AGA Announces Finalists for Tenth Annual Gaming Industry Communications Awards

WASHINGTON—The American Gaming Association (AGA) today announced finalists for the 2010 Gaming Voice Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement in public relations, marketing, advertising and financial and corporate communications in the gaming industry.  

The finalists, which represent 22 gaming companies, properties and organizations from three countries, were named in 15 categories, including best 2009 annual report; best customer and employee publications; best print, outdoor, radio and television advertisements; best direct mail, best website, and best communications and multi-format advertising campaigns.  Three categories representing the newest trends in marketing and communications will make their debut at this year’s awards – best social media program or campaign, best mobile marketing and best digital direct marketing. A panel of judges with expertise in advertising, marketing, public relations, Internet design, graphic arts and financial communications evaluated 220 entries to determine the 46 finalists.

“The marketing and communications efforts you see on behalf of the gaming industry are some of the finest you’ll see in any industry, and we are proud to honor the best of the best at this year’s Gaming Voice Awards,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA, who will serve as master of ceremonies for the awards presentation. 

Gaming Voice Awards will be presented at the AGA Communications Awards Presentation, part of the Global Gaming Expo’s Marketing Networking Luncheon, on Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The AGA also will honor Daniel Heneghan, public information officer for the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Gaming Communications.  Heneghan has been involved in the Atlantic City gaming industry since its inception, first serving for 17 years as the gaming beat reporter for the Press of Atlantic City, during which time he covered every casino licensing hearing, casino opening and major event in the gaming industry.  In 1996, he accepted his current position at the Commission, where he is the official spokesperson and responsible for the agency’s media relations.

“For more than 30 years, Dan has been a fixture in the Atlantic City gaming community,” Fahrenkopf said. “He has always covered and represented the industry honestly and fairly, and that is all any industry can ask of its beat reporters or its regulators.  I can’t think of anyone who deserves this honor more than Dan.”

The AGA Communications Awards are made possible with support from Piercy Bowler Taylor & Kern (PBTK) and Global Gaming Expo (G2E).

2010 Gaming Voice Award Finalists (listed in alphabetical order):

Best 2009 Annual Report
International Game Technology (IGT) – “IGT 2009 Annual Report”
Southland Park Gaming and Racing – “Community Impact Report” (Assisting agency: TMB Marketing Group)
WMS Gaming Inc. – “2009 Annual Report: We Listen” (Assisting agency: Jaffoni & Collins Incorporated)

Best Broadcast Advertisement – Radio
Empire City Casino – “Monte Carlo” (Assisting agency: DDB-NY)
Feather Falls Casino – “Feather Falls Fast Cars – Boxing” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
Seminole Gaming – “You Know How to Rock” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)

Best Broadcast Advertisement – Television
Fallsview Casino Resort – “Boss” (Assisting agency: GJP Advertising + Design)
Fallsview Casino Resort – “Lucky Streak” (Assisting agency: GJP Advertising + Design)
Fallsview Casino Resort – “Relaxed Wife” (Assisting agency: GJP Advertising + Design)

Best Communications Campaign
MGM Resorts International/CityCenter – “CityCenter, Las Vegas Grand Opening” (Assisting agency: Kirvin Doak Communications)
MGM Resorts International – “See Something, Say Something”
Potawatomi Bingo Casino – “National Problem Gambling Awareness Week”

Best Customer Publication
Galaxy Macau – “Galaxy Macau Brand Book” (Assisting agency: SK+G)
MGM Resorts International – “M –The Vegas Lifestyle” (Assisting agency: Custom Publishing Group)
WMS Gaming Inc. – “Active Gambler Profile” (Assisting agency: Jaffoni & Collins Incorporated)

Best Digital Direct Marketing
Bally Technologies, Inc. – “iView Display Manager Digital Direct Mail”
Seminole Gaming – “Corvette Giveaway E-blast” (Assisting agency: One Trick Pony)
Seminole Gaming – “Incredible Race” (Assisting agency: RPM Advertising)

Best Direct Mail
Bally Technologies, Inc. – “iVIEW Display Manager Interactive User Conference” (Assisting agency: G Creative Advertising and Design)
Carnival Corporation – Casino Division – “Money Ships” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
Fallsview Casino Resort – “Playboy Club 50th Anniversary Invitation”

Best Employee Publication
ARIA Resort and Casino – “The Pulse”
CityCenter – “CityCenter Insider”
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. – “Pinnacle Press”
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. – “River City Casino Guidebook”

Best Mobile Marketing
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. – “Caesars iPhone and Android Apps” (Assisting agency: Acuity Mobile/Acxiom)

Best Multi-format Ad Campaign
Beau Rivage Resort and Casino – “Missing Abe” (Assisting agency: Masterminds)
River City Casino – “River City Casino Brand Launch” (Assisting agency: SK+G)
Seminole Gaming – “Seminole Hard Rock–You Know How to Rock” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)

Best Outdoor Advertisement
Gold Strike Casino Resort – “FREEPLAY Speedway Tachometer Outdoor” (Assisting agency: Masterminds)
Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin – “Prime Burgerhouse Construction Wall” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin – “Prime Burgerhouse Outdoor–My Place” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
Seminole Gaming – “Slots Billboards” (Assisting agency: One Trick Pony)

Best Print Advertisement
Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin – “Prime Burgerhouse – Buns” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin – “Prime Burgerhouse – Saucy” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino – “Jockey Glen Murphy”
Seminole Gaming – “June Ante Up Ad” (Assisting agency: One Trick Pony)

Best Print Advertising Campaign
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. – “A Way of Life” (Assisting agency: Marshall-Fenn Communications)
Seminole Gaming – “You Know How to Rock” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
Sugarhouse Casino – “Philly Loves a Winner Print Campaign” (Assisting agency: The Media & Marketing Group)

Best Social Media Campaign or Program
Beau Rivage Resort and Casino – “Missing Abe” (Assisting agency: Masterminds)
Seminole Gaming – “You Know How to Rock” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
WMS Gaming Inc. – “WMS YouTube Channel” (Assisting agency: Jaffoni & Collins Incorporated)

Best Website
CityCenter – “CityCenter Website” – www.citycenter.com (Assisting agency: SK+G)
WMS Gaming Inc. – “Active Gambler Profile Microsite” – www.wmsagp.com
WMS Gaming Inc. – “Bluebird xD Microsite” – www.bluebirdxd.com (Assisting agency: Jaffoni & Collins Incorporated)

If you are interested in covering or attending the AGA Communications Awards Presentation, please contact Brian Lehman 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.