AGA announces finalists for Gaming Industry Communications Awards

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- (PRESS RELEASE) -— The American Gaming Association (AGA) today announced finalists for the 2011 Gaming Voice Awards, which recognize the gaming industry’s top achievements in public relations, marketing, advertising and financial and corporate communications.

The finalists, which represent 26 gaming companies, properties, suppliers and organizations from 15 states and provinces, were named in 15 categories, including best 2010 annual report; best customer and employee publications; best print, outdoor, radio and television advertisements; best digital direct and mobile marketing; best direct mail; best website; best social media program and best communications and multi-format advertising campaigns. A panel of judges with expertise in advertising, marketing, public relations, Internet design, graphic arts and financial communications evaluated 218 entries to determine the 46 finalists.

“Each year I am impressed with the high quality of entries we receive across the board, and this year certainly is no different,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA, who will serve as master of ceremonies for the awards presentation. “All of our finalists are excellent examples of the fine work being done by communications and marketing professionals in all sectors of the gaming industry.”

Gaming Voice Awards will be presented at the AGA Communications Awards Presentation, which is held in conjunction with Global Gaming Expo, on Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sands Expo and Convention Center.

The AGA also will honor Jan L. Jones, senior vice president of communications and government relations for Caesars Entertainment Corporation, with the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award for Gaming Communications. Jones oversees all worldwide government affairs, corporate communications, community relations and corporate social responsibility programs for the $9 billion corporation and has played an important role in communicating the positive impact of the gaming industry in communities across the country and around the world.

The AGA Communications Awards are made possible with support from Piercy Bowler Taylor & Kern (PBTK) and Global Gaming Expo (G2E).

2011 Gaming Voice Award Finalists

Best 2010 Annual Report
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. – “Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Annual Report” (Assisting agency: SK+G)
Potawatomi Bingo Casino – “Social Responsibility Annual Report”
WMS Industries, Inc. – “2010 Annual Report: The Game has Changed" (Assisting agency: Jaffoni & Collins Incorporated)

Best Communications Campaign
Choctaw Casino Resort – “Entertainment Communications” (Assisting agency: Concussion, LLP)
International Game Technology (IGT) – “The Hangover Slot Employee Engagement Campaign”
International Game Technology (IGT) – “The Hangover Video Slots Communications Campaign” (Assisting agency: Allison & Partners)

Best Customer Publication
MGM Resorts International – “M life magazine” (Assisting agency: Custom Publishing Group)
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood – “Travel Brochure” (Assisting agency: One Trick Pony)
Seminole Gaming – “Seminole Player's Life” (Assisting agency: Pace Communications)

Best Digital Direct Mail
Caesars Entertainment Corporation – “Seven Stars Las Vegas Signature Personalized URL/Email” (Assisting agency: The Media & Marketing Group)
Southland Park Gaming & Racing – “Birthday E-blast” (Assisting agency: TMB Marketing Group)
WMS Industries, Inc. – “Unleash Imagination” (Assisting agency: Reach Creative Inc.)

Best Direct Mail
CityCenter Aria Resort & Casino – “ARIA - Sky Villas Invitation” (Assisting agency: SK+G)
L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort – “New Year's Eve”
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. – “My Choice - The Owners Club” (Assisting agency: SK+G)

Best Employee Publication
Bally Technologies, Inc. – “Your Voice”
Boyd Gaming Corporation – “Boyd Buzz” (Assisting agency: Rain Visual)
MGM Resorts International – “The Daily Momentum”

Best Mobile Marketing
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. – “Ameristar Casinos iPhone App”
Boyd Gaming Corporation – “B Connected Mobile”
Caesars Entertainment Corporation– “Caesars App for iPhone and Androids” (Assisting agency: Acuity Mobile)

Best Multi-format Ad Campaign
Bally Technologies, Inc. – “Cash Wizard Multi-format Ad Campaign” (Assisting agency: Eurie Creative)
Grand Victoria Casino Elgin – “Prime Burger House” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel – “License to Thrill”

Best Outdoor Advertisement
Fallsview Casino Resort – “Break Out of the City” (Assisting agency: Blammo Worldwide)
Fallsview Casino Resort – “Bring Your Luck” (Assisting agency: Blammo Worldwide)
Seminole Gaming Association – “VIP Garage Wall Graphics” (Assisting agency: One Trick Pony)

Best Print Advertisement
Bally Technologies, Inc. – “Betty Boop Love Meter Centerfold” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
Casino Rama – “Cauliflower Ad” (Assisting agency: Marshall-Fenn)
Table Mountain Casino & Bingo – “Giddy Up, Then Ante Up” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)

Best Print Advertising Campaign
Caesars Entertainment – “Caesars Entertainment 2011 Lunar New Year Greeting” (Assisting agency: L3 Advertising, Inc.)
Gasser Chair Company – “Gasser Dazzles” (Assisting agency: Concussion, LLP)
Grand Victoria Casino Elgin – “Prime Burger House: Holiday” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)

Best Radio Advertisement
Southland Park Gaming & Racing – “Biscuits with Squirrel Gravy” (Assisting agency: TMB Marketing Group)
Table Mountain Casino – “Bingo” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
Wild Horse Pass Casino & Hotel – “Ladies Night Radio” (Assisting agency: Touchpoints Marketing and Advertising)

Best Social Media Program
Caesars Entertainment Corporation – “Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas Social Media Program”
International Game Technology (IGT) – “Social Media & Recruitment” (Assisting agency: CareerBuilder)
River City Casino – “River City Casino Social Media”

Best Television Advertisement
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. – “RoboDealer” (Assisting agency: Cannonball)
Empire City Casino – “Big Ball” (Assisting agency: DDB NY)
Fallsview Casino Resort – “Lucky Dog” (Assisting agency: Blammo Worldwide)
Mohegan Sun Casino – “Dancing Accountants” (Assisting agency: PI&C)

Best Website
Boyd Gaming Corporation – www.bconnectedonline.com
Mohegan Sun Casino – www.mohegansun.com/shinemaker (Assisting agency: PI&C)
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa – www.seminolehardrocktampa.com (Assisting agency: One Trick Pony)