RDW, Duffy & Shanley win Bell Ringers

BOSTON – Local firms took home more than a dozen awards on Monday at The Publicity Club of New England’s 2009 Bell Ringer Awards, an annual event honoring excellence in communications and public relations.

The annual Bell Ringers competition, started in 1969, is judged by members of the public relations, marketing/communications and media communities based on planning, execution and accomplishment of the marketing and communication objectives. First-place winners receive Bell awards, while runners-up receive Merit awards.

Providence-based RDW Group Inc. took home eight awards, down from 20 than last year, while Duffy & Shanley Inc., also based in Providence, received four trophies. In addition, Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island was honored in the print feature/commentary placement category.

“We are proud of our public relations team and honored that The Publicity Club of New England recognized us for our work from hundreds entries received from agencies and companies throughout the region,” Jon Duffy, president of Duffy & Shanley, said in a statement. “More importantly, we are proud to be working for national consumer product clients that afford us the opportunity to execute creative public relations campaigns that exceed expectations.”

The following is a full list of local wins:

RDW Group Inc.

• Bell, Bylined Article – Blue Cross & Blue Shield Rhode Island City of Warwick Contract Op-Ed
• Bell, Graphic Identity – Providence School Department Career & Technical Education
• Bell, Photo or Graphic with Caption Placement – Blue Cross & Blue Shield Rhode Island Lunch on Us
• Bell, Photo or Graphic with Caption Placement – Rhode Island Builders Association, Builders Helping Heroes
• Bell, Public Affairs Campaign – R.I. Turnpike & Bridge Authority Funding Gap
• Merit, Advocacy Advertisement – Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce Anti-Tax Ad
• Merit, Employee Communications Campaign – Worcester Art Museum, Wall at WAM
• Merit, Response to Breaking News – Day One Teddy Bears

Duffy & Shanley Inc.

• Bell, New or Social Media – Staples “Gift It For Free” Holiday Sweepstakes Social Media Program
• Bell, Promotional Items – Dorel Juvenile Group USA’s Safety House Initiative
• Merit, Direct Mail – Foster Grant’s Lookbook & Invite
• Merit, Marketing Communications Campaign (General) – Staples “Gift It For Free” Holiday Sweepstakes Social Media Program

Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island

• Merit, Print Feature or Commentary Placement: Regional/General Interest Publication – “A camp for the brave of heart”