FleishmanHillard Captures PR Lion at 2013 Cannes International Festival of Creativity

CANNES, France, June 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- FleishmanHillard captured a Bronze Lion in the PR category at the 2013 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the Best Use of Sponsorship category for its work with P&G.

The winning campaign, "P&G Paralympics Medal Ceremony – Golden Moment of the Games," built upon P&G's "Proud Sponsor of Mums" efforts that received worldwide recognition during the London Olympic Games. The highlight of the program came when Catherine McKillop walked out from the tunnel at the Paralympics to present her stunned son, Michael, his track and field gold medal for the 1500m.

The firm also received recognition for its work with BMW, Chobani (twice) and J&T Charitable Fund, which were named to the highly competitive shortlist. The five entries bring FleishmanHillard's shortlist total to 18 in the past five years, continuing the firm's history of success in the annual festival. In 2009, GMMB, a member of the FleishmanHillard family of agencies, received a Grand Prix Award for the Obama for America campaign. In 2010, the agency won a share of another Grand Prix for its work on Gatorade's acclaimed "Replay" campaign. The firm also has won a Gold (Papa John's) and three Silver Lions (Papa John's, World Hepatitis Alliance, Philips with OneVoice).

'Premier Global Showcase'
"Our firm is extremely honored to have our clients recognized in this competition, which represents a unique global stage of creativity," said Dave Senay, FleishmanHillard president and CEO.

"The public relations industry is producing some of the best and brightest work in the broader communications realm, which demonstrates the growing power and versatility of our capabilities across disciplines," Senay continued. "The caliber of work represented here is more amazing every year, and we take that as a challenge to up our game for our clients. But we cannot concede the PR category to ad agencies, and that's why I'm delighted the PR industry has shown so well in 2013. I congratulate all the firms that were recognized."

History of Involvement
Since the Cannes Lions began the PR category in 2009, FleishmanHillard has been a fierce advocate for increasing the involvement of more PR firms and organizations in this category as it grows in international stature. Each year since 2009, the agency has had a representative on the PR jury, including Senay's role as jury president in 2011.

Senay said the amped-up competition among a broader field of competitors, from ad agencies, digital and other specialty firms, makes recognition especially gratifying.

"The judging panel reviewed nearly 1,300 entries, a 30 percent increase from last year, representing the broadest range of challenges and opportunities, from product marketing to societal issues," said Nancy Seliger, FleishmanHillard's global client relations lead and one of 21 judges on the international PR jury. "Much of the work shows how firms and clients are seizing the world of social and digital media to truly transform the communications process for greater engagement and power."

For nearly 60 years, the Cannes Lions Awards have set the benchmark for excellence in creative communications, now drawing more than 9,000 members of the global creative communications industries. This year's festival runs June 16-22.

About FleishmanHillard
FleishmanHillard is the world's most complete global communications firm, specializing in public relations, public affairs, marketing, paid media, and transmedia and social content. FleishmanHillard delivers on the power of true, reflecting the firm's high values, and unique ability to guide clients through a world demanding unprecedented authenticity and transparency.  FleishmanHillard was named "Standout Agency" on Advertising Age's 2013 A-List; NAFE's "Top 50 Companies for Executive Women" for 2010-2013; Advertising Age's 2012 "Best Places to Work"; and The Holmes Report's 2012 Global "Public Affairs Agency of the Year." The firm's award-winning work is widely heralded, including at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. FleishmanHillard is part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc., and has more than 80 offices in 29 countries, plus affiliates in 42 countries. Visit us at www.fleishmanhillard.com.

About Diversified Agency Services
Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), manages Omnicom's holdings in a variety of marketing communications disciplines. DAS includes over 200 companies, which operate through a combination of networks and regional organizations, serving international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

SOURCE FleishmanHillard