AGA Announces Finalists for Fourth Annual Gaming Industry Communications Awards

WASHINGTON—The American Gaming Association (AGA) today announced finalists for the 2004 Gaming Voice Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement in advertising and corporate communications in the gaming industry.

More than 180 entries were submitted to this year’s AGA Communications Awards competition. Finalists in 11 categories — including best 2003 annual report, best publication, best print advertisement, best radio and television advertisements and best Web site — represent 23 companies and gaming organizations from around the country.

“As the gaming industry grows, effective communications with customers, shareholders, members of the media and the general public become increasingly important,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., AGA president and , who will serve as master of ceremonies for the awards presentation being held next week. “Providing a competitive forum in which gaming companies can have their work judged fosters quality communication throughout the industry.”

Gaming Voice Award winners will be announced at the AGA Communications Awards Presentation and Reception, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 6, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino Conference Center in the Premier Ballroom on the third floor.

2004 Gaming Voice Award Finalists (listed in alphabetical order):

Best 2003 Annual Report

• Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (Assisting Agency: Eleven, Inc.)
• Argosy Gaming Company (Assisting Agency: Falk Harrison Creative)
• MGM MIRAGE (Assisting Agency: Schadler Kramer Group Advertising)
• Station Casinos, Inc. (Assisting Agency: Kuhlmann Leavitt)

Best Broadcast Ad: Radio

• Casino Arizona, “Grocery Store” (Assisting Agency: Riester~Robb)
• Casino Del Sol, “Talking Tree” (Assisting Agency: Off Madison Ave.)
• Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., “Table Games” (Assisting Agency: Chess Communications Group)

Best Broadcast Ad: Television

• Ameristar Casinos, Inc., “Ameristar Casinos All-Star TV” (Assisting Agency: Momentum)
• Mohegan Sun, “Mohegan Sun Brand” (Assisting Agency: Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners)
• Wildhorse Hotel & Casino, “How Do You Play?” (Assisting Agency: Ralston 360)

Best Print Advertisement: Single

• Ameristar Casinos, Inc., “Blues, Brews, BBQs” (Assisting Agency: Eleven, Inc.)
• Ameristar Casinos, Inc., “Cash is King Promotion” (Assisting Agency: Eleven, Inc.)
• Casino Arizona, “Dr. Office” (Assisting Agency: Riester~Robb)

Best Print Advertisement: Multiple

• Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Print” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye FFWD)
• New York-New York Hotel & Casino, “New York-New York Hotel Nightlife” (Assisting Agency: Schadler Kramer Group Advertising)
• Studio 54-MGM Grand, “Studio 54 – Dollhouse” (Assisting Agency: Schadler Kramer Group Advertising

Best Print Advertisement: Outdoor

• River Rock Casino, “Tri-vision” (Assisting Agency: Riester~Robb)
• Casino Rama, “Skydome/ACC Durations” (Assisting Agency: Marshall Fenn Communications)
• Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Campaign” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye FFWD)

Best Publication: Produced by a Gaming Company

• Atronic Americas, LLC, “Atronic: 10 Years of Success” (Assisting Agency: Off Madison Ave)
• Boyd Gaming Company, “Boyd Buzz” (Assisting Agency: Rain Visual Strategy)
• Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., “Harrah’s Survey 2003-Profile of the American Casino Gambler” (Assisting Agency: TBC, Inc.)

Best Publication: Produced by a Supplier/Vendor, Agency or Association

• Casino Association of Indiana, “The Indiana Casino Gaming News”
• Missouri Riverboat Gaming Association, “A Dynamic Decade”
• Native American Casino, “Native American Casino Magazine”

Best Web Site: Produced by a Gaming Company

• Ameristar Casinos, Inc., www.ameristarcasinos.com
• Caesars Entertainment, Inc., www.caesars.com
• Station Casinos, Inc., www.stationcasinos.com

Best Web Site: Produced by a Supplier/Vendor, Agency or Association

• Colorado Division of Gaming, www.revenue.state.co.us/gaming/home.asp
• Iowa Gaming Association, www.iowagaming.org (Assisting Agency: Flynn Wright)
• Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, www.mnindiangaming.com (Assisting Agencies: Advanced Technologies Integration, Inc., Kelly Media Counsel, Inc.)

The AGA Communications Awards is 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, located on the first level of the show floor next to registration at the Las Vegas Convention Center, for more information.

he AGA represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues. The association also serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.