Kentuckians for Strong Leadership creative collaboration honored
(Louisville, KY) – RunSwitch PR, the largest public relations and public affairs firm in Kentucky, and Grit Creative, Kentucky’s foremost Republican political consulting firm, were presented with multiple wins in three major political industry award categories: the Pollie Awards, the Goldie Awards, and the Reed Awards.
The Pollie Awards are the most prized and sought-after awards in the political communications and public affairs industries. Determined by a blind jury of professional peers, every entry – whether submitted by a large consulting company or an individual consultant – is considered equal in competing for honors of excellence. Winning a gold in both the PAC/Super PAC and Best Use of Negative or Contrast categories within the Direct Mail – Candidate division was “Hillary’s Birthday Card with Greg Stumbo.” “Tommy’s Fairy Tale” received a gold in the Radio – Candidate Division for PAC/Super PAC category and a silver in the Radio – Candidate Division for Independent Expenditure Campaign.
Judged by a panel of professional peers, the Goldie Awards recognize excellence in political practice and communication. Democrats are awarded a golden donkey and Republicans are awarded a golden elephant, while non-partisan and independent entries are recognized with a golden eagle.
Golden elephants were handed out for “Hillary’s Birthday Card with Greg Stumbo” in the Use of Contrast/Negative Excellence and Direct Mail Excellence: Independent Expenditure categories. “Tommy’s Fairy Tale” was recognized with a golden elephant in the Radio Excellence: Independent Expenditure category and a silver elephant in the Biographical Ad/Communication Excellence. “Fleabag Fitz” and “Separate and Secret Fitz” were both awarded a golden elephant in the Use of Contrast/Negative Excellence category, while “Puzzle” was awarded a silver elephant in the same category. In the Television Excellence: Independent Expenditure category, “No Work No Pay” received a silver elephant.
Named for Campaigns & Elections founder Stanley Foster Reed, the Reed Awards were established to identify the best of the political campaign industry. The partnership was recognized with two Reed Awards; one for the best mail piece by an independent expenditure for a state legislative campaign with “Hillary’s Birthday Card with Greg Stumbo,” and the second Reed Award for Toughest Radio Ad – Republican in the nation for “Fleabag Fitz.”
The firms were recognized for strategic campaign messaging created for Kentuckians for Strong Leadership (KSL), an independent expenditure organization which successfully helped flip control of the Kentucky State House to Republicans. Prior to the November 8 election, Kentucky’s House was the only chamber in the South controlled by Democrats.
“I am thrilled to receive the triple crown of political awards,” said Scott Jennings, partner at RunSwitch PR. “Having the chance to partner with the talented crew at Grit Creative was a true honor. It is nice to be recognized for work that had such a dramatic impact on Kentucky’s future.”
KSL ran an independent communications apparatus in the 2016 state house elections and engaged in 19 state house races, and of those, Republican candidates were elected in 16.
“Together our teams were able to accomplish great results. We are grateful to be recognized for the innovative work we were able to do,” said Vincent Fields, president of Grit Creative.
RUNSWITCH PR – GRIT CREATIVE AWARD WINNERS:
POLLIE WINNERS:
DIRECT MAIL – CANDIDATE DIVISION – For PAC/Super PAC
- Gold – Hillary’s Birthday Card with Greg Stumbo
DIRECT MAIL – CANDIDATE DIVISION – Best Use of Negative or Contrast
- Gold – Hillary’s Birthday Card with Greg Stumbo
RADIO – CANDIDATE DIVISION – For PAC/Super PAC
- Gold – Tommy’s Fairy Tale
RADIO – CANDIDATE DIVISION – Independent Expenditure Campaign
- Silver – Tommy’s Fairy Tale
GOLDIE (GOLDEN ELEPHANT) WINNERS:
Use of Contrast/Negative Excellence
“Hillary’s Birthday Card with Greg Stumbo”
Direct Mail Excellence: Independent Expenditure
“Hillary’s Birthday Card with Greg Stumbo”
Use of Contrast/Negative Excellence
“Fleabag Fitz”
Use of Contrast/Negative Excellence
“Separate and Secret Fitz”
Radio Excellence: Independent Expenditure
“Tommy’s Fairy Tale”
GOLDIE (SILVER ELEPHANT) WINNERS:
Biographical Ad/Communication Excellence
“Tommy’s Fairy Tale”
Television Excellence: Independent Expenditure
“No Work No Pay”
Use of Contrast/Negative Excellence
“Puzzle”
REED WINNERS:
Best Mail Piece For Independent Expenditure Campaign – State Legislative“Hillary’s Birthday Card with Greg Stumbo”
Kentuckians for Strong Leadership – Toughest Radio Ad – Republican
“Fleabag Fitz”
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ABOUT RUNSWITCH:
RunSwitch PR is a full-service firm providing a range of services including public affairs, public relations, and political consulting services to an impressive list of local, national, and international clients, including Amazon, Pfizer, Phillip Morris International, and Long John Silver’s. Along with being a “Best Place To Work” for the past two years, Louisville Business First ranked RunSwitch PR the number one PR firm in Kentucky, in 2014, 2015, and 2016. For more information about RunSwitch PR and its team, visit www.runswitchpr.com or follow the firm on Twitter and Facebook.
ABOUT GRIT CREATIVE:
Grit Creative is a marketing and advertising agency in Frankfort, Kentucky that assembles a best-in-class team of thinkers and makers, providing a virtual in-house creative department. Specializing in politics and public affairs, Grit has delivered for campaigns at all levels – from County Clerk to US President. To learn more about Grit Creative, visit www.grit-creative.com or follow @HelloGrit on Twitter.
