Kaye Communications PR & Marketing
Wins Ninth Bernays Award for PR Excellence:
2022 BEST SPECIAL EVENT

Prestigious GCPRC Bernays Awards Program Serves as the
“Regional Oscars” for the South Florida PR industry

Click here to view recap video

Capping off 25 years of making indelible impacts and imprints in South Florida for its clients, Kaye Communications (KCOM-PR) has won a coveted Gold Coast Public Relations Council (GCPRC) 2022 Bernays Award for PR Excellence for Best Special Event. The firm was recognized for its event ideation, strategy, production, community relations, and media relations for the sold-out inaugural Moms & Pups “Bark & Brunch” ‘fun, fan and fund’ raiser to benefit Tri-County Animal Rescue’s “Together Fur-ever” Medical Fund. Fund monies help pay in full for or subsidize low-cost, full-service veterinary and animal hospital services at TCAR’s on-site state-of-the-art vet clinic for pet owners who are financially challenged or experiencing other economic crises.

This is KCOM-PR’s ninth Bernays Award, named for the father of Public Relations Edward Bernays. Last year KCOM-PR was the only Palm Beach County entity to receive a 2021 Bernays Award; the firm won in the Best PR Campaign by a Small Company/Firm category for its conception and activation of its “The New Way to Club” brand reinvention and repositioning campaign for Boca Lago Golf & Country Club.

GCPRC is the largest independent organization in South Florida of PR, marketing and communications professionals from Palm Beach, Broward, Martin and Dade counties. Its prestigious Bernays Awards program serves as the “Regional Oscars” for the South Florida PR industry. The judges panel annually consists of journalists and former and current PR executives. To ensure impartiality, none are members of the GCPRC.

“The stature of the others in the special events nomination category this year made the win so much more coveted,” shared KCOM-PR Founder, President & Chief Strategist Bonnie S. Kaye. Contenders were the City of Boynton Beach, Discover the Palm Beaches and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, Palm Beach Civic Association and Palm Tran public transportation system.“Their achievements too were stellar, so being on the slate with these public entities and then winning was even more gratifying.”

Special Event Focused Attention on
Little Known COVID 19-Related
Community Wellness Need

With so many other Covid nonprofit needs taking priority at the time for 15+ months with extensive media attention, TCAR needed to create a news-generating springboard fundraiser to amplify awareness of yet another vulnerable population. These were families of pets who were desperately in need of vet care, but were financially forced to neglect care that could, if not treated, lead to unnecessary pain, death, or even gut-wrenching pet surrenders.

Exceeding all its messaging, “fun, fan and fund” raising and awareness goals, the first-time event helped heal and save the lives of the most vulnerable, generated zero surrenders of pets treated, and increased Medical Fund resources to serve 53 families. The event secured and engaged new donor and sponsorship relationships, laid the foundation for a formidable new branded annual TCAR fundraiser, and increased media coverage about TCAR, its non-rescue services at its Pet Clinic, its Medical Fund, and how the nonprofit helps support the financially challenged within the community it serves.

KCOM-PR Delivered “The Perfect Afternoon for
Dining ‘With and For’ Dogs”

As COVID-19 gathering restrictions reduced, people were starting to look forward to getting out again within safe “feel good, do good” environments to socialize and support community needs. Within a rapid six-week timeframe and in strict adherence to CDC guidelines, KCOM-PR conceptualized, branded, introduced, promoted and produced the inaugural Moms & Pups “Bark & Brunch.”

Positioned as a news-generating kick-off for Mother’s Day week, more than 125 paw-loving advocates and dozens of pups enjoyed an open-air, courtyard brunch and themed festivities at The Addison in Boca Raton to celebrate pup rescue moms and raise funds. These included live music, free-flowing Bloody Mary and Bellini Bars, a doggie treat buffet, Mom & Pooch Photo Station, Mother’s Day boutique gift shopping, silent auction, “KARMA Luxury Weekend” Chance-to-Win, pampering swag bags with donated items from Saks Fifth Avenue, Green Roads CBD and Protect My Shoes, as well as pet grooming kits, purse hangers and pairs of pup-themed socks.

High-profile Boca Raton Pup Rescue Moms Marta Batmasian, Andrea Kline and Constance Scott, who have long advocated for TCAR were honored. A host committee of well-connected Boca residents was recruited to help share the event, mission and Chance-to-Win ticket sales with their closest circles. Pup Star Host terrier Tamar Batmasian welcomed guests. Reach out to sponsors and donors offered various levels of themed sponsor categories: “Paws Up” Red Carpet, “Pet Protector” (ADT), “Tail-wagging” Valet, Beau’s “Bark” Bars, “Pupolicious Décor” and annual Healing Clinic Kennel dedications.

The Ninth Bernays Win Caps Off 25th Anniversary Commemoration of KCOM-PR

In addition to being presented the GCPRC win this year, KCOM-PR has won Bernays Awards for the following projects and campaigns on behalf of business and nonprofit organizations. Click on links below to learn more about each.

Bernays PR Star Award: Presented by the GCPRC president for best overall and long-standing excellence for “building a solid reputation for serving a variety of business, lifestyle and nonprofit clients over the years.”

Best PR Campaign by a Small Company/Firm: “The New Way to Club” brand and marketing reinvention campaign for Boca Lago Golf & Country Club, a private equity membership country club that was transitioning to a non-equity private club membership following Club acquisition by an independent owner.

Best PR Campaign by a Small Company/Firm: Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County’s Women Build, a women-exclusive “Sisterhood of the Pink Hard Hat” experiential
“fan and fund” raiser.

Best PR Campaign by a Small Company/Firm: BEE Positive Now (TM) Campaign for Broken Sound Club, a 5-Star Platinum Club of America private club and internationally respected sustainability leader.

Best Special Event: Inaugural Boca Raton Mayors Ball presented by the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton (conceived and produced pro bono by KCOM-PR) to benefit the health and wellness needs of Boca Raton’s nonprofits.

Nonprofit/Charity Project or Campaign (Budget under $100,000): The Great Doggie Dine-Out & Paws Fest “peeps and pups” event to raise “fans and funds” to benefit client Tri-County Animal Rescue (TCAR).

Best Project on Behalf of a Nonprofit Organization: “Our Legend, Her Legacy”: Countess de Hoernle’s 100th Birthday Gala and Community Celebration presented by
the Order of St. John to benefit five area nonprofits selected by the Countess.

Best PR Campaign by a Large Company or Firm: The $100 Hamburger campaign to debut the Old Homestead Steakhouse at the Boca Raton Resort & Club that benefited Make-a-Wish Foundation; achieving $1.7 million in broadcast coverage alone within the first 48 hours of debut.