Bozell, a full-service advertising and public relations agency, has received the National PR News Agency Elite Award for Community Relations/Volunteer Programs for its Free Ad Day event.

PR News Agency Elite Awards recognize innovative, risk-taking and strategic communicators setting the benchmark of excellence in the communications arena. Awards are given in PR agencies’ key practice areas, from advocacy, crisis communications and social media to internal communications, media relations and reputation management.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this award,” said Kim Mickelsen, CEO. “Free Ad Day was truly a team effort by every single employee at Bozell. Being recognized on the national level for work that we accomplished together is what Bozell is all about.”

Free Ad Day originated as a way to honor Bozell’s 95th anniversary. To recognize 95 years of making ads for some of the world’s biggest brands, Bozell decided to devote one day to making ads for the “little guy”—the neighborhood vacuum store, the dog walker, garage sale, church choir, struggling nonprofit, as well as anyone who could use a little creative marketing help.

One client said, “My business is so, super small. The money saved allowed me to buy materials for my childbirth education class I am starting.”

The mission was to produce 95 pieces of creative in one day, all free of charge to anyone who reached out online or walked in the door. And in the end, Bozell surpassed its goal and its teams created 111 distinct pieces of creative work in one day—everything from ads and logos to media plans and business strategies.

“I had no idea what to expect when the day started,” said David Moore, creative director. “But the day was exhilarating and exhausting. We had to rely on our gut instincts and a surprising number of the projects were amazing.”

To find a list of all PR News Agency Elite winners, click here.

About Bozell
Bozell is a full-service advertising and public relations agency specializing in advertising, public relations, digital marketing, technology and other creative solutions that produce results. We utilize Smartargeting™ and other insights to create winning marketing and sales strategies and build brand stories that are smart and compelling. We stand for doing right by our clients, employees and our community.