American Water (NYSE:AWK), the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company, won 37 MarCom Awards, one of the most prestigious forms of international recognition for marketing communications excellence. The annual awards competition is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals.
"American Water is extremely pleased to be acknowledged for its communication efforts,” said Laura Monica, senior vice president of corporate communications and external affairs. “We understand the importance and value of educating and communicating with our customers, and we are delighted that our new materials, which were developed as part of our overall re-branding process, are being recognized as exceeding the highest of industry standards.”
The MarCom Awards, considered the largest awards competition of its kind, honors professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of marketing and communications programs and print, visual and audio materials. Of the 5,000 entries worldwide, American Water won 11 platinum awards, the highest number of platinum awards for any single entrant, as well as 14 gold awards and 12 honorable mention awards. The platinum award is presented to those entries the judges consider most outstanding and which represent excellence in quality, creativity and resourcefulness.
American Water picked up awards for its overall rebranding, as well as design and production of materials ranging from water conservation brochures to its newly improved Web site designed to be more customer-friendly. The company also received awards recognizing its internal employee communications efforts. Other 2008 winners include Coca-Cola, Toyota, Harley Davidson, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Microsoft, among others.
“What makes these awards so significant is the amount of our investment in such materials compared to other platinum award winners,” notes American Water director of marketing and advertising, MaryBeth Vrees. “Because we are a regulated company, we must be mindful of how every dollar is spent and our results have to be impactful pieces that educate our customers on important topics such as wise water use and conservation.”
Since going public in April and unveiling its new brand, American Water has also received four American Graphic Design Awards and a Communicator Award, bringing the company’s total number of awards in marketing and communications to 42.
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. Headquartered in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in 32 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
Contacts:
Maureen Duffy, 856-309-4546
Maureen.duffy@amwater.com
