Winners of 2004 Gaming Industry Communications Awards Reflect Diversification, Expansion of Industry

LAS VEGAS—A Native American casino, riverboat property, slot manufacturer, nightclub, Canadian casino and Las Vegas casino resort are among the winners of the 2004 Gaming Voice Awards – the most diverse group of winners in the awards’ four-year history. The awards, which represent the industry’s highest communications honor, were announced Wednesday at the American Gaming Association (AGA) Communications Awards Reception at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.

More than 180 entries were submitted to this year’s competition – more than in any previous year. 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 world. The winners reflect the expansion and diversification of the gaming industry.

“Competition among growth sectors of our industry has led to an unprecedented level of creativity in advertising and corporate communications programs as companies work to win and retain customers,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA. “The best of these efforts are exhibited by our award recipients this year, and I expect to see even more communications advances in the future as expansion within the industry continues to increased choices for consumers.”

Only one company or organization was recognized with more than one Gaming Voice Award this year. Las Vegas-based Ameristar Casinos, Inc. was honored in two categories – Best Web Site Produced by a Gaming Company and Best Print Ad, Single for its “Blues, Brews, Barbecues” ad, developed with San Francisco-based advertising agency Eleven, Inc.

The Studio 54 nightclub at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino won the Gaming Voice Award for Best Overall Advertisement for its “Dollhouse” series, produced in conjunction with Schadler Kramer Group Advertising. Schadler Kramer Group was also honored for its work with MGM MIRAGE to produce that company’s 2003 annual report, which was named the best in the industry. MGM MIRAGE and Schadler Kramer Group have won this award every year since the inception of the awards program.

A Native American casino and riverboat casino were winners in the two best broadcast advertising categories. Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., with assistance from Chess Communications Group, was honored with the Best Radio Broadcast Advertisement award, and Mohegan Sun, with assistance from Kirshenbaum Bond and Partners, was recognized with the Best Television Broadcast Ad award.

This year marked the debut of separate categories focused exclusively on communications products produced by noncasino entities, such as gaming vendors, suppliers, agencies and associations. In those two categories, Native American Casino Magazine was named Best Publication, and the Colorado Division of Gaming was honored with the award for Best Web Site.

The 2004 AGA Communications Awards were sponsored by Goldman, Sachs & Co., with support from Global Gaming Expo (G2E), Piercy Bowler Taylor & Kern (PBTK), and Wells Fargo Bank. Winners were selected by a blue-ribbon panel of judges featuring experts in investor relations, public relations, advertising and new media.

More than 250 advertising, public affairs and corporate communications executives from the gaming industry attended the AGA Communications Awards Reception, held in conjunction with the fourth annual Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the gaming industry’s largest international trade show and conference.

In addition to the Gaming Voice awards presentation, the Casino Management Association (CMA) also announced its Gaming Professional of the Year awards, recognizing top gaming industry executives from across the country.

Kevin Laforet, president and CEO of Windsor Casino Ltd., was named CMA Eastern United States Gaming Professional of the Year. Gavin Isaacs, president of Aristocrat Technologies, Inc., and Felix Rappaport, president and chief operating officer of New York-New York Hotel and Casino, were named CMA Western United States Gaming Professionals of the Year.

The following is a complete list of Gaming Voice award winners, their assisting agencies and the category for which they were honored:

Best Radio Broadcast Advertisement:
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. for “Table Games,” Assisting Agency: Chess Communications Group

Best Television Broadcast Advertisement:
Mohegan Sun for “Mohegan Sun Brand,” Assisting Agency: Kirshenbaum Bond and Partners

Best Publication Produced by a Gaming Company:
Atronic Americas, LLC for “Atronic: 10 Years of Success,” Assisting Agency: Off Madison Avenue

Best Publication Produced by a Supplier/Vendor, Agency or Association:
Native American Casino for Native American Casino Magazine

Best 2003 Annual Report:
MGM MIRAGE, Assisting Agency: Schadler Kramer Group Advertising

Best Web Site Produced by a Gaming Company:
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. for www.ameristarcasinos.com

Best Web Site Produced by a Supplier/Vendor, Agency or Association:
Colorado Division of Gaming for www.revenue.state.co.us/gaming/home.asp

Best Print Ad, Single:
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. for “Blues, Brews, Barbecues,” Assisting Agency: Eleven, Inc.

Best Print Ad, Multiple:
Studio 54-MGM Grand for “Studio 54—Dollhouse,” Assisting Agency: Schadler Kramer Group Advertising

Best Outdoor Print Advertisement:
Casino Rama for “Skydome/ACC Durations,” Assisting Agency: Marshall Fenn Communications

Best Print Advertisement, Overall:
Studio 54-MGM Grand for “Studio 54—Dollhouse,” Assisting Agency: Schadler Kramer Group Advertising

The 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.