CRA takes 10 at 2010 PRSA-WV Crystal Awards Gala
June 16 proved to be a special evening for CRA as the firm garnered 10 awards at the 2010 Crystal Awards Gala hosted by the West Virginia Chapter of PRSA.
In all, CRA showed its dynamic capabilities as it claimed victories for seven different clients in categories that included audiovisual presentations, social media, annual reports, collateral materials, e-newsletters and holiday cards.
This years awards include:
- Crystal Award for the This is Our West Virginia presentation (Audiovisual Presentations)
- Honorable Mention BrickStreet Insurance Daily Message (Internal Communications – 4+ Color Magazine)
- Honorable Mention for InSide BrickStreet magazine (External Communications – 1-3 Color Magazine)
- Honorable Mention for Edgewood Summit Viewbook (Collaterals Materials – Brochure)
- Honorable Mention for West Virginia Lottery 2009 Progress Report (Annual Report)
- Honorable Mention for Watts Elementary We Read, We Lead, We Succeed logo (Collateral Materials – Logos)
- Honorable Mention for Smith Company Motor Cars Wishbook (Collateral Materials – Direct Mail)
- Honorable Mention for BrickStreet Insurance 2009 Holiday Card (Collateral Materials – Holiday Cards)
- Honorable Mention for BrickStreet Insurance’s monthly e-newsletter BrickStreet Insights (Interactive Web Sites – E-Newsletters)
- Honorable Mention for the Greenbrier Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau Social Media Project (Social Media)
West Virginia wins, CRA wins
The West Virginia Business Volunteer Council recently honored CRA for our work with Watts Elementary. CRA received the Entrepreneurial Service Award, which recognizes a business that has incorporated service into its policies and practices during the past year for the betterment of the state.
After seeing Watts Elementary School on Charleston’s west side struggle, CRA stepped up to launch a partnership in education program. Through this program, we have had an opportunity to provide financial support to a group in need, allowed employees an opportunity to volunteer their time and talents, and brought the company together to help their local community. CRA has coordinated and supported a number of programs, including Student of the Month luncheons, a student mentoring program, a playground restoration, teacher appreciation efforts, and a No Shave November fundraiser that raised more than $4,000 to buy coats and supplies for students in need.
The West Virginia Business Volunteer Council is a membership organization open to private sector entities – including businesses, associations, labor organizations, and professionals – which promotes, coordinates and supports private sector involvement in volunteering in order to strengthen West Virginia communities and businesses.
Snap to it
Sometimes, a great idea is just a snap – at least that’s the way it was for Kim Quillen. Quillen designed a line of sandals, called Convertibles, which feature decorative tops which can be interchanged to match an outfit. When Quillen was ready to take her idea to market, she needed a great corporate identity and turned to CRA.
With the product name and tagline already selected (Convertibles – Just pop the top and go!), the CRA creative team worked to develop a logo which captured the feminine essence of the product as well as the convenience of matching your shoes to every ensemble in your closet. The result was a terrifically colorful design of pink and green with an illustration of a woman driving a convertible with shoes piled in the backseat.
Upon approval of the logo, CRA created trade show booth signage, collateral materials to be disseminated at trade shows and product packaging.
Read more about Kim Quillen and Convertibles in the Charleston Daily Mail.
The good fight
Supporting West Virginia’s largest, comprehensive cancer care program is something at CRA we take very seriously. Since 2007, CRA has supported the communications and development initiatives for the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center gratis. Most recently, CRA developed the branding for the 24th Annual Benefit Gala and Grand Opening Celebration and the center officially opened its doors with a ribbon cutting ceremony April 16. CRA created the logo and designed the invitation package, event programs, signage and menu cards.
“CRA has been a long-standing partner for the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center and supporting our various development initiatives both large and small,” said Will Armistead, director of development. “The support for our signature fundraising events is a tremendous contribution and we are very grateful.”
The weeklong celebration identity “Share the Journey: Developing Partnerships. Leading Innovation. Creating Hope.,” was developed by CRA in conjunction with the WVU University Advancement and marketing team and the marketing communication staff at WVU Hospitals and it captures the essence of and will support the overall identity for the center moving forward.
CRA designs University of Richmond commemorative poster
When Coach Mike London took over the University of Richmond Spiders football team in 2008 he had a lot to live up to. The Spiders had just come off their best season to date with an appearance in the 2007 NCAA Semifinals. However, Coach London was able to keep the team focused through a tough regular season, a nail-biting playoff and eventually to their first national championship in any sport. The University of Richmond had retained CRA earlier in the year to develop the schedule poster for the 2008 football season and looked to the agency again to create a commemorative National Championship poster.
“They have a great eye for sports design and what is needed to please the fans,” said Jana Ross, Assistant Athletic Director, “CRA always keeps us ahead of the curve in creativity.”
The design incorporated game photography from the National Championship game as well as celebration photos and scores from each win of the playoffs. All of these were set against a backdrop of the campus and Coach London hoisting the championship trophy into the air. “It’s a thrill to get to share the excitement of this championship with the University of Richmond,” Matt Fidler, creative director, said, “and we were honored the Spiders looked to us to create this piece.”
The University of Richmond revealed the National Championship commemorative poster to fans at a reception at the Robins Center Feb. 22.
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