Toronto Agency Scores Big at International Association of Business Communicators Worldwide Conference
What a great way to cap off an award-winning year! Strategic Objectives is honoured to be named the Global Mid-sized Agency of the Year 2023 by the IABC (International Association of Business Communicators). This distinction was announced at the organization’s international conference held in Toronto, Canada this week and represents the second time Strategic Objectives has earned the global title in the last five years.
But there’s more…Strategic Objectives also earned a “Best of the Best” Award for its innovative #StickInTheGround campaign for the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). This powerful and engaging social media campaign was recognized as an outstanding example of communications excellence among more than 100 international entries.
These two outstanding honours are in addition to six Gold Quill Awards presented to Strategic Objectives – three for the PWHPA and three for The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking You Are Loved campaign combatting sex trafficking.
“We are SO proud,” says Adriana Lurz, President and Partner, Strategic Objectives. “Our agency is committed to excellence, and to be recognized by our peers on a global stage is an honour. We thank our clients who trust us with their stories, and our team members who bring creativity and innovation to brand campaigns through smart ideas and better solutions.”
Scoring Big with the ‘Best of the Best’
The unique #StickInTheGround campaign involved many of North America’s top athletes and sports legends and encouraged everyone to show their support for the PWHPA and the best women’s hockey players in the world. It drew attention to the huge gender gap between men and women in professional hockey and demonstrated the need to back the PWHPA in its drive to establish a single, viable, professional women’s ice hockey league in North America.
“Strategic Objectives is passionate about propelling equity and inclusivity,” says Saul Lewis, Senior Manager, Accounts and Marketing and the lead on the PWHPA project. “This campaign highlights our expertise in both social media and sports marketing. We believe hockey is for everyone and girls should be able to fulfil their dreams of becoming professional hockey players, just like boys. This was the premise behind #StickInTheGround, and the world agrees! This program received incredible support from everyone including professional hockey players, sports celebrities and hockey fans of all ages, and even a women’s hockey team in India. We thank all of them for getting involved and helping us raise awareness to advance equity in sport.”
With thousands of members around the world, IABC sets standards of excellence for PR professionals. The Gold Quill Awards program is a recognition platform that honours the dedication, innovation and passion of communicators on a global scale. It has been awarding excellence in strategic communications for more than 40 years.
Award-Winning Year
This year has been one of the most award-winning on record for Strategic Objectives. The IABC/Toronto presented the Toronto-based agency with 13 OVATION Awards and “Best of the Best Judge’s Choice Award” and named Strategic Objectives Agency of the Year for the tenth time in the last 14 years. In addition, Strategic Objectives recently earned two ACE Awards from the Toronto chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society – one for its work with The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking and another for an exceptional special event with Kia Canada called #KiaSustainableStyle.
To learn more about these campaigns and our other award-winning work, please visit: strategicobjectives.com.
