Gold Coast PR Council names 20th Bernays Awards winners

The Gold Coast PR Council recognized South Florida public relations, marketing and community impact work at its 20th annual Bernays Awards luncheon on July 23 in West Palm Beach. The honors spotlighted campaigns and leaders across nonprofit, corporate, crisis and social media work.

Why it matters: - The Bernays Awards are one of South Florida’s key recognition programs for public relations, marketing and communications work. - The 20th anniversary highlights the long-running role of the awards in elevating campaigns and professionals across the region. - The winners show where communications is having measurable impact, from nonprofit fundraising to crisis response and community outreach.

What happened: - The Gold Coast PR Council announced the winners of its 20th Annual Bernays Awards. - The awards were presented Thursday, July 23, at the Airport Hilton in West Palm Beach. - Nearly 100 communications professionals, community leaders and guests attended the luncheon. - WPTV NBC 5 anchor Tania Rogers served as emcee. - New York Life was the presenting sponsor. - The council said the anniversary year recognized both this year’s winners and the people who have helped build South Florida’s communications community.

The details: - Gary Schweikhart received the President’s Award. - Schweikhart co-founded the Gold Coast PR Council with the late Barry Epstein in 2002. - Schweikhart has more than 55 years in communications. - Schweikhart has led Boca Raton-based PR-BS, Public Relations By Schweikhart, since 2001. - Scott Simmons of Norton Museum of Art received the PR Star Award. - Angela Cruz Ledford received the Founders Award. - Kelly Henry of Florida Weekly received the Tim Byrd Award. - The City of Boca Raton received the Judges Award for Centennial Celebration: Cheers to 100 Years. - BlueIvy Communications won Best Nonprofit Project or Campaign — Large for Arts Garage: Sustaining a Cultural Anchor Amid Arts Funding Cuts. - The Buzz Agency won Best Nonprofit Project or Campaign — Small for Promise Fund: Expanding Access to Life-Saving Cancer Screenings. - Palm Beach County Library System won Best Marketing Material — Print for The Bookmobile Rebrand. - Hey, Sandy! PR & Communications won Best Marketing Material — Digital/Video for Renewed Wellness Medical Center Commercials. - Discover The Palm Beaches won Best Special Event for Spill the Tea: Bringing The Palm Beaches to New York City Through Immersive Storytelling. - Boardroom PR won Best Social Media Campaign — For Profit for Banking for the Next Generation. - Kaliah Communications and MasterWing Creative Agency won Best Social Media Campaign — Nonprofit for Dine Local. Savor Greenacres. - Food For The Poor won Best Crisis Management for Food For The Poor Responds to Hurricane Melissa. - Hey, Sandy! PR & Communications won Best PR Campaign by a Small Company or Firm for T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society: Opioid Prevention Education Series, Season 5. - BlueIvy Communications won Best PR Campaign by a Large Company or Firm for “A Legacy Through Local Art” Initiative. - The Bernays Awards have recognized public relations campaigns, marketing programs, media relations, special events and communications initiatives across South Florida since 2005. - The awards are named for Edward Bernays, a pioneer of modern public relations. - The Gold Coast PR Council was founded in 2002 and is South Florida’s largest independent association of public relations, communications, marketing and public affairs professionals. - The organization offers networking, professional development, recognition and educational opportunities for communications practitioners throughout the region. - More information is available on GoldCoastPRCouncil.com.

Between the lines: - The range of winners suggests South Florida communications work is being judged on both creative execution and community benefit. - Nonprofit and crisis-related honors point to a strong emphasis on public service messaging, not just brand promotion. - The 20th anniversary and the special awards also reinforce the council’s effort to reward long-term leadership, not only individual campaigns.

What's next: - The Bernays Awards will continue as an annual showcase for regional communications work. - The Gold Coast PR Council is likely to keep using the event to recognize practitioners, build visibility for member organizations and strengthen industry ties. - Future winners will build on the standard set by this year’s campaigns, especially in nonprofit impact, public health and community storytelling.