Michigan-based agency honored with 11 PACE Awards

LANSING MI, — The Central Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America recognized Piper & Gold Public Relations at the 35th annual PACE Awards ceremony with 11 PACE Awards. In the campaign and tactic award categories, the agency received five Pinnacle-level PACE Awards, the highest designation, and six PACE Awards of Excellence.

“At times, it felt like there wasn’t a lot to celebrate in 2020,” said Kate Synder, Piper & Gold principal strategist and founder. “Knowing our work is impactful beyond our walls helps us keep pushing when the days are long and things get difficult. These stories deserve to be told, and the world needs to hear them.”

Piper & Gold was recognized in the following PACE Award categories: 

Pinnacle PACE Awards in Campaigns

• Social Marketing Campaign Stay Well: Supporting mental health for Michiganders, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and MPHI

PACE Awards of Excellence in Campaigns

• Integrated Communications Campaign Then. Now. Always. Cultivating Unprecedented Community Support in an Unprecedented Year, Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan

• Marketing Consumer Products & Services Campaign Storytelling to support Downtown East Lansing's businesses, Downtown East Lansing

• Social Marketing Campaign Calling for for College Completion Coaches, Michigan College Access Network 

Pinnacle PACE Awards in Tactics

• Annual Reports Strength in Community: 2020 Annual Report, Capital Area Michigan Works!

• Editorials/Op-Ed Columns No white saviors in social work, National Association of Social Workers – Michigan 

• Innovative Tactics #Your20forOur20: Finding space for celebration and support amidst the pandemic, Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan

• Media/Press Kits Using PR to Connect Undocumented Students to Education, Michigan College Access Network

PACE Awards of Excellence in Tactics

• Editorials/Op-Ed Columns Being a CEO does not make me immune to racism, Capital Area Michigan Works!

• Innovative Tactics 10-10-10 Birthday Tour, Michigan College Access Network

• Research MSU Broad Museum: Seeking Understanding, MSU Broad Art Museum 

The CMPRSA PACE Awards are mid-Michigan’s highest honor in public relations activities. They are awarded to public relations practitioners who, in the judgment of their peers, have successfully addressed a contemporary issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. Like last year, the ceremony was held virtually live streamed to the public.

“This year, it was particularly meaningful to be recognized for equity and social justice work amid the local and national focus on coronavirus disparities and the Movement for Black Lives,” Synder said. 

Of note in its equity work was Piper & Gold’s support of the National Association of Social Workers – Michigan and Capital Area Michigan Works! on op-eds focusing on racial disparities, the agency’s work with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and MPHI to promote mental health resources to underrepresented communities in response to the pandemic, and supporting media relations for the Michigan College Access Network’s launch of a program to support undocumented youth in attending college.

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With an emphasis on government organizations, nonprofits, associations and small business, Piper & Gold Public Relations focuses on creating a more just society through communications. The agency assists clients with communications strategy and planning, media relations, social media, event planning and more, and prides itself on serving as an extension of its clients' teams.