Green Initiative "Show Your Plaid"
• Environics Communications - Protecting First Responders: CSA Standards CBRN Launch
• G Adventures - G Adventures Career Break Campaign
• Paradigm Public Relations - If I Had a Million Dollars: It's Within Reach for Savers Who Start Early
• Paradigm Public Relations - TD Brings E-Recycling to Local Communities
• Paradigm Public Relations - Renter's Insurance 101
• PRAXIS - Alberta Premium 30 Year Old: The Unveiling of a Rare and Affordable Canadian Whisky
• Temple Scott Associates - Motorcyclists Hall of Fame 2011

Best Use of Special Events
Gold

• Women's College Hospital - Women's College Hospital

Silver

• Argyle Communications - Ground Breaking Launch for Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
• Citizen Optimum L.P. - Cellular Speed Dating
• MAVERICK Public Relations - Norton Cyber Safety Expo
• PRAXIS - #PepsiThrowback Retro Tweet-Up

Bronze

• APEX Public Relations - Rimmel™'s Bird's Eye View of London
• Faye Clack Communications - Ontario Apple Growers' Winter Apple Ball
• Paradigm Public Relations - TIMEX Opens its Archives: The Launch of TIMEX Originals
• PRAXIS - The Canadian Club Boardwalk Empire Speakeasy

New Product or Service Launch Campaign of the Year
Silver

• dvCommunications - Martha Stewart Clean Makes Green Homekeeping Easy: Introducing Martha Stewart's  New Line of Natural Household Cleaners
• NATIONAL Public Relations - Smart Shopping is in the Palm of Your Hand
• Paradigm Public Relations - TIMEX Opens its Archives: The Launch of TIMEX Originals
• PRAXIS - Launch of the Environmentally-Friendly 7UP EcoGreen Bottle

Bronze

• Edelman Canada - Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons Launch: #CuteasaButton Moments
• GolinHarris - McCafé
• Strategic Objectives - Grimbergen Launch
• Strategic Objectives - Magnum Ice Cream Bars Canadian Launch

Employee Communications Campaign of the Year
Gold

• Meridian Credit Union - Meridian Announces Amalgamation with Desjardins Credit Union

Silver

• Meridian Credit Union - Meridian Credit Union

Bronze

• TVO - myTVO 2.0

Investor/Financial Relations Campaign of the Year
Bronze

• Smithcom - Maple Leaf Foods: Network Transformation Announcement

Community Relations Campaign of the Year
Gold

• GolinHarris - McHappy Day 2011

Silver

• Faye Clack Communications - Ontario Apple Growers' Winter Apple Ball
• PRAXIS - The Courvoisier Collective: Artist Collective To Foster Community, Access to Space and Exposure for Bright Talent
• Strategic Objectives - The Creation of Koodonation: Canada's First-Ever Microvolunteering Community
• Strategic Objectives - The Body Shop "Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People" Petition 

Bronze

• Environics Communications/Ontario Tire Stewardship - OARA Community Used Tire Events
• Paradigm Public Relations - TD Brings E-Recycling to Local Communities
• PRAXIS - The Pepsi Refresh Project: Creating Positive Change in Canadian Communities

Best Digital Communications Campaign of the Year
Gold

• NATIONAL Public Relations - The Vaughn Mills New Media Challenge: The Thrill of the Find

Silver

• Argyle Communications - New Transit for Toronto: The Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown
• RBC - Royal Bank of Canada (Canadian Banking) - The Sales Experience Social Media Initiative

Bronze

• Edelman Canada - Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons Launch: #CuteasaButton Moments
• High Road Communications - Brighter Life
• Strategic Objectives - Transat Holidays Vacationer for a Year

Best Use of Communication Tools
Gold

• Argyle Communications - WSPA Canada: Collars Not Cruelty

Silver

• Thornley Fallis Communications - Ontario Real Estate Association Image Campaign 2011

Brand Development Campaign of the Year
Gold

• DDB Public Relations - 2010/2011 APCOR 'Real Cork Floors' Campaign
• Temple Scott Associates - Brand Awareness Program 2011

Silver

• GCI Group - Barbie and Ken's Reunion in Celebration of Ken's 50^th
• Narrative - Let the Saving Begin

Bronze

• Citizen Optimum L.P. - Back-to-School Program
• Narrative - Best Conversation Ever

Crisis or Issues Management Campaign of the Year
Gold

• Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan - Responsible Investing

Silver

• De Beers Canada - Defending De Beers Canada

Student PR Campaign of the Year
Gold

• Cora Timofte - TelLaurentide Communications Plan

Silver

• Centennial College - Talk is Cheap 4.0
• Humber College BA Public Relations Class of 2015

Bronze

• Centennial College - Ugly Holiday Sweater Party

About the Canadian Public Relations Society Toronto

The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is a national organization that represents the profession of public relations through the establishment and maintenance of high professional, educational and ethical standards. CPRS Toronto was formed in 1948 and is one of the largest of 16 local member societies within the national Canadian Public Relations Society. The Toronto society represents more than 335 public relations professionals from agencies, corporations, government, non-profit groups and other Toronto-based organizations, and nearly 250 students from colleges and universities. Visit www.cprstoronto.com for more information.

Image with caption: "National Public Relations celebrates Best Creative PR Campaign win at the 2012 CPRS Toronto ACE Awards (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120426_C9661_PHOTO_EN_12774.jpg

Image with caption: "GolinHarris wins CPRS Toronto ACE Awards Best PR Campaign of the Year (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120426_C9661_PHOTO_EN_12775.jpg

For further information:

Kelly Baita
CPRS Toronto ACE Awards
416-786-8957
[e-mail]