The Phoenix Business Journal’s Corporate Philanthropy Awards
Yesterday, in a somewhat sudden turn of events, I found myself at The McCormick Scottsdale, seated at Pioneer Title Agency’s table at The Phoenix Business Journal’s 2nd Corporate Philanthropy Awards.
This event, for which the Phoenix Business Journal credits the idea to Neil Giuliano, former Tempe mayor and current president and CEO of Greater Phoenix Leadership, is a celebration of community service and corporate giving. In addition to honoring local corporations and organizations who give back to the community, the Phoenix Stories first, second and third place winners were announced.
As I mentioned, I was sitting at one of our client’s tables for they were among the honorees for the Corporate Volunteerism – Companies Under 1,000 Award, when one of my table mates asked me, “How did all of these people know to apply for these awards?”
Before I could even say it, one of the other members from our table piped up and simply said, “Their PR agencies!”
I went on to explain that part of the scope of work for some of our clients, as with many other PR agencies, involves researching opportunities such as this one to help earn some well-deserved recognition for the work they do in the community.
Even though I didn’t personally submit this client for the award (that was my teammate, Alison Bailin), I felt a sense of pride in the work that HMA Public Relations and our client Pioneer Title does, especially after experiencing that “aha!” moment first-hand with the client.
All in all, it was a fabulous event. I was even able to meet someone who I, along with all of the rest of my fellow Michiganders, consider to be a rock star: Lisa Dancsok, the creator of the award-winning “Pure Michigan” campaign (check out the entire campaign here and here). She recently accepted a position at the Arizona Community Foundation as chief brand and impact officer.
