AGA Announces Communications Awards Winners

During November's Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the American Gaming Association (AGA) recognized the importance of communications to the gaming industry with the sixth annual AGA Communications Awards. The awards, which recognize outstanding corporate communications and advertising in the gaming industry, were presented on Nov. 13, during the AGA Communications Awards Presentation and Luncheon.

Gaming Voice Awards were handed out in 15 categories, and a panel of judges with expertise in advertising and marketing, Internet design, graphic arts and financial communications evaluated more than 90 entries in determining the winners.

The big winner at the luncheon was MGM MIRAGE which received awards for Best Customer Publication, Best Single Direct Mail Piece and Best Direct Mail Campaign. Ameristar Casinos, Inc., which is known for unique financial communications, was awarded Best Annual Report for the second year in a row. Hollywood Casino Tunica, another repeat winner, won three separate awards for its unique "Hollywood Glamour Winners" campaign.

Native American casinos were also well represented at the awards, with Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino winning Best Web Site, and Foxwoods Resort Casino winning Best Print Ad Campaign.

In a press release issued by the AGA, President and CEO Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. expressed his thoughts on the important role communications plays in the growing gaming industry.

"This year's awards showcase the most creative and effective communications vehicles that the gaming industry has to offer," said Fahrenkopf, who served as master of ceremonies for the awards presentation. "The winners this year really highlight the increasing diversification of our industry - gaming is just one piece of the overall package, and these awards show that marketing our other entertainment offerings can be just as effective at bringing people to our properties."

2006 Gaming Voice Award Winners:

Best Annual Report: Commercial or Native American Casino Ameristar Casinos, Inc., "2005 Annual Report" (Assisting Agency: Kuhlmann Leavitt, Inc.)

Best Annual Report: Public Agency or Association Casino Association of Indiana, "A Decade of Distinction"

Best Broadcast Ad: Radio Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, "Sleepover" (Assisting Agency: DRGM Advertising)

Best Broadcast Ad: Television Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, "Be Yourself At Home" (Assisting Agency: DRGM Advertising)

Best Customer Publication MGM MIRAGE, "M Lifestyle Magazine" (Assisting Agency: Custom Publishing Group)

Best Direct Mail: Single Piece MGM MIRAGE, "Madonna Invite" (Assisting Agency: MGM MIRAGE Advertising, Inc.)

Best Direct Mail: Campaign MGM MIRAGE, "Shadow Creek Shootout" (Assisting Agency: MGM MIRAGE Advertising, Inc.)

Best Employee Publication Boyd Gaming Corporation, "Boyd Buzz" (Assisting Agency: Rain Visual Design Strategy)

Best Multi-Format Ad Campaign Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, "Payday" (Assisting Agency: Bensimon Byrne)

Best Outdoor Advertisement: Single Piece Hollywood Casino Tunica, "Hollywood Glamour Winners - Michael" (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye|GROUP)

Best Outdoor Advertisement: Campaign Hollywood Casino Tunica, "Hollywood Glamour Winners Campaign" (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye|GROUP)

Best Print Advertisement: Single Piece Hollywood Casino Tunica, "Hollywood Glamour Winners - Michael" (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye|GROUP) TIE WITH Hollywood Casino Tunica, "Hollywood Glamour Winners - Randy" (Assisting Agency: Hawkeye|GROUP)

Best Print Advertisement: Campaign Foxwoods Resort Casino, "Image/Print" (Assisting Agency: The Kaplan Thaler Group)

Best Public Service Announcement Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., "Harrah's Go Vote Campaign"

Best Web Site Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino, www.barona.com

The awards were sponsored by market analysis and investment firm Goldman, Sachs & Co., with support from Wells Fargo Bank, Piercy Bowler Taylor & Kern (PBTK) and G2E.