2024 Copper Anvil Awards Celebrates Public Relations Excellence in Phoenix

Posted on Oct. 24, 2024  /  Awards  /  Subscribe 0

Phoenix, AZ – The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix Chapter proudly hosted the 2024 Copper Anvil Awards on Thursday, Oct. 10, celebrating the Valley’s most accomplished PR professionals and outstanding public relations campaigns. 

The annual event, held at The Showcase Room in Tempe, recognized excellence in PR agencies, in-house teams and individual practitioners across various categories.

“To earn a Copper Anvil or Award of Merit is a remarkable achievement,” said PRSA Phoenix President Lisa Sass. “We are thrilled to honor these professionals who continue to set the bar high and contribute to the growth and success of public relations The Valley.”

Recognizing Excellence in PR

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious Percy Award, which honors a professional who exemplifies excellence in public relations and community service. This year’s recipient, Erica Fetherston, was recognized for her decade-long contributions to the Phoenix PR community, her leadership within PRSA Phoenix, and her dedication to mentoring the next generation of PR professionals.

The Up and Comer Award, recognizing new professionals in the industry, was presented to Jessica Parsons from Gordon C. James Public Relations for securing over 375 media opportunities in just nine months for her clients.

In the Agency of the Year category, Gordon C. James Public Relations took home the top honor for their impressive accomplishments over the past year, including generating an average of two positive TV stories per day for their clients.

The City of Glendale was celebrated as the Communications Team of the Year for their work on major events, including Super Bowl LVII and Swift City, as well as their strategic handling of local issues, earning them national recognition.

The Freelancer of the Year award was presented to Amy Wolff, an independent PR practitioner with more than 25 years of experience. Her long-standing relationships with Valley news organizations and a diverse client base have cemented her as a trusted figure in the field.

PRSA Phoenix also awarded two outstanding students, Anthony Scarmack and Riva Surana, with 2024 PRSA Phoenix Student Scholarships. Both honorees are active members of PRSSA and are pursuing degrees at Arizona State University. These scholarships supported their attendance at the PRSSA ICON Conference, further enhancing their future in PR.

ICYMI: See our 2024 Copper Anvil photo gallery.

This year, we are offering the ability to order duplicate awards. If interested, click here.

Copper Anvil and Award of Merit Winners

10 to 1 Public Relations

• Copper Anvils:

• Community Relations: Boosting the Skilled Trades Through Rosendin’s Community Camps

• Corporate Social Responsibility: $10M in Dental Care and 160+ Media Stories to Support Positive Reputation of Risas Dental Care

• Reputation/Brand Management: Building the Reputation for a Small Innovation-Focused Nonprofit

• Special Events or Observances: Interview with Mobility Advocate for International Wheelchair Day

• Special Events or Observances: Creating Buzz with Launch Event for Semiconductor Supplier ASM

• Awards of Merit:

• Crisis Communications: Encantame Resorts Response to U.S.-Mexico Border Crisis

• External Communications: Launching AVANA EqualSeat Investment Platform to Industry Audience

• Digital/Social Media: Millions of Impressions for Vietnam Airlines with Influencer Press Tour

• Media Relations: Positioning The Connective as an Industry Expert

Agital

• Copper Anvils:

• Influencer Marketing: Electric Vehicle Bundle Awareness Campaign

• Awards of Merit:

• Community Relations: Building Sub-Communities Through "Local Causes"

• Corporate Social Responsibility: Southwest Gas Corporate Social Responsibility PR Initiative

• Corporate Social Responsibility: BBB4Good

• Digital/Social Media: Building a Social Community, Before the Community

Aker Ink

• Copper Anvils:

• Digital/Social Media: PPC & Paid Social for Prescott Retirement Community

• Media Relations: Local Media Relations Steers a Crisis and Draws National Attention for Real Estate Association

Allison

• Copper Anvils:

• Special Events or Observances: Tulsa Welding School 75th Anniversary

Allison & Dexcom

• Copper Anvils:

• Global Communications: Dexcom's #SeeDiabetes World Diabetes Day 2023

• Awards of Merit:

• Multicultural Communications: Toyota #BlackHistoryBookSwap Campaign

Arizona Department of Transportation

• Copper Anvils:

• Special Events or Observances: ADOT I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project Ready to Rubble: The Ultimate Bridge Take Down

• Most Effective Campaign on a Shoestring Budget ($5,000 or Less): ADOT I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project Ready to Rubble: The Ultimate Bridge Take Down

• Awards of Merit:

• Social Media: ADOT I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project Behind the Scenes Social Media Outreach

• Video: ADOT I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project Behind the Scenes Videos

Arizona Humane Society

• Copper Anvils:

• Special Events or Observances: Arizona Humane Society Papago Park Campus Grand Opening

Arizona State University - Media Relations & Strategic Communications

• Copper Anvils:

• Integrated Communications: Microelectronics at ASU

• Internal Communications: “Building a Brighter Arizona” End-of-Year Video

• Multicultural Communications: Phoenix Suns Uniform

• Special Events or Observances: The Launch of Psyche

• Most Effective Campaign on a Shoestring Budget ($5,000 or Less): From ASU Online to Med School Campaign

• Video: Celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop

• Most Effective Campaign on a Shoestring Budget ($5,000 or Less): The Halftime Drone Show

• Integrated Communications: Graduation Spring 2024

• Multicultural Communications: The Reopening of the Labriola National American Indian Data Center at ASU

• Non-Traditional Tactics: ASU's "Big Three" - Non-Traditional Tactics Category

• Video: Arizona Water Anxieties Video

• Media Relations: ASU’s “Big Three” - Media Relations Category

• Awards of Merit:

• Reputation/Brand Management: Alumni Making a Difference Series

• Student Project: Taylor Place Renaming Reel

• Integrated Communications: The Psyche Mission Launch - Integrated Communications Category

• External Communications: Meet ANDI, the Sweating Manikin

• Video: The Starbucks Year of 10,000

• Social Media: Phoenix Gets an Emoji

Arizona State University - Knowledge Enterprise & Biodesign Institute

• Copper Anvils:

• Special Events or Observances: 20 Years of Nature-Inspired Solutions 2004-2024

• Content Marketing: The ‘Monsters’ of Cybersecurity Campaign

• Annual Reports: Knowledge Enterprise 2023 Highlights Brochure

• Video: 2024 How Innovation Happens at ASU

• Media Relations: U.S. Experiencing Climate Change Now, Latest National Climate Assessment Shows

Chicanos Por La Causa

• Copper Anvils:

• Multicultural Communications: Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards

• Podcast: CPLC Empodérate

• Awards of Merit:

• Special Events or Observances: Angeles del Barrio

• Executive Communications: Alicia Nuñez

City of Glendale

• Copper Anvils:

• Special Events or Observances: Glendale Rocks Ruby Tuesday

• Non-Traditional Tactics: Glendale Rocks Ruby Tuesday

• Video: Final Four Frenzy

• Awards of Merit:

• Video: Know Before You Go: 2024 NCAA Men's Final Four

• Video: Glendale's Full Court Press

City of Mesa Water Resources

• Copper Anvil:

• Annual Reports: 2023 City of Mesa Water Quality Consumer Confidence Report

City of Mesa Bicycle and Pedestrian Program

• Copper Anvils:

• Special Events or Observances: CycloMesa Festival

• Magazines: SpokeLife

• Awards of Merit:

• Most Effective Campaign on a Shoestring Budget ($5,000 or Less): Bike to Books 

• Campaign Multicultural Communications: Move Safe PSA

• Non-Traditional Tactics: Bike to Books

City of Phoenix

• Copper Anvils:

• Community Relations: Phoenix Police Continuous Improvement

• Community Relations: Phoenix Fire Community Programs

• Most Effective Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Campaign: Project REDUCE

• Integrated Communications: Desert Landscape Guide

• Integrated Communications: City of Phoenix Supports 2024 NCAA Men's Final Four

• Digital/Social Media: Graffiti-Free Phoenix

• Digital/Social Media: Phoenix Fire Written Test Promotion

• Podcast: Raising the Bar with HR Employee Podcast

• Media Relations: Cave Creek Water Reclamation Plant Media Open House

• Social Media: PHX Plastics

• Awards of Merit:

• Community Relations: Traffic Signal Cabinet Art Pilot Program

• Most Effective Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Campaign: Phoenix Fire EDI Campaign

• Crisis Communications: Phoenix Fire Incident Recaps

• Integrated Communications: Housing Choice Voucher Waitlist

• Integrated Communications: The Senior Centers: Your Best Years Start Here

• External Communications: Naloxone Program

• Digital/Social Media: Road Safety Education

• Digital/Social Media: Wait...You Do What!? Job Profile Series

• Non-Traditional Tactics: Rio Salado Design Charrette

• Non-Traditional Tactics: Hike Right PHX Community Hiking Group

• Video: Workforce Development Awareness

• Video: Community Development Block Grant Awareness

• Media Relations: Community Court

City of Tempe

• Copper Anvil:

• Integrated Communications: Clark Park Community Center, Pool & Park

• Award of Merit:

• Feature Stories: From Homeless to Housed – with Bright Future

Creative and Communications, Enterprise Technology, ASU

• Copper Anvils:

• Special Events or Observances: Arizona State University’s 2024 Smart Region Summit

• Annual Reports: ASU Enterprise Technology’s Year in Review

• Video: ASU Enterprise Technology’s Carpool Convos YouTube Video Series

• Awards of Merit:

• Integrated Communications: Arizona State University’s AI Innovation Challenge

• Websites: Arizona State University’s AI Website

EdPlus at Arizona State University

• Copper Anvils:

• Most Effective Campaign on a Shoestring Budget ($5,000 or Less): Admitted Students Not Currently Enrolled

• Integrated Communications: Faculty Explains

• External Communications: ASU Online Student Re-Entry Communications

• Digital/Social Media: ASU Online military-friendly programs

• Video: Is a Humanities Degree Worth It?

• Data Insights: ASU Online Student Re-Entry Communications

Evolve Public Relations and Marketing

• Awards of Merit:

• Special Events or Observances: 34th Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest

• Influencer Marketing: Desert Ridge Marketplace (The District Dome)

• Most Effective Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Campaign: Capital Campaign for The First Holocaust Education Center in Arizona

• Media Relations: Chandler International Film Festival

Gordon C. James Public Relations

• Copper Anvils:

• Public Affairs: Arizona Probate Reform

• Reputation/Brand Management: Inaugural Event Announcing the Formation of the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation

• Media Relations: Regenerating Sonora and the Town of Superior

• Awards of Merit:

• Community Relations: Veterans Medical Leadership Heroes Patriotic Luncheon

• Special Events or Observances: St. Vincent de Paul Groundbreaking

Heart & Soul Marketing

• Copper Anvils:

• Special Events or Observances: Community Resilience Center Grand Opening

• Influencer Marketing: The Super Board 2.0

• Digital/Social Media: Iconic Summer Mashup 3.0: Bar-S Guy feat. Grillin’ Maidens

• Multicultural Communications: This is Home: Home to Home

• Video: Discovering Arizona

• Media Relations: Community Resilience Center Grand Opening

• Media Relations: Basha American Indian and Western American Fine Art Donation

• Social Media: Discovering Arizona

• Social Media: This is Home: Spoken Word Artists

• Social Media: The Super Board 2.0

• Influencer Marketing: My Final Four

• Influencer Marketing: 12 Days of Pasta

• Awards of Merit:

• Special Events or Observances: Basha American Indian and Western American Fine Art Donation

• Influencer Marketing: Iconic Summer Mashup 3.0: Bar-S Guy feat. Grillin’ Maidens

• Most Effective Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Campaign: This is Home: Home to Home

LAVIDGE

• Copper Anvils:

• Most Effective Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Campaign: Benjamin Taylor Increases Diversity in the Arizona State Bar

• External Communications: National Media Relations Campaign for Multifamily Merger

• Multicultural Communications: Minority Health Month Awareness Campaign

• Multicultural Communications: Access ASU, Educational Outreach and Student Services

• Awards of Merit:

• Community Relations: Scouts of the Year

Mahogany Xan (Zan) Communications

• Copper Anvils:

• Special Events or Observances: 3rd Annual HBCU All-Star Game

• Multicultural Communications: 3rd Annual HBCU All-Star Game

OH Partners

• Copper Anvils:

• Influencer Marketing: Arizona Adventure 2.0

• Influencer Marketing: The Perfect Gift: Arizona Lottery 2024 Holiday Campaign

• Integrated Communications: Arizona Adventure 2.0

Public Relations Solo Practitioner - Amy Wolff

• Copper Anvils:

• Multicultural Communications: Media Campaign Promoting Arts Education in Minority Communities

Riester

• Copper Anvil:

• Integrated Communications: Talking Stick Resort’s ‘WAVE’ Event Series Relaunch

RIESTER RX & Spectrum Medical Care Center

• Copper Anvil:

• Community Relations: Spectrum Medical Care Center’s ‘PrEP Mobile’ Clinic

RMG Communications

• Copper Anvil:

• Most Effective Campaign on a Shoestring Budget ($5,000 or Less): A Practical Guide to Starting Your Own PR Firm Book

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center

• Award of Merit:

• Magazines: Outreach Magazine published by Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center

Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen

• Copper Anvils:

• Most Effective Campaign on a Shoestring Budget ($5,000 or Less): Five Nights at Freddy’s Promotion (October 2023)

Sundt Construction

• Copper Anvils:

• Special Events or Observances: Constructing You Symposium

• Digital/Social Media: WIC Week 2024

• Websites: Stop the STCKY Website

The Colibri Collective

• Copper Anvils:

• Multicultural Communications: Super Bowl LVII Spanish Public Relations

• Multicultural Communications: Your Adventure Begins Aquí PR Campaign

• Websites: Clean Energy, Clear Lungs Website

• Awards of Merit:

• Public Affairs: Clean Energy, Clear Lungs Campaign

• Video: Girl Scouts Badge Bash Videos

Town of Queen Creek

• Copper Anvil:

• Integrated Communications: QC Utility Billing Launch

Awards of Merit:

• Community Relations: QC Parks & Rec Branding

• Most Effective Campaign on a Shoestring Budget ($5,000 or Less): Broclamation

• Single-Issue Publications: QC Mini Brochure

Judge’s Award
The Judge’s Award, the highest honor given by PRSA Phoenix, was awarded to the City of Glendale for their entry:

• Special Events or Observances: Glendale Rocks Ruby Tuesday

Sponsorship and Acknowledgments

The success of the Copper Anvil Awards would not have been possible without the support of KB Woods, the event’s Copper Sponsor, and APS and Lane Award Manufacturing, our Gold Sponsors. We also extend our gratitude to Riester and Sweetwater Strings for their invaluable in-kind contributions.

About PRSA Phoenix

PRSA Phoenix is the largest organization serving public relations professionals in the Valley, providing members with resources, advocacy, and programming to advance their careers. The Copper Anvil Awards have been a signature event of the chapter for more than 50 years, honoring excellence in public relations. For more information on the PRSA Phoenix Chapter, please visit our website.

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