Agency is Recognized for Work in Media Relations and Social Media

MILWAUKEE (May 27, 2010) – Boelter + Lincoln received two Awards of Excellence at the 2010 Southeast Wisconsin Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Paragon Awards. Of nearly 100 entries, only 20 received the “Award of Excellence” designation.

The first award came in the category of “Tactics: Media Relations” for the agency’s creation of the “Wisconsin Gangster Tour,” an online video, map and feature article about the gangster hideouts around the state, including locations used in the movie Public Enemies with Johnny Depp. Working on behalf of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, B+L’s media relations and web content campaign garnered coverage in newspapers across the country, including the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and Dallas Morning News, as well as on AP, Yahoo, Google and MSN. The agency’s media outreach resulted in $5 million worth of exposure, with more than 100 news stories and over 24,000 visits to the department of tourism’s website. In addition, numerous gangster-related tourist sites reported a significant increase in visitors.

The agency won again in the category of “Tactics: Social Media, One-time special event” for launching Lakefront Brewery’s Wheat Monkey Ale. B+L employed a wide-ranging social media program to raise awareness for the Wheat Monkey Ale launch parties. Elements of the program included a Twitter and Facebook account operated by “the Wheat Monkey,” viral video, social media release, guerilla marketing, special tasting events and media relations. The campaign helped make Wheat Monkey Ale the brewery’s best-selling beer at all of Milwaukee’s 2009 summer festivals and the company’s second best-selling brand overall.