Rueckert Advertising & Public Relations in Albany, NY

Rueckert Advertising & Public Relations and blue.0 Win PRSA "Best In Show" Honors

October 31, 2011

An integrated social media campaign conducted by Loudonville-based Rueckert Advertising & Public Relations, Inc. and partner blue.0 that helped attract the largest field to the 2011 Freihofer's Run for Women 5K earned top honors in the Public Relations Society of America's (PRSA) fourth annual "Empire Awards," a contest honoring outstanding achievement in the practice and support of public relations in the Capital Region. The event took place Thursday, Oct. 27 at The Crossings of Colonie.

Rueckert Advertising, which has provided marketing and public relations services for the all-women road race since 1996 and Ballston Spa-based blue.0, won in the Online Media division, one of the most hotly contested categories. They also picked up the evening's highest distinction, "Best in Show."

"The Empire Awards validate all of the hard work that we put into this event," said longtime Event Director George Regan. "They also speak volumes about the professionalism of the PR/marketing team we have in place.

"The sport of running is experiencing tremendous growth at present and has become a social phenomenon," Regan continued. "At the same time, the way people are communicating is changing by the day and social media is playing an increasingly important role. Rueckert Advertising and blue.0 understand how to effectively apply these new modes of communication within our marketing mix. As a result, the Freihofer's Run for Women continues to go from strength to strength."

Designed to give regional runners an opportunity to connect with one another and to forge a stronger connection with the race, Rueckert Advertising and blue.0's six-month social media effort used a blend of social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube videos, strategic giveaways, the event's blog, and traditional media relations.

The introduction of the Freihofer's Training Challenge, a 10-week program that taught novice runners how to complete three miles gradually utilizing the popular Couch to 5K Training Plan, was another key component of the strategy. The Training Challenge featured three personalities from local media sponsors who led teams, recruited runners and shared their experiences on the Freihofer's blog.

This is the third time in four years Rueckert Advertising and blue.0 have been honored for their work on behalf of the Run for Women by PRSA. In 2009, they were tapped for the launch of their social media strategy, while in 2008 Rueckert Advertising was selected for Integrated Campaign honors. Last year, the American Marketing Association named both firms' work on behalf of the road race, the only 5K in the nation to hold an IAAF silver label designation, a winner in its annual Mark of Excellence contest, while also bestowing the campaign its coveted "People's Choice" award.

This year Kirk Hazlett, APR, Fellow PRSA, Associate Professor of Communication, Curry College (Milton, Mass.) and National PRSA Board Director emceed the event, which was attended by more than 100 practitioners and their families and friends.

In addition to bestowing awards in 11 categories, the chapter recognized two local individuals for special awards: Outstanding Practitioner and Outstanding Communicator.

Pictured with the coveted bronzes flames are (L to R): George Regan, event director, Freihofer's Run for Women; Patrick Lynskey, operations manager, Freihofer's Run for Women; and, Edward Parham, director of public relations, Rueckert Advertising & Public Relations, Inc.