AGA Announces Finalists For Sixth Annual Communications Awards

WASHINGTON—The American Gaming Association (AGA) today announced finalists for the 2006 Gaming Voice Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement in corporate communications and advertising in the gaming industry. 

Finalists in 15 categories – including best 2005 annual report, best customer publication, best print advertisement, best radio and television advertisements, best direct mail and best Web site – represent 17 companies and gaming organizations from around the United States and Canada. A panel of judges with expertise in advertising and marketing, Internet design, graphic arts and financial communications evaluated more than 90 entries in determining the 39 finalists. ,P> “With the incredible growth of gaming in the U.S. and abroad, quality communications directed at customers, shareholders, members of the media and the general public have never been so important in keeping companies competitive and building brand loyalty,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA, who will serve as master of ceremonies for the awards presentation. “Our industry develops some of the most creative and innovative advertising and corporate communications materials in the world, and the AGA Communications Awards honor those who have truly distinguished themselves as the best of the best.” 

Gaming Voice Awards will be presented at the AGA Communications Awards Presentation and Luncheon on Monday, Nov. 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The AGA also will honor renowned author Hal Rothman, Ph.D., a distinguished professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s event. Rothman, a tourism expert, is the author of the widely acclaimed Neon Metropolis: How Las Vegas Started the 21st Century (2002). A member of the Nevada Writer’s Hall of Fame, Rothman is a regular columnist for the Las Vegas Sun and has been prominently featured in national broadcast and print media including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and CNN. 

The AGA Communications Awards are sponsored by market analysis and investment firm Goldman, Sachs & Co., with support from Wells Fargo Bank, Piercy Bowler Taylor & Kern (PBTK) and Global Gaming Expo (G2E). The full list of finalists is below.

Best Annual Report: Commercial or Native American Casino
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. “2005 Annual Report” (Assisting Agency: Kuhlmann Leavitt, Inc.)
MGM MIRAGE, “2005 Annual Diversity Report” (Assisting Agency: World Class Design, LLC)
Station Casinos, Inc. “2005 Annual Report” (Assisting Agency: Kuhlmann Leavitt, Inc.)

Best Annual Report: Public Agency or Association
Casino Association of Indiana, “A Decade of Distinction”

Best Broadcast Ad: Radio
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, “Sleepover” (Assisting Agency: DRGM Advertising)
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, “July 4th Hotel Occupancy” (Assisting Agency: DRGM Advertising)
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, “Pick 4: 1997” (Assisting Agency: Bensimon Byrne)

Best Broadcast Ad: Television
Ameristar Casinos, Inc., “Playground/Dodgeball” (Assisting Agency: TBWA CHIATT DAY)
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, “Be Yourself At Home” (Assisting Agency: DRGM Advertising)
Foxwoods Resort Casino, “Image/TV” (Assisting Agency: The Kaplan Thaler Group)

Best Customer Publication
MGM MIRAGE, “M Lifestyle Magazine” (Assisting Agency: Custom Publishing Group)
Native American Casino Magazine, “Native American Casino, May 2006” (Assisting Agency: Press Arts)
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., “Power of the Parrot” (Assisting Agency: Chess Communications Group)

Best Direct Mail: Single Piece
MGM MIRAGE, “Madonna Invite” (Assisting Agency: MGM MIRAGE Advertising, Inc.)
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, “All Access Summer Pass” (Assisting Agency: DRGM Advertising)
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, “Bon Jovi” (Assisting Agency: Outthink)

Best Direct Mail: Campaign
MGM MIRAGE, “Gone With the Winnings” (Assisting Agency: MGM MIRAGE Advertising, Inc.)
MGM MIRAGE, “Shadow Creek Shootout” (Assisting Agency: MGM MIRAGE Advertising, Inc.)

Best Employee Publication
Boyd Gaming Corporation, “Boyd Buzz” (Assisting Agency: Rain Visual Design Strategy)
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., “Talk to the Top Campaign” (Assisting Agency: Anabliss)
L’Auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino, “Lagniappe Living Magazine” (Assisting Agency: Lake City Printing)

Best Multi-Format Ad Campaign
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., “B.B. King” (Assisting Agency: Chess Communications Group)
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., “Lava Bar” (Assisting Agency: Chess Communications Group)
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, “Payday” (Assisting Agency: Bensimon Byrne)

Best Outdoor Advertisement: Single Piece
MGM MIRAGE, “Monday Night Football at the Brew Pub” (Assisting Agency: MGM Advertising, Inc.)
Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners – Michael” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye|GROUP)
Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners – Randy” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye|GROUP)

Best Outdoor Advertisement: Campaign
Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners Campaign” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye|GROUP)
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, “Dailies ‘Days of the Week’” (Assisting Agency: Bensimon Byrne)

Best Print Advertisement: Single
Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners – Michael” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye|GROUP)
Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners – Randy” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye|GROUP)
Treasure Island (TI) Las Vegas, “Get Your Hands on a Nice Pair” (Assisting Agency: MGM MIRAGE Advertising, Inc.)

Best Print Advertisement: Campaign
Foxwoods Resort Casino, “Image/Print” (Assisting Agency: The Kaplan Thaler Group)
MGM MIRAGE Advertising/Bellagio, “Embrace Extravagance Superiority” (Assisting Agency: Brown & Partners)
Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino, “Horses” (Assisting Agency: Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners)

Best Public Service Announcement
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., “Harrah’s Go Vote Campaign”

Best Web Site
Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino, www.barona.com
Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino, www.mohegansun.com (Assisting Agency: Mintz & Hoke Communications Group)
Shuffle Master, Inc., www.shufflemaster.com (Assisting Agency: CDI Studios)

If you are interested in covering or attending the AGA Communications Awards Presentation and Reception, please contact Steve Arnoff at 202-552-2680.

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.

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