Riley Communications Wins Mercury Award for Viva La Vista PR
May 1, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – May 1, 2009 — Riley Communications received a Mercury Award from the South Carolina Public Relations Society of America (SCPRSA) April 30 for strategies in promoting Columbia’s first Viva La Vista food festival for the Congaree Vista Guild. The award, given in the category of events and observances lasting fewer than seven days, honors best practices in the field of public relations.
Balancing a first-time event with experience promoting other Vista events like Vista Lights and Artista Vista, Riley Communications executed all public relations for the inaugural festival in conjunction with advertising from Crescendo Advertising. Creative promotional ideas for the event included asking local celebrities to preside over a “Best Food” competition among restaurants and ensuring that all restaurants had an affordable tasting menu ranging from $1 to $4.
“We feel our fresh approach to Viva La Vista really cemented it as a fun, welcome addition to the Vista events,” said Riley Communications CEO Jacque Riley. “We always enjoy working with the Vista — it’s such a cool scene to be behind.”
Viva La Vista proved to be an even larger success than expected, selling out of food tokens within the first 45 minutes and drawing in a regional crowd of nearly 7,000 people. Riley Communications garnered significant media coverage for a first-time event, including 20 print stories, four television appearances, three radio interviews and numerous mentions in local blogs.
“Riley Communications’ PR really complemented our hard work on the ground,” said Congaree Vista Guild Director Deidre Mardon. “They were able to communicate the block party ambiance we had envisioned in a way that connected across the state.”
Riley Communications continues to collaborate with the Congaree Vista Guild and Crescendo Advertising to promote other events like Artista Vista, as well as area initiatives including the Smart Businesses Recycle campaign.
ABOUT RILEY COMMUNICATIONS
Riley Communications handles business and lifestyle public relations businesses of all sizes in South Carolina and is located in the Suggs & Kelly building at 500 Taylor Street in Columbia. For more information about Riley Communications, visit www.RileyCommunications.com or call 803.227.0914.
