AGA Announces Finalists for Fifth Annual Gaming Industry Communications Awards

WASHINGTON—The American Gaming Association (AGA) today announced finalists for the 2005 Gaming Voice Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement in corporate communications and advertising in the gaming industry.  

Finalists in 13 categories – including best 2004 annual report, best publication, best print advertisement, best radio and television advertisements, best direct mail and best Web site – represent 23 companies and gaming organizations from around the United States and Canada. A jury of judges with expertise in advertising and marketing, Internet design, graphic arts and financial communication evaluated more than 170 entries in determining the 39 finalists.

“Quality communications with customers, shareholders, members of the media and the general public remain an important element of the increasingly competitive and constantly evolving gaming entertainment industry,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA, who will serve as master of ceremonies for the awards presentation. “Some of the most creative and innovative advertising and corporate communications materials in the world are being developed in our industry, and the AGA Communications Awards honor the best of the best.”

Gaming Voice Awards will be presented at the AGA Communications Awards Presentation and Reception on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The AGA also will honor veteran reporter Phil Hevener with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s event. Hevener has for more than 25 years chronicled the evolution of politics, economics, trends and personalities within the industry. He currently writes for several publications including his own bi-weekly newsletter, Phil Hevener’s Gaming Hotline, and consumer and trade publications such as Global Gaming Business, Gaming Today and Poker Player.

2005 Gaming Voice Award Finalists (listed in alphabetical order):

Best 2004 Annual Report

• Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (Assisting Agency: Eleven, Inc.)
• MGM MIRAGE (Assisting Agency: Schadler Kramer Group)
• Station Casinos, Inc. (Assisting Agency: Kuhlmann Leavitt, Inc.)

Best Broadcast Ad: Radio

• Harrah’s Entertainment, “Harrah’s Entertainment Code of Commitment”
• Florida Lottery, “Small Jackpot ‘Parents’” (Assisting Agency: CooperDDB)
• Mohegan Sun, “A World at Play” (Assisting Agency: Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners)

Best Broadcast Ad: Television

• Florida Lottery, “Millionaire Grouper Fisherman” (Assisting Agency: CooperDDB)
• Foxwoods Resort Casino, “Poker Tips” (Assisting Agency: The Kaplan Thaler Group)
• Prairie Island Indian Community, “Prairie Island PSAs 2004” (Assisting Agency: Prin Pictures)

Best Customer Publication

• Bellagio, “D. Fine Brochure” (Assisting Agency: Browns & Partners Advertising)
• Harrah’s Entertainment, “Harrah’s Entertainment’s Committed to Our Community Reports”
• Morris Specialty Publications/Jackpot, “Jackpot!”

Best Direct Mail

• Barona Valley Ranch, “Club Barona Tier Migration DM”
• Bellagio, “Bellagio One in a Million” (Assisting Agency: Browns & Partners Advertising)
• MGM MIRAGE, “Mirage 2005 Super Bowl Invitation” (Assisting Agency: Schadler Kramer Group)

Best Employee Publication

• Boyd Gaming Corporation, “Boyd Buzz” (Assisting Agency: Rain Visual Strategies)
• arrah’s Entertainment, “Harrah’s Entertainment’s Chairman’s Award Campaign”
• Mississippi Gaming News, “Mississippi Gaming News”

Best Multi-format Ad Campaign

• Bellagio, “Bellagio ‘O’ Campaign” (Assisting Agency: Diesel Advertising)
• San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, “Salad/Dishes/Barcalounger” (Assisting Agency: Off Madison Ave.)
• Société des Casinos du Québec Inc. and Casino de Montréal, “Northeast Leisure Campaign”

Best Outdoor Advertisement: Multiple

• Mohegan Sun, “A World at Play” (Assisting Agency: Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners)
• Société des Casinos du Québec Inc. and Casino de Charlevoix, “Québec City Intercept Campaign”
• Société des Casinos du Québec Inc. and Casino du Lac-Leamy, “Ottawa Outdoor Campaign”

Best Outdoor Advertisement: Single

• Delaware Lottery, “Ah Summer” (Assisting Agency: RT&E Integrated Communications)
• Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners-Kim” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye FFWD)
• Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners-Mary Ann” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye FFWD)

Best Print Advertisement: Multiple

• Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, “Wait Branding Print” (Assisting Agency: Schadler Kramer Group)
• Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners Campaign” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye FFWD)
• Silverton Casino Lodge Las Vegas, “Timmy the Trout” (Assisting Agency: Schadler Kramer Group)

Best Print Advertisement: Single

• Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, “Wait Print/Suite” (Assisting Agency: Schadler Kramer Group)
• Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners-Bessie” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye FFWD)
• Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners-Mary Ann” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye FFWD)

Best Web Site: Produced by a Commercial Casino Company

• Argosy Gaming, www.argosycasinos.com (Assisting Agency: The Sacco Group)
• Shuffle Master, www.shufflemaster.com (Assisting Agency: CDI Studios)
• Société des Casinos du Québec Inc. and Casino de Montréal, www.amazingmontreal.com (Assisting Agency, Isabelle Hudon)

Best Web Site: Produced by a Native American Casino

• Barona Valley Ranch, www.barona.com
• Cliff Castle Casino, www.cliffcastle.com (Assisting Agency: Cramer-Krasselt)
• Native American Casino, www.nacasino.com (Assisting Agency: efootbridge.com)

The AGA Communications Awards are sponsored by Goldman, Sachs & Co. with support from Global Gaming Expo (G2E), Piercy Bowler Taylor & Kern (PBTK), and Wells Fargo Bank.

If you are interested in covering the AGA Communications Awards Presentation and Reception, please contact Courtney Reiter at 202-637-6508. During Global Gaming Expo (G2E), visit the AGA Office at the Las Vegas Convention Center (Central Halls, room N241), for more information.

The American Gaming Association (AGA) is the national trade association for the commercial casino industry. In addition to representing the interests of its members on federal legislative and regulatory issues, the AGA serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.