By PR Daily Staff | Posted: October 30, 2013

Dealing with the media can be tough: getting your executives coverage and visibility, preparing press kits, organizing tours, drafting statements, and we won’t even go into what it’s like working with celebrities.

It’s high time you and your team receive some recognition for all of that hard work.

The finalists in PR Daily’s 2013 Media Relations Awards are definitely one step closer to receiving theirs.

Narrowing down hundreds of entries from some of the biggest names in communications, the judges were faced with our best batch of entries yet.

Below, we are happy to share with you the companies that are in the running to take home the final prize.

The entries will now be reviewed one last time before we announce the winners in a Special Edition of PR Daily this December.

To everyone that entered, we’d like to thank you for sharing your work with us. To the finalist, congratulations and good luck in the final round!

Best Online Newsroom

  • MediaSource, Multiamedia Newsroom
  • Wieck for Nissan Americas, NissanNews.com/InfinitiNews.com Re-launch

Best Brand Journalism/Content Marketing

  • Cisco Systems, The Network
  • Engage for Procera Networks, Analytics in Motion
  • Kaiser Permanente, Kaiser Permanente Care Stories
  • MediaSource for American Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • Porter Novelli Latin America for Microsoft Latin America, Microsoft Latin America News Engine
  • Robert Half, Robert Half Financial Services Global Report: Navigating Change in an Evolving Regulatory Landscape
  • ShortStack

Best Brand Messaging or Positioning

  • Current Lifestyle Marketing for Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Dressings and Dips, Lunch Break for Kids
  • KPMG International, Social Banker
  • MWW for Arrowsight, From Technology Thought Leader to Cross-Industry Game Changer
  • Peppercomm for Pershings
  • Peter Mayer for Zatarain's, Zatarain's Hurricane Sandy Response
  • Primum Marketing Communications for Provade, Brand Messaging Campaign

Best Executive Visibility

  • City of Atlanta
  • Hollywood Public Relations for Guidant Financial, David Nilssen Thought Leadership: Hollywood Public Relations
  • M Booth for Brooks Running, Brooks Running CEO gives Competitors a “Run for their Money”: A David vs. Goliath Success Story
  • Metis Communications for TransPerfect, CEO Advice for Entrepreneurs Fuels Visibility Campaign
  • Water & Wall Group for Lear Capital

Best Global Media Relations

  • Dialogue for DIAGEO Latin America & the Caribbean, BUCHANAN’S® SHARE YOURSELF
  • Dialogue for DIAGEO Latin America & the Caribbean, DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS
  • Imagem Corporativa
  • Microsoft, Worldwide Partner Conference 2013

Best Governmental/Public Affairs Media Relations

  • Buchanan Public Relations for Pepper Hamilton LLP, The Fight for a Change in U.S. Organ Donation Policy
  • Cerrell Associates
  • City of Atlanta, MOST
  • Glen Echo Group, LLC for NetCoalition, SOPA / PIPA
  • SHIFT Communications for HIMSS, Shaping the National Health Technology Debate
  • Susan Davis International for Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Ceremonial Groundbreaking for The Education Center at The Wall
  • U.S. Special Operations Command

Best Integration of PR/MR in a Business Campaign

  • Connect2 Communications for ADTRAN, Inc., Customer WIN
  • Leap PR for Gild Inc.

Best Issue/Cause Advocacy Campaign

  • AAA National Office, Think You Know All About Distracted Driving? Think Again!
  • Global Strategy Group for Sanctuary for Families, Don’t Glamorize Domestic Violence: The Danger of Being in “Vogue”
  • Grand Canyon University, Run to Fight Children’s Cancer
  • InkHouse for Raytheon CSR, 2013 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition
  • Kaiser Permanente, 2012 Weight of the Nation
  • Tanner Friedman for GalaxE.Solutions, Love, Detroit!

Best Media Relations Stunt

  • Global Strategy Group for Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial, From the Circuits of Europe to the Streets of New Jersey: Bringing Formula One Racing to the NYC Area
  • HY Connect for Wahl Clipper Corporation, WAHLstar Facial Hair Campaign - Does facial hair enhance performance?
  • Mullen for JetBlue Airways, JetBlue Election Protection
  • PadillaCRT for Girl Scouts of the USA, National Girl Scout Cookie Day
  • Peppercomm for TGI Fridays, The Last Friday
  • Peter Mayer for Okaloosa County Tourism Development Department, Doolittle Raiders Final Reunion

Best New Product/Service Launch

  • Asylum Public Relations for MagnaReady
  • Carolyn Izzo Integrated Communications (CIIC) for Hotel BPM, Borough with a Beat: Launching Hotel BPM in Brooklyn
  • Formula PR for Popcorn, Indiana, FIT Product Line Launch
  • InsideOut PR for SALT Retreats, SALT Retreats Brand Launch
  • Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Breakaway Launch Campaign
  • Peppercomm for Whirlpool brand, Whirlpool ‘White Ice’ Kitchen Collection
  • Peter Mayer for The Advocate, The Advocate New Orleans Edition Launch
  • R&J Public Relations for Saint Francis Veterinary Center, Grand Opening of the Johari and Jimmy Rollins Center for Animal Rehabilitation

Best Op-Ed

  • Fifth Ring for Raytheon Professional Services, The True Value of Training
  • Momentum Communications Group for The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation, Making the Case for Teachers
  • Susan Davis International for Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Ceremonial Groundbreaking for The Education Center at The Wall
  • World Wildlife Fund, Illegal Wildlife Trade Campaign: Hands Off My Parts Bangkok Post Opinion Editorial by Carter Roberts and Leonardo DiCaprio

Best PR Innovation

  • Finger Lakes Visitors Connection, Finger Lakes Food Revolution
  • GolinHarris for Nippon Paint China for Nippon Paint China, Nippon Paint China CSR Project “Color, Way of Love “
  • Health Net, Inc., Health Net Plaza
  • Maplesoft, Maplesoft Anniversary Campaign
  • Mullen for Century 21 Real Estate, LLC, Century 21 Real Estate Moves into SimCity Social
  • Xcel Energy Center with Lola Red PR, The Gifts that Keep Giving

Best Press Event/Media Tour

  • American Institute of CPAs, Realities & Regrets of Student Debt
  • Axon Comunicacion International Corp for Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Export and Tourism - PromPeru, "The spirit of the desert, The Spirit of Peru"
  • Dialogue for DIAGEO Latin America & the Caribbean, BUCHANAN'S® International Media & Influencer FAM
  • Global Results Communications for Device Renewal Forum, Putting DRF on the Map!
  • Greenough for Artists for Humanity
  • Johns Hopkins Medicine, Double Arm Transplant
  • Pulse Communications and Ogilvy Public Relations for Ford Motor Company, Get Smart at Ford HQ - A ‘Dipped in Blue’ Immersion Event
  • Weber Shandwick for Motorola Solutions, Promoting Retail with the Power of Mobility
  • Weber Shandwick for Children's National Medical Center, Pediatric Pain Medicine Care Complex Grand Opening
  • Wynn Las Vegas for Andrea’s Restaurant Opening Event, Andrea’s Restaurant Opening Event

Best Press Kit

  • Dialogue for DIAGEO Latin America & the Caribbean, BUCHANAN’S® SHARE YOURSELF
  • Ebben Zall Group for Reynders, McVeigh Capital Management, Reynders, McVeigh Capital Management Interactive Press Kit
  • PadillaCRT for The Partnership at Drugfree.org, The Medicine Abuse Project: Preventing Half a Million Teens from Abusing Medicine by 2017

Best Press Release

  • Bhava Communications for MuleSoft, MuleSoft’s Turning Point: How a New Product Announcement Launched an Integration Superstar
  • MultiCare Health System
  • Wynn Las Vegas, Tulips Press Release

Best Reputation/Crisis Management

  • Hill+Knowlton Strategies South Africa for BrightRock, You Change Our Ad
  • NYU Langone Medical Center
  • Pratt Institute, Main Building Fire Recovery
  • Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Fire onboard Grandeur of the Seas
  • UCF News & Information

Best Response to Breaking News

  • Buchanan Public Relations for Weber Gallagher, Making History: Positioning A Family Law Attorney As An Expert Analyst On Marriage Equality
  • Konnect PR for Pumping Essentials
  • University of Michigan Health System for Mary Masson, 3D printed device saves baby
  • World Wildlife Fund, Response to President Obama's Executive Order to Combat Wildlife Trafficking

Best Trade Media Relations

  • Arketi Group for PMG, PMG’s Cloud Research Soars with Media
  • ENC Strategy for Salient Federal Solutions, Trade Press Public Relations
  • Primum Marketing Communications for 7 Summits, Trade media relations campaign
  • The Halo Group for Liebherr Refrigeration, Splurge Wisely: Stylish Kitchen Ideas for Every Budget
  • The Mx Group for MAVERICK Technologies
  • SHIFT Communications for M*Modal, Rising from Unknown to Center Stage in One Year
  • Walker Sands Communications for Acquity Group, 2013 State of B2B Procurement Study

Best Use of a Celebrity or Personality

  • Cathay Pacific Airways, Clear Path International Campaign
  • KDPR for Kids Helpline, An ambassador to engage Australian children
  • Hollywood Public Relations for Born Free, Colic Awareness Campaign with Giuliana Rancic
  • M Booth for Dyson, Sir James Dyson, Founder and Chief Engineer, Elevates a Brand
  • Mullen for FAGE Yogurt, “FAGE Total Plain Kitchen with Chef Bobby Flay”
  • Red Javelin Communications for Teledyne DALSA, The eyes of the Mars Curiosity rover campaign
  • Scholastic Inc., Taylor Swift: Read Every Day
  • Susan Davis International for Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, Sgt Reckless Monument Dedication

Best Use of Social Media

  • Blue Fountain Media, LLC for New York Organ Donor Network, Hate The Wait
  • Cisco
  • Ducks Unlimited, Social Media Days for Farm Bill Action
  • Mullen for Olympus Imaging America Inc., Olympus "Road to Whistler"
  • Porter Novelli Latin America for Microsoft Latin America, Ask the Leaders of Latin America

Best Use of the Internet or Digital Tools

  • Mullen for JetBlue Airways
  • National Multi Housing Council and National Apartment Association
  • Think Jam for Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Cleopatra Digital Timeline (Cleopatra 50th Anniversary Home Entertainment Campaign)
  • Think Jam for Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Film School Chronicles (Chronicle Home Entertainment Campaign)
  • UTC Aerospace Systems, Corporate Website and Social Media Campaign

Best Use of Video

  • Cisco, My Networked Life Video Series
  • Fifth Ring for Ascend Performance Materials, What Matters Video
  • Jones Lang LaSalle, Global Corporate Real Estate Trends Survey
  • Kaiser Permanente, Walk-And-Talk with Every Body Walk!

Best Website

  • Creative Bube Tube, Creative Bube Tube's website
  • National Multi Housing Council and National Apartment Association
  • Octane Public Relations for The Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration (APRA), K2 Zombie DC Youth Synthetic Marijuana Public Awareness Campaign Website
  • Palms Casino Resort and Kirvin Doak Communications

Best Media Relations Campaign - Under $10,000

  • American Institute of CPAs, AICPA: Certified Public Accountants Outlook Index
  • Bankrate, Inc., Checking Fees Continue to Rise
  • Clearpoint Agency for Oberon Fuels
  • Diamond Public Relations, CyberSummer
  • Global Strategy Group for Sanctuary for Families, Don’t Glamorize Domestic Violence: The Danger of Being in “Vogue”
  • JDA Frontline for Mira Winery, Aquaoir Ocean Aging Experiment
  • News Generation for Arthritis Foundation, Advocacy Summit
Best Media Relations Campaign - Under $25,000
  • Jive Communications for CineCoup, CineCoup Film Accelerator
  • Palms Casino Resort and Kirvin Doak Communications, Renovation Campaign
  • The PGA of America, PGA Championship "Pick The Hole Challenge" Hosted by Jack Nicklaus
  • WISE PUBLIC RELATIONS for Control Group, Underscoring Control Group’s Innovative Approach and Thought Leadership Position

Best Media Relations Campaign - Under $50,000

  • AAA National Office, Think You Know All About Distracted Driving? Think Again!
  • CommunicationWorks, LLC for Center for Research on Educational Outcomes, National Charter School Study 2013 Release
  • MediaSource for American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Chins are in as hottest trend in plastic surgery
  • Pratt Institute, 125th Anniversary Visibility Campaign
  • Susan Davis International for Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Medal for Museum and Library Service

Best Media Relations Campaign - Under $100,000

  • Fifth Ring for Tensar International, Tensar International
  • Momentum Communications Group for Siemens Foundation, Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology
  • PadillaCRT for Viviscal, Bringing Awareness to Women’s Hair Thinning & Hair Loss

Best Media Relations Campaign - Over $100,000

  • Fineman PR for Foster Farms, American Humane Certified Campaign
  • Ketchum for DoubleTree, DTour of a Lifetime
  • MMI Agency for MD Anderson Regional Care Centers, MD Anderson Regional Care Centers Media Relations Campaign
  • PadillaCRT for Cambria Suites, Cambria Suites Makes New York Market Debut
  • Powell Tate for The Advisory Board Company

Grand Prize: Media Relations Campaign of the Year

  • Dialogue for DIAGEO Latin America & the Caribbean, BUCHANAN’S® SHARE YOURSELF
  • Dialogue for DIAGEO Latin America & the Caribbean, DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS
  • MediaSource for American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Chins are in as hottest trend in plastic surgery
  • Murphy O'Brien Public Relations for Mukul Beach, Golf & Spa, Launch of Mukul Beach, Golf & Spa, the First Luxury Resort in Nicaragua