Communications campaign celebrating Canadian Moms chosen as IABC/Toronto's 2013 People's Choice Award

TORONTO, May 30, 2013 /CNW/ - The Toronto Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) announced APEX Public Relations as the winner of the 2013 People's Choice Award at the OVATION Awards Gala, held last night at Arcadian Court in Toronto. APEX Public Relations' Celebrating Everyday Canadian Moms: The Launch of the Walmart Mom of the Year Award was voted best campaign of 2013 by IABC/Toronto members.

Canada's largest retailer turned to APEX Public Relations to bring awareness and media attention to their contest to celebrate everyday Moms. The result was more than 50 million media impressions, almost 17,000 submitted nominations, and a program that garnered some of Walmart's biggest media relations successes of the year.

The OVATION Awards recognize excellence in communications throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Last night, IABC/Toronto presented 68 prestigious awards at the Gala. In total, 31 Awards of Excellence, 29 Awards of Merit and five Awards of Distinction were presented along with the People's Choice Award, Student of the Year and the Bobbie Resnick Philanthropy Award. 

"The OVATION Awards recipients demonstrated strategic thinking and creative execution to deliver programs that are a credit to our field," said Louise Armstrong, Executive Vice President, IABC/Toronto. "The exemplary programs celebrated this year showcase the importance of strategic communication to businesses in every industry."

Judging for the OVATION Awards is performed by a group of senior communications professionals, accredited practitioners and technical specialists. Each entry is independently reviewed by two judges and then jointly reviewed to determine the results.

IABC/Toronto announced the following Awards of Distinction winners:

• Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (Toronto Hydro)
  2013 Corporate Communications Department of the Year
  
  
• Diana Degan & Associates
  2013 Boutique Agency of the Year
  
  
• DDB Public Relations
  2013 Small Agency of the Year
  
  
• APEX Public Relations
  2013 Mid-Size Agency of the Year
  
  
• Edelman Public Relations
  2013 Large Agency of the Year

IABC/Toronto awarded Emily Getz as the 2013 IABC/Toronto Student of the Year. This award recognizes a student from an accredited institution who demonstrates excellence in communications and the greatest potential to be the best all-round future professional. Emily's submission demonstrated a concise, engaging writing style and exceptional commitment to contributing through volunteer work.

The Bobbie Resnick Philanthropy Award was also presented last night. It recognizes outstanding leadership, contribution to the communications profession and service to the community. This year's prestigious award went to APEX Public Relations for the Courage Canada National Blind Hockey Tournament. This program demonstrated an amazing commitment to bringing the sport to communities across the country.

A full list of winners can be found at: http://goo.gl/okHoa

The 2013 OVATION Awards hosted by: Ron Tite

The 2013 OVATION Awards sponsored by: Speakers' Spotlight, J&A Media Services, News Canada, The Canadian Press Images, Cision, Fusion Design Group Inc., and Walmart Canada.

About IABC/Toronto:

With more than 1,800 members, IABC/Toronto is the largest IABC chapter in the world. The organization provides these members with multidisciplinary resources and a global network of close to 14,000 communicators in 80 countries, working in diverse industries and disciplines to identify, share and apply the world's most effective communications practices. For more information, please visit http://toronto.iabc.com/.

SOURCE: IABC/Toronto