AGA Announces Winners for Sixth Annual Communications Awards

WASHINGTON— Winners of the sixth annual American Gaming Association (AGA) Communications Awards showcased the increasing importance of non-gaming amenities to the gaming entertainment industry, with winners in several categories, including Best Television and Radio Advertisements, Direct Mail Single Piece and Campaign and Best Multi-Format Ad Campaign, highlighted events ranging from golf tournaments to music concerts and more.

The awards, which recognize outstanding corporate communications and advertising in the gaming industry, were presented Monday during the AGA Communications Awards Presentation and Luncheon at the Training and Development Institute, a Global Gaming Expo (G2E) event at the Las Vegas Convention Center. 

“This year’s awards showcase the most creative and effective communications vehicles that the gaming industry has to offer,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA, who served as master of ceremonies for the awards presentation. “The winners this year really highlight the increasing diversification of our industry – gaming is just one piece of the overall package, and these awards show that marketing our other entertainment offerings can be just as effective at bringing people to our properties.”

MGM MIRAGE was the day’s big winner, with the company taking home awards for Best Customer Publication, Best Single Direct Mail Piece and Best Direct Mail Campaign.  Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, an MGM MIRAGE property in Las Vegas, took home two awards for Best Radio and Best Broadcast Advertisements.

Several companies continued their tradition of excellence in communications by winning categories for which they also were honored last year. Ameristar Casinos, Inc., widely known for their unique twist on financial communications, was a repeat winner for Best Annual Report, while another repeat winner, Hollywood Casino Tunica, claimed three separate awards for their innovative “Hollywood Glamour Winners” campaign.    

Native American casinos were well represented at the awards, with Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino, winning Best Web Site and Foxwoods Resort Casino being recognized for Best Print Ad Campaign. Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. was awarded the inaugural award for Best Public Service Announcement (PSA).

In addition to the juried awards, the AGA also honored renowned author Hal Rothman, Ph.D., a distinguished professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Gaming Communications.  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.   

Gaming Voice Award winners were chosen 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. 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 winners.

The AGA Communications Awards were 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).

2006 Gaming Voice Award Winners:

Best Annual Report: Commercial or Native American Casino
Ameristar 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)

Best Broadcast Ad: Television
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, “Be Yourself At Home” (Assisting Agency: DRGM Advertising)

Best Customer Publication
MGM MIRAGE, “M Lifestyle Magazine” (Assisting Agency: Custom Publishing Group)

Best Direct Mail: Single Piece
MGM MIRAGE, “Madonna Invite” (Assisting Agency: MGM MIRAGE Advertising, Inc.)

Best Direct Mail: Campaign
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)

Best Multi-Format Ad Campaign
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, “Payday” (Assisting Agency: Bensimon Byrne)

Best Outdoor Advertisement: Single Piece
Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners – Michael” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye|GROUP)

Best Outdoor Advertisement: Campaign
Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners Campaign” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye|GROUP)

Best Print Advertisement: Single Piece
Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners – Michael” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye|GROUP)
TIE WITH
Hollywood Casino Tunica, “Hollywood Glamour Winners – Randy” (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye|GROUP)

Best Print Advertisement: Campaign
Foxwoods Resort Casino, “Image/Print” (Assisting Agency: The Kaplan Thaler Group)

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

Best Web Site
Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino, www.barona.com

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.