May
13th | St. Anthony Promotion wins Gold Quill Award for Excellence |
The multi-year advertising, marketing and public relations campaign that kept the community informed about events leading to the opening of St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor will receive the 2010 Gold Quill Award of Merit for excellence in business communication.
Award winners were announced by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) on April 20. The award entry competed with nearly 900 hopefuls from 28 countries.
The numerous communication strategies and special events that promoted the Franciscan Health System's newest hospital were planned, implemented and managed by Franciscan; GA Creative, a marketing, branding and communications agency in Bellevue; and JayRay, a public relations and communications consulting firm in Tacoma.
"St. Anthony was a milestone project for Gig Harbor and all the peninsula communities, as well as the Franciscan organization," said Budd Wagner, vice president of marketing and communications for the Franciscan Health System. "The Gold Quill Award is a very special acknowledgment of the commitment to excellence that distinguished the collaboration between Franciscan, GA Creative and JayRay."
The prestigious award will be presented at the IABC World Conference on June 7 in Toronto, Canada.
"Judges were particularly impressed by the welcome-sign messaging, conveying that neighbors were excited about the hospital opening," said Marlice Gulacsik, principal for GA Creative, "and by the DVD mailed to the community, helping build further enthusiasm."
Communications, promotions, community relations and special events for St. Anthony Hospital were strategic, creative and comprehensive. The sustained efforts spanned five years, beginning in 2004 when the Washington State Department of Health approved Franciscan's plans to build the first acute-care hospital in Gig Harbor. St. Anthony opened in March 2009, following grand-opening celebration events attended by more than 1,000 people from throughout the community.
Award entries went through two rigorous rounds of judging by top senior communicators from around the world. The final selections were made by the Gold Quill Awards Blue Ribbon Panel of Judges in March 2010.
"This year, we had entries from nearly every continent, in four languages, and the winning entries once again showcase what a dynamic, vibrant and innovative profession we share," said Melissa Dark, vice-chair of the 2010 Gold Quill Awards. View the complete list of winners online.
In addition to providing much-needed 24-hour emergency care and an array of inpatient and outpatient medical services, St. Anthony Hospital has had a significant economic impact by creating nearly 500 jobs for physicians, nurses, surgical and diagnostic imaging techs, and other health care professionals.
About GA Creative
Bellevue-based GA Creative, Inc. is an integrated branding and advertising agency that works with organizations to enhance brand perceptions and increase market share. Established in 1984, GA Creative is one of the top firms in the region according to the Puget Sound Business Journal list of graphic design and advertising agencies, and was named by the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce as an Eastside Small Business of the Year. GA provides ongoing support to the greater Puget Sound community through volunteerism, membership and donations. For more information, visit www.gacreative.com.
About Franciscan Health System
Franciscan Health System, based in Tacoma, includes St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way, St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, Enumclaw Regional Hospital in Enumclaw, Franciscan Medical Group clinics and providers in Pierce, King and Kitsap counties; and the largest in-home and inpatient hospice and palliative care program in Washington State. Franciscan Health System is affiliated with Catholic Health Initiatives, one of the largest non-profit health systems in the nation. Web: www.FHShealth.org.
About JayRay
JayRay, located in Tacoma, is a full-service communications and public relations consulting company that specializes in advertising, branding, community relations, crisis communications, graphic design, digital media and research. Web: www.jayray.com.
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