Prestigious GCPRC Bernays Awards Program Serves as the “Regional Oscars” for the South Florida PR industry
Boca Raton, FL – Capping off 25 years of making indelible impacts and imprints in South Florida for its clients, Kaye Communications (KCOM-PR) has won a coveted Gold Coast Public Relations Council (GCPRC) 2022 Bernays Award for PR Excellence for Best Special Event. The firm was recognized for its event ideation, strategy, production, community relations and media relations for the sold-out inaugural Moms & Pups “Bark & Brunch” ‘fun, fan and fund’ raiser to benefit Tri-County Animal Rescue’s “Together Fur-ever” Medical Fund. Fund monies help to pay in full for or subsidize low-cost, full-service veterinary and animal hospital services at TCAR’s on-site state-of-the-art vet clinic for pet owners who are financially challenged or experiencing other economic crises.
This is KCOM-PR’s ninth Bernays Award, named for the father of Public Relations Edward Bernays. Last year KCOM-PR was the only Palm Beach County entity to receive a 2021 Bernays Award; the firm won for the Best PR Campaign by a Small Company/Firm for its concepting and activating its “The New Way to Club” brand reinvention and repositioning campaign for Boca Lago Golf & Country Club.
GCPRC is the largest independent organization in South Florida of PR, marketing and
communications professionals from Palm Beach, Broward, Martin and Dade counties.
Its prestigious Bernays Awards program serves as the “Regional Oscars” for the South
Florida PR industry. The judges panel annually consists of journalists and former and
current PR executives. To ensure impartiality, none are members of the GCPRC.
“The stature of the others in the special event nomination category this year made the win
so much more coveted,” shared KCOM-PR Founder, President & Chief Strategist Bonnie S. Kaye.
Contenders were the City of Boynton Beach, Discover the Palm Beaches and the
Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, Palm Beach Civic Association and Palm Tran public
transportation system. “Their achievements too were stellar, so being on the slate with these
public entities and then winning was even more gratifying.”
Special Event Focused Attention on Little Known COVID-19-Related
Community Wellness Need
With so many other COVID-19 nonprofit needs taking priority at the time for 15+ months with extensive media attention, TCAR needed to create a news-generating springboard fundraiser to amplify awareness of yet another vulnerable population. These were families of pets who were desperately in need of vet care, but were financially forced to neglect care that could, if not treated, lead to unnecessary pain, death or even gut-wrenching pet surrenders.
Kaye Communications PR & Marketing Wins Its Ninth Bernays Award for PR Excellence/2/2/2/2
Exceeding all its messaging, “fun, fan and fund” raising and awareness goals, the first-time event helped heal and save the lives of the most vulnerable, generated zero surrenders of pets treated, and increased Medical Fund resources to serve 53 families. The event secured and engaged new donor and sponsorship relationships, laid the foundation for a formidable new branded annual TCAR fundraiser, and increased media coverage about TCAR, its non-rescue services at its Pet Clinic, its Medical Fund and how the nonprofit helps support the financially challenged within the community it serves.
KCOM-PR Delivers “The Perfect Afternoon for Dining ‘With and For’ Dogs”
As COVID-19 gathering restrictions reduced, people were starting to look forward to getting out again within safe “feel good, do good” environments to socialize and support community needs. Within a rapid six-week timeframe and in strict adherence to CDC guidelines, KCOM-PR conceptualized, branded, introduced, promoted and produced the inaugural Moms & Pups
“Bark & Brunch.”
Positioned as a news-generating kick-off for Mother’s Day week, more than 125 paw-loving advocates and dozens of pups enjoyed joyful open-air, courtyard brunch and themed festivities to celebrate pup rescue moms and raise funds. These included live music, free-flowing Bloody Mary and Bellini Bars, a doggie treat buffet, Mom & Pooch Photo Station, Mother’s Day boutique gift shopping, silent auction, “KARMA Luxury Weekend” Chance-to-Win, pampering swag bags with donated items from Saks Fifth Avenue, Green Roads CBD and Protect My Shoes, as well as pet grooming kits, purse table hangers and pairs of pup-themed socks.
High-profile Boca Raton Pup Rescue Moms Marta Batmasian, Andrea Kline and Constance Scott who have long advocated for TCAR were honored. A host committee of well-connected Boca residents was recruited to help share the event, mission and Chance to Win ticket sales with their closest circles. Pup Star Host terrier Tamar Batmasian welcomed guests. Reach out to sponsors and donors offered various levels of themed sponsor categories: “Paws Up” Red Carpet, “Pet Protector” (ADT), “Tail-wagging” Valet, Beau’s “Bark” Bars, “Pupolicious Décor” and annual Healing Clinic Kennel dedications.
The Ninth Bernays Win Caps Off 25th Anniversary Commemoration of KCOM-PR
In addition to being presented the GCPRC win this year, KCOM-PR has won Bernays Awards
for the following projects and campaigns on behalf of business and nonprofit organizations:
- Bernays PR Star Award: Presented by the GCPRC president for best overall and
long-standing excellence for “building a solid reputation for serving a variety of business,
lifestyle and nonprofit clients over the years.” - Best PR Campaign by a Small Company/Firm: “The New Way to Club” brand and
marketing reinvention campaign for Boca Lago Golf & Country
Club, a private equity membership country club that was transitioning to a non-equity
private club membership following Club acquisition by an independent owner. - Best PR Campaign by a Small Company/Firm: Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach
County’s Women Build, a women-exclusive “Sisterhood of the Pink Hard Hat” experiential
“fan and fund” raiser. - Best PR Campaign by a Small Company/Firm: BEE Positive Now™ campaign for Broken Sound Club, a 5-Star Platinum Club of America private club and internationally
respected sustainability leader.
Kaye Communications PR & Marketing Wins Its Ninth Bernays Award for PR Excellence/3/3/3/3
- Best Special Event: Inaugural Boca Raton Mayors Ball presented by the Rotary Club
Downtown Boca Raton (conceived and produced pro bono by KCOM-PR) to benefit
the health and wellness needs of Boca Raton’s nonprofits. - Nonprofit/Charity Project or Campaign (Budget under $100,000): The Great Doggie
Dine-Out & Paws Fest “peeps and pups” event to raise “fans and funds” to benefit client
Tri-County Animal Rescue (TCAR). - Best Project on Behalf of a Nonprofit Organization: “Our Legend, Her Legacy”:
Countess de Hoernle’s100th Birthday Gala and Community Celebration presented by
the Order of St. John to benefit five area nonprofits selected by the Countess.
- Best PR Campaign by a Large Company or Firm: The $100 Hamburger campaign to
debut the Old Homestead Steakhouse at the Boca Raton Resort & Club that benefited
Make-a-Wish Foundation; achieving $1.7 million in broadcast coverage alone within the
first 48 hours of debut.
KCOM-PR is an award-winning South Florida-headquartered integrated marketing and
public relations firm based in Boca Raton that provides “seriously strategic” integrated
communications counsel, develops authentic original content and implements market-relevant
multi-audience programs, initiatives and campaigns for regional and national B2B, consumer brands
in a variety of industries with demonstrated expertise in public/private partnerships. To achieve
success, KCOM-PR provides “think tank” insights, ideation and media relations interface to create
news-generating opportunities and engaging events to increase brand awareness and education, media/influencer storytelling, alliance-building, grassroots interfacing and impactful community
relations imprints. The firm, celebrating 25+ years of client impacts and imprints, is located at
980 North Federal Highway, Suite 110, Boca Raton, FL 33432. For more information, call
(561) 392-5166, visit www.kcompr.com, www.kcompr.com/testimonials/
and www.facebook.com/kcompr or email SmartStrategiesStart@kcompr.com.