Archives: The News

Padilla’s work with the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has been shortlisted by The Telly Awards Judging Council in the Online Commercials category:

• Blueberries at the Beach 
• Get Up and Go with Blueberries 
• Blueberries May Be Right For You 

Blueberries are beloved for giving consumers a nutritious, delicious “boost of blue” in every handful – not to mention their versatility and snackability. In the summer of 2023, the USHBC showcased blueberries’ transformative power with these new video ads that promise an extreme boost of energy in a surprising and clever way.  

The Blue campaign ads are part of USHBC’s ‘Grab a Boost of Blue’ campaign, a unique initiative that aims to inspire blueberry consumption and drive demand. The campaign encourages consumers to incorporate blueberries into every part of their lives by enjoying their delicious taste, exploring their versatility in cooking, and capitalizing on their health benefits.  

The campaign leaned into the transformative power of the blueberry boost in an unexpected and humorous way to break through the clutter and resonate with our audience.  

About The Telly Awards:  

The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens. Telly Award winners represent work from some of the most respected advertising agencies, television stations, production companies and publishers from around the world.  

Recognized among more than 2,000 entries in the 2024 competition, Padilla is a PRovoke SABRE Awards North America finalist in two categories:

• Consumer Goods: Food & Beverage with Seafood from Norway
• B2B: Energy & Natural Resources with Agoro Carbon Alliance

The SABRE Awards recognize superior achievement in branding, reputation, and engagement.

An Epic Saga of Taste, Sustainability, and Success

The Norwegian Seafood Council is a world leader in responsible fishing practices thanks to centuries of tradition. It produces delicious, sustainably harvested salmon that is 99% antibiotic- and GMO-free. Despite several inherent advantages, Norwegian salmon failed to rise to the top of the U.S. seafood marketplace.

Padilla was tasked with getting that story out there to build preference among seafood lovers, visibility at supermarkets, and, ultimately, increase market share and sales. Our integrated campaign made a major splash and met every objective.

Reducing Ag’s Carbon Footprint 1 Million Acres at a Time
Agriculture is tied to the climate crisis, contributing 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions while producing food, fuel, and fiber for the world’s growing population. Agriculture can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make our global food system more sustainable.

Recognizing this opportunity, Agoro Carbon was created in 2021 to accelerate the global transition to climate-smart agriculture practices. The company needed to build trust as an authentic partner ready to support producers through every step of their carbon journey. Their goal was bold: to enroll 1 million acres of farm and pastureland in the company’s first 18 months. Those efforts would sequester more than 5 million tons of carbon by 2033. And that’s what Padilla helped achieve – and exceed – one field at a time.

Our SHIFT Communications team is also a finalist in the Corporate Reputation: Employer Brand category for its “Cooking Up McDonald’s Employer Brand Love” campaign.

Padilla wins a Silver Pin at The Show 2024, sponsored by the Advertising Federation of Minnesota (AdFed MN) for its “Grab a Boost of Blue” internet commercial campaign with the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

Padilla is a finalist with four campaigns in the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Anvil Awards:

• Marketing: Consumer Products – Regional Focus with Norwegian Seafood Council
• Integrated Communications: B2B with Agoro Carbon Alliance
• Media Relations: B2B with Landscape Structures, Inc.
• Multicultural PR with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and ThreeSixty Journalism

In 2024, the PRSA will celebrate its 80^th anniversary of the Anvil Awards, which honor the best strategic communications campaigns and the tactics that contributed to the success of overall programs.

An Epic Saga of Taste, Sustainability, and Success

Thanks to centuries of tradition, the Norwegian Seafood Council is a world leader in responsible fishing practices. It produces delicious, sustainably harvested salmon, that is 99% antibiotic- and GMO-free. Despite several inherent advantages, Norwegian salmon was failing to rise to the top of the U.S. seafood marketplace.

Padilla was tasked with getting that story out there to build preference among seafood lovers, visibility at supermarkets, and, ultimately, increase market share and sales. Our integrated campaign made a major splash and met every objective.

Reducing Ag’s Carbon Footprint 1 Million Acres at a Time
Agriculture is tied to the climate crisis, contributing 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions while producing food, fuel, and fiber for the world’s growing population. Agriculture can play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and make our global food system more sustainable.

Recognizing this opportunity, Agoro Carbon was created in 2021 to accelerate the global transition to climate-smart agriculture practices. The company needed to build trust as an authentic partner ready to support producers through every step of their carbon journey. Their goal was bold: to enroll 1 million acres of farm and pastureland in the company’s first 18 months. Those efforts would sequester more than 5 million tons of carbon by 2033. And that’s what Padilla helped achieve – and exceed – one field at a time.

Playground Manufacturer Makes Its Media Moon Shot

Landscape Structures is a commercial playground manufacturer.

Padilla had success with local media using the company’s creative director and inclusive play specialist as subject matter experts. In 2023, Padilla was tasked with an expanded effort to educate audiences about the company’s leadership in design and inclusive play to maximize the visibility of Landscape Structures’ experts through earned channels.

Landscape Structures identified Fast Company as a dream target. Padilla delivered that and more. Through a blend of proactive and reactive media relations, Padilla drove results that pleased customers, sales representatives, and internal audiences.

Disrupting the Mainstream Narrative on Racial Health Equity

In 2023, as the nation reeled from the pandemic, America’s youth continued to experience serious mental health issues. These trends served as further momentum for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and ThreeSixty Journalism’s annual TV broadcast camp.

Nine high school students participated and created video packages focused on mental health and racial and health equity issues in Minnesota. Students were paired with industry leaders from prominent media outlets and universities – mastering everything from scriptwriting to on-camera interviewing. Students’ stories were amplified by local media – further disrupting the mainstream narrative in Minnesota and empowering youth voices.

Our FoodMinds team was also named a Silver Anvil finalist with its “Fit to EmpowHER” campaign with Danone Light + Fit.

Recognized among more than 850 total entries in the 2024 competition, Padilla is a PRovoke Innovation SABRE Awards North America finalist in four categories:

• Digital Marketing/Advertising with Seafood from Norway
• Start-Up Marketing Campaign with Agoro Carbon Alliance
• Emerging Sector Campaign with Agoro Carbon Alliance
• Audio: Podcasts + Music with the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

The In2 SABRE Awards recognizes superior achievement in branding, reputation, and engagement.

An Epic Saga of Taste, Sustainability, and Success

Thanks to centuries of tradition, the Norwegian Seafood Council is a world leader in responsible fishing practices. It produces delicious, sustainably harvested salmon that is 99% antibiotic- and GMO-free. Despite several inherent advantages, Norwegian salmon was failing to rise to the top of the U.S. seafood marketplace.

Padilla was tasked with getting that story out there to build preference among seafood lovers, visibility at supermarkets, and, ultimately, increase market share and sales. Our integrated campaign made a major splash and met every objective.

Reducing Ag’s Carbon Footprint 1 Million Acres at a Time

Agriculture is tied to the climate crisis, contributing 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions while producing food, fuel, and fiber for the world’s growing population. Agriculture can play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and make our global food system more sustainable.

Recognizing this opportunity, Agoro Carbon was created in 2021 to accelerate the global transition to climate-smart agriculture practices. The company needed to build trust as an authentic partner ready to support producers through every step of their carbon journey. Their goal was bold: to enroll 1 million acres of farm and pastureland in the company’s first 18 months. Those efforts would sequester more than 5 million tons of carbon by 2033. And that’s what Padilla helped achieve – and exceed – one field at a time.

The Business of Blueberries Podcast Hits High Notes with Industry Listeners

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) promotes the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry, but direct feedback from growers revealed a lack of awareness and trust in USHBC’s scope, value and effectiveness.

To engage with blueberry growers, marketers, and stakeholders, Padilla created “The Business of Blueberries” podcast, positioning USHBC as the go-to resource, thought leader, and convener of industry experts and voices.

The podcast experienced steady YOY growth in downloads, and 80% of listener survey respondents said that the podcast has helped their business or operation and ranked it as “very valuable.”

Our SHIFT Communications team also won an In2 SABRE Award for its “Cooking Up McDonald’s Employer Brand Love” campaign.

Matt Kucharski, president of Padilla, will serve a three-year term as a Board Director of the PR Council. The Council is the only association dedicated to supporting agencies with a core competency in earned media. 

Matt joins several new members from agencies of all sizes, geographies, and specialties. Together, the Board is tasked with helping its members—the leaders of 150 of U.S. and Canada’s premier global, mid-size, regional, and specialty firms—work smarter to build more valuable agencies. Programming is focused on the most critical issues affecting PR agency leaders’ ability to attract and retain talent and grow client relationships and their firms.

“This brilliant and collaborative group is already demonstrating their commitment to giving our Member firms a competitive advantage and elevating the entire industry,” said Kim Sample, PR Council president. “This year will present significant opportunities to demonstrate the power of our discipline, and our Board will provide excellent guidance to help grow our firms, talent and client relationships.”  

Matt also volunteers his time to several nonprofit and professional associations. He is currently serving as chair of Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, one of the country’s largest and most respected wildlife conservation organizations, sits on the board of directors of the Greater Twin Cities United Way, and volunteers time as a Business Champion for the Minority Business Growth Alliance. He is an accredited member of the Arthur W. Page Society and the Public Relations Society of America. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Ehlers Companies, an employee-owned public finance company.

To view the full news release, visit PRcouncil.net. 

Minneapolis, MN (Jan. 18, 2024) – The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) recognized Padilla at the 2024 Region 3 Best of NAMA awards ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa.

NAMA is the agriculture industry’s largest association for marketing and agribusiness professionals and awards are highly coveted by clients and agencies alike. Padilla received recognition from NAMA for its client work in the following categories:

Public Relations

First Place: Overall PR Program – directed at farmers, ranchers, growers, stakeholders or employees | Reducing Ag’s Carbon Footprint – One Million Acres at a Time

• Padilla with Agoro Carbon Alliance

Merit: Events – Customer | North Carolina Community Board Launch

• Padilla with TELUS Ag & Consumer Goods

Consumer Audiences

First Place: Company or Producer-Funded PR Campaign directed to consumers | An Epic Saga of Taste, Sustainability, and Success

• Padilla with Seafood from Norway

First Place: Company or Producer-Funded Advertising Campaign Element directed to consumers | Grab a Boost of Blue

• Padilla with U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

Merit: Company or Producer-Funded PR Campaign directed to consumers

• Padilla and FoodMinds with Flashfood

Specialty Audiences

Merit: Specialty Campaign Elements | Serve the Bold Standard

• Padilla and Bold By Nature

Advertising

Merit: Single-page Ads, series | Successful Farming Print Trade Media Ad

• Padilla with Agoro Carbon Alliance

MINNEAPOLIS (June 19, 2023) – Padilla earned five awards at the Golden ARC Awards sponsored by the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC). The Golden ARC Awards honor stellar work created by public relations professionals in the agricultural industry.

CAMPAIGNS

PR Campaigns – Organization or Corporate Reputation (Golden ARC)
Agoro Carbon Alliance PR Campaign

• Agoro Carbon Alliance

TACTICS

Media Events and News Conferences (Award of Merit)
Range and Pasture Media Lunch & Learn

• Agoro Carbon Alliance

Annual Reports: Non-financial annual reports (Golden ARC)
Cargill Mycotoxins Report

• Cargill

Collateral/Literature (Golden ARC)
‘Secrets Below the Surface’ Advertorial

• EarthOptics

Special Events (Golden ARC)
North Carolina Community Board Launch

• TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods

View a complete list of winners at AgRelationsCouncil.org.

About The Agricultural Relations Council

The Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) is the only association dedicated to serving the unique needs of public relations professionals working in agriculture, food, fiber and other related industries. ARC is a conduit for problem-solving, idea-sharing and collaboration among members, who share a passion for excellence in public relations.

The Golden ARC Awards Program began in 1990 and came to be recognized as the most esteemed award in the agricultural public relations industry. The restructured contest reflects the many hats worn by today’s PR practitioner – with categories recognizing everything from full campaigns to tactics such as media relations and innovative new uses of social media.

MINNEAPOLIS (June 9, 2023) – Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community, honored Padilla and SHIFT Communications with a Silver Anvil Award (B2B/Content Marketing) for its work with Citrix. The Silver Anvil Awards celebrate the best strategic public relations campaigns of the year and outstanding organizational excellence.

• As the way we worked changed, Citrix had the answer to securing remote workforces, and while they were already a leader in on-prem virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), decision-makers were less aware of its cloud-based Desktop as a Service (DaaS). Citrix worked with us to create DJ DaaS and The Notorious VDI, the first-ever, musically inspired Citrix-branded characters. Through a multichannel social campaign strategy (#DaasJams), the DaaS team racked up millions of engagements and views, reaching Citrix’s audience the exact way our insights proved necessary, exceeding expectations and industry standards. View the case study here.

The agency was also recognized with an Award of Commendation with Church Mutual Insurance in the the B2B Media Relations category.

• Church Mutual partnered with us to shape a public relations strategy to address post-pandemic concerns of leadership teams of houses of worship, nonprofits, schools, camps and other purpose-driven organizations turning to trusted sources for guidance. The strategy focused on deepening relationships with industry media and building trust among key opinion leaders to reach Church Mutual’s core audiences. The campaign heightened overall awareness of Church Mutual as a risk-mitigation expert and trusted insurance provider and drove an increase in written premiums.

The PRSA Anvil Awards recognize the best public relations tactics and campaigns of the year and the highest standards of performance for the profession. A total of 38 Silver Anvil Awards, 21 Bronze Anvil Awards, 34 Awards of Excellence and 25 Awards of Commendation were presented. View the full list of winners here.

RICHMOND, Va. (June 8, 2023) – Padilla was recognized with six awards, including Best-in-Show of the Capital Award category, during the 2023 Virginia PR Awards, sponsored by the Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Richmond).  

Jeff Wilson APR, vice president of Workplace Culture, DEI and Chief of Staff was the 2023 honoree and first Black recipient of PRSA Richmond’s Excellence in PR Award.  

For its work with the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), Padilla earned the Best in Show (Capital Awards). The Capital Awards category recognizes unique and exceptional public relations tactics. Padilla employed strategies that helped USHBC grow its newsletter list size and distribution – as well as contributing to the overall program’s goal of driving demand and consumption of blueberries.  

Padilla was also awarded for client work in the following categories: 

Commonwealth Awards 

Marketing Consumer Products/Services (Award of Excellence)
USHB
Grab a Boost, Give a Boost Challenge: National Blueberry Month 

Integrated Communications (Award of Merit)
USHBC
Grab a Boost, Give a Boost Challenge: National Blueberry Month 

Capital Awards 

Newsletters (Award of Excellence)
USHBC
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Secures Prized Spot in Blueberry Lovers’ Inboxes 

Social Media: Paid (Award of Excellence)
University of Mary Washington
Discover What Matters to You: University of Mary Washington Paid Social Media Campaign 

Winners of the 76th Virginia PR Awards were announced at a banquet on June 7, 2023, at the Dominion Energy Center. The Awards recognize outstanding public relations professionals and exceptional public relations achievements for firms.  

View the full list of 2023 winners here. 

RICHMOND, Va. (June 8, 2023) – Jeff Wilson APR, vice president of Workplace Culture, DEI and Chief of Staff at Padilla, has been honored with the 2023 Excellence in Public Relations Award from the Richmond chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Richmond). The career achievement award is PRSA Richmond’s highest honor, which recognizes the extraordinary achievements of seasoned public relations practitioners working in the Greater Richmond metropolitan region.

As a member of the agency’s Cabinet (senior leadership team), Jeff is responsible for workplace culture programs, internal communications and DEI initiatives. He also provides DEI strategic counsel to clients across a variety of industries, as part of the agency’s Social Impact Consultancy, and speaks nationally on DEI and social impact issues. He previously led the agency marketing team for Padilla. Jeff also has specific expertise in community relations, grassroots marketing, issues management and higher education.

Along with professional achievements, the Excellence in Public Relations Award also recognizes senior leaders for their community involvement, mentorship of others, service to PRSA, continuing education in the field and overall contributions to the profession. Jeff has held several volunteer leadership positions within the local Richmond community as well as the greater public relations and communications industry. He serves on the board (executive committee) for the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. He previously served on the national board of directors for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), as co-chair of the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame advisory committee, chair for MENTOR Virginia, president of PRSA Richmond, and president of the Richmond Public Relations Foundation, which recently named a scholarship on his behalf for Richmond Region college students of color.

“I’m humbled by this recognition. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of the past award recipients – some who’ve served as mentors and colleagues,” Wilson said. “It is a privilege to have my name listed among theirs.”

Jeff began his career as a city government reporter for the Greenville News in South Carolina and later as a public information coordinator at the University of South Carolina where he earned a bachelor’s degree in print journalism.

Previous Padilla honorees of this career achievement award include Mark Raper (2007), Mike Mulvihill (2016) and Natalie Smith (2021).

Agency’s digital & creative expertise, strategic approach, and “hometown” passion
set it apart 

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA (June 1, 2023) – Following a highly competitive search, The Valentine – a premier local history and culture museum based in Richmond, Virginia – has selected Padilla as its digital marketing agency partner. Padilla is leading the effort to overhaul the museum’s website ahead of The Valentine’s 125th anniversary and upcoming exhibitions later this year.  

Padilla is building a strategic digital approach spanning information architecture, UX and design to strengthen connections with The Valentine’s audience of online and in-person museum guests, donors, walking tour enthusiasts, history buffs, educators, and students. 

“We wanted an agency partner with experience creating unique and engaging digital platforms that could help us build lasting relationships with our visitors,” said The Valentine’s Director, Bill Martin. “The Valentine strives to tell great Richmond Stories and be a welcoming place for everyone. Padilla is a ‘hometown’ team who understands our mission and how to best connect with our diverse audience and community.” 

The Valentine has been collecting, preserving, and interpreting Richmond Stories for more than a century. The museum explores the complicated and nuanced history of the Richmond region to challenge and inspire a diverse audience. Through bold exhibitions, innovative tours, special events, school programs, and research, The Valentine facilitates courageous and inclusive conversations about Richmond’s past to help inform the museum’s future. 

“Partnering with The Valentine is an exciting opportunity for our team to help the museum transform with purpose through courageous conversations and communications that make a positive impact for all visitors,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “Transformation is not possible without innovation and we’re well-suited to support The Valentine’s mission to engage with audiences today and for future generations.” 

About Padilla
Padilla is a full-service agency that transforms brands and organizations through strategically creative communications. Our work across a range of industry sectors is consistently recognized by the PRWeek Awards, PRovoke IN2 SABRE Awards and PRSA Anvil Awards, among others. Padilla operates in seven cities in the U.S. through its family of brands, which includes SHIFT (performance communications), FoodMinds (food and nutrition affairs) and Joe Smith (brand strategy). As an AVENIR GLOBAL company and a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the agency provides services to clients through 155 offices worldwide. Transform with purpose at PadillaCo.com. 

About The Valentine
The Valentine has been collecting, preserving, and interpreting Richmond Stories for over a century. Located in the heart of historic downtown, The Valentine uses the complicated and nuanced history of this important region to challenge and inspire a diverse audience. From bold exhibitions and innovative tours to special community events, fascinating school programs, and research opportunities, The Valentine is committed to engaging with a broad audience in an ongoing dialogue about the significance and relevance of the city’s history. Learn more about the museum at TheValentine.org.  

MINNEAPOLIS (May 25, 2023) – The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, and production companies. The Telly Awards’ 44th annual edition boasted nearly 13,000 entries from across the globe, the most in a decade.  

Padilla (strategic communications) and SHIFT (performance communications) earned 2023 Telly awards for the Citrix #DaaSJams social media video series:  

Gold Telly Award 

Branded Content – Campaign: Business-to-Business 

Silver Telly Award 

Social Video – Series: Products & Services  

About The Telly Awards:  

The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 to honor excellence in local, regional and cable television commercials with non-broadcast video and television programming added soon after. With the recent evolution and rise of digital video (web series, VR, 360 and beyond), the Telly Awards today also reflects and celebrates this exciting new era of the moving image on and offline. 

The Telly Awards annually showcases the best work created within television and across video, for all screens. Telly Award winners represent work from some of the most respected advertising agencies, television stations, production companies and publishers from around the world.  

MINNEAPOLIS (May 5, 2023) – The Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (Minnesota PRSA) recognized Padilla with five awards at the 45th annual Classics Awards.  

The Classics Awards are divided into two categories: Elements and Programs. Elements awards recognize outstanding individual components or tactics, while Programs awards honor the best overall public relations campaigns. Padilla earned awards for the following work with client partners:  

Elements Awards 

• Media Relations (budget greater than $20K)
  Reducing Food Waste
  Crisp  

Programs Awards 

• Community Relations
  North Carolina Community Board Launch 
  TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods 
• Events (budget greater than $5K)
  Virtual Automation Fair Keeps Everything Attendees Love About the In-Person Event
  Rockwell Automation 
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  Disrupting the Mainstream Narrative on Racial and Health Equity
  Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota 
• Integrated Programs – Government & Nonprofit
  Minneapolis Reputation Campaign – Bringing Balance to the Narrative
  Meet Minneapolis 

The Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards ceremony celebrates the best and brightest PR and communications efforts executed within the chapter’s territory, which includes Minnesota, the Dakotas and western Wisconsin.  

MINNEAPOLIS (May 1, 2023) – The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) recognized Padilla with a 2023 Best of NAMA national award in the Webinars and Podcasts category for its work with the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and “The Business of Blueberries” podcast.

NAMA is the agriculture industry’s largest professional development organization and awards are highly coveted by clients and agencies alike. Padilla first qualified through regional competition in order to advance to the national level. NAMA also honored the agency for its client work in the following Best of NAMA categories:

MERIT:

Company or Producer-funded PR Campaign directed to consumers

• Padilla with the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

NATIONAL FINALIST:

Customer Brochures, Catalogs – farmer directed

• Padilla with Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health

Integrated Campaign – Regional

• Padilla with Sound Agriculture

Radio – Single

• Padilla with Sound Agriculture

View the complete list of the 2023 Best of NAMA national award winners here.

MINNEAPOLIS – (March 16, 2023) Padilla earned Silver and Bronze Pin awards at The Show, sponsored by The Advertising Federation of Minnesota (AdFed).     

Padilla and Joe Smith (brand strategy) were recognized with Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard in the Campaign category. View the case study here.  

Padilla and SHIFT (performance communications) were recognized with Citrix in the Branded Content & Entertainment Campaign category. View the case study here.   

 About AdFed  

The Advertising Federation of Minnesota (AdFed) is a nonprofit, professional trade association that has served the Minnesota advertising community including agencies, advertisers, suppliers, and students, since 1906. AdFed is part of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the nation’s oldest national advertising trade association.   

MINNEAPOLIS (Mar. 1, 2023) – Tina Charpentier, Padilla executive vice president, Client Experience, is a Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards honoree, earning recognition in the Leader category. This list represents the women in communications whose dedication, drive and innovative ideas have made a positive impact on the communications industry and who are mentors to future generations.

As a member of Padilla’s senior leadership team, Tina has led through one of the most transformational periods in the firm’s history by implementing a strategic growth plan, and navigating difficult periods during the pandemic, social unrest, and economic uncertainty.

Her contributions to Padilla have directly impacted the company’s growth – both in driving strategic communications for clients and cultivating an inclusive workplace culture.

Tina is responsible for ensuring that clients from Padilla and its family of brands have access to its full range of capabilities, services and talent – applying agency best practices in strategy, planning, program execution and measurement.

Tina embodies Padilla’s commitment to DEI and community service through her work with various charitable organizations. Her leadership has extended to community board engagements and professional roles including YWCA Minneapolis, Make-A-Wish Minnesota, Youth Advantage, Worldcom and The PR Council’s SHEQUALITY Project.

Ragan Communications and PR Daily celebrated this year’s Top Women in Communications Awards honorees at a luncheon at City Winery in New York City on February 28, 2023.

To view Ragan’s Class of 2023 Top Women in Communications, visit Ragan.com.

Position to focus on growth of Connection Strategy initiative  
and Paid Media offerings  

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 24, 2023) – Padilla has promoted Rosalie Morton to senior vice president, Channels. She oversees the agency’s paid media, social media, and media relations specialist teams, developing connection strategies and integrated marketing programs for clients. This appointment reflects the firm’s emphasis on helping clients build, grow and protect their brands and reputations through integrated strategic communications programs.  

With a focus on emerging platforms and tactics, members of the Channels team embed themselves in complex integrated accounts, offering ongoing strategy and support. Rosalie leads the agency’s approach to connection strategy, ensuring that integrated programs utilize the right mix of channels – media relations, paid media, and social media – to reach target audiences with messaging that resonates and drives results.  

“As the lines between different communications and marketing channels continue to blur, the Padilla Channels team is at the forefront of developing strategies that bring together the best blend, including native content, paid and organic social, influencers, earned media, display, CTV, search and more. With our roots in PR, we bring a focused message and storytelling approach to each of these techniques, making them far more integrated and effective than a siloed approach,” said Morton. “And, we always have our eye on what’s next for our clients, as we watch Twitter evolve and see AI offerings like ChatGPT quickly gain momentum.”   

With 12 years of experience at the firm, Rosalie has held positions focused on media relations, client management and social media early in her career. As social media evolved into a paid medium, she developed the agency’s approach to paid social. This diverse experience provided her with deep knowledge across integrated programs, making her uniquely suited to lead Channels. Under her leadership, the Channels team has more than tripled in size. This transformation, coupled with her omnichannel experience, led the firm to promote her to vice president, Channels in 2020. Client partners include Dole Food Company, Edward Jones, Cargill, Norwegian Seafood Council and Mayo Clinic, among others.  

“Compelling content is only as successful as the connection strategy that delivers it – to the right people, at the right time, in the right place – with the desired outcome,” said Matt Kucharski, president, Padilla. “Rosalie is the quintessential next-generation leader, and her contemporary approach and valuable experience will help assure that every client program benefits from a digital-first connection strategy.”  

About Padilla  

Padilla is a full-service agency that transforms brands and organizations through strategically creative communications. Our work across a range of industry sectors is consistently recognized by industry partners such as PRWeek Awards, PRovoke IN2 SABRE Awards and PRSA Anvil Awards, among others. Padilla operates in seven cities in the U.S. through its family of brands, which includes, SHIFT, FoodMinds and Joe Smith. As an AVENIR GLOBAL company and a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the agency provides services to clients through 155 offices worldwide. Transform with purpose at PadillaCo.com 

MINNEAPOLIS (January 17, 2023) – Padilla has been named among the Chief Marketer 200 (CM200) in the B2B Brand Engagement Agencies category. The CM200 is the industry’s comprehensive list of the top non-advertising agencies and features the best brand engagement and activation marketing agencies spanning 11 categories and specialties serving the U.S.

Chief Marketer editors chose winners based on several criteria including insightful client testimonials; outstanding case study submissions; high caliber, consistent work across programs and clients; innovative and creative executions; and bold and inspiring concepts and ideas that are moving the industry forward. The 200 agencies selected for the 2023 program are thought leaders in their craft and representative of the best of the marketing industry.

This is the fifth consecutive year Padilla has been named to the CM200 list.

About Chief Marketer

Winners were selected based on several criteria including: insightful client testimonials; outstanding case study submissions; high-caliber, consistent work across programs and clients; innovative and creative executions; and bold and inspiring concepts and ideas that are moving the industry forward. The 200 agencies selected for this year’s program are thought leaders in their craft and representative of the best of the marketing industry. Learn more about the CM200 and view the complete list at Chief Marketer 200.

Jen Dobrzelecki brings 25 years of leading integrated communications experience to the agency 

MINNEAPOLIS (January 10, 2023) – Jen Dobrzelecki has joined Padilla’s Healthcare Practice as senior vice president and Group Lead, serving as a senior counselor and member of the agency’s Senior Leadership Group. She brings her brand building and strategy, patient advocacy and issues management skills to help develop impactful communications strategies and solutions for clients. 

Jen’s experience includes leading integrated communications programs for some of the world’s largest and most innovative companies for over 25 years.  

“The healthcare industry is full of complexities, only intensified by the events of the last few years,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “Jen has the valuable experience and diverse skillset necessary to successfully counsel Padilla’s health clients to help build, grow and protect their brands and reputations, making her an excellent addition to the practice and Padilla’s Senior Leadership Group.” 

Before joining Padilla, Jen headed up Goodfuse (a GCI Group company), founded, built and led the New York office for Lewis Global Communications, served as the US head of M&C Saatchi PR and held leadership positions at Affect, Golin and CKPR. She has also been honored as one of PR News’ “Top Women in PR.” 

“Padilla has a highly experienced healthcare team backed by specialists across brand planning, research, strategy, creative, digital, earned media and more,” said Dobrzelecki. “They’re renowned for delivering modern, integrated communications programs to organizations across the healthcare spectrum and I’m looking forward to working with my new team to continue and build on this legacy.”  

About Padilla  

Padilla is a full-service agency that transforms brands and organizations through strategically creative communications. Our work across a range of industry sectors is consistently recognized by industry partners such as PRWeek Awards, PRovoke IN2 SABRE Awards and PRSA Anvil Awards, among others. Padilla operates in seven cities in the U.S. through its family of brands, which includes, SHIFT, FoodMinds and Joe Smith. As an AVENIR GLOBAL company and a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the agency provides services to clients through 155 offices worldwide. Transform with purpose at PadillaCo.com. 

RICHMOND, Va. (November 3, 2022) – Joe Smith, the brand consultancy of Padilla, earned Gold, Silver and Highly Commended honors at the 2022 Transform Awards North America in New York.

Joe Smith was recognized for its work in the following categories:

Gold
Best brand evolution (corporate) – Winnebago Industries
Best employer brand – Saputo

Silver
Best use of packaging – Merrie Mill Farm and Vineyard
Best visual identity from the engineering and manufacturing sector – WESCO International
Best visual identity from the sports and leisure sector – Winnebago Industries

Highly Commended
Best corporate rebrand following a merger or acquisition – WESCO International

In its eighth year, the Transform Awards North America recognizes excellence and best practices in corporate, product and global brand development work, with categories that focus on strategy, execution, content and evaluation.

RICHMOND, Va. (October 13, 2022) – Padilla was recognized with two Awards of Excellence during the 2022 Virginia Public Relations Awards ceremony, sponsored by the Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Richmond).

Padilla was awarded for client work in the following categories:

Commonwealth Awards

Brief Events and Observances (Excellence)

Winnebago Industries

Winnebago Industries Shocks the World with All-Electric RV Announcement

Capital Awards

Owned-Website (Excellence)

Winnebago Industries

Winnebago Industries’ New Website Supports Brand Launch

In a virtual ceremony, PRSA Richmond honored statewide organizations and companies for excellence in public relations. Over its 75-year history, the chapter’s awards program has recognized the most creative and effective communication strategies and tactics happening across Virginia. View the full list of 2022 winners here.

Agency expertise in agriculture, sustainability and environmental sciences communications will build brand awareness for Moleaer’s nanobubble technology

MINNEAPOLIS (October 4, 2022) – Following a competitive search, Moleaer Inc. has selected Padilla to develop and implement its digital marketing program. Moleaer’s patented water-based nanobubble technology helps farmers achieve better yields without chemicals; empowers businesses to manage their water needs more effectively and efficiently; and restores aquatic ecosystems sustainably without added chemicals. 

Through a strategic paid media and social program, Padilla will initially help grow Moleaer’s position as an agriculture industry innovator focused on improving agriculture and horticulture sustainability and productivity. Padilla will develop programs to build brand awareness and drive demand within the agriculture community, with follow-on expansion into other sectors including wastewater treatment, oil and gas, food preparation and aquaculture. 

“We aimed to find an agency partner that understands effective natural resources communication to drive growth for our nanobubble technology,” said Jennifer Lim, Moleaer vice president of Marketing and Public Relations. “Padilla has decades of relevant industry experience managing marketing and communications campaigns for agriculture and tech companies and we believe their expertise will help Moleaer make a significant impact on improving the world’s water systems, the way we produce food and ultimately, the environment.” 

Work will be shared across Padilla’s Agriculture + Environmental Sciences, Channels, Digital and Creative teams.

“Moleaer is an exciting innovator whose transformative technology allows industries to do more with less water, and that’s a story that needs to be told,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “This new partnership with Moleaer provides an opportunity to help drive engagement with an organization focused on extraordinary improvements in chemical-free water treatment, sustainable food production, and the recovery of natural resources.”   

About Padilla
Padilla is a full-service agency that transforms brands and organizations through strategically creative communications. Our work across a range of industry sectors is consistently recognized by industry partners such as PRWeek Awards, PRovoke IN2 SABRE Awards and PRSA Anvil Awards, among others. Padilla operates in seven cities in the U.S. through its family of brands, which includes, SHIFT, FoodMinds, Joe Smith and SMS Research Advisors. As an AVENIR GLOBAL company and a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the agency provides services to clients through 155 offices worldwide. Transform with purpose at PadillaCo.com. 

About Moleaer
Moleaer™ is the leading nanobubble technology company with over 2,000 nanobubble generator installations in more than 42 countries. The company deploys the unique power of nanobubbles to enhance and improve the performance and productivity of many of the world’s most critical industrial processes, unlocking the power of water to help farmers grow more food, empower businesses to manage their water needs more effectively and efficiently, and restore aquatic ecosystems sustainably without added chemicals. 

Nanobubbles, which are 2,500 times smaller than a grain of salt, allow the scarce resource of water do more with less. They supersaturate water with oxygen, form natural oxidants for disinfection, improve plant health, and increase water’s ability to permeate soil and rock. Moleaer’s patented nanobubble technology also provides the highest oxygen transfer rate in the aeration and gas infusion industry, with an efficiency of more than 85 percent per foot of water. Its nanobubble generators are a cost-effective, chemical-free solution proven to increase sustainable food production, reduce the use of chemicals, restore aquatic ecosystems, and improve natural resource recovery. Moleaer technology has been validated by extensive research and renowned universities. 

To learn more, visit Moleaer.com. 

Agency’s creative storytelling, “hometown” passion and destination marketing and tourism expertise set it apart

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA (Sept. 27, 2022) – Following a highly competitive search, Richmond Region Tourism has selected Padilla as its marketing agency partner for an inspiration campaign to help grow the economy of the Richmond region by attracting visitors and providing great experiences for all.

Padilla is leading an integrated marketing program to drive tourism to the Richmond region – as well as inspire people to live, work, play, and create – for the economic benefit of the entire community. The campaign will be funded with American Rescue Plan Act monies given to Richmond Region Tourism’s jurisdictions to drive tourism recovery. It will also showcase the region’s welcoming spirit and community commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In addition, the campaign will create a halo effect to spur economic development and provide local businesses with assets that can be used beyond the tourism industry. The campaign committee included representatives from Greater Richmond Partnership, ChamberRVA, Richmond Region Tourism and several of its jurisdictions.

“We wanted an agency partner with experience and perspective working with brands from across the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors along with a deep commitment to DE&I and we had five excellent Richmond finalists,” said Jack Berry, Richmond Region Tourism president and CEO. “Padilla impressed us with creative storytelling and a strategic cross-channel approach to help build awareness of the region’s welcoming community and attracting visitors to meet, compete, learn, live, build and play in the Richmond region.”

The agency has a significant presence in Richmond and will draw additional expertise from its seven offices across the U.S.

“We have a deep appreciation for the transformation taking place in the region and our teams are excited to be part of it,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “It’s a diverse mosaic of perspectives and attributes, and we’re looking forward to helping bring forth the many stories that will bring it to life and compel others to value it as much as we do.”

About Padilla

Padilla is a full-service agency that transforms brands and organizations through strategically creative communications. Our work across a range of industry sectors is consistently recognized by industry partners such as PRWeek Awards, PRovoke IN2 SABRE Awards and PRSA Anvil Awards, among others. Padilla operates in seven cities in the U.S. through its family of brands, which includes, SHIFT, FoodMinds, Joe Smith and SMS Research Advisors. As an AVENIR GLOBAL company and a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the agency provides services to clients through 155 offices worldwide. Transform with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

About Richmond Region Tourism

As the region’s primary marketer, Richmond Region Tourism welcomes meeting planners, tournament organizers, tour operators, travel media and leisure travelers. A nonprofit organization, Richmond Region Tourism offers a comprehensive array of information and services to help the local hospitality industry benefit from the powerful economic engine that is tourism. Richmond Region Tourism promotes seven jurisdictions, including four counties (Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent), two cities (Richmond and Colonial Heights) and the town of Ashland. For more information, VisitRichmondVA.com.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (May 31, 2022) – The Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (Minnesota PRSA) recognized Padilla with four awards at the 44th annual Classics Awards.

The Classics Awards are divided into two categories: Elements and Programs. Elements awards recognize outstanding individual components or tactics, while Programs awards honor the best overall public relations campaigns. Padilla earned Programs awards for the following work with client partners:

Community Relations 

COVID-19 Mobile Vaccine Bus Initiative

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota

Public Services

Shedding Light on Racism as a Public Health Crisis in Minnesota

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota

Marketing Products – Consumer

Blue Cross Talks Life, Health and Medicare Amid COVID-19

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Disrupting the Narrative on Racial and Health Equity

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota

Integrated Programs – B2B Products

Gearing Up for Electric Vehicle Production

Rockwell Automation

The Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards ceremony celebrates the best and brightest PR and communications efforts executed within the chapter’s territory, which includes Minnesota, the Dakotas and western Wisconsin. View the complete list of 2022 Classics Awards winners at MinnesotaPRSA.org.

Chris Werle brings three decades of high-profile crisis communications and issues management experience to the agency 

MINNEAPOLIS (July 26, 2022) – Chris Werle has joined Padilla’s Corporate Advisory Group as senior vice president, leading its Crisis Communications and Critical Issues Management Practice. He will bring his nearly three decades of experience to the agency’s Senior Leadership Group, helping clients develop strategies and solutions for protecting their brands and reputations. 

During his career, Chris has counseled senior management and led crisis implementation and training programs for multiple Fortune 500 companies, governmental entities, sports organizations and global NGOs. He previously served as vice president, Global Marketing Communications for Estee Lauder Corporation and as executive vice president and Consumer Practice lead at Weber Shandwick.  

“Organizations are navigating turbulent waters and it’s more challenging than ever to manage the myriad of crises and critical issues in today’s environment,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “Chris possesses a unique mix of issues management acumen and brand-building expertise, making him a great addition to Padilla’s Senior Leadership Group.”  

Most recently, Chris counseled collegiate athletic departments and conferences, professional sports franchises and leagues in overall positioning and audience engagement, as well as specific programs, issues and challenges. As the senior associate athletic director for the University of Minnesota, he provided strategic communications counsel to stakeholders within the Big Ten Conference department of athletics. 

Periodically an adjunct professor at St. Cloud State University and a regular speaker at marketing, communications and digital conferences, Chris has also served on the boards of Minneapolis Catholic Charities, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Cancer Center and Positive Coaching Alliance. 

“Crisis communications and issues management best practices are always evolving, and I’m excited to be a part of expanding and propagating Padilla’s innovative and holistic Crisis and Critical Issues capabilities,” Werle said. 
 

About Padilla
Padilla is a full-service public relations agency that transforms brands and organizations through strategically creative communications. Our work across deep areas of sector expertise in food, beverage and nutrition, health, technology, agriculture, consumer marketing and financial services, is consistently recognized by industry partners such as PRWeek, PRovoke and PRSA, among others. Padilla operates in seven cities in the U.S. through its family of brands, which includes SHIFT, FoodMinds, Joe Smith and SMS Research Advisors. As an AVENIR GLOBAL company and a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the agency provides services to clients through 155 offices worldwide. Transform with purpose at PadillaCo.com. 

MINNEAPOLIS (June 1, 2022) – The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, and production companies. Padilla earned 2022 Telly awards for the following work:   

Silver Telly Award 

Online Commercials: Campaign – Promotional   

Grab a Boost of Blue 

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council 

Bronze Telly Award 

Promotional Video: General – Food and Beverage 

Grab a Boost of Blue 

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council 

View the agency’s past Telly Award-winning campaigns here, and all the winners of The 43rd Telly Awards at TellyAwards.com.  

About The Telly Awards:  

The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receives over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. Entrants are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council—an industry body of over 200 leading experts including advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks, reflective of the multiscreen industry The Telly Awards celebrates. Partners of The Telly Awards include NAB, Stash Media, Production Hub, and We Are Parable. 

Media contact: [email protected] 

Agency’s creativity, passion and deep expertise in food importer, distributor, retailer
and food–service channel marketing set it apart  

MINNEAPOLIS (May 20, 2022) – Following a highly competitive search, the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) has selected Padilla as its public relations agency of record in the United States. The NSC works together with the Norwegian fisheries and aquaculture industry to develop global export markets for Norwegian seafood. 

Padilla is leading an integrated marketing program to help increase demand for and the value of Norwegian seafood in the U.S. 

“We were looking for an agency partner that had experience building high-performance food brands with premium quality reputations with international organizations,” said Anne-Kristine Øen, Seafood from Norway, Director USA. “Padilla impressed us with their experience in this space, fully integrated approach, extensive retail and food-service knowledge, and strong digital expertise. We believe their strategic counsel and creative talent will help build the Seafood from Norway brand among key stakeholders and drive market share in the U.S. for our delicious, healthy and sustainable seafood.”  

“The NSC is a global leader in the seafood industry, and we are excited to help bring their unique story to importers and distributors, and retail and food-service audiences to help them grow their businesses with Seafood from Norway,” said Laura Cubillos, executive vice president, Food, Beverage and Nutrition Practice, Padilla and founding partner, FoodMinds. “Our team can’t wait to make a positive difference for the industry with this program.” 

“This new partnership with Seafood from Norway adds another premium international client promoting country-of-origin products to our food, beverage and nutrition portfolio,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to help an organization focused on innovation and sustainability transform its brand experience with consumers and the stakeholders connected to them.”   

About Padilla
Padilla is a full-service public relations agency that transforms brands and organizations through strategically creative communications. Our work across deep areas of sector expertise in food, beverage and nutrition, health, technology, agriculture, consumer marketing and financial services, is consistently recognized by industry partners such as PRWeek, PRovoke and PRSA, among others. Padilla operates in seven cities in the U.S. through its family of brands, which includes SHIFT, FoodMinds, Joe Smith and SMS Research Advisors. As an AVENIR GLOBAL company and a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the agency provides services to clients through 155 offices worldwide. Transform with purpose at PadillaCo.com. 

About Norwegian Seafood Council
The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) aims to increase the value of Norwegian seafood resources through market insights, market development, market risk management and reputational risk management in select markets around the world. The Council works to identify opportunities for Norwegian seafood products in both new and established markets. NSC is the approval authority for Norwegian seafood exporters. The Council also acts as an advisor for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries in affairs concerning seafood exports and trade. For more information, visit Seafood.no.  

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Media contact: [email protected]

Minneapolis, MN (Apr. 8, 2022) – The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) recognized Padilla with three awards at the 2022 Best of NAMA national awards ceremony in Kansas City.  

NAMA is the agriculture industry’s largest professional development organization and awards are highly coveted by clients and agencies alike. Padilla first qualified through regional competition in order to advance to the national level. The agency was honored by NAMA for its client work in the following Best of NAMA categories: 

Public Affairs/Issues Management Program 

Communicating the Complexities of Methane Mitigation in Ruminant Livestock 

• Padilla with Cargill  

Radio – Single  

Wake-Up Call 

•  Padilla with Sound Agriculture 

Billboards or Other Outdoor Ads 

Your Orchard Trees Need Social Distance 

• Padilla with Pacific Gas and Electric  

View the complete list of the 2022 Best of NAMA national award winners here.

MINNEAPOLIS – (March 9, 2022) Padilla earned a Bronze Pin award at The Show, sponsored by The Advertising Federation of Minnesota (Ad Fed).  

The agency was recognized for PadillaFest ‘21: Find Your Groove in the Advertising Industry Self-Promotion Film, Video & Sound category. An excerpt from the virtual holiday concert can be viewed here.  

About Ad Fed 

The Advertising Federation of Minnesota (Ad Fed) is a non-profit, professional trade association that has served the Minnesota advertising community, including agencies, advertisers, suppliers and students, for 115 years. Ad Fed is part of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the nation’s oldest national advertising trade association.    

Minneapolis, MN (Jan. 20, 2022) – The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) recognized Padilla with seven awards at the 2022 Region 3 Best of NAMA awards ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa.

NAMA is the agriculture industry’s largest professional development organization and awards are highly coveted by clients and agencies alike. Padilla received awards from NAMA for its client work in the following Agricultural Audiences categories:

Advertising
First Place: Radio – Single

• Wake-Up Call
  • Padilla with Sound Agriculture

First Place: Billboards or other outdoor ads

• Your Orchard Trees Need Social Distance
  • Padilla with Pacific Gas and Electric

Digital

First Place: Advertising on the Web – directed to farmers, ranchers, growers and all others serving agriculture

• Navigating The Changing Food Production Landscape Globally
  • Padilla with Cargill

Public Relations

First Place: Public Affairs/Issues Management program

• Communicating the Complexities of Methane Mitigation in Ruminant Livestock
  • Padilla with Cargill

First Place: Audio/Video Feature or Testimonial

• New Technology Meets New Expectations
  • Padilla with Cargill

Merit: Media Relations

• Building Trust Through Industry Experts
  • Padilla with Rabo AgriFinance

Merit: Company Publications – Annual Reports

• Ready for Times Like This: 2020 AgriBank Annual Report
  • Padilla with AgriBank

View the complete list of the 2021 Region 3 Best of NAMA award winners at NAMA.org.

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Media Contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 13, 2021) – Padilla has been named one of the Chief Marketer’s top brand engagement and experience agencies (CM200 2022) in the B2B category. The CM200 is the marketing industry’s comprehensive list of the top non-advertising agencies, and it features the best engagement and activation agencies across 11 categories and specialties serving the U.S. Chief Marketer editors chose winners based on several criteria including: insightful client testimonials; outstanding case study submissions; high caliber, consistent work across programs and clients; innovative and creative executions; and bold and inspiring concepts and ideas that are moving the industry forward. The 200 agencies selected for the 2022 program are thought leaders in their craft and representative of the best of the marketing industry.

This is the fourth consecutive year Padilla has been named to the CM200 list.

About Chief Marketer

Chief Marketer, with a readership of more than 150,000, provides marketers and CMOs with content, ideas, recognition and events that help them make smarter decisions with their marketing budgets. It offers data-driven industry intelligence, actionable insights, inspiring case studies and the latest technology trends, so marketers can improve their campaigns and increase ROI.

Learn more about the CM200 and view the complete list at Chief Marketer 200.

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Media contact: [email protected]

Consolidation creates a $55 million agency and strengthens   
operations in core sectors and capabilities 

MINNEAPOLIS and BOSTON (Nov. 9, 2021) – Padilla and SHIFT Communications announced today that SHIFT will become a Padilla operating brand effective January 1, 2022. Along with Padilla, SHIFT joins FoodMinds, Joe Smith and SMS Research Advisors in the Padilla portfolio of brands.

The combined agency will have approximately 240 employees across seven U.S. offices – Minneapolis, New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia – and approximately $55 million in revenue. Padilla and SHIFT are owned by AVENIR GLOBAL, a Montreal-based holding and management company of public relations and communication firms.

“Padilla and SHIFT are both extremely well-respected brands in the industry, and as part of AVENIR GLOBAL we’ve had great success sharing both operational and client-facing resources like creative, digital and channel strategy,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “We’ve also collaborated on client assignments, particularly in technology and health care, and during that time, our teams have come to know and respect each other. This natural progression brings exciting new opportunities to our clients and our people.”

Rick Murray will remain managing partner for SHIFT and will become an executive vice president at Padilla, assuming oversight of Padilla’s channels and digital strategy teams. Additionally, SHIFT’s two managing directors – Annie Perkins and Alan Dunton – will join Padilla’s sector leadership team and continue to lead their respective sectors within SHIFT.

“We’re everything SHIFT has been historically, now with way more muscle behind us in areas like creative, paid, digital, analytics and branding. When we look at where both Padilla and SHIFT are headed, we see so much opportunity. By consolidating our operations, we’ll strengthen our leadership and bench strength in core sectors, foster greater collaboration and ultimately deliver the kind of growth we all know is possible,” Murray said.

About SHIFT

SHIFT is an integrated communications firm that operates at the nexus of art and science to help brands break through and thrive. We leverage data and analytics to engineer the who, what, when, where and how behind programs. We harness deep human insights, empathy, and expertise to craft compelling narratives and campaigns that connect on a personal level, and then use advanced targeting to get them in front of the people who matter most. Established in 2003, SHIFT is an AVENIR GLOBAL company representing global brands and emerging category disruptors in the technology, b2b, health care and consumer sectors. Clients include Cengage, Citrix, Foxwoods Resort Casino, RSA and TELUS International. Learn more at shiftcomm.com.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency helps clients transform by building, growing and protecting their brands and reputations worldwide through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the integrated communications experts at SHIFT, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill, CommonSpirit Health, Dole Food Company, Edward Jones, Mayo Clinic, Medtronic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and Winnebago Industries. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Transform with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

Media contacts: [email protected]; [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (October 27, 2021) – We’re pleased to announce the promotion of 14 of our team members who have performed extremely well in their current roles, and who have demonstrated the ability to excel in their new positions, helping clients transform by building, growing, and protecting brands and reputations.  

“These colleagues are being recognized for their accomplishments and achievements in client service or agency operations,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “They also demonstrate our values and beliefs on a daily basis and help our clients transform with purpose across multiple industries worldwide.”  

Washington D.C. 

Kim Blake was promoted from senior director to vice president in Padilla’s Health practice. With nearly 20 years of strategic communications experience in the health care industry, she has worked extensively with providers, payers and associations. Currently, she leads the agency’s work for clients such as CommonSpirit Health, Mayo Clinic, VITAS Healthcare, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.    

Richmond 

Julie McCracken was promoted from senior director to vice president in Padilla’s Corporate Advisory Group, where she focuses on social impact, employee engagement, corporate culture and change communications. A seasoned communications professional, who has been with the agency for 20 years, Julie provides counsel for clients including Edward Jones and Dominion Energy. She helped lead the development of Padilla’s Social Impact Consultancy, which includes environmental, science and governance (ESG), diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), and community relations capabilities. 

Jen Baybutt was promoted from manager to senior manager in Padilla’s Channels team.  

Ali Hutcheson was promoted from senior strategist to manager in Padilla’s Channels team. 

Minneapolis 

Kenny Devine was promoted from senior account executive to account supervisor in Padilla’s Corporate Advisory Group. 

Vasil Gerchev was promoted from accounts payable specialist to staff accountant for Padilla. 

Alyssa Dettloff was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Technology practice.  

New York 

Chelsea Elkin, MS, RD, was promoted from director to senior director at FoodMinds. 

Danielle Pesce was promoted from director to senior director in Padilla’s Food + Beverage practice.  

Katie Hill was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Food + Beverage practice. 

Lindsay McConnell was promoted from social media strategist to senior social media strategist in Padilla’s Channels team.  

Emma Bond was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Food + Beverage practice. 

Carson Creehan was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Health practice.  

San Francisco 

Lauren Hoffman, MBA, RD, was promoted from director to senior director at FoodMinds. 

Media contact: [email protected]  

MINNEAPOLIS (October 6, 2021) – Padilla has been recognized by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts with two 2021 Gold w3 Awards. Receiving over 3,000 entries from across the globe, the w3 Awards honors outstanding Websites, Marketing, Video, Mobile, Social, and Podcasts created by some of the best digital content creators across the industry.  

The agency was recognized for the following client work:   

First Cut Corn  

Website Features – Best User Experience 

Website Features –– Best Visual Appeal – Experience   

About W³ Awards  

The w3 Awards illuminates creative excellence on the Web and recognizes the creative and marketing professionals behind award-winning Websites, Video, Podcasts, Marketing, Mobile, and Social. Simply put, the w3 is the leading digital competition that recognizes the biggest agencies, the smallest firms, and everyone in between. Small firms are as likely to win as Fortune 500 companies and international agencies. The w3 Awards is sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from a “Who’s Who” of acclaimed media, advertising, and marketing firms. Please visit www.aiva.org for a full member list and additional information. 

Media Contact: [email protected].  

Newly Created Position to Focus on Client Service and Agency Growth

MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 5, 2021) – Padilla announced today that it has promoted Tina Charpentier to executive vice president, Client Experience. In her new role, Tina will be responsible for assuring that clients across the agency’s brands, sectors and practices have access to the firm’s full range of capabilities and services. She’ll work with team leaders to build bespoke ensemble teams that pull expertise from across the firm in a way that closely matches client needs and creates new growth opportunities for staff. In addition, she’ll help assure that client teams are applying agency best practices in strategy, planning, program execution and measurement.

For more than 25 years, Charpentier has honed her integrated communications expertise with client campaigns in the agriculture, food, health and nutrition industries. She previously served as senior vice president, Agriculture + Environmental Sciences at Padilla, overseeing client partnerships with Cargill, CHS, Pacific Gas & Electric and Sound Agriculture, among others. Charpentier will now take a broader view of the agency, overseeing the firm’s Health and Technology practices, its insights and strategy function, and the Agriculture + Environmental Sciences team.   

“Our clients rely on us for a wide range of support as they transform by building, growing and protecting their reputations, and that support requires a blend of team members and best practices from across the agency’s offices and practice areas,” said Matt Kucharski, president, Padilla. “Tina is uniquely qualified to help us deliver a consistent, compelling, valuable experience to our clients regardless of the team executing the program.”  

About Padilla  

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency helps clients transform by building, growing and protecting their brands and reputations worldwide through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill, CommonSpirit Health, Dole Food Company, Mayo Clinic, Medtronic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and Winnebago Industries. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Transform with purpose at PadillaCo.com.  

RICHMOND, Va. (Sept. 23, 2021) – Natalie Smith, APR, senior vice president, has been honored with the 2021 Thomas Jefferson Award of Excellence in Public Relations from the Richmond chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Richmond). The lifetime achievement award recognizes a seasoned public relations practitioner in Central Virginia who has made an ongoing commitment to advancing the profession.  

Natalie has been an active PRSA member since 1993 – achieving her APR credentials in 1998. She currently oversees Padilla’s Employee Engagement Team, within the agency’s Corporate Advisory Group, which is focused on change communications, employee engagement, corporate culture, internal brand activation and corporate responsibility. As a well-respected business leader, she has mentored numerous up-and-coming professionals within our industry, especially young women.  

Along with professional achievements, the Thomas Jefferson Award also recognizes senior public relations professionals for their community involvement. Natalie served as an executive board member with VIRGINIAforever, a diverse coalition dedicated to protecting the Commonwealth’s natural resources. Her public service also included board involvement with Family Lifeline, a nonprofit organization that provides home- and community-based services to families in need.  

Natalie earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications arts from James Madison University, and a master’s degree in mass communications and media management from Virginia Commonwealth University.  

On Wednesday, October 6th, PRSA Richmond will host the Virginia PR Awards Celebration at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden to celebrate the chapter, sponsors and all the winners – and include remarks from Natalie as this year’s Thomas Jefferson Award honoree.  

Previous Padilla honorees of the Thomas Jefferson Award include Mark Raper (2007) and Mike Mulvihill (2016). 

RICHMOND, Va. (Sept. 23, 2021) – Padilla was recognized with eight awards, including Best in Show (Campaigns), during the 2021 Virginia Public Relations Awards ceremony, sponsored by the Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Richmond). This marks the fifth consecutive year the Best in Show honor has been awarded to Padilla.  

Natalie Smith, APR, was the recipient of the 2021 Thomas Jefferson Award of Excellence in Public Relations.  

Padilla, and its FoodMinds division, earned Best in Show (Campaigns) with Produce for Better Health (PBH). The agency was engaged to create a new campaign to help reverse Americans’ declining fruit and vegetable consumption by maximizing consumer-behavior insights and creating innovative engagement opportunities. The Have A Plant™ consumer movement featured a refreshed PBH brand, new digital ecosystem and upgraded influencer network. Within six months of launch, the movement connected with 165 million people through social media, webpage views and media coverage alone. Reach continued to grow in the past year, to more than 300 million. In addition, the movement has helped drive produce sales and helped increase PBH membership. 

In addition, Padilla was recognized with six awards for the following client work:  

COMMONWEALTH AWARDS

Marketing Consumer Products/Services (Excellence)  

Dole Food Company  

A Sweeter Social Platform Makes the Dole Brand Stick 

Integrated Communications (Excellence)  

Reputation/Brand Management (Excellence) 

Produce for Better Health

A Recipe for Success: Fruits and Veggies are Key Ingredients for Healthier, Happier Lives

CAPITAL AWARDS 

Social Media: Paid (Excellence)

Influencer Marketing (Excellence)

Dole Food Company  

Bringing Fun Back Into the Kitchen with #DIYDoleWhip

Websites (Merit)  

Produce for Better Health

A Recipe for Success: The Produce for Better Health Foundation Digital Ecosystem

In a virtual ceremony, PRSA Richmond honored statewide organizations and companies for excellence in public relations. Over its 74-year history, the chapter’s awards program has recognized the most creative and effective communication strategies and tactics happening across Virginia.  

Newly Created Position to Focus on DE&I and Company Culture in a Hybrid Work Environment 

RICHMOND, Va. (Sept. 21, 2021) – Padilla announced today that it has named Jeff Wilson to the newly created role of vice president, Workplace Culture, building on his track record of contributions in diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), marketing, and client service to help the agency define and execute on its next-generation workplace priorities.   

Jeff will work across the agency to help foster a culture built on the agency’s core values and beliefs, which center on curiosity, collaboration, inclusiveness, bravery and accountability. He also leads the company’s DE&I initiatives, serves as agency Chief of Staff and advises clients on DE&I programs as part of Padilla’s Corporate Advisory Group. He previously served as vice president of Agency Marketing and Promotion.   

“The workplace of the future will have diversity at its foundation – people from different races and ethnicities, people with different professional backgrounds and people working in different physical locations. That makes fostering a culture based on a common set of values and beliefs all the more important,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla’s president. “Jeff’s background and skills make him the ideal choice for helping us establish a culture where our teams can grow and develop, do great work and appreciate their colleagues.”  

Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of South Carolina and serves on the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) national board, representing the Mid-Atlantic District (Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, eastern/central Pennsylvania and Virginia). In appreciation for his service to PRSA, the Richmond Public Relations Foundation recently announced an annual scholarship – The Jeff Wilson Scholarship of Excellence – to be awarded to a student of color demonstrating a passion for a career in public relations.  

About Padilla  

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency helps clients transform by building, growing and protecting their brands and reputations worldwide through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill,  CommonSpirit Health, Dole Food Company, Mayo Clinic, Medtronic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and Winnebago Industries. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Transform with purpose at PadillaCo.com.  

Minneapolis, MN (July 21, 2021) – The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) recognized Padilla with the Best of Show – Public Relations award during its 2021 Agri-Marketing Conference and Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony in Kansas City.  

NAMA is the agriculture industry’s largest professional development organization and awards are highly coveted by clients and agencies alike. Padilla with Sound Agriculture received Best of Show in the category: Overall PR Program – Directed to Farmers, Growers, Ranchers or Others Serving Agribusiness.  

Learn more with the video case story and campaign summary:   

Farmers have heard every pitch for products promising higher yields. The already-saturated inputs market, combined with unsupported claims from recent newcomers, has caused skepticism among farmers. When a new product hits the market touting more bushels or healthier soil, it takes convincing for farmers to adopt.  

Being the “new kid on the block” in agriculture is challenging, too. Farmers tend to remain loyal to the brands and products they know and have used for years.   

Sound Agriculture came onto the scene with a different approach compared to traditional ag companies. Sound helps farmers tackle some of today’s biggest farming challenges, enabling sustainability across the agriculture value chain. Sound’s first product, SOURCE, is unlike any other product on the market, working in the soil where it activates beneficial microbes at the root zone – tapping into the soil’s full potential and ultimately reducing a farmer’s reliance on fertilizer.  

Leading up to SOURCE’S launch for the 2020 season, Sound discovered farmers’ appetite for science, a pillar of the company’s innovative approach. Farmers want to know the science behind the products they use.  

Sound and Padilla worked together to launch SOURCE. Based on research findings, Sound and Padilla developed compelling messaging, ramped up the digital experience and executed a multi-channel communication campaign – including paid, earned, shared and owned media – to introduce SOURCE to the ag world. The following manifesto led our communications strategy: “When science and modern innovation take hold, it leads to a more environmentally sound solution for better production and more efficiency. It’s not magic, just science.”  

SOURCE sold out for the 2020 growing season, reflecting the success of Sound and Padilla’s efforts, and setting Sound up for success with future product launches. Since launch, overall web traffic increased by 245% compared to the previous year. Media coverage helped spread the news, generating 257 stories and 133 million+ impressions.  

View the complete list of the 2021 Best of NAMA award winners at NAMA.org. 

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Media Contact: [email protected]  

Minneapolis, Minn. (June 11, 2021) – Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community, held a virtual Silver Anvil Ceremony, where communications professionals throughout the industry were recognized with 67 Silver Anvil Awards. Padilla and FoodMinds – its division focused on food and nutrition affairs, consulting and communications – won a Silver Anvil award for its work with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.  

The campaign – An Immersive Virtual Experience on Beef’s Role in Early Childhood Nutrition – took top honors in the Event and Observances > 7 or Fewer Days > Associations category.   

• For the first time, the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) provide guidance for infants and toddlers from birth to 24 months of age. A growing body of science illustrates the beneficial role of beef’s nutrients for physical and cognitive development in the early years. The Eating in the Early Years E-Vent was an immersive virtual experience that gathered researchers and health professionals to review and discuss the current state of the science surrounding nutrition recommendations for this age group, unpack what and how to feed infants and toddlers, and determine ways to inspire behavior change to improve nutrition outcomes.  

The Silver Anvil Award, symbolizing the forging of public opinion, recognizes the best public relations campaigns of the year and the highest standards of performance for the profession.  View the complete list of the 2021 Silver Anvil results at PRSA.org.  

About PRSA
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community. PRSA is the principal advocate for industry excellence and ethical conduct and provides members lifelong learning opportunities and leading-edge resources to enhance professional connections and support them at every stage of their career. With nearly 30,000 members, PRSA is collectively represented by 110 Chapters and 14 Professional Interest Sections, and on nearly 375 college and university campuses through its student organization, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).  For more information, please visit PRSA.org.  

Media Contact: [email protected] 

MINNEAPOLIS (May 25, 2021) – The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks and production companies.  

Padilla was recognized with a 2021 Silver Telly Award: 

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council: The Blueberry Method 

• Online Commercials: Campaign – Promotional  

View the agency’s past Telly Award-winning campaigns here, and all the winners of The 42nd Telly Awards at TellyAwards.com. 

About The Telly Awards: 

The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receives over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. Entrants are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council—an industry body of over 200 leading experts including advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks, reflective of the multiscreen industry The Telly Awards celebrates. Partners of The Telly Awards include Ghetto Film School, We Are Parable, LAPPG, NAB, Stash, Storyhunter, NYWIFT, Production Hub, IFP and Social Media Week. 

Media contact: [email protected] 

Minneapolis, MN (May 3, 2021) – Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community, recognized Padilla with a Bronze Anvil award in the following category:   

Media Relations > Business-To-Business  

• Resiliency Through Risk Control – Church Mutual Becomes Trusted Resource to Key Leaders 

•  Padilla with Church Mutual 

For more than 45 years, the Bronze Anvil Awards have recognized outstanding public relations tactics — such as the use of social media, video, blogs, podcasts, annual reports, digital newsletters, websites and more — that contribute to the success of overall programs or campaigns.  

This year’s competition drew a total of 358 entries. Of those, only 33 organizations were selected as Bronze Anvil winners. Judging is performed across the United States by teams of PRSA members and others with expertise in the specific categories. 

View the complete list of the 2021 Bronze Anvil winners and runners-up at PRSA.org.  

About PRSA
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community. PRSA is the principal advocate for industry excellence and ethical conduct and provides members lifelong learning opportunities and leading-edge resources to enhance professional connections and support them at every stage of their career. With nearly 30,000 members, PRSA is collectively represented by 110 Chapters and 14 Professional Interest Sections, and on nearly 375 college and university campuses through its student organization, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). For more information, please visit PRSA.org.  

Media Contact: [email protected] 

MINNEAPOLIS (April 30, 2021) – The Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (Minnesota PRSA) recognized Padilla with three awards at the 43rd annual Classics Awards. For the second time in its history, the Classics Awards ceremony was held virtually.  

The Classics Awards are divided into two categories: Elements and Programs. Elements awards recognize outstanding individual components or tactics, while Programs awards honor the best overall public relations campaigns. Padilla earned awards for the following work with client partners: 

Elements award: 

Content Marketing 

Shining a Spotlight on Industrial Cybersecurity 

Rockwell Automation  

Programs awards: 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 

Shedding Light on Health Disparities in Minnesota 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota – ThreeSixty Journalism 

Marketing Products > B2B 

Sounds Like Magic, Works Like Science – Launching SOURCE 

Sound Agriculture 

The Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards ceremony celebrates the best and brightest PR and communications efforts executed within the chapter’s territory, which includes Minnesota, the Dakotas and western Wisconsin. View the complete list of 2021 Classics Awards winners at MinnesotaPRSA.org. 

Media contact: Julie.Behr@PadillaCo.com   

MINNEAPOLIS (April 26, 2021) – We’re pleased to announce the promotion of 14 of our team members who have performed extremely well in their current roles, and who have demonstrated the ability to excel in their new positions helping clients build, grow and protect brands and reputations. 

“We’re excited to recognize the accomplishments of colleagues at Padilla and FoodMinds, Joe Smith and SMS Research divisions,” said Matt Kucharski, president, Padilla. “These appointments reflect expertise in helping our client partners succeed and in making positive contributions to our company’s culture.” 

Washington, D.C.

Elizabeth Reilly was promoted from director to senior director at FoodMinds, a division of Padilla focused on food and nutrition affairs, consulting and communications. She is a subject matter expert in global, sustainable food systems and manages client accounts including Dairy Management Inc. and a global sustainable aquaculture alliance. She is a founding member of the agency’s Diversity + Inclusion Council.  

Richmond, Va. 

Kathryn Canning was promoted from digital strategist to senior digital strategist in Padilla’s Creative and Digital Group. She plays a key role in developing and implementing clients’ website strategies to establish information architecture, content strategies and user journeys rooted in research. She executes strategic, data-driven integrated programs that support online goals for clients like the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.  

Lauren Llewellyn was promoted from account supervisor to director in Padilla’s Corporate Advisory Group. She provides strategic brand management and internal communications expertise for Winnebago Industries, among other client partners. 

Perry Lowder was promoted from senior brand strategist to brand manager at Joe Smith, a division of Padilla focused on brand consulting, innovation and design. 

Minneapolis  

Leah Kondes was promoted from account supervisor to director in Padilla’s Corporate Advisory Group. She manages client partnerships with Meda (Metropolitan Economic Development Association) and The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. 

Kyle Kapustka was promoted from senior account executive to account supervisor in Padilla’s Agriculture + Environmental Sciences Practice. 

Julie Behr was promoted from marketing manager to senior marketing manager in Padilla’s Agency Marketing and Promotion Group.  

Olivia Decelles was promoted from associate producer to producer in Padilla’s Creative and Digital Group.  

Jack Parker was promoted from project coordinator to senior project coordinator at SMS Research Advisors, a division of Padilla focused on market research. 

Chicago 

Moira Allison, MBA, RDN, was promoted from senior account executive to account supervisor at FoodMinds.  

Maura Killian, RDN, was promoted from account executive to senior account executive at FoodMinds.  

San Francisco 

Carla Curle, MS, was promoted from account executive to senior account executive at FoodMinds.  

New York 

Caroline Seelen was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Food, Beverage and Nutrition Practice.  

Katie Hill was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Food, Beverage and Nutrition Practice. 

Media contact: [email protected] 

MINNEAPOLIS (Apr. 20, 2021) – Matt Kucharski, Padilla president, is one of 32 individuals recognized by Twin Cities Business in the inaugural class of 2021 Notable Executives in Marketing.   

Rising through the ranks to become president in 2017, Kucharski’s seen the agency transformed during his 32-year tenure – from a Twin Cities PR stalwart into a communications powerhouse with six offices nationwide.  

Matt’s leadership was tested immensely in 2020 – a year defined by COVID-19, racial unrest and political divisiveness. Along with typical agency assignments, clients called on Padilla for strategic counsel to face new communications challenges brought on by the pandemic. 

Despite external challenges, Padilla achieved successes in 2020, earning a national PRWeek Award and two North American SABRE Awards, some of the PR industry’s highest honors. Padilla also added new clients, including Dole Food Company and Winnebago Industries.  

Matt serves as chair of Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever and is on the board of the Greater Twin Cities United Way.   

To view the full list of 2021 Notable Executives in Marketing visit TCBmag.org. 

— 

Media contact: [email protected] 

MINNEAPOLIS – (March 5, 2021) Padilla has been recognized with four awards at The Show, sponsored by The Advertising Federation of Minnesota (AdFed). Padilla was recognized for the following client work:

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (The Blueberry Method)

• Internet Commercial – Single Spot, Any Length (Gold Pin)
• Online/Interactive Campaign (Silver Pin)

Fresh Florida Sweet Corn (First Cut Corn)

• Microsite (Silver Pin)

Can Manufacturers Institute (Cans Get You Cooking)

• Social Media Campaign (Bronze Pin)

About AdFed Minnesota
The Advertising Federation of Minnesota (AdFed) is a non-profit, professional trade association that has served the Minnesota advertising community including agencies, advertisers, suppliers, and students for 115 years. AdFed is a part of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the nation’s oldest national advertising trade association. Ad 2 reflects the programs and initiatives for the community of students and professionals that are under 32 years of age. For more information about AdFed and Ad 2 visit AdFed.org.

New survey reveals employee attitudes for workplace COVID-19 vaccination policies and approaches

MINNEAPOLIS (Mar. 4, 2021) – Three in five United States employees – working for companies without a COVID-19 vaccination policy – believe their companies should create one, and almost half say they won’t feel comfortable returning to work unless at least 50% of all employees are vaccinated. This is according to a new study commissioned by Padilla and conducted by its research division, SMS Research Advisors.

Employees want clarity, whether they believe in mandatory vaccinations or not, according to the survey. For surveyed employees working for companies with existing vaccination policies, 85% of employees supported the approach.

Almost half of employees working for companies with 1,000 or fewer coworkers, want 75% or more of their coworkers vaccinated before they return to the workplace. In general, organizations are not requiring their employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This is especially true for smaller organizations, where the idea of employees getting a vaccine has met more resistance.

“There’s an emotional underpinning that’s driving the quest for clarity around company COVID-19 vaccination policies,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “This pandemic has been accompanied by a deluge of conflicting information, uncertainty and ambiguity, so the desire for a clear policy – even if it’s not one that they agree with – is understandable.”

Employers should be prepared for disputes likely to arise between employees who want a high level of vaccination at their workplaces and those who want it to be a personal choice. The most common opposition to a mandatory workplace vaccination policy comes from employees who want to receive a vaccine, but do not think their employer should require it – and those who oppose the vaccine altogether and do not want their employer to require it.

“Some want vaccines to be mandatory, some want it to be a personal choice, and there are still some anti-vaxxers out there,” Kucharski said. “The challenge is that they’ll be sitting right next to each other in the workplace and companies will need to manage that.”

Incentives to vaccinate do not appear to be motivators for employees – only one in three employees indicate an interest in their companies offering an incentive to vaccinate while others appear to believe immunity itself is enough incentive.

When survey participants were asked – in general, what is their opinion of COVID-19 vaccinations and the workplace – responses included differing opinions:

Pro-workplace vaccination policy:

• I think vaccinations should be mandatory for any job that requires human-to-human interaction.
• I think everyone should get it because if they don’t, we will be in this situation for a very long time.
• I think if employees want to come back to the office, they should be required to get the vaccination first.
• This is a public health crisis and companies should be doing everything possible to protect their workers and their families.
• I am very excited about the COVID-19 vaccination and believe having workplaces developing policies around vaccine requirements is a way we can get back to normal more quickly.

Anti-workplace vaccination policy:

• They should not be mandatory. People have a right to work and a right to choose what goes in their bodies; to be forced into a vaccination is wrong.
• Workplaces that are not in health care should not be able to force you to have any vaccinations.
• It should NOT be in the workplace. It is crossing the line of HIPAA.
• It is a personal matter. If I choose not to take it, I should not be hearing negative feedback from superiors.
• I personally want to get the vaccine, but I don’t feel that a company has the right to choose for individuals’ health and make them get the vaccine.

Workplace COVID-19 Vaccine Policy Research Results

SMS Research Advisors, a division of Padilla, surveyed 1,026 people employed in the workforce of varying ages, positions/levels and industries in January 2021, with 8.4% of survey respondents working in health care. For the complete Spotlight Survey research findings click here.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows, and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Avocados From Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Dole Food Company, Mayo Clinic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and Winnebago Industries. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

About SMS Research Advisors

As the independent market research firm of Padilla, SMS has helped clients make well-informed, strategic decisions about their organization and market for over 25 years. SMS offers full-suite research capabilities in quantitative and qualitative methodologies across a number of different industries, from manufacturing to health care to technology. SMS designs and conducts research that produces more than just data—it leads to real strategic solutions and drives tactical planning. SMS accomplishes this through a collaborative approach that leverages research expertise with clients’ industry and business experiences to create a highly actionable and effective research solution.

Minneapolis, MN (Feb. 1, 2021) – The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) recognized Padilla with five awards at the Region III Best of NAMA virtual award ceremony.

NAMA is the agriculture industry’s largest professional development organization and awards are highly coveted by clients and agencies alike. Padilla received awards from NAMA for its client work in the following Agricultural Audiences categories:

Advertising
First Place: Multimedia Campaigns-National

• The Heroes Who Nourish are Essential to Feeding the World
  • Padilla with Cargill

First Place: Audiovisual Presentations directed to dealers, distributors, sales reps or others serving agribusiness

• How Growing Cocoa Grows Communities
  • Padilla with Cargill

Public Relations

First Place: Overall PR Program – directed to farmers, growers, ranchers or others serving agribusiness

• Sounds Like Magic, Works Like Science – Launching Source
  • Padilla with Sound Agriculture

First Place: News, Feature Article or persuasive writing – Trade Media

• Can Farmers and Forests Coexist?
  • Padilla with Cargill

Merit: Audio/Video Feature or Testimonial

• These are the Heroes Who Nourish: Feeding Intelligence
  • Padilla with Cargill

View the complete list of the 2020 Region III Best of NAMA award winners at NAMA.org.

Media Contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (January 19, 2021) – We’re pleased to announce the promotion of 20 of our team members who have performed extremely well in their current roles, and who have demonstrated the ability to excel in their new positions helping clients build, grow and protect brands and reputations.

“We’re all proud of these colleagues and all they’ve accomplished,” said Matt Kucharski, president, Padilla. “They demonstrate our values and beliefs on a daily basis, and we appreciate the contributions they make to clients and to our firm’s culture.”

New York

Michelle Amoroso was promoted from senior director to vice president in Padilla’s Food, Beverage and Nutrition Practice. In addition to leading strategic communications plans for Quebec Maple Syrup Producers and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, she will support annual planning, staff mentoring and development, financial administration, and business development for Padilla’s Food and Beverage Practice.

Brandon Skop was promoted from senior director to vice president in Padilla’s Health Practice. He leads new business efforts through diverse integrated communications experience and helps recruit and retain employees – building Padilla’s footprint in the national health sector market.

Lauren Tannenbaum was promoted from brand director to senior brand director at Joe Smith, a division of Padilla focused on brand consulting, innovation and design. With more than 15 years of experience in consulting and brand strategy, she is part of the Joe Smith leadership team and provides strategic counsel to clients across all industries.

Viviana Pinzon Correa was promoted from director to senior director in Padilla’s Food, Beverage and Nutrition Practice. She leads the agency’s beverage alcohol work (both B2B and consumer) and manages corporate communications for Avocados From Mexico, among others. She is a key member of the agency’s Diversity + Inclusion Council, which focuses on recruitment, retention, training and agency content.

Julie LePere was promoted from account supervisor to director in Padilla’s Food, Beverage and Nutrition Practice. She led the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council’s foodservice program for seven years and managed FrieslandCampina Ingredient’s branding initiatives, along with digital and influencer campaigns for Ribera y Rueda and American Dairy Products Institute.

Sarah Hess was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Health Practice.

Amanda Abell was promoted from brand strategist to senior brand strategist at Joe Smith, a division of Padilla focused on brand consulting, innovation and design.

Carson Creehan was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Health Practice.

Richmond, Va.

Joel Erb was promoted from senior director to vice president in Padilla’s Creative and Digital Group. He joined the agency in 2017 when Padilla acquired INM United, the digital agency he founded. Since then, Joel has led digital strategy for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, Winnebago Industries, Dole Food Company and Virginia Wine.

Neil Cox was promoted from director of digital production to senior director of digital production in Padilla’s Creative and Digital Group. He has helped grow the digital capability of the agency, launching programs for American Dairy Products Institute, Produce for Better Health Foundation and Florida Sweetcorn.

Emily Valentine was promoted from director to senior director in Padilla’s Insights and Strategy Group, which she has helped build over the past three years. With 12 years of experience in marketing, campaign and brand planning, she provides strategic guidance to Cargill, the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, New York Wine & Grape Foundation and Quebec Maple Syrup Producers. She also guides strategy for many of the agency’s business development efforts and is a frequent speaker on cultural trends and insights.

Bryn Snyder was promoted from brand strategist to senior brand strategist at Joe Smith, a division of Padilla focused on brand consulting, innovation and design.

Minneapolis

Katina Shelton was promoted from senior generalist to director of Padilla’s Human Resources Group. She oversees staff recruiting, onboarding, training and benefits, among other HR functions. She is a key member of the agency’s Diversity + Inclusion Council.

Amy Jensen was promoted from director to senior director in Padilla’s Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Practice. She provides strategic counsel and guidance for Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health and Sound Agriculture. Amy also serves as Chief of Staff for Padilla, supporting and leading many initiatives across the organization.

Sadie Knudson was promoted from associate designer to designer in Padilla’s Creative and Digital Group.

Katie Pawelczyk, MS, RD, was promoted from account executive to senior account executive at FoodMinds, a division of Padilla focused on food and nutrition affairs, consulting and communication.

Hannah Sabroski was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Health Practice.

Jack Wozniak was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Technology Practice.

Chicago

Emily Messerly was promoted from account supervisor to director in Padilla’s Health Practice. She leads strategic communications for Medtronic’s leadless pacemaker franchise, as well as other clients in the pharmaceutical space.

Haley Hickman was promoted from account executive to senior account executive at FoodMinds, a division of Padilla focused on food and nutrition affairs, consulting and communication.

Media contact: [email protected]

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA (January 6, 2021) – Jeff Wilson, APR and Padilla vice president of agency marketing and promotion, has been elected to serve on the 2021 Board of Directors for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community.

Wilson was elected to a two-year term, representing the Mid-Atlantic District, which covers nine Chapters in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, eastern and central Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

He’s been a member of PRSA since 2004 and has served the organization in a variety of capacities, including president of the Richmond Chapter of PRSA (PRSA Richmond) in 2012 and president of the Richmond Public Relations Foundation, the charitable arm of PRSA Richmond, in 2014 and 2015.

Along with leading the team responsible for agency marketing at Padilla, Wilson also chairs the agency’s Diversity + Inclusion Council, which focuses on recruitment, retention, training and agency content (internal and external).

“Jeff has always been an ardent advocate for our agency, the profession, and promotion of diversity and inclusion across the communications field,” said Matt Kucharski, president, Padilla.  “He’ll carry this forward in his tenure on the PRSA National Board. We’re proud of him and PRSA members will greatly benefit from his contributions.”

About PRSA
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community. PRSA is the principal advocate for industry excellence and ethical conduct and provides members lifelong learning opportunities and leading-edge resources to enhance professional connections and support them at every stage of their career. With nearly 30,000 members, PRSA is collectively represented in all 50 states by more than 110 Chapters and 14 Professional Interest Sections, and on nearly 375 college and university campuses through its student organization, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). For more information, please visit www.prsa.org.

Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (October 30, 2020) – Padilla has been recognized by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts with two 2020 Silver W³ Awards.

The agency was recognized for the following client work:

Cargill Feeding Intelligence
General Video-Documentary – Short-Form for Video
Watch Here

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
Brand Entertainment – Short-Form for Video
Watch Here

About W³ Awards

The W³ Awards illuminate creative excellence on the web, and recognize the creative and marketing professionals behind award winning websites, video, marketing, mobile, social and podcasts. The W³ is the leading digital competition that recognizes the biggest agencies, the smallest firms, and everyone in between. Small firms are as likely to win as Fortune 500 companies and international agencies. The W³ Awards program is sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from a “Who’s Who” of acclaimed media, advertising, and marketing firms. Please visit aiva.org for a full member list and additional information.

Media Contact: [email protected].

MINNEAPOLIS (October 28, 2020) – Padilla, along with its FoodMinds and Joe Smith divisions, has been recognized with three Silver Anvil Awards of Excellence (runner-up awards), given by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

The awards were given during the Silver Anvil Awards Ceremony, held during PRSA’s ICON 2020, the organization’s first ever virtual conference.

The agency was recognized for the following client work:

Integrated Programs (Business to Business)
Rockwell Automation
Gearing Up for Electric Vehicle Production
Padilla

Integrated Programs (Nonprofit Organizations)
Produce for Better Health Foundation
A Recipe for Success: Fruits and Veggies Are Key Ingredients for Healthier, Happier Lives
Padilla and FoodMinds

Reputation/Brand Management (Business)
FrieslandCampina Ingredients
The Inside Matters: Bringing the FrieslandCampina Ingredients Brand to Life
Padilla and Joe Smith

About The Silver Anvil Awards

Since 1944, the Silver Anvil – which symbolizes the forging of public opinion – has been annually awarded to organizations that have successfully addressed contemporary issues with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. Silver Anvil Awards recognize complete programs that incorporate sound insights and analysis, planning, execution and evaluation. They must meet the highest standards of performance in the profession.

For more information on the Silver Anvil Awards, please visit the PRSA website.

About PRSA
PRSA is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community. PRSA is the principal advocate for industry excellence and ethical conduct and provides members lifelong learning opportunities and leading-edge resources to enhance professional connections and support them at every stage of their career. With more than 30,000 members, PRSA is collectively represented in all 50 states by more than 110 Chapters and 14 Professional Interest Sections, and on nearly 375 college and university campuses through its student organization, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). For more information, please visit www.prsa.org.

NEW YORK (October 5, 2020) – The Public Relations Society of America-New York Chapter (PRSA-NY) recognized Padilla and its FoodMinds division – along with client Produce for Better Health (PBH) – with a 2020 Big Apple Award.

The campaign, “A Recipe for Success: Fruits and Veggies Are Key Ingredients for Healthier, Happier Lives,” won the Integrated Communications – Government, Associations and Nonprofit Organizations category.

PBH is the only national, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers live happier, healthier lives by eating more fruits and vegetables, including fresh, frozen, canned, dried and 100% juice, every single day.

For the first time in its 33-year history, the Big Apple Awards were held as a virtual experience from Saturday, September 26 – Thursday, October 1, 2020. For more information about the 2020 Big Apple Award winners and honorable mentions, please visit PRSANY.org.

MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 1, 2020) – The Chicago chapter of the Public Relations Society of America recognized Padilla, and its FoodMinds division, as a 2020 Skyline Award winner with Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH). The campaign, A Recipe for Success: Fruits and Veggies Are Key Ingredients for Healthier, Happier Lives,” won the Integrated Communications – Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations category.

PBH is the only national, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers live happier, healthier lives by eating more fruits and vegetables, including fresh, frozen, canned, dried and 100% juice, every single day.

PRSA Chicago’s annual Skyline Awards are Chicago’s premier public relations and communications awards competition, celebrating creativity and innovation in public relations and showcasing business impact and results. For a complete list of 2020 Skyline Awards winners, visit PRSAchicago.com.

MINNEAPOLIS (July 31, 2020) – Padilla was recognized with the Best in Healthcare Award for its work on The 16 Vaccine educational initiative, during the PRWeek Awards virtual ceremony held July 30, 2020.

Launched in 2018 with the National Meningitis Association (MNA) – one of the nation’s leading drivers of meningitis education – The 16 Vaccine initiative aims to educate parents, particularly mothers, about the importance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recommended second dose of the MenACWY vaccine for their sons or daughters at the age of 16 to protect against meningococcal meningitis.

Now celebrating its 21^st year, the PRWeek Awards is one of the communications industry’s highest accolades. It celebrates the best of the best corporate, agency, nonprofit, and education teams, and the work they produce.

Meningococcal meningitis is a rare, but potentially deadly disease that can spread from one teen to the next. Most adolescents get vaccinated against this disease at age 11 or 12. But as of 2019, only half of U.S. teens have received the CDC-recommended second dose of the MenACWY vaccine at age 16, leaving many teens unprotected when they are at increased risk.

Padilla and MNA set out to urge parents to speak with their teen’s healthcare provider about vaccination — with the ultimate aim of increasing MenACWY second dose rates.

A complete list of winners is available on the PRWeek website.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (July 23, 2020) – For the second consecutive year, Padilla earned the Golden ARC de Excellence (Best in Show) Award during the Golden ARC Awards ceremony, sponsored by the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC).

The Golden ARC Awards honor stellar work created by public relations professionals in the agricultural industry. The Golden ARC de Excellence is given to the best all-around entry in the campaigns division.

Padilla, and its FoodMinds division, earned the Best in Show award with Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) for the “A Recipe for Success: Fruits and Vegetables are Key Ingredients for Healthier, Happier Lives” entry.

PBH is a non-profit, member-based organization that works with industry stakeholders and public health leaders to increase Americans’ produce consumption by supporting scientific research, consumption insights and creating consumer engagement opportunities. With consumption down and member engagement lagging, PBH identified the need to rebrand itself in a bold way, specifically targeting Millennials and Gen Z. Padilla and FoodMinds created a new campaign, including a comprehensive rebranding effort, to reintroduce PBH among its members, industry stakeholders and consumers. The result was a new upbeat and engaging Have A Plant™ consumer campaign and a new PBH brand, digital ecosystem and influencer network.

In just six months, the new campaign reached 165 million people through social media, webpage views and media coverage alone – inspiring people to eat their fruits and veggies. Preliminary data on regional produce sales showed an average 600% sales lift for participating produce companies. Even better, it helped PBH attract 11 new members, and encouraged 55% of its base to increase their contributions to the organization.

The agency won an additional five awards during the virtual awards ceremony:

CAMPAIGNS
Marketing Communications for Non-Ag Audiences (Golden ARC Award)
A Recipe for Success: Fruits and Vegetables are Key Ingredients for Healthier, Happier Live
Produce for Better Health Foundation

Marketing Communications for Ag Audiences (Golden ARC Award)
Sounds Like Magic, Works Like Science – Launching Source
Sound Agriculture

Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability (Golden ARC Award)
Cracking Global Hunger: The Hatching Hope Global Initiative
Hatching Hope and Cargill

TACTICS
Digital and Social Media: Video (Merit)
Digital and Social Media: Social Media (Merit)
These are the Heroes Who Nourish
Feeding Intelligence

 View a complete list of winners at AgRelationsCouncil.org.

About The Agricultural Relations Council (ARC)
The Agricultural Relations Council is the only association dedicated to serving the unique needs of public relations professionals working in agriculture, food, fiber and other related industries. ARC is a conduit for problem-solving, idea-sharing and collaboration among members, who share a passion for excellence in public relations.

The Golden ARC Awards Program began in 1990 and came to be recognized as the most esteemed award in the agricultural public relations industry. The restructured contest reflects the many hats worn by today’s PR practitioner – with categories recognizing everything from full campaigns to tactics such as media relations and innovative new uses of social media.

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Media contact: [email protected]

On June 8^th of this year, Padilla outlined our commitment to do our part to help break the cycle of discrimination, racial injustice and inequality in our society. As part of our ongoing commitment, we established a Diversity + Inclusion Council a year ago. We also promised to focus on improving diversity and inclusion within our industry and our firm – including a deep look at our organization to assure that we are free of structural inequities and unconscious bias in our culture, and that we are creating a workplace that puts a priority on equality, diversity and openness. You can find the full statement HERE.

Part of that commitment is establishing a baseline for improvement. Padilla is participating in #CommitToChange and sharing our staffing demographics with the rest of the communications industry. We, like our peers, have some work to do when it comes to recruiting and retaining Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) team members. We stand at just under 10% agency-wide, which is about the industry average but not nearly enough.

We also took the opportunity to share similar data as it relates to gender, and we stand firm in our commitment to pay equity and equal-opportunity advancement for all who choose our profession.

These are benchmarks. We intend to improve, and we know our clients and peers will join us on this important and urgent journey.

NEW YORK, July 8, 2020 – The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Padilla, an integrated marketing firm headquartered in Minneapolis with offices in New York, Chicago, Richmond, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. Padilla will be responsible for leading an ambitious project intended to build upon NYWGF’s recent rebrand and expand the presence of New York wines globally.

The new Boldly, NY. brand, launched in 2019, reflects the industry’s growth, NYWGF’s approach, and its emerging status among other leading wine regions. The NYWGF/ Padilla partnership is focused on creating a brand launch plan and long-term marketing strategy designed to support this new identity and category positioning.

“NYWGF’s partnership with Padilla seeks to put a fine point on messaging about New York wines, both domestically and internationally. This multi-faceted project will identify our most important audiences, capture the unique stories that span our diverse wine growing regions, and will relaunch New York Wines to trade and consumers through a 2-year integrated marketing campaign. Our efforts will ultimately bolster brand recognition for New York wines on a global stage,” said Sam Filler, Executive Director of NYWGF.

The Padilla-led initiative will include a two-pronged approach to attract both trade and consumers, designed to raise awareness about the Boldly, NY. brand and herald the diversity and excellence of New York wine regions and wineries.

“We’re thrilled to help The New York Wine & Grape Foundation build, grow and protect its brand domestically and globally,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “We look forward to applying our deep wine expertise to inspire NYWGF’s key audiences to embrace this open minded and progressive wine region.”

Please reach out to Valerie Venezia-Ross, Director of Programs and Marketing, should you have any questions regarding this partnership.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Padilla’s Food + Beverage Practice is ranked as the third-largest in the country among independently owned or operated agencies. The agency’s unique in-house resources include The Cookery culinary studio in New York. Clients include the Almond Board of California, Nestlé, Prosciutto di Parma, Ribera del Duero and Rueda wines, the trū® Shrimp company and Virginia Wine. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

About The New York Wine & Grape Foundation

The mission of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation is to promote the world-class image of New York grapes and wines from our diverse regions to responsibly benefit farmers, producers and consumers through innovative marketing, research, communication, and advocacy. We endeavor to ensure that New York State is recognized as the world’s premier region for cool and cold climate viticulture. Learn more at www.newyorkwines.org.

MINNEAPOLIS (June 26, 2020) – The Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (Minnesota PRSA) recognized Padilla with five awards, including Best in Show, at the 42nd annual Classics Awards. For the first time, the Classics Awards ceremony was held virtually on June 25, 2020.

Padilla earned Best in Show for “Students’ Stories Shed Light on Health Inequalities” with The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (BCBS). The campaign also won the International/Multicultural Public Relations category.

The Center works to reduce preventable diseases among all Minnesotans — including marginalized or under served populations, whose disease rate is disproportionately high. To help improve health outcomes for all, BCBS first partnered with ThreeSixty Journalism in 2017 to create an annual TV broadcast camp. In its first two years, the camp successfully empowered diverse Minnesota youth to share their voices and views by teaching them how to apply reporting principles to the video format.

In 2019, the challenge was to extend the camp’s influence by engaging more media partners. The 2019 camp exceeded expectations by bringing together 10 media entities, including the Twin Cities’ two daily newspapers, the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press; The Circle (a newspaper serving American Indian audience); community newspapers; and broadcast outlets, including KARE-TV, KMSP-TV, Twin Cities Live, KSTP-TV, Twin Cities Public Television and WCCO-TV. Additionally, KMOJ-FM ran a feature story about the camp. All media outlets shared students’ final video packages, contributing to a total reach of more than 51 million.

Padilla also was recognized for the following client work:

Special Events/Observances – Less Than Seven Days – Budget Greater Than $20,000
Timing is Everything: Making Meda’s Million Dollar Challenge More Eventful
Meda

Integrated Programs – Government/Non-Profit
A Recipe for Success: Fruits and Veggies Are Key Ingredients for Healthier, Happier Lives
Produce for Better Health

Integrated Programs – Health Care
The 16 Vaccine Educational Initiative
National Meningitis Foundation

The Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards ceremony celebrates the best and brightest PR and communications efforts executed within the chapter’s territory, which includes Minnesota, the Dakotas and western Wisconsin. View the complete list of 2020 Classics Awards winners at MinnesotaPRSA.org.

Two of Padilla’s guiding beliefs are “Think as Many” and “Work Brave.” When it comes to fighting discrimination, racial injustice and inequality, it’s time to double down on both.

The anger, pain, frustration and discord we’ve seen and experienced following the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many other Black people in America have laid plain the unvarnished truth that there are – and always have been – significant, deep-rooted divisions in our society. We need to be humble enough – and brave enough – to confront these truths and take action.

In partnership with our colleagues across AVENIR GLOBAL, Padilla has had a strong commitment to addressing Diversity and Inclusion within the firm, and we have been actively participating in industry efforts to make the field more inclusive and attractive to people of color. But we know we need to do more – both leaning into and accelerating those efforts and thinking more expansively about ways in which we can help break the cycle. We can and will do our part within our organization, with our employees and in our communities.

• We are reinforcing our zero-tolerance stance on bias, hate, xenophobia and discrimination in the workplace and doubling down on our commitment to diverse recruiting and hiring practices. But we know that’s not enough. We need to take a deep look at our organization to assure that we are free of structural inequities and unconscious bias in our culture and that we are creating a workplace that puts a priority on equality, diversity and openness. That requires listening, learning and determining the most meaningful places where we can take action within our organization.

• We need to reinforce our support of all employees by providing the resources and safe spaces where honest dialogue can take place, and we also need to equip ourselves and our teams with the education and the tools for each of us to do our part to address these difficult issues. This includes training on ways in which we can individually help break the cycle of bias and inequity, as well as ways in which we can help prevent the same as we execute client programs. Furthermore, we want to encourage our employees to speak freely and participate in social change, and we will address any barriers that prevent them from doing so.

• And while change starts from within, we as professional communicators have a unique set of skills that, when directed externally, can help affect change in our industry and local communities. We will partner with our industry peers and community leaders – stepping forward to play a role in awareness, understanding and driving new behaviors to help break down the complex and deep-rooted norms that exist today. It will require us to focus on where we can truly make a difference, but we intend to make a difference.

We can only change and evolve by first listening, learning and having courageous conversations and then through meaningful, continuous, sustained actions. That is what we intend to do, and we hope our clients and our peers will join us.

MINNEAPOLIS (May 28, 2020) – Padilla has been recognized by PRovoke Media with two 2020 North America SABRE Awards for our work in the Health sector.

Padilla was recognized for two health care campaigns:

Consumer Health
National Meningitis Association
The 16 Vaccine Meningitis Initiative

Marketing to Seniors
American Lung Association
MyShot: Inspiring Older Adults to Fight Flu

The 2020 North America SABRE Awards recognize superior achievement in branding, reputation and engagement. The campaigns were evaluated by a jury of industry leaders.

The winners were announced during a virtual awards ceremony on May 28.

A complete list of winners is available on the PRovoke Media website.

RICHMOND, Va. (May 20, 2020) – Padilla was recognized with six awards, including Best in Show (Campaigns), during the 73^nd Virginia Public Relations Awards ceremony, sponsored by the Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Richmond).

In a virtual ceremony, PRSA Richmond honored statewide organizations and companies for excellence in public relations.

Padilla earned Best in Show (Campaigns) for “Dominion Energy Shines a Light on Its Move to 600 Canal Place.” Padilla helped develop and execute an internal communications program for Dominion Energy’s move of more than 1,200 employees to a new tower in downtown Richmond.

The campaign also received an Award of Excellence in the Internal Communications category.

Padilla also was recognized with four Capital Awards (Tactics) for the following client work:

Global Communications (Merit)
FrieslandCampina
The Inside Matters: Bringing the FrieslandCampina Brand to Life

Reputation/Brand Management (Two Merits)
Polaris
Polaris Invites Customers to “Think Outside” with Brand Launch

FrieslandCampina
The Inside Matters: Bringing the FrieslandCampina Brand to Life

Integrated Communications (Merit)
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
Putting Blueberries on School Menus

Each year, PRSA Richmond recognizes outstanding public relations professionals and their work at the Virginia Public Relations Awards. Over its 73-year history, the chapter’s awards program has recognized the most creative and effective communication strategies and tactics happening across Virginia.

Clinical trials are the engine room that powers our ability to deliver new treatment options to patients. The rigorous testing and resulting data that help us understand how new treatments work are what propels the heath care industry forward.

But the engine room has flipped a switch. Governments have brought in various measures to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections and to help health systems cope with related pressures. The impact of these measures, compounded by pressures on supply chains, coupled with new recommendations from regulators on managing clinical trials, as well as companies’ own internal reprioritizations, have created a perfect storm in R&D. Hundreds of trials have been affected — including delays and disruptions to ongoing trials and cancellations or revisions to planned ones — and more changes are expected.

Furthermore, many health care providers have been pulled in to support critical care needs or at-risk patients, leaving less time and resources for clinical trials. This leaves patients with other conditions at risk of being left behind. With many patients unable — or unwilling — to visit clinics, uptake of telemedicine is flourishing, which is a positive step forward, but also creates its own set of challenges in data collection. Nonetheless, increased adoption of telemedicine, real-world evidence practices, and different types of outcomes could help recalibrate perceptions of acceptable— and approvable — trial results.

But in the meantime, delays to data availability — combined with medical conferences postponing and/or moving to virtual formats — is requiring many companies to rewrite their congress and publication strategies. We need to take new approaches in determining how, when and where to share data with target audiences, while ensuring timely and transparent communications. In addition to changing the playbook of how we communicate with those approving, prescribing or taking medications, we also need to keep advocacy groups, investors and internal colleagues informed of changing plans, particularly as launch timings may be delayed.

It is apparent the pandemic will have a far-reaching impact on clinical trials, which will ripple out to all areas of our industry.

Our immediate focus should be on protecting the integrity of ongoing trials and ensuring study participants know about changes to trials and how we are protecting their safety. In the interim, we will have new opportunities to spark greater creativity in communicating results, and hopefully new best practices in trial design and regulatory requirements. In the longer-term, there will be an R&D pipeline that looks quite different from today’s. Amidst all this change, adaptability will be key.

Padilla is part of AVENIR GLOBAL, a powerhouse firm of specialist health care communications agencies. We have combined our deep experience and expertise to craft a curated selection of resources on the impact of COVID-19 on the clinical trial space, from a multidisciplinary perspective. With our new Ripple Effect website, we hope to enable you to make informed decisions across different functions and within your companies as the situation develops. Content on the site will constantly evolve to stay ahead of the ever-changing environment.

Click here to explore the Ripple Effect site.

To learn more, contact Padilla’s Health leaders here.

MINNEAPOLIS (May 4, 2020) – Integrated brand and reputation communications firm Padilla announced that it has developed a strategic process to assist organizations as they prepare to re-engage in normal and new-normal operations upon easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The Padilla Return-to-Work (R2W) process builds on the firm’s expertise in stakeholder insights, corporate communications, crisis/issues management, employee engagement and brand strategy.

“In recent months, we’ve helped clients pivot to new business strategies, adjust operations and quickly respond to the numerous communications and reputation challenges resulting from COVID-19,” said Padilla President Matt Kucharski.  “Now the challenge is helping them transition to a long-term new normal. The playbooks for that really don’t exist, so we’ve developed our own.”

Padilla’s Return-to-Work Process begins with an assessment of the key considerations for determining the right timing and sequence for a transition back to long-term operations. It aligns those considerations with the company’s values and purpose and takes into account which of the company’s operations will revert back to their original state and which are permanently changed. These steps inform the communications content and connection strategy necessary to build the right understanding, appreciation and action by customers, employees, investors and strategic partners.

Padilla’s diverse expertise in industry verticals like food, beverage and nutrition; health; manufacturing; agriculture and technology, along with horizontal expertise in research, insights, brand strategy, employee engagement, marketing and investor relations, help assure that a company’s approach to re-entry takes into account changing industry dynamics and the mindset of the coronavirus-era stakeholder.

“There’s a palpable tension between the desire to return to normal and the recognition that many of the changes made during COVID-19 will stick for the long-term,” Kucharski said. “Anticipating customer and employee needs, managing expectations and communicating with clarity is essential during the transition.”

For more information on Padilla’s R2W process, visit www.padillaco.com.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Avocados From Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Dole Food Company, Mayo Clinic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

MINNEAPOLIS (March 10, 2020) – Padilla announced today that it has promoted Dave Heinsch to senior vice president and co-lead of the firm’s Corporate Advisory Group and Rosalie Morton to the newly created position of vice president, Channels. These appointments reflect the firm’s emphasis on helping clients build, grow and protect their brands and reputations through integrated strategic communications programs.

Heinsch is a seasoned corporate communications professional who will co-lead the firm’s evolved corporate offerings with Brian Ellis, executive vice president. Heinsch will further develop new and differentiated offerings, propel marketing and business development efforts, and supervise staff and career development.

For more than 25 years, Heinsch has honed his corporate communications, capital markets communications, crisis and critical issues management, and brand positioning experience with clients that include, 3M, Allina Health, Cargill, Mortenson Construction, nVent, Optum and Polaris, among others.

Padilla’s Corporate Advisory Group’s offerings include financial communications, employee engagement, crisis and critical issues management, public/community affairs and executive advisory services.

“Companies going through major transformations will achieve their goals more effectively if they are understood, appreciated and acted upon by investors, employees, customers and members of their communities. In his new role as senior vice president, Dave will help our client’s management teams use communications to manage risk and capitalize on opportunities across the entire corporate lifecycle,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president.

Rosalie Morton has been promoted from senior director of Padilla’s Social Media and Digital Group to vice president, Channels. In addition to leading the agency’s social media strategy, Morton will now oversee the agency’s media relations team and help expand the firm’s paid digital offerings, as well as the firm’s Connection Strategy initiative.

With more than 10 years of experience, Morton provides an integrated digital-first approach to campaigns and specializes in content strategy, paid social media, measurement, influencer marketing and community management. Client partners include Dole Food Company, Produce for Better Health Foundation and Sanofi Pasteur, among others.

Padilla develops and executes communications and brand engagement strategies across paid, earned, shared and owned (PESO) channels.

“Great content is only as good as the connection strategy that delivers it to the right people, at the right time, in the right place, with the desired outcome,” Kucharski said. “In her new role as vice president, Channels, Rosalie will help assure that every client program is built on sound content and connectivity, with digital at the core.”

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Avocados From Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Dole Food Company, Mayo Clinic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

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Media contact: [email protected]

Coronavirus is impacting travel and affecting planned meetings and events.

You may need to change your approach – not just due to current safety measures, but also in other unexpected circumstances such as weather or political unrest. While you still need to reach your audiences and communicate your messages, you may need to pivot quickly.

Padilla and its sister agencies within AVENIR GLOBAL and partners can provide insight and experience to help you efficiently move from a face-to-face event to a virtual meeting should you face a new travel-restricted reality.

Moreover, increased concerns about sustainability/responsibility and the emergence of better remote meeting technology may encourage planning more virtual events from the outset. We’re here to help.

For tips on how to deliver virtual events and meetings with impact:

For important coronavirus communications considerations from the experts on our Health and Crisis + Critical Issues teams, visit The Buzz Bin.

Integrated program leverages agency’s digital and social expertise
and food industry knowledge

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 9, 2020) – Following a competitive search, Dole Food Company, Inc., has selected Padilla as its digital marketing and social media agency of record.

Padilla will lead Dole’s digital strategy, content creation, creative campaigns, email marketing, eCRM, paid media and community management for the brand’s U.S. and Canadian social platforms.

“We were looking for an agency partner that truly understands both the complex world of digital marketing and our produce industry,” said William Goldfield, Dole’s director of corporate communications. “Padilla convinced us with their digital-first approach and strong social expertise as well as extensive food industry knowledge. We believe their strategy and creative talent will help us strengthen our relationships with Dole consumers across our brand’s online touchpoints.”

“Through the joy of Dole, Padilla will deliver innovative digital programs and create meaningful connections with consumers who love fruits and vegetables,” said Laura Cubillos, executive vice president, Food, Beverage and Nutrition Practice, Padilla; founding partner, FoodMinds.

Agency work will be shared among a blend of experts in food and beverage, digital, social and creative with support from across the AVENIR GLOBAL network.

“Padilla will use that expertise to drive engagement and create brand memories for Dole’s beloved products and brand classics,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Padilla’s Food + Beverage Practice is ranked as the third-largest in the country among independently owned or operated agencies. The agency’s unique in-house resources include The Cookery culinary studio in New York. Clients include Avocados from Mexico, Nestlé, Prosciutto di Parma, Ribera del Duero and Rueda wines, the trū® Shrimp company and Virginia Wine. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

About Dole Food Company
Headquartered in North Carolina, Dole Food Company, Inc., is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruits, vegetables and packaged salads. Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education. For more information, visit Dole.com.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (December 19, 2019) – Padilla today recognized 17 employees across several of its industry and functional groups for their contributions at Padilla and its divisions.

Richmond, Va.

Samantha Strader was promoted from account supervisor to director in Padilla’s Corporate Communication Practice. She leads strategic communication for Dominion Energy and helps manage accounts for Barnes & Noble College and Virginia Wine.

Blaine Lay was promoted from brand manager to senior brand manager at Joe Smith, a division of Padilla focused on brand consulting, innovation and design.

Perry Lowder was promoted from brand strategist to senior brand strategist at Joe Smith.

Kathryn Canning, account supervisor in Padilla’s Corporate Communication Practice, was named digital strategist in Padilla’s Digital Group. She will transition from an account service role to the digital team, focusing more on digital measurement and strategy, reporting to the agency’s senior director of digital growth.

Denise Grega was promoted from senior account executive to account supervisor in Padilla’s Corporate Communication Practice.

Ali Hutcheson was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Social Media and Digital Group.

Minneapolis

Tracey Mercil was promoted from senior integrated producer to director of integrated production in Padilla’s Creative and Digital Group.

Jolleen Vasile was promoted from senior production artist to production designer in Padilla’s Creative and Digital Group.

Leanne Stacey was promoted from project manager to senior project manager at SMS Research Advisors, a division of Padilla focused on market research.

Nate Gilbraith was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Health Practice.

Kenny Devine was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Minnesota Practice.

Hannah Johnson was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Health Practice.

Kasey Heath was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Environmental Sciences Practice.

Paxton Alto was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Environmental Sciences Practice.

Chicago

Rebecka Palmquist was promoted from analyst to senior analyst at FoodMinds, a division of Padilla focused on food and nutrition affairs, consulting and communication.

New York

Rachel Nugent was promoted from senior account executive to account supervisor in Padilla’s Food, Beverage and Nutrition Practice.

Emma Bond was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Food, Beverage and Nutrition Practice.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Avocados from Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Polaris, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and Welch’s. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

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Media contact: [email protected]

RICHMOND, Va. (November 14, 2019) –  Joe Smith, the brand consultancy of Padilla, earned a 2019 Gold Transform Award North America in New York.

The agency was recognized in the “best visual identity from the engineering and manufacturing sector” for its work with Rockwell Automation.

In its fifth year, the Transform Awards North America are given by Transform magazine, the only global magazine for rebranding and brand development. The awards program recognizes best practices in corporate, product and global brand development work with categories focusing on strategy, execution content and evaluation.

A full list of winners is available here.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 12, 2019) – Kannalife, Inc. (OTC: KLFE), a biopharmaceutical and phyto-medical company innovating cannabinoid therapeutics, has selected Padilla as a strategic partner for its public relations and communications programs.

Headquartered in Doylestown, Pa., Kannalife has extensively researched and improved cannabidiol (CBD) by using it to create new chemical entities to treat painful neurodegenerative and oxidative stress-related diseases.

Padilla will execute a strategic communications initiative to help elevate awareness and appreciation for Kannalife’s scientific platform and its innovative approach to cannabinoid therapeutics and CBD-related drug discovery. Padilla will focus its efforts on media relations, thought leadership and social media strategy to position Kannalife as a leader in cannabinoid therapeutics.

“We’re thrilled to be helping Kannalife establish its position and point of view within the exciting cannabinoid therapeutics space,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla’s president. “The company’s intellectual property and experienced management team make it a dynamite entrant in an important emerging market.”

Kannalife has been the only commercial drug discovery company in the cannabinoid therapeutics space to license the ‘507 Patent from the National Institutes of Health. Over the past decade, Kannalife has made significant improvements in the chemistry and efficacy of CBD-like molecules that are up to 200 times more potent, 10 times more bioavailable, 5 times safer, and 1,000 times more effective (therapeutic index) than CBD.

“Kannalife is at the center of some of the largest social and public health issues today: the unregulated use of CBD as an all-purpose medicine and the overuse of opioids for pain management in the U.S. and around the world. With the help of Padilla, we are well positioned to grow as the leader in cannabinoid therapeutics and CBD-related research and development,” said Dean Petkanas, Kannalife’s CEO.

Kannalife’s Chief Scientific Officer, Bill Kinney, added, “Through a National Institute of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded Phase 1 STTR grant, we’ve determined that our cannabidiol-inspired, new chemical entity KLS-13019 has very high potential as a non-opioid, non-addictive compound. This molecule – we like to call CBD 2.0 – is a neuroprotectant, and has the potential to prevent and reverse neuropathic pain.”

Padilla will help accomplish the company’s communications initiative with a team that includes a blend of experts in health, corporate communications, media relations and social media.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Padilla’s clients include 3M, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Hass Avocado Board, Mayo Clinic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and Welch’s. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

About Kannalife, Inc.

Kannalife, Inc., is a biopharmaceutical company leading innovation in research, development, and discovery of natural and novel biomimetic cannabinoid therapeutic agents. The company is focused on the development of proprietary cannabidiol (CBD) and CBD-like molecules for patients suffering from unmet medical needs of neurodegenerative disorders – including chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a chronic neuropathy caused by toxic chemotherapeutic agents; hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a neurotoxic brain-liver disorder caused by excessive concentrations of ammonia and ethanol in the brain; mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), a disorder associated with single and repetitive impact injuries; and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease associated with highly repetitive impact injuries in professional and amateur sports.

The company’s family of proprietary molecules focuses on treating oxidative stress-related diseases such as HE, chronic pain from neuropathies like CIPN and neurodegenerative diseases like CTE. Kannalife conducts its research and development efforts at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County in Doylestown, Pa.

For more information about Kannalife, Inc., visit Kannalife.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This press release contains statements about expected future events, the company’s business plan, plan of operations, the viability of the company’s drug candidates, and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements, by definition, involve risks and uncertainties. The company does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act.

FDA Disclaimer

The statements made in this press release have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These statements and the drug candidates of the company are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. The efficacy of these drug candidates have not been confirmed by FDA-approved research.

Media contact: Julie Behr, 612.455.1706, [email protected]

RICHMOND (Oct. 8, 2019) – Brian Ellis, Padilla executive vice president and Crisis + Critical Issues lead, is one of eight distinguished communications professionals who will be inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame during a ceremony on March 26, 2020.

The award recognizes individuals with exceptional careers in advertising, journalism, public relations, new media and other media fields. Since its inception in 1986, 172 communications professionals have been inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame, which is hosted by the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture in the College of Humanities and Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Ellis began his communications career as a late-night DJ at the University of Florida, his alma mater, as well as a reporter/anchor at the university’s PBS station WRFU. He spent most of the next decade reporting and anchoring the news for television stations in Augusta, Georgia; Richmond, Virginia; and Tampa, Florida as well as contributing to national networks like CBS and CNN.

He moved into public relations nearly 30 years ago and became one of the founding members of Carter Ryley Thomas. The firm grew from a single office in Richmond into a national agency with locations spread across the country. The agency is now part of Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Padilla. Brian has worked in multiple sectors within the agency and has served as a crisis and media relations coach for CEOs and corporate leaders across the country.

“I am humbled by this honor, knowing the many great communicators who have been inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame,” Ellis said. “I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible colleagues who have played an important role in my life, and for that I am most grateful.”

Along with being an Emmy award-winning reporter, Brian has earned some of the highest honors in the public relations profession, including multiple Silver Anvil Awards, given by the Public Relations Society of America.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 1, 2019) – Padilla has been recognized by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts with 12 2019 W³ Awards.

The agency was recognized for the following client work:

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

Bunches of Bluetiful / Family Brunch

Gold – Branded Entertainment – Short Form for Video

Silver – Online Video – Food & Beverage for Video

Bunches of Bluetiful / Game Night

Silver – Branded Entertainment – Short Form for Video

Silver – Online Video – Food & Beverage for Video

National Meningitis Association

The 16 Vaccine Educational Initiative

Silver – General Website Categories-Health – Websites

Niagara Conservation

The Toilet for Smart Asses: Meet Phil

Silver – Branded Entertainment – Promotional / Branding for Video

Silver – Branded Entertainment – Short-Form for Video

The Toilet for Smart Asses: A Day in Phil’s Life

Silver – Branded Entertainment – Short Form for Video

Silver – Branded Entertainment – Promotional / Branding for Video

The Toilet for Smart Asses: Phil at Work

Silver – Branded Entertainment – Short Form for Video

Silver – Branded Entertainment – Commercials for Video

Silver – Branded Entertainment – Promotional / Branding for Video

About W³ Awards

The W³ Awards celebrates digital excellence by honoring outstanding websites, web marketing, video, mobile sites/apps and social content created by some of the best interactive agencies, designers, and creators worldwide. Simply put, the W³ is the first major Web competition to be accessible to the biggest agencies, the smallest firms, and everyone in between. Small firms are as likely to win as Fortune 500 companies and international agencies. The W3 Awards is sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, an invitation only body consisting of top-tier professionals from a “Who’s Who” of acclaimed media, advertising, and marketing firms. For more information about the W³ Awards, please visit W3award.com.

Media Contact: [email protected].

MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 30, 2019) – Padilla, and its Joe Smith brand consultancy, have been recognized with three Thoth Awards given by the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) for their work with Virginia Wine.

Padilla and Joe Smith were honored for their excellence in public relations and tactics in the following categories:

• Reputation/Brand Management
• External Video
• Publications

Virginia Wine, Padilla and Joe Smith developed a new brand identity for the organization and executed an external launch campaign that coincided with the 30^th anniversary of Virginia Wine Month in October 2018. The launch rallied winemakers around a shared vision and amplified enthusiasm and local pride for Virginia wine among consumers. It resulted in spikes in social media followers, positive media coverage and helped position Virginia as a unique, world-class wine region for local, national and key international audiences.

The 51^st annual Thoth Awards were presented on Sept. 27, 2019 during a luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

About Thoth Awards

Each year, PRSA-NCC awards outstanding public relations in the national capital area with the prestigious Thoth Awards. The awards are named after Thoth, an Egyptian god of wisdom who was a mediator and scribe and credited as the inventor of communications and writing. In the spirit of Thoth, PRSA-NCC honors area PR professionals for their wisdom and contributions to the profession. Awards are given for the best PR campaigns and top accomplishments in PR tactics.

View the complete list of 2019 PRSA-NCC Thoth Award Winners at PRSA-NCC.org.

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Media Contact: [email protected].

MINNEAPOLIS (August 1, 2019) – Padilla today recognized 15 employees across several of its industry and functional groups for their contributions at Padilla and its food and nutrition communication division, FoodMinds.

Washington, D.C.

Elizabeth Stoltz was promoted from account supervisor to director at FoodMinds, a division of Padilla focused on food and nutrition affairs, consulting and communication. She has been with the agency since 2017 and leads strategic communication, thought leadership and global nutrition affairs programs for key food, beverage and nutrition clients.

Maura Killian, RDN, was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive at FoodMinds.

San Francisco

Lauren Shelar, MBA, R.D., was promoted from account supervisor to director at FoodMinds. She leads large-scale nutrition programs for food and beverage clients across the country.

Carla Curle, M.S., was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive at FoodMinds.

Chicago

Moira Allison, MBA, R.D., was promoted from account executive to senior account executive at FoodMinds.

New York

Sarah Hess was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Health Practice.

Lindsay McConnell was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Health Practice.

Caroline Seelen was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Food, Beverage and Nutrition Practice.

Lilia Souri was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Food, Beverage and Nutrition Practice.

Richmond, Va.

Katie Brady was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Corporate Practice.

Kyle King was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Social Media and Digital Group.

Minneapolis

Kelly Murray was promoted from accounts specialist to senior accounts specialist in Padilla’s Finance Team. For 20 years, she has steadily been growing and expanding her accounting expertise.

Anne Neubauer was promoted from senior account executive to account supervisor in Padilla’s Technology Practice.

Dana Bossen was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Social Media and Digital Group.

Jack Satzinger was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Health Practice.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Hass Avocado Board, Mayo Clinic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and Welch’s. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (July 25, 2019) – Tom Jollie, APR and Padilla senior vice president, is one of 11 new members elected into the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) College of Fellows, an honorary organization within PRSA comprised of 350 active senior professionals and educators, each of whom has left a significant footprint on the public relations profession.

“Election to PRSA’s College of Fellows, which is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year, recognizes the many outstanding accomplishments of these accredited members in the areas of leadership, service and contributions to the public relations profession,” said Debra Peterson, APR, 2019 PRSA chair. “Members of the College exemplify the very best of PRSA and provide ongoing support to the association, donating their time and expertise as volunteers and mentors to students and professionals. We congratulate these 11 new fellows, who have attained the highest designation PRSA bestows, and we look forward to their continuing contributions to our profession.”

Members of the College of Fellows serve in Chapter, District, Section and National leadership positions. To qualify for admittance, the public relations professional must have at least 20 years of experience, hold the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential and have demonstrated exceptional capability and accomplishment in the practice or teaching of public relations.

“While it is a true honor and confirmation of my career accomplishments, this PRSA College of Fellows designation speaks to my desire to continue to give back to a profession that has given me so much,” Jollie said.

Tom has been a PRSA advocate since he was a student at the University of Minnesota and has become a frequent speaker at awards, retreats, workshops and conferences. He also has served as Minnesota Chapter president, Midwest District director and served on many committees.

At Padilla, Tom leads the agency’s award-winning Minnesota Practice – industry recognition has included numerous PRSA Silver and Bronze Anvils, Minnesota Classics awards, Pinnacle awards (from the International Festivals and Events Association) and an Emmy for a Bush Foundation teacher recruitment program.

Jollie was also recognized by the local Minnesota PRSA chapter in May, receiving the Donald G. Padilla Community Excellence Award for his leadership and contributions to the profession of public relations, contributions to the mission of PRSA and volunteering his time and talents toward making the community better.

The 2019 inductees will be welcomed officially at a special ceremony and dinner on Saturday, Oct. 19 in San Diego, prior to PRSA’s 2019 International Conference.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (June 27, 2019) – Padilla was recognized with eight awards – including the Golden ARC de Excellence (Best In Show) Award at the Golden ARC Awards ceremony, sponsored by the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC). The Golden ARC Awards honor stellar work created by public relations professionals in the agricultural industry.

The Golden ARC de Excellence award is given to the best all-around entry in the campaigns division. A Greater Minnesota with Padilla was honored with its Seeding Support for Farm and Food Interests campaign, which also won the public affairs category.

In addition, Padilla earned the following awards:

Campaigns

Almond Board of California: Turning the Invisible into the Visible: Launching the Almond Orchard 2025 Goals

• Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability

Tactics

AgriBank: Focus on Fundamentals

• Annual Report

Almond Board of California: Navigating the Waters 

• Special Events

Almond Board of California: Protecting our Pollinators: Honey Bee BMPs

• Collateral/Literature

Almond Board of California: Testimony Turns the Tide on Irrigation Attitudes

• Feature Writing

Almond Board of California: Almond Growers, do the Mummy Shake!

• Unique Tactics and Executions

 View a complete list of winners at AgRelationsCouncil.org.

About ARC

ARC is the only association dedicated to serving the unique needs of public relations professionals working in agriculture, food, fiber and other related industries. ARC is a conduit for problem-solving, idea-sharing and collaboration among members, who share a passion for excellence in public relations.

ARC has honored the stellar work created by public relations professionals in the agricultural industry since 1990. The format and requirements for the Golden ARC awards are similar to other leading public relations awards programs, based on best practices for public relations campaigns and tactics.

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Media contact: [email protected]

NEW YORK (June 27, 2019) – Padilla has been recognized with two awards at the 2019 Big Apple Awards ceremony, given by the New York chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NY).

The agency earned a Big Apple Award for its work with Consorzio del Proscuitto di Parma (PDP) in the Website category.

Earlier this year, Padilla earned multiple awards for its campaign Teaching Chefs to Go Whole Hog for Proscuitto di Parma, including three Silver Anvil Awards presented by the Public Relations Society of America, and a North America In2SABRE Award given by The Holmes Report. More information about The Whole Leg campaign, including the video case study, can be found on PadillaCo.com.

Additionally, Padilla received an Honorable Mention from PRSA-NY for its work with Ribera y Rueda: Creating a Taste for Spanish Wines: 2018 Roadshow in the Events & Observances (One to Seven Days) Business category.

The 2019 Big Apple Awards took place Monday, June 24 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. View the complete list of winners at PRSANY.org.

About the Big Apple Awards and PRSA-NY

PRSA-NY established the Big Apple Awards in 1987 to celebrate excellence in public relations. Widely regarded as one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades, the Big Apple Awards honor innovative and strategic PR campaigns and projects.

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (June 6, 2019) – Padilla has been recognized with three Silver Anvil Awards and a Silver Anvil Award of Excellence, given by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Padilla earned the three Silver Anvils for its work with Prosciutto di Parma in the following categories:

Teaching Chefs to Go Whole Hog for Prosciutto di Parma

• Content Marketing > Business Products
• Integrated Communications > Business to Business
• Marketing > Business To Business > Products

The Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma engaged Padilla to promote Prosciutto di Parma (PDP) among U.S. foodservice professionals. Research revealed that chefs view PDP as a splurge, but many don’t know how to render full value from it. Padilla created an industry-first campaign: The Whole Leg. TheWholeLeg.com shows professionals how to work with PDP, using illustrations, videos, original recipes and a path to purchase. Results were outstanding: 95% of chefs who visited the website reported a better understanding of how to use PDP. The site drew 5,000 unique visitors and drove over 2,000 professionals to hands-on industry trainings.

The Silver Anvil Award of Excellence (runner up) was for our work with Ribera y Rueda.

Creating a Taste of Spanish Wines: 2018 Ribera y Rueda Roadshow

• Events and Observances > Seven Or Fewer Days > Business to Business

Within the U.S. wine market, the exceptional Spanish wines from the regions of Ribera del Duero and Rueda have long been eclipsed – in mindshare and market share – by French, Italian and even American vintages. To help our client (the regional body that oversees wine exports) reclaim its rightful recognition, Padilla developed the “Ribera y Rueda Roadshow.” The five-day, 14-event activation reached – and romanced – key trade influencers and consumers in two hard-to-crack markets: New York and Washington, D.C. The roadshow uncorked new levels of brand awareness and keen interest in wines from both regions, leading to on- and off-premise sales and valuable recommendations to key buyers and influencers.

About The Silver Anvil Awards

Since 1944, the Silver Anvil – which symbolizes the forging of public opinion – has been annually awarded to organizations that have successfully addressed contemporary issues with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. Silver Anvil Awards recognize complete programs that incorporate sound insights and analysis, planning, execution and evaluation. They must meet the highest standards of performance in the profession.

For more information on the Silver Anvil Awards, please visit AnvilsPRSA.org.

About PRSA

PRSA is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community with more than 30,000 members around the world. Founded in 1948, PRSA is the principal advocate for industry excellence and ethical conduct, and provides members lifelong learning opportunities and leading-edge resources to enhance professional connections and support them at every stage of their career. PRSA is represented in all 50 states by more than 110 chapters and 14 professional interest sections, and on nearly 375 college and university campuses through its student organization, PRSSA. For more information, please visit PRSA.org.

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Media contact: [email protected]

RICHMOND, Va. (May 23, 2019) – Padilla was recognized with 14 awards – including Best in Show Awards for Campaigns and Tactics – at the 72^nd annual Virginia Public Relations Awards ceremony, sponsored by the Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Richmond).

The ceremony honored statewide organizations and companies for excellence in public relations. The awards are separated into two divisions: the Commonwealth Awards, which honor the best public relations programs and campaigns of the year, and the Capital Awards, which honor the best public relations tactics of the year.

Padilla was recognized for its client work in the following categories:

Best in Show (Campaigns)
Bigger than a Drink: Pouring New Life into the Virginia Wine brand
Virginia Wine

Best in Show (Tactics)
Honoring Virginia’s Teachers One Thank-You Note at a Time
Virginia Lottery

Commonwealth Awards (Campaigns)

Reputation/Brand Management (Excellence)
Bigger than a Drink: Pouring New Life into the Virginia Wine brand
Virginia Wine

Extended Events and Observances (Merit)
Winning Hearts with Student Art: Virginia Lottery Thank a Teacher Art Contest
Virginia Lottery

Shoe-String Budget (Merit)
Tales from the Rails: Real Train Stories from Real Passengers (Shoe-String Budget)
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation

Marketing Business to Business (Merit)
Integrated Communications (Merit)
Teaching Chefs to Go Whole Hog for Prosciutto di Parma
Prosciutto di Parma

Capital Awards (Tactics)

Social Media: Paid (Excellence)
Honoring Virginia’s Teachers One Thank-You Note at a Time
Virginia Lottery

Influencer Marketing (Excellence)
Amtrak Virginia Partners with Influencers to Encourage Virginians to Take the Train
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation

Media Relations: National (Merit)
Brexit Breakthrough
IDA Ireland

Media Relations: Regional (Merit)
Social Media: Paid (Merit)
Winning Hearts with Student Art: Virginia Lottery Thank a Teacher Art Contest
Virginia Lottery

Social Media: Organic (Merit)
Bremer Bank Shift in Strategy Lifts B2B Engagement
Bremer Bank  

Research/Evaluation (Merit)
Virginia Treatment Center for Children Transforms Children’s Mental Health
Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU

Each year, PRSA Richmond recognizes outstanding public relations professionals and their work at the Virginia Public Relations Awards. Over its 72-year history, the chapter’s awards program has recognized the most creative and effective communication strategies and tactics happening across Virginia.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (May 21, 2019) – The Telly Awards, which honors excellence in local, regional and cable television, as well as non-broadcast video and television programming has recognized Padilla with nine awards for its work with the following clients:

Niagara Conservation: The Toilet for Smart Asses Campaign

Gold

• Online Commercials: Campaign – Business-to-Consumer

Silver

• Branded Content: Campaign – Branding
• Branded Content: Campaign – Promotional
• Online Commercials: Campaign – Business-to-Business

Bronze

• Branded Content: Campaign – Business-to-Business

National Meningitis Association: The 16 Vaccine Educational Initiative Campaign

Gold

• Non-Broadcast: Health and Wellness

Silver

• Online: Public Interest/Awareness

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council: Positively Bluetiful Campaign

Bronze

• Online Commercials: Campaign – Branding

nVent: nVent Celebrates Its Employees as a New Company

Bronze

• General – Non-Broadcast

The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 to honor excellence in local, regional and cable television commercials with non-broadcast video and television programming added soon after. With the recent evolution and rise of digital video (web series, VR, 360 and beyond), the Telly Awards today also reflects and celebrates this exciting new era of the moving image on and offline. The Telly Awards annually showcases the best work created within television and across video, for all screens. Receiving more than 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents, Telly Award winners represent work from some of the most respected advertising agencies, television stations, production companies and publishers from around the world.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (May 8, 2019) – Padilla has been recognized by The Holmes Report as the 2019 North America Gold SABRE Award Winner – Business-To-Business Marketing – for Welcome to the Water Revolution with Niagara Conservation.

To learn more about the campaign, visit PadillaCo.com for the video case study. View the complete list of 2019 North America SABRE winners at HolmesReport.com.

The 2019 North America SABRE Awards recognize superior achievement in branding, reputation and engagement. The campaigns were evaluated by a jury of industry leaders.

The winners were announced at the awards ceremony on May 7 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (May 6, 2019) – Tom Jollie, APR and Padilla senior vice president, has been honored with the Donald G. Padilla Community Excellence Award from the Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (Minnesota PRSA).

Created in 1996 to honor the late public relations pioneer Donald G. Padilla, a founding member of the Padilla agency, the award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and contributions to the profession of public relations, has contributed to the mission of PRSA and has volunteered their time and talents toward making our community better.

Tom has devoted his 38 years as a public relations professional to helping mission-driven organizations communicate effectively with their stakeholders. He is known for his commitment to community service and has helped numerous community organizations including Second Harvest Heartland, The Greater Twin Cities United Way, Boy Scouts of America Northern Star Council, Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Children’s Heartlink, and the East Town Business Partnership, among others.

“Whatever your aspirations, if you want to gain something, you have to give something first – freely, and without expectations,” Jollie said. “I learned that from Don Padilla and later echoed by Lynn Casey, and it was some of the best advice I’ve ever received. I am humbled to receive the Donald G. Padilla Community Excellence Award and honored to be a part of the agency’s legacy of giving back.”

Tom has been a PRSA advocate since he was a student at the University of Minnesota and has become a frequent speaker at awards, retreats, workshops and conferences. He also has served as a Minnesota Classics judge, Classics chair (a role he held for five years) board president, Midwest District director and president of the Midwest Chapter.

At Padilla, Tom leads the agency’s award-winning Minnesota Practice – industry recognition has included numerous PRSA Silver and Bronze Anvils, Minnesota Classics awards, Pinnacle awards (from the International Festivals and Events Association) and an Emmy for a Bush Foundation teacher recruitment program.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (May 3, 2019) – The Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (Minnesota PRSA) awarded Padilla with nine awards at the 41st annual Classics awards.

Padilla was recognized for its client work in the following categories:

Integrated Programs: B2B Products
Teaching Chefs to Go Whole Hog for Prosciutto di Parma
Padilla with Prosciutto di Parma

Marketing Products: B2B
Teaching Chefs to Go Whole Hog for Prosciutto di Parma
Padilla with Prosciutto di Parma

Digital Execution
We’re Here for Life
Padilla with Hennepin Healthcare

Integrated Programs: Consumer Products
DIY Influencers Reach for the Ceiling
Padilla with Armstrong Ceilings

Crisis/Issues Management
Navigating the Waters
Padilla with The Almond Board of California

Public Services
Students’ Stories Shed Light on Health Inequities
Padilla with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Annual Reports
Focus on Fundamentals
Padilla with AgriBank

Multicultural Public Relations
Students’ Stories Shed Light on Health Inequities
Padilla with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Special Events/Observances
MEDA’s Million Dollar Challenge
Padilla with MEDA

The 2019 Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards celebrate cutting-edge creativity and innovative thinking in the public relations industry throughout the past year. Top campaigns featured extraordinary talent and craft by driving engagement among diverse audiences through digital, content marketing, influencer outreach, experiential events and much more.

View the complete list of 2019 Classics Awards winners at MinnesotaPRSA.org.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (May 1, 2019) – Following a competitive bid, Avocados From Mexico® (AFM) has selected Padilla as its public relations agency of record. The scope of work for AFM includes consumer, corporate and crisis communication programs. Padilla will create brand awareness PR campaigns supporting high-impact, tentpole events like the Super Bowl and Cinco de Mayo, as well as identifying and developing cultural events that AFM could leverage.

According to the USDA, 87 percent of all fresh avocados consumed in the U.S. in 2018 came from Mexico, and AFM works to drive consumption of the healthy and delicious, always-in-season fruit.

“We were looking for a highly connected PR agency to gain national and local news media coverage for Avocados From Mexico,” said Kevin Hamilton, AFM senior director of marketing. “Padilla was the clear choice. As a new strategic partner, the agency will help drive continued business success for AFM through a unified vision of PR that works alongside our advertising and marketing efforts.”

“Our food, nutrition and media relations team is jumping right in to help grow brand awareness and appreciation for Avocados From Mexico through smart, creative PR and finding meaningful ways to insert AFM into the broader cultural conversation,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president.

Through its work, Padilla also will utilize AFM’s Culinary Innovation Center in Irving, Texas and The Cookery, Padilla’s New York culinary studio to showcase the versatility of Avocados From Mexico.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Padilla’s Food + Beverage Practice is ranked as the third-largest in the country among independently owned or operated agencies. The agency’s unique in-house resources include The Cookery culinary studio in New York. Clients include the Almond Board of California, Nestlé, Prosciutto di Parma, Ribera del Duero and Rueda wines, the trū® Shrimp company and Virginia Wine. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

About Avocados From Mexico

Avocados From Mexico is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA), formed for the purpose of advertising, promotion, public relations and research for all stakeholders of Avocados From Mexico. Under agreements, MHAIA and the Mexican Avocado Producers & Packers (APEAM A.C.) have combined resources to fund and manage AFM, with the intent to provide a focused, highly effective and efficient marketing program in the United States. AFM is headquartered in Irving, TX. Learn more at AvocadosFromMexico.com.

Media contact: Julie Behr, 612.455.1706, [email protected]

RICHMOND (April 10, 2019) – With more than two decades of experience building and innovating for brands in a variety of industry sectors, Dan Morrison has joined Joe Smith – a division of Padilla focused on brand consulting, innovation and design – as vice president.

The move is part of the ongoing capability expansion strategy for Joe Smith. Brand strategy and consulting represents a steadily growing portion of Padilla’s client work, as companies recognize the role of reputation and corporate culture in building long-term, sustainable brands.

Based in Richmond, Dan joins Joe Smith principals, Barry Saunders and Christian Markow, who lead a team of consultants in Richmond, New York and Minneapolis.

Dan most recently served as head of operations, data and metrics for Facebook’s Community Partnerships, which works with leaders worldwide who are building communities through the Facebook family of apps and services.

He also worked for Prophet, an integrated consulting firm that specializes in brand, marketing, design, analytics and innovation. Dan’s entrepreneurial spirit also led him to found Citizen Effect, one of the first crowdsourcing platforms for social good, and Reacht, an award-winning audience engagement platform for media companies.

“Dan has a passion for using data in novel ways to understand customers in cost effective ways,” Markow said. “His expertise strengthens Joe Smith’s ability to help clients ‘make meaning’ by defining stronger value propositions for companies and innovating products, services and overall customer experiences.”

Joe Smith’s client experience includes Bremer Bank, Capital One, Chick-fil-A, Fairview Health, Friesland Campina, Niagara Conservation, Pentair, Polaris, Pratt & Whitney, Rockwell Automation, Seqirus, VCU Health and Virginia Wine, among others.

“I’ve known Barry and Christian for years, having first met them through our mutual work at Prophet. I’ve admired the growing business and great culture they have built, and I am excited to be a part of Joe Smith’s continued expansion,” Morrison said.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Barnes & Noble College, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Hass Avocado Board, Mayo Clinic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, the Virginia Lottery, Virginia Wine and Welch’s. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

About Joe Smith

Joe Smith is the brand consultancy of Padilla focused on helping companies make more meaningful brands through strategy, design, experience and innovation. The group’s work ranges from developing brand platform and identities to innovating new products and services, to building corporate cultures around purpose. Incepted in 2013, the consultancy has grown steadily, expanding its team in Richmond, Va., to include New York and Minneapolis. Joe Smith clients include Bremer Bank, Capital One, Chick-fil-A, CLIF Bar, Fairview Health, Friesland Campina, GE, Niagara Conservation, Pentair, Polaris, Pratt & Whitney, Rockwell Automation, Seqirus, VCU Health and Virginia Wine, among others. www.joesmithco.com

Media contact: Julie Behr, 612.455.1706, [email protected]

Combined operations rank among top U.K. and European consultancies

MONTREAL and LONDON, April 3, 2019 – AVENIR GLOBAL, a Montreal-based holding and management company of public relations and communications firms, today announced that it has acquired Hanover, a top 10 independent U.K. public relations consultancy with offices in London, Brussels, Dublin, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

With the acquisition of Hanover, AVENIR GLOBAL consists of 1,000 employees in 25 locations across North America, Europe and the Middle East. Its annualized revenue of £125M should place the firm in the top 15 worldwide public relations agency ranking.

This transaction is part of a strategic plan to build a global powerhouse of specialist communications firms delivering outstanding value to clients.  Together with the November 2018 acquisition of London-based healthcare creative agency, Cherry, the deal significantly enhances AVENIR GLOBAL’s EMEA offering.  The group was already represented in the region by healthcare communications firm AXON Communications, with offices in London, Copenhagen, Zug, Brighton, New York and Toronto, and by its strategic communications consultancy Madano Partnership.

“We are building a powerful network of colleagues who are the best in their field and our goal is to provide our clients with bold thinking founded on research, insights and deep sector expertise. Hanover is hugely respected as one of the best and fastest growing agencies in the world and this transaction showcases our ambitions. In addition to an enhanced geographic footprint, there is a strong cultural alignment, which is critical to our teams working well together,” said Ralph Sutton, International Managing Partner of AVENIR GLOBAL.

“Hanover focuses on communications and public affairs disciplines which are key to our network, in addition to deep sectoral expertise in healthcare, financial services, technology, media, energy, fast-moving consumer goods, industrials and sport. The combined business in the U.K. places us among the country’s largest public relations consultancies; second in public affairs and first in healthcare.”

Founded in London in 1998 by CEO Charles Lewington, Hanover is one of Europe’s leading strategic communications and public affairs consultancies with 163 employees, advising global companies on building recognition and enhancing reputation. Clients include Goldman Sachs, Airbus, Microsoft, Apple, Warner Media, Sky, Lucozade Ribena Suntory, Premier League, Tata Steel, Lilly, Novartis, BMS, Roche and Takeda. The Hanover Group also includes creative communications agency The Playbook, and Multiple, a brand and culture consultancy that enables technology challengers and corporate change-makers to define their purpose, fire up their people and build platforms for growth. The agency’s leadership team will remain in place following the transaction.

AVENIR GLOBAL has 300 healthcare communications staff harnessing expertise in public relations, reputation management, crisis and issues management, medical communications, clinical trial support, marketing communications, public affairs, market access and internal communications. The firm works for many of the largest names in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries as well as working with healthcare providers, technology firms and patient advocacy organisations.

Other sectors where the combined group will have particular strength on both sides of the Atlantic include food and drink, energy and financial services, and the communications disciplines of reputation management, public affairs and issues and crisis management.

“AVENIR GLOBAL provided a strong business case for joining forces to create an unrivaled worldwide team of specialist communications firms. We share a common belief in building a high degree of client service and expertise,” said Charles Lewington.

“By joining the AVENIR GLOBAL network, we broaden our offering in insights and research, add impressive resources in creative and digital campaigning and execution, and can draw on additional scientific expertise in healthcare, food and drink, and energy. Our international clients also now have access to a strong presence in North America which will help us meet their international communications objectives.”

The Fonds de solidarité FTQ and Bank of Montreal provided the cross border financing for the transaction. 

About AVENIR GLOBAL

AVENIR GLOBAL is a Montreal-based holding and management company with an active operations mindset and a hands-on approach to all its investments. A global powerhouse of specialist communications firms, AVENIR GLOBAL has 1,000 staff and offices in 25 locations across Canada, the U.S., Europe and the Middle East, and ranks among the top 15 largest communication firms in the world.

In Canada, AVENIR GLOBAL owns NATIONAL Public Relations, the country’s leading public relations firm, servicing clients across a wide range of sectors, which includes NATIONAL Capital Markets, the industry’s foremost investor relations and financial services practice. In the United States, AVENIR GLOBAL owns SHIFT Communications, a data-driven integrated communications agency; and the public relations and communication company Padilla, which includes the brand consultancy Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. In Europe, AVENIR GLOBAL owns the London-based strategic communications consultancy Madano and Hanover, one of the EMEA’s leading strategic communications and public affairs consultancies, with offices in London, Brussels, Dublin, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Hanover Group also includes creative communications agency The Playbook, and the brand and culture consultancy Multiple. The AVENIR GLOBAL network also includes healthcare specialists AXON Communications, with offices in Toronto, the U.S, the U.K. and Europe and healthcare creative agency Cherry, based in London.

AVENIR GLOBAL is owned by RES PUBLICA Consulting Group.

About Hanover

Hanover is one of Europe’s leading strategic communications and public affairs consultancies, with offices in London, Brussels, Dublin, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Hanover Group also includes creative communications agency The Playbook, and Multiple, a brand and culture consultancy that enables technology challengers and corporate change-makers to define their purpose, fire up their people and build platforms for growth.

Hanover Group has 163 full-time employees across Europe and 2018 revenue of £19m. It has delivered consistent 25% top-line growth over the past four years, and plans to double the size of the company by 2022.

Hanover provides a full suite of communications services to clients in healthcare, financial services, technology, media, energy, FMCG, industrial, and sport. Its blue-chip client list includes Goldman Sachs, Airbus, Microsoft, Warner Media, Sky, Lilly, Lucozade Ribena Suntory, Tata Steel, Novartis, BMS, Roche, and Takeda.

Hanover is now an AVENIR GLOBAL company.

INFORMATION:

PADILLA

Julie Behr

612.455.1706

[email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (Apr. 2, 2019) – Padilla today recognized 13 employees across several of its industry and functional groups for their contributions at Padilla, its food and nutrition communication division FoodMinds, and its Joe Smith brand consultancy.

New York

Chelsea Elkin, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., was promoted from account supervisor to director at FoodMinds, a division of Padilla focused on food and nutrition affairs, consulting and communication. She has been with the agency for two years and leads strategic communication for Produce for Better Health Foundation, among others. Before starting her career in public relations, Chelsea worked as the associate editor for NBC TODAY Show Nutrition and Health Expert, Joy Bauer, where she gained a strong background in nutrition influencer media relations.

Kirsten Lesak-Greenberg was promoted from account supervisor to director in Padilla’s Health Practice. She has been with the agency for nine years, steadily growing and expanding her media relations and public relations expertise for consumer and health care clients.

Nicole Colameta was promoted from senior account executive to account supervisor in Padilla’s Health Practice.

Richmond

Mark Brown was promoted from brand director to senior brand director at Joe Smith, a division of Padilla focused on brand consulting, innovation and design. An original member of the Joe Smith team, Mark has created brand-building and employee-experience design for clients such as Pratt & Whitney, GE and Chick-fil-A.

Rosalie Morton was promoted from director to senior director of Padilla’s Social Media and Digital Group. She transitioned from account services to leading the agency’s social media strategy, campaigns and new business activities in 2017. In this role, she works across all Practices and Divisions leading a team that develops social media strategies for clients.

Monica Janelli was promoted from brand designer to senior brand designer at Joe Smith, a division of Padilla focused on brand consulting, innovation and design.

Washington, D.C.

Kim Blake was promoted from director to senior director in Padilla’s Health Practice. She began her career as an intern at Padilla and has worked with an array of health care clients ranging from provider, payor and associations to nonprofit advocacy/public education organizations and both OTC and Rx companies.

Laurie Hainley, R.D., was promoted from senior account executive to account supervisor at FoodMinds, a division of Padilla focused on food and nutrition affairs, consulting and communication.

Chicago

Lindsay MacNab, M.S., R.D., was promoted from account executive to senior account executive at FoodMinds, a division of Padilla focused on food and nutrition affairs, consulting and communication.

Minneapolis

Chris Liakos was promoted from senior writer to associate creative director in Padilla’s Creative and Digital Group.

Beatrice Zvosec was promoted from senior account executive to account supervisor in Padilla’s Manufacturing Practice.

Leonard Pollard was promoted from senior account executive to account supervisor in Padilla’s Manufacturing Practice.

Kyle Kapustka was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Agriculture + Environmental Sciences Practice.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Barnes & Noble College, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Hass Avocado Board, Mayo Clinic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, the Virginia Lottery and Welch’s. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

Media contact: Julie Behr, 612.455.1706, [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS – (March 12, 2019) Padilla has been recognized with five awards, including Best of B2B, at The Show, sponsored by The Advertising Federation of Minnesota (Ad Fed).

The Best of B2B award was for Padilla’s work with Niagara Conservation and its “Smart Ass” disruptor campaign to incite millennials to save water with its ultra-high efficiency Stealth toilet. To learn more about the water revolution, watch the Niagara video case study here.

Other Padilla wins included:

Niagara Conservation (The Toilet for Smart Asses)

• Integrated Advertising Campaign – Regional/National – B2B (Gold Pin)
• Integrated Advertising Campaign – Regional/National – Consumer (Silver Pin)

National Meningitis Association (The 16 Vaccine)

• Public Service Online/Interactive (Silver Pin)
• Public Service Online Film, Video & Sounds (Silver Pin)

About Ad Fed

The Advertising Federation of Minnesota (Ad Fed) is a non-profit, professional trade association that has served the Minnesota advertising community, including agencies, advertisers, suppliers and students, for more than 110 years. Ad Fed is part of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the nation’s oldest national advertising trade association.

MINNEAPOLIS (February 28, 2019) – Today, Padilla recognized employees who have made outstanding contributions to the agency with the agency’s Living Our Purpose Awards. Winners were selected in one of three categories – Client, Culture and Community. Each winner received an award of appreciation and a cash stipend.

“The Living Our Purpose Awards recognize employees who have gone above and beyond their normal duties for our clients, our agency or the community,” said Matt Kucharski, president. “This year’s recipients epitomize Padilla’s Shared Beliefs and found creative and innovate solutions to challenges.”

2019 Living Our Purpose Award Winners:

Client – Kathryn Canning and Leanne Stacey

Kathryn Canning is an account supervisor in Padilla’s Corporate Sector in Richmond, leading some of the office’s largest accounts, including the Virginia Lottery. The Lottery team has earned numerous national and regional awards, including multiple Silver Anvil Awards, given by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), considered to be among the highest honors in the public relations industry.

“Kathryn goes above and beyond to produce results for our clients, harmony and productivity in our teams and a strong culture in our office while managing the business side of her accounts,” said Mike Mulvihill, Padilla executive vice president and Corporate Sector leader.

Leanne Stacey serves as a project manager for SMS Research Advisors, a division of Padilla. With laser focus, she manages day-to-day data collection for client research projects, providing context and key motivations that drive customer behaviors.

“Leanne instituted a data visualization protocol that has put Padilla leaps and bounds ahead of many other agencies in terms of how clients understand research results,” said Dan Reilly, SMS Research Advisor vice president.  

Culture – Alice Vaught

Alice Vaught is an administrative assistant for FoodMinds, a division of Padilla, working in Chicago. Alice joined FoodMinds in January 2018, and along with her administrative duties, she instantly made an impact on the culture in the Chicago office by being proactive, creative, enthusiastic and finding innovate ways to bring people together in new ways.”

“Alice consistently keeps our shared beliefs top of mind as she built an employee engagement plan for the Chicago office. She has created monthly activities that involve everyone. She creates opportunities to engage everyone in meaningful ways – despite busy client schedules and deadlines,” said Michelle Kijek, FoodMinds senior vice president.

Community – Nichole Gill

Nichole Gill, is a designer in Padilla’s Creative and Digital Group, working in Richmond. She is involved in many activities in the community, most notably was her months-long journey to raise money for cancer research through the Pelotonia Fundraiser. Pelotonia began in 2008 as a bike ride in Columbus, Ohio, to raise funds for cancer research at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – The James. Pelotonia, the Ride, includes a weekend of cycling, entertainment and volunteerism. Nichole set a goal and found creative ways to encourage people to donate toward her 100-mile bike ride. She said she was doing this to raise money for a disease she hates not only because it has affected people she loves but, “because there are so many people and families out there who are touched by this terrible disease and I want to be a part of the solution, part of a cure.” Nichole’s efforts to Work Brave – a Padilla Shared Belief – resulted in her raising more than $5,000, well above her $2,000 goal.

“Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she was so touched by everyone who donated. But she is really the one who is constantly reminding so many of us about the importance of giving,” said Maliya Rooney, Padilla creative resource manager.

MINNEAPOLIS (Feb. 27, 2019) – Following a competitive bid, The trū® Shrimp company has selected Padilla and its Joe Smith brand consultancy as a strategic partner for its marketing and communication programs.

Headquartered in Balaton, Minnesota, trū Shrimp is an aquaculture company using revolutionary technology for shrimp production to raise the safest, cleanest, most natural shrimp possible through a sustainable and environmentally responsible approach.

“Consumers are interested in knowing that their food is safely-raised and domestically-grown,” said Jamie Brink-Thordson, trū Shrimp sales and marketing director. “We’re proud to provide a sustainable and healthy product while limiting our environmental impact. With the help of Padilla’s branding and communication expertise, consumers will understand and appreciate the value we bring to their table.”

The Joe Smith team will begin by developing an insights-driven brand strategy, followed by naming and package design. Padilla’s experts in content development, media relations, social media, sponsorships, advertising and creative will expand that work by providing communication support for trū Shrimp’s launch of its commercial product.

“trū Shrimp is a great company in an important category – helping develop sustainable, healthy, clean shrimp for a growing global population,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “This is just the kind of client challenge where Padilla excels – increasing understanding and appreciation for companies and brands with purpose. With Padilla’s agriculture and environmental science expertise, we are well-positioned to help trū Shrimp build, grow and protect its brand and reputation with consumers and food industry experts.”

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Barnes & Noble College, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Hass Avocado Board, Mayo Clinic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, the Virginia Lottery and Welch’s. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

About trū Shrimp

trū Shrimp is redefining shrimp aquaculture. Its disruptive technologies and revolutionary processes produce shrimp sustainably and predictably without the use of antibiotics and with unequalled transparency and traceability. Learn more at trushrimpcompany.com.

Media contact: Julie Behr, 612.455.1706, [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS – (February 14, 2019) Padilla has been recognized by The Holmes Report with two 2019 North America In2SABRE Awards.

The agency was named the Corporate/B2B winner with client Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma (PDP) and The Whole Leg campaign, educating foodservice professionals how to prepare and serve PDP. The judges commented that Padilla “exceeded goals with stats that show it was effective in persuading chefs to use the whole leg.” Watch the PDP video case study here.

Padilla also earned the Best Content Creation for Media Sites (Paid) with client Niagara Conservation and its disruptor campaign to incite millennials to save water with their ultra-high efficiency Stealth® toilet. The judges said the campaign “drove purchase consideration and leads on toilet sales with the so-called ‘smart ass’ character who makes the subject entertaining.” To learn more about the water revolution campaign, watch the Niagara video case study here.

The Holmes Report’s In2 Innovation Summit is a global network of events that explore the future of influence and engagement, while also celebrating cutting edge work. Events included the 2019 Innovation SABRE Awards – North America. The gala took place at the JW Marriott in San Francisco on February 13.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 16, 2019) – Padilla NEXTerns, the agency’s summer internship program, offers college students and recent graduates paid, full-time opportunities in account service, brand, public relations and creative tracks.

As a Padilla NEXTern, you don’t just gain hands-on experience working with some of the leading minds in our industry, you will help build the framework for the future of our agency. We’re not looking for someone to just fit in; We’re looking for someone who’s interested in creating what’s next.

Becoming a Padilla NEXTern has its benefits:

• Hands-on experience and competitive pay
• Cross-office training and offsite opportunities
• Vibrant social culture
• Good people doing good work for good people

Click here for the complete list of summer 2019 NEXTern opportunities within Padilla and its FoodMinds (nutrition) and Joe Smith (brand) divisions. Available in Minneapolis (headquarters), Richmond, Chicago, and New York City, applications are being accepted through February 15, 2019. The summer internship program begins June 3 and ends August 23.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Barnes & Noble College, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Hass Avocado Board, Mayo Clinic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, the Virginia Lottery and Welch’s. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 7, 2019) – Padilla has been named among the Chief Marketer 200 (CM200) in the B2B Demand Gen Agency category. The CM200 is the industry’s comprehensive list of the top non-advertising agencies and features the best engagement and activation agencies spanning 11 categories and specialties serving the U.S. Chief Marketer editors chose winners based on several criteria including insightful client testimonials; outstanding case study submissions; high caliber, consistent work across programs and clients; innovative and creative executions; and bold and inspiring concepts and ideas that are moving the industry forward. The 200 agencies selected for the 2019 program are thought leaders in their craft and representative of the best of the marketing industry.

This is the second consecutive year Padilla has been named to the CM200 list recognized in the B2B Demand Gen Agency category.

About Chief Marketer

Chief Marketer, with a readership of more than 150,000, provides marketers and CMOs with content, ideas, recognition and events that help them make smarter decisions with their marketing budgets. It offers data-driven industry intelligence, actionable insights, inspiring case studies and the latest technology trends, so marketers can improve their campaigns and increase ROI.

Learn more about the CM200 and view the complete list at Chief Marketer 200.

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Media contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 6, 2018) – Padilla today announced employee promotions across several of its industry and functional groups. These six individuals were recognized for their contributions at Padilla and its food and nutrition affairs division FoodMinds.

Minneapolis

Kimberly Huston was promoted from account supervisor to director in Padilla’s Agriculture + Environmental Sciences Practice. She has been with the agency for more than 18 years and has steadily grown and expanded her expertise in strategic communication for consumer, health care, and agriculture clients.

Molly O’Mara was promoted from senior account executive to account supervisor in Padilla’s Manufacturing Practice.

Chloe Wiersma was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Technology Practice.

Keegan Leddy was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Manufacturing Practice.

Richmond

David Russell was promoted from developer to senior developer in Padilla’s Digital Group.

San Francisco

Katie Pawelczyk, M.S., R.D., was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive at FoodMinds, a division of Padilla focused on food and nutrition affairs.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Barnes & Noble College, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Hass Avocado Board, Mayo Clinic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, the Virginia Lottery and Welch’s. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

Media contact: Julie Behr, 612.455.1706, [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 6, 2018) – Padilla has been recognized by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts with four 2018 W³ Awards.

The agency was recognized with client Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma for its excellence in digital content and marketing tactics for The Whole Leg campaign in the following categories:

GOLD

Video Features Art Direction

General Website Categories Food & Beverage

General Website Categories Public Relations

SILVER

Online Video Food & Beverage

About W³ Awards

The W³ Awards celebrates digital excellence by honoring outstanding websites, web marketing, video, mobile sites/apps & social content created by some of the best interactive agencies, designers, and creators worldwide. Simply put, the W³ is the first major web competition to be accessible to the biggest agencies, the smallest firms, and everyone in between. The W³ is sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from a “Who’s Who” of acclaimed media, interactive, advertising, and marketing firms.

View the complete list of 2018 W³ Award winners at W3award.com.

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Media Contact: [email protected].

MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 5, 2018) – Padilla has been recognized with two Thoth Awards and one Award of Excellence given by the National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NCC), as well as a PRism Award given by the Los Angeles Chapter (PRSA-LA).

The agency was recognized for its excellence in public relations and tactics in the following categories:

2018 Thoth Awards

Media Relations – Government

The Virginia Lottery and Padilla

Honoring Virginia’s Teachers, One Thank-You Note at A Time

Integrated Communications: Consumer Products or Services

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and Padilla

Bringing Home the Benefits of Fresh Blueberries – Year ‘Round

2018 Award of Excellence

Events and Observances – Seven or Fewer Days

Wilsonart (and Grace Jeffers) with Padilla

Helping Designers See the Forests Behind the Woods

2018 PRism Award

Events and Observances – B2B

Wilsonart (and Grace Jeffers) with Padilla

Helping Designers See the Forests Behind the Woods

About Thoth Awards

Each year, PRSA-NCC awards outstanding public relations in the national capital area with the prestigious Thoth Awards. The awards are named after Thoth, an Egyptian god of wisdom who was a mediator and scribe and credited as the inventor of communications and writing. In the spirit of Thoth, PRSA-NCC honors area PR professionals for their wisdom and contributions to the profession. Awards are given for the best PR campaigns and top accomplishments in PR tactics.

View the complete list of 2018 PRSA-NCC Thoth Award Winners at PRSA-NCC.org.

About PRism Awards

The 54th Annual PRSA Los Angeles PRism Awards honored the best public relations campaigns and tactics introduced in the region during the last year. This year’s PRism Awards dinner and show took place at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, where the chapter bestowed 64 PRism Awards and 32 Awards of Excellence on deserving individuals and companies, in addition to four special awards for exceptional accomplishments in PR.

View the complete list of 2018 PRSA-LA PRism Award Winners at PRSALA.org.

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Media Contact: [email protected].

RICHMOND, Virginia (Oct. 17, 2018) – The Virginia Wine Board has selected Padilla as agency of record for its strategic marketing and communication programs. The Virginia Wine region is the sixth-largest in the United States. Padilla’s brand consultancy, Joe Smith, has helped the region establish a bold new story and visual identity that is currently coming to life through new video content, website, mobile app, and signature events all across the Commonwealth. Expansion of the partnership with Virginia Wine includes an integrated marketing and communication plan, consumer media relations and other public relations strategies.

“The refreshed look and feel tells the story of how tradition and revolution go hand-in-hand in Virginia’s wine country,” said Annette Ringwood Boyd, director, Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office. “We’re excited to evolve and elevate our brand with the help of Padilla’s public relations, marketing and branding expertise.”

One of the unique elements of Virginia wine lies in varieties that are largely unknown in other parts of the world but are thriving in Virginia, such as Viognier, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Unlike so many wine regions where styles and varieties are set in stone, Virginia winemakers are more interested in expressing the soil and the season, than accepting a predetermined idea of what a wine should be.

The 30th Annual October Virginia Wine Month coincides with the launch of Virginia Wine’s new brand and an exciting new ritual called Harvest Party. Dubbed “Virginia’s home-grown holiday,” Harvest Party is a state-wide celebration of the bounty of the region, where people gather in restaurants, vineyards, private homes and open fields for a feast of Virginia food and wine.

“We are thrilled to be helping Virginia Wine build, grow and protect its brand as it represents the diverse wineries that span the state,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “Most people are unaware of the seven viticultural regions in the state, and with our expertise, we can help consumers learn about and experience the unique attributes of wines from these skilled and dedicated vintners.”

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Barnes & Noble College, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Hass Avocado Board, Mayo Clinic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, the Virginia Lottery and Welch’s. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

About The Virginia Wine Board

Created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1984 as part of Virginia’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, The Virginia Wine Board promotes the interests of vineyards and wineries across the state through research, education and marketing. Virginia is the sixth-largest wine region in the United States, with nearly 300 wineries and seven American Viticultural Areas. Learn more at VirginiaWine.org.

Media contact: Julie Behr, 612.455.1706, [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 3, 2018) – Following a competitive national search, American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI) has chosen Padilla and its FoodMinds division to lead a multiyear communication campaign to promote dairy proteins as ingredients in a range of food and beverage products.

ADPI is one of the leading associations representing the dairy industry. Its members manufacture and market a majority of milk-based and whey-based dairy ingredients produced in the United States, to both domestic and international companies.

Padilla and FoodMinds will execute a research-based, integrated strategic communication program over a multiyear period.

“We’re excited to partner with Padilla and FoodMinds to drive results, refresh dairy’s voice and reach new consumers about the benefits of dairy proteins,” said Blake Anderson, ADPI president and CEO. “The team’s depth of food, beverage and nutrition knowledge, as well as its creative and digital expertise, will help ADPI elevate the important value and reinforce the goodness of dairy protein ingredients.”

“We are thrilled for the opportunity to develop an insights-driven, integrated consumer campaign to promote dairy proteins as an ingredient in a variety of foods and beverages,” said Erin DeSimone, senior vice president, FoodMinds, “and to position dairy protein ingredients in a creative, compelling way to reach consumers and ultimately increase usage, consumption and sales.”

Consumer interest in protein is at an all-time high, and ADPI and its members have a tremendous opportunity to reach consumers through a proactive and impactful communication campaign that showcases the benefits of all dairy proteins as ingredients for people of all life stages.

The agency’s work with ADPI, its members and supporters, will be served by the Padilla and FoodMinds Chicago, Minneapolis, New York, Richmond, San Francisco and Washington D.C. offices.

About Padilla

Padilla is an independently operated, globally resourced public relations and communication company with offices across the United States. The agency builds, grows and protects brands and reputations worldwide by creating purposeful connections with the people who matter most through public relations, advertising, digital and social marketing, investor relations and brand strategy. Padilla includes the brand consultancy of Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds, and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. Clients include 3M, Barnes & Noble College, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Hass Avocado Board, Mayo Clinic, Prosciutto di Parma, Rockwell Automation, Sanofi Pasteur, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, the Virginia Lottery and Welch’s. Padilla is an AVENIR GLOBAL company and is a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a partnership of 132 independently owned partner offices in 115 cities on six continents. Connect with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

About ADPI

ADPI seeks to be the most effective and relevant association representing the dairy ingredient industry today. Members manufacture and market a majority of the milk-based and whey-based ingredients produced in the U.S., including: dry milk powders, whey products, evaporated milk products and butter. ADPI’s mission is to increase the worldwide use of dairy ingredients by marshaling the technical, manufacturing and marketing resources of its members and others. To learn more, visit ADPI.org.

Media contact: Julie Behr, 612.455.1706, [email protected]

New York (Sept. 12, 2018) – Padilla Chair Lynn Casey has been named to the 2018 PRWeek U.S. Hall of Fame. Casey was the third CEO to lead the former Padilla Speer Beardsley since the agency launched in 1961. She helmed the company through the largest acquisition of its history, when it combined with CRT/tanaka in September 2013 to form Padilla, as well as several deals since then, culminating in its acquisition by AVENIR GLOBAL in August, at which point she transitioned to the role of chair.

Casey is a past board chair of the Greater Twin Cities United Way, vice chair of the University of Minnesota Foundation, and serves on the board of Mia (Minneapolis Institute of Art). She is an active member of the Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable and Itasca Project.

The 2018 class of honorees also includes Chevron’s Dave Samson, former Weber Shandwick CEO Harris Diamond, FleishmanHillard chair John Graham, Elon University dean Rochelle Ford, and Harley-Davidson’s Joanne Bischmann.

The full announcement can be found at PRWeek.com. This year’s ceremony will take place in New York City on December 3.