LAS VEGAS — The diversity of the gaming entertainment industry was on full display when the American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the winners of the eighth annual AGA Communications Awards.  For the first time in the program’s history, an equal number of awards were won by commercial and tribal casino companies, with each industry segment taking home seven awards.

The Gaming Voice awards, which recognize outstanding corporate communications, public relations and advertising in the gaming industry, were presented today during Global Gaming Expo’s (G2E) Marketing Networking Luncheon at the Las Vegas Convention Center. 

“Today, we honored the best of the best not only in gaming communications but in all corporate communications, because I honestly believe that the advertising, marketing and public relations professionals working in our industry are as good as you’ll find in any industry,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA, who served as master of ceremonies for the awards presentation. “This year’s winners demonstrate what those of us close to the industry have known for many years – the industry is incredibly diverse and all segments of the industry are not only producing excellent communications vehicles, but excellent gaming experiences as well.”

Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., the world’s largest gaming company, was the day’s biggest winner, as it took home awards in four categories – Best Outdoor Advertisement – Single Piece, Best Outdoor Advertising Campaign, Best Print Advertisement – Single Piece and Best Public Affairs Campaign.  Of particular note is the winning entry for Best Print Advertisement, which was the first foreign language (Chinese) entry to win an AGA Communications Award. 

Two tribal casinos also were big winners, with Mohegan Sun being honored with three Gaming Voice Awards for Best Direct Mail Campaign and Best Broadcast Radio and Broadcast Television Advertisements.  River Rock Casino, in Sonoma County, Calif., won two trophies in the Best Web Site and Best Print Advertising Campaign categories.

Bally Technologies, Inc. represented the gaming equipment manufacturing sector well by taking home the prize for Best Customer Publication for its “Networked Floor of the Future”.  MGM MIRAGE and Ameristar Casinos, Inc. both duplicated their wins from last year in the Best Annual Report and Best Employee Publication categories, respectively.

Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino garnered the top spot for Multi-format Advertising Campaign, a category that Fahrenkopf deemed the “Best Picture” of the Communications Awards for its combination of different advertising media. 

Other winners include Potawatomi Bingo Casino, which received the award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Publication, and Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, the winner for Best Direct Mail – Single Piece.

Additionally, the AGA honored Jack Leone with this year’s award for Lifetime Achievement in Gaming Communications. For nearly two decades, Leone represented legendary properties such as Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, MGM Grand Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. His years in the casino industry covered a time of dramatic growth during which marketing and advertising were critical components of the revitalization and re-imagining of the Las Vegas Strip.

Awards were presented in 15 categories, and a panel of judges with expertise in advertising, marketing, public relations, Internet design, graphic arts and financial communications evaluated more than 270 entries, the highest number in the award program’s history.

The AGA Communications Awards were made possible with generous support from Wells Fargo Bank, Piercy Bowler Taylor & Kern (PBTK) and Global Gaming Expo (G2E).

2008 Gaming Voice Award Winners:

Best 2007 Annual Report
MGM MIRAGE
(Assisting agency: SK+G)

Best Broadcast Advertisement – Radio
Mohegan Sun – “Sweet Home Mohegan”
(Assisting agency: Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners)

Best Broadcast Advertisement – Television
Mohegan Sun – “My Mohegan”
(Assisting agency: Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners)

Best Corporate Social Responsibility Publication
Potawatomi Bingo Casino – “A New Day Dawns - Community Investment Report”
(Assisting agency: Milwaukee Design)

Best Customer Publication
Bally Technologies, Inc. – “The Networked Floor of the Future”
(Assisting agency: T-Graphics)

Best Direct Mail – Single Piece
Beau Rivage Resort and Casino – “Beau Rivage Hotel Sales Kit”
(Assisting agency: Masterminds)

Best Direct Mail Campaign
Mohegan Sun – “Series of Player Development Mail”
(Assisting agency: Outthink)

Best Employee Publication
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. – “Winning Magazine”
(Assisting agency: Eurie Creative)

Best Multi-format Ad Campaign
Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino – “Barona Moments External Campaign”
(Assisting agency: NYCA)

Best Outdoor Advertisement – Single Piece
Harrah’s Entertainment – “Slots on Times Square”
(Assisting agency: BBDO West)

Best Outdoor Advertising Campaign
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. – “Total Rewards Program Enhancement”
(Assisting agency: Leo Burnett)

Best Print Advertisement – Single Piece
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. – “Lunar New Year Greeting - Year of the Rat”
(Assisting agency: L3 Advertising, Inc.)

Best Print Advertising Campaign
River Rock Casino – “Welcome to Win Country”
(Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)

Best Public Affairs Campaign
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. – “CodeGreen Awareness”
(Assisting agency: Danyon Advertising)

Best Web Site
River Rock Casino – www.riverrockcasino.com [2]
(Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)

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.