Riley Communications Wins Top S.C. Communications Award
November 6, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – November 6, 2009 – Riley Communications took home the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Palmetto Awards top communications honor for Columbia’s Viva La Vista food festival for the Congaree Vista Guild at a November 5 evening ceremony at 701 Whaley. The company received the statewide Star of the Show Award for the top-ranking submission among 65 entries, as judged by fellow communications professionals from four states.
Additionally, Riley Communications tied for the second-highest ranking submission for communication management strategies in promoting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands 6th Annual Rubber Duck Race. Both campaigns also received Awards of Excellence in their respective categories.
“These awards are such a validation of our commitment to strategic planning and relationship-building,” said Riley Communications CEO Jacque Riley. “And it just goes to show that when you have a forward-thinking arts destination, a collaborative creative team and great food, the community will come out and bring their appetite!” Judges comments included, “super metrics,” “made me want to be there,” “excellent outline of measurable results,” and “you delivered.”
The award-winning campaign balanced the Vista’s long-term arts and entertainment identity with an inaugural food festival, with Riley Communications executing all public and community relations in conjunction with advertising and design 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. Viva La Vista proved to be an even larger success than expected, selling out of food tokens within the first 45 minutes.
“Riley Communications always makes me feel like we’re their only client,” said Congaree Vista Guild Director Deidre Mardon. “For Viva la Vista, 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 such as the district’s November 19 Vista Lights holiday kick-off, as well as area initiatives.
ABOUT RILEY COMMUNICATIONS
Riley Communications provides public relations and strategic marketing to business and lifestyle clients of all sizes in South Carolina and is located in the Cason Building at 1612 Marion St. in Columbia. For more information about Riley Communications, visit www.RileyCommunications.com or call 803.227.0914.
