MCA Submissions

2026 MCA Submissions

The following entries were submitted as part of the SMPS Philadelphia 2026 Marketing Communications Awards.

Brochure

K&W Athletics "Magazine"  Submitted by: Stacey & Associates

Creative Brief:

Celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2025, K&W Engineers is a site design firm comprised of civil engineers, landscape architects, planners, geotechnical specialists, and land surveyors. K&W asked S&A to redesign their corporate logo and further define their specialty sub-brand of Athletic Facility Planning and Design with a new marketing collateral piece. Ideally the piece would be appropriate for both higher education and K-12 prospective clients – both architects and facility owners – who would see it at conferences and direct mail campaigns. A digital version was developed for a new website as well.

The magazine-style brochure was envisioned to showcase K&W’s Athletic Facility portfolio, featuring project photography, client testimonials and the expertise of their “rockstar” athletic site design specialist. We refined their brand definition by establishing K&W blue as the primary branding color while adding pops of bright orange and green to define the look of athletic elements. The magazine uses a bold design style with an open-bracket box surrounding headlines to draw the viewers’ eye into each layout. S&A wrote sports-themed copy into the messaging such as “K&W can help you create the right game plan” to balance a level of professionalism with humor. Our goal was to showcase K&W’s athletics expertise, allowing project photos to speak for themselves to viewers who may only skim the piece. Captions provide mini case studies that highlight the value K&W brought to the project or challenges they addressed. A call to action on the back page encourages contact for a complimentary facility assessment.

Corporate Identity

Rebranding | Submitted by: Gilbert Architects | WINNER - 1st Place

Creative Brief:

For decades, Gilbert Architects’ logo and brand identity anchored the firm within an ever-changing market. In the years leading up to their 2023 acquisition by Midwest-based Garmann Miller, reduced marketing investment limited the firm’s ability to evolve its brand alongside its work. While client relationships and project quality remained strong, Gilbert's brand presence began to fade within the competitive K–12 market.

The 2023 acquisition brought this risk into sharper focus. The lack of a clear, outward-facing narrative led to speculation about Gilbert’s future within the combined firm. Without a visible reintroduction, Gilbert risked being absorbed or overlooked. Addressing that perception required more than a visual refresh. It called for a confident re-entry.

The rebrand was designed to “shake off the dust" while honoring what always defined Gilbert Architects. Anchored in the concept of Deep Roots, Fresh Growth, legacy and renewal were balanced to communicate that Gilbert’s foundation is strong, and the firm was growing again.

Execution included a new visual and verbal identity spanning logo, typography, color palette, messaging, website, proposal templates, trade show presence, templates, guidelines, and a webstore with branded clothing. A branded planter kit mailed to clients and partners announced the rebrand and made the theme tangible.

The campaign launched in Spring 2025, aligning the season of renewal with the campaign’s guiding theme. Engagement increased immediately, and Gilbert’s presence was restored. In September 2025, the campaign earned national recognition with a first-place award in Brand Identity at the Zweig Group Marketing Excellence Awards.

Brand Refresh - Funk Construction | Submitted by: Stacey & Associates

Creative Brief:

Funk Construction (Funk) has enjoyed 85+ years of partnering with mission-driven organizations across Central Pennsylvania. Rebranding began with them as Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc. and used the word “More” as the central theme of their dated marketing trifold. Stacey & Associates (S&A) was asked to refresh their marketing materials. Leadership agreed to change the name for the rebrand with the goal of creating a fresh look that better reflected their value proposition and leadership transitions into the future.

Challenge 1: Funk uses PowerPoint to produce their marketing materials. Design concepts and standards needed to be replicated using that software. The new brochure and business cards were designed with InDesign because they were printed. The remaining collateral, however, would be produced on-demand, including market sector sheets, project sheets, resumes, and scope and fee documents.

Challenge 2: The iconic crane in the logo. It used a lot of space and didn’t lend itself to social media and other formats. S&A updated the horizontal logo to reduce trapped white space and awkward sizing problems when scaled. S&A simplified their color palette, adding modern supporting colors, while also updating their suite of corporate business forms and developing a new firm brochure. The brochure replaced individual tri-fold brochures into one format that showcases overall capabilities, client testimonials and project photography. Key features include:

Holiday

Taste of Holiday | Submitted by: Warehaus | WINNER - 1st Place | Best in Show

Creative Brief:

In 2024, on the 275th anniversary of York County, Warehaus celebrated the community’s rich history through an innovative holiday client gift designed to strengthen connections with clients, showcase our impactful architectural and engineering work, and build awareness of our brand. The centerpiece of this initiative was a branded, reusable bag filled with locally sourced treats representing recent Warehaus projects. From York Peppermint Patties paired with the York County History Center—where Warehaus led the design and preservation efforts—to Stauffers Animal Crackers tied to the York SPCA project, each item connected the recipient to the community and our contributions. The thoughtful design aimed to reflect Warehaus’ reputation for quality craftsmanship.

We extended the experience with a custom-designed landing page featuring an interactive memory game, project highlights, and a York-centric Spotify playlist, amplifying engagement. This multifaceted approach not only delighted recipients but also garnered a 20% email open rate and an 11.5% click rate—well above industry averages.

Executed entirely by a two-person marketing team on a limited budget, the initiative emphasized sustainability, community pride, and Warehaus’ dedication to local impact. By weaving creativity, strategy, and local pride into every detail, this campaign built awareness, celebrated the unique character of York County, and strengthened client relationships.

Project Pursuit

Reconnecting Communities | Submitted by: Pennoni Associates, Inc. | WINNER - 1st Place

Creative Brief:

The Wilmington I-95 CAP project presented a high-stakes opportunity to strengthen Pennoni’s long-standing relationship with DelDOT while demonstrating our expertise in complex infrastructure projects. Our marketing goal was to position Pennoni as DelDOT’s trusted partner by clearly communicating our technical excellence, innovation, community impact, grant application expertise, and prior experience with CAP and I-95 corridor projects.

Pursuit tracking began in 2022 with a review of market intelligence, including the WILMAPCO feasibility study, geotechnical reports, bridge inspection documentation, and prior CAP proposals. We carefully assessed the
opportunity, strategically choosing not to pursue the feasibility study, but instead tracked insights for the CAP project. This informed team selection with trusted teaming partners, pairing engineers with tunnel and CAP experience with marketing professionals skilled in SF330 proposal development and visualization.

Our messaging focused on technical credibility, DelDOT-specific knowledge, stakeholder engagement, and grant process expertise. Visual storytelling played a key role, translating complex engineering concepts into digestible graphics, diagrams, and presentation boards. We developed a detailed, 60-minute presentation with tailored Q&A prep to anticipate DelDOT’s priorities and concerns.

Budget and resources were closely monitored, with promotional efforts kept under 2% of the estimated $2.5M fee. Success was measured through shortlisting to the presentation phase and ultimately winning the project. This pursuit reinforced Pennoni’s strategic positioning, strengthened client relationships, and showcased the value of integrated marketing and technical collaboration in winning high-profile public infrastructure projects.

Social Media

b/reel | Submitted by: Ballinger | WINNER - 1st Place

Creative Brief:

b/reel is an Instagram campaign that brings Ballinger’s brand refresh to life through human-centered storytelling. In a social media environment dominated by noise and oversaturation, b/reel provides space for genuine connection, showcasing the people behind Ballinger’s work. The reels are guided by our refreshed brand attributes:

Presenting a more diverse yet cohesive view of the firm, b/reel moves beyond formal project showcases; spotlighting the people, culture, and ingenuity behind the work. By highlighting the human side of Ballinger, the series builds authentic connections, amplifies staff voices, and strengthens workplace culture while supporting employee retention, talent acquisition, and client relationships.

Specific goals were:

b/reel features staff interviews filmed in casual settings across Ballinger’s studio. Shared externally as #BehindTheDesign, the series highlights Ballinger’s design excellence while emphasizing authenticity and approachability. Videos were also adapted for internal use, published on our intranet, and added to onboarding content for new hires.

The campaign expanded Ballinger’s Instagram presence, a key platform for brand awareness among clients and recruits. It delivered record engagement, including 140.5% growth in views and a 61.2% increase in page visits, while strengthening internal communications through curated onboarding content. By elevating staff voices publicly and internally, the campaign supports talent acquisition, enriches workplace culture, and reinforces Ballinger’s human-centered values.

Authentic Insights, Real Impact Through Social Channels | Submitted by: Urban Engineers | Honorable Mention

Creative Brief:

Urban Engineers (Urban) developed a strategic digital thought leadership initiative to share  authentic insights, highlight project successes, and contribute meaningfully to industry  conversations throughout 2025. The effort focused on creating original articles authored by the  firm’s subject matter experts (SMEs) and publishing them in respected industry publications,  including Construction Dive, Civil + Structural Engineer, Constructioneer, CMAA MCX, The Zweig  Letter, and The Beacon. 

Topics addressed included preconstruction best practices, artificial intelligence in construction  dispute resolution, evolving transportation agency priorities, award-winning infrastructure  projects, and successful rail and roadway improvements. Each published article was supported and amplified throughout the industry by individual social media posts that summarized key  takeaways, highlighted Urban’s expertise, and directed audiences to the full content. 

The campaign was designed to position Urban as a trusted voice within the AEC industry while  providing consistent visibility across social platforms. By pairing recognized, established  publications with strategic social media promotion, the firm extended each article's reach beyond its original audience, reinforced credibility, and encouraged engagement among  employees, clients, and peers. This approach allowed Urban to share complex ideas in an  accessible way while demonstrating leadership across multiple disciplines and markets. 

Special Event

40th Anniversary | Submitted by: A.D. Marble  | Honorable Mention

Creative Brief:

In celebration of our ruby anniversary, A.D. Marble created a marketing campaign to highlight our 40 years in business. As the ruby symbolizes strength and durability, this campaign aimed to demonstrate that our decades of success resulted from strong client relationships and the longevity of our staff. The team considered the best ways to express this message through different mediums.

Our graphic designer created a 40th anniversary logo that was added to our email signatures, letterhead, website, and trade show materials. The bold red color was chosen to complement the A.D. Marble logo, as opposed to changing the color scheme of the company logo, which is part of our brand and is recognized by our clients. The ruby ribbon extending through the “40” represents celebration and strength.

The creative team included the company president, marketing manager, and art director. The planning process began in the fall of 2024 to solidify the timeline, branding, a marketing campaign, and creative ideas to showcase the anniversary.

Knowing that we wanted to produce a video for this campaign, our planning had to be well-conceived, and consistent team meetings were necessary to reach our internal deadlines. The process of interviewing video vendors started early, and constant communication with the chosen vendor was integral to ensuring our vision was met.

As shown in our materials and analytics, this campaign was successful in meeting our goals, with our ultimate objective focused on expressing appreciation to our clients and staff.

Tradeshow Marketing

Conference Trivia App | Submitted by: McCormick Taylor | WINNER - 1st Place | People's Choice

Creative Brief:

McCormick Taylor attends nearly three dozen conferences a year, exhibiting at roughly a third of them to further showcase our firm’s expertise in the Transportation and Energy industries. To differentiate ourselves from the hundreds of exhibitors at these events and provide a novel tool for our staff to interact with attendees in a more meaningful way, our in-house Marketing team created a trivia app. The app’s easy-to-use content management system allows non-technical staff to build a custom trivia quiz and a promotional display feature for the large screen TV within our booth that is tailored to reflect each conference’s theme and location. The trivia quiz is hosted entirely online, making it easy for participants to access on their phone and requiring no installation to play. The quiz typically includes seven questions and takes under two minutes to complete. Entries are recorded in a database, allowing us to track participation metrics, capture contact information, and select a prize winner automatically based on the most correct answers submitted in the least amount of time. The TV display feature utilizes vibrantly colored motion graphics that can be set up to carousel through a number of items, including: sample trivia questions and answers meant to entice participation and demonstrate game play; a QR code linking to the quiz; a leaderboard ranking the top 10 quiz takers by name and company to spur competition among attendees; and slides featuring project experience and/or promoting conference presentations hosted by our staff.

Website

New EwingCole Website | Submitted by: EwingCole

Creative Brief:

EwingCole’s legacy website no longer reflected the firm’s design excellence, multidisciplinary expertise, or people-centered identity. Navigation challenges, limited storytelling tools, and declining engagement made it difficult for prospective clients, recruits, and partners to understand the full value of the firm’s work. The goal of the redesign was to create a modern, intuitive, and search-optimized platform that elevated EwingCole’s brand, showcased its people, and supported long-term business development and recruitment needs.

Working with a cross-disciplinary internal committee and Eastern Standard, EwingCole reimagined its digital presence through a content-first, user-centered strategy. The new website emphasizes continuous browsing, multimedia storytelling, and clearer pathways into the firm’s markets, expertise, and project portfolio. It also introduces dynamic bios, a dedicated News & Insights hub, refreshed market landing pages, and a more robust Careers section that highlights firm culture, benefits, and professional development.

The project replaced outdated structures with flexible content components, improved mobile navigation, and a clean, contemporary aesthetic aligned with the firm’s brand standards. The result is a scalable, accessible website that reflects who EwingCole is today and supports the firm’s long-term communications and growth strategy.

2025 MCA Submissions

The following entries were submitted as part of the SMPS Philadelphia 2025 Marketing Communications Awards.

Corporate Identity

Reimagining AKRF | Submitted by: AKRF | Honorable Mention

Creative Brief:

In September 2024, AKRF changed everything but its name in transforming our corporate identity for the first time in two decades. The rebrand encompassed two years of planning, surveys, interviews, research, analysis, workshops, writing, and design with our consultant, TOKY, and resulted in a unifying brand that works everywhere for everyone across the company’s footprint.

AKRF had previously enjoyed a reputable name but lacked much in the way of a ‘brand’ beyond a logo that blended into the industry’s crowded sea of blues. We had no common visuals—our proposals, brochures, and website looked nothing like each other—nor any cohesive messaging. 

Through intense introspection and deliberation, AKRF has established a brand that embodies our distinct identity, personality, and recognizable culture, purpose, and reputation. We capitalize on the company’s brand equity while projecting a modern voice and sense of design.

The new brand features an authentic brand voice and design elements that exude energy, expression, movement, and visual interest through a differentiating color palette, signature pattern, and unique curve compositions based on the logo’s “K” form.

To promote the brand internally, AKRF designed, produced, and issued to all employees its first-ever Brand Book as a guide and resource for internal and external expressions of the brand. The public launch included a companywide celebration for employees featuring activities for both virtual and in-person participation—providing an opportunity for staff to celebrate and honor what unifies us. The celebration proved so impactful that offices remain decorated to this day.

Brand Refresh | Submitted by: Pennoni Associates, Inc.

Creative Brief:

Our brand refresh initiative aimed to enhance our firm's identity and messaging, unify internal stakeholders, and strengthen our external presence. Drawing from feedback from employees, leadership, and industry research, what began as a website redesign evolved into a comprehensive brand refresh.

The objectives were clear: modernizing our visual identity, establishing clear brand guidelines, and creating cohesive, future-focused messaging. Over two years, from
September 2021 to October 2023, we collaborated with a branding consultant and invested $75,000 to reach these goals.

The results were impressive. We achieved a revitalized brand identity that inspired our internal teams and attracted external audiences. The internal launch saw participation from 374 employees, representing 65% of our workforce, through a virtual event that showcased our new brand. This engagement led to enthusiastic adoption of new templates, guidelines, and visual assets among staff. Externally, our revamped social media strategy yielded nearly a 200% increase in engagement and significant web traffic growth, indicating a positive shift in interest and sentiment toward our brand.

This initiative highlights a holistic approach to branding, combining research-driven insights with creative execution. By modernizing our brand identity and fostering
alignment among internal and external audiences, we have set a new standard for the firm’s future. Our brand refresh is not just a design update; it signifies a strategic leap toward a more dynamic and unified organization, reinforcing our core values of innovation, excellence, and adaptability.

Holiday

A Very Merry Holiday Recap | Submitted by: THA Consulting, Inc.

Click here for video link.

Creative Brief:

THA Consulting, a nationally and internationally recognized leader in parking and mixed-use facility design, is a certified DBE and W/MBE firm headquartered in Blue Bell, PA. Since 1994, we’ve provided planning, design, engineering, consulting, and restoration services for transformative projects in sectors such as corporate, government, healthcare, higher education, transit, and more.

The 2024 holiday video is a heartfelt celebration of a remarkable year at THA Consulting, blending humor, warmth, and a sense of togetherness. This creative recap highlighted new hires, certifications, staff accomplishments, key projects, and regional teams, reflecting the company’s growth and milestones.

What set this video apart was its lighthearted and personal touch—featuring staff playing their favorite sports. This unique approach showcased the personalities behind the work, creating an engaging and relatable narrative that celebrated the people who make THA exceptional. By blending professional achievements with fun, the video captured the true spirit of the THA community.

Designed to resonate with both internal and external audiences, the video emphasized the company’s core values of teamwork, support, and camaraderie. Employees appreciated the recognition of their contributions, while clients gained a deeper understanding of THA’s culture and values.

The video’s warm and funny tone made it memorable and effective, strengthening bonds within the company and with clients. It served as a perfect end-of-year message, leaving viewers with a lasting impression of THA’s dedication to its people and its work.

DIY Paper Lanterns Holiday Campaign | Submitted by: The Lighting Practice
Winner - 1st Place | Best in Show | People's Choice

Click here for video link.

Creative Brief:

The Lighting Practice (TLP) sought to develop a lighthearted holiday video campaign showcasing the firm’s lighting design discipline and creative team culture. After internal discussion, the team determined creating a “Lighted Paper Lantern DIY” crafting video to share with clients, the team and the team’s family/friends, was the optimal way to highlight the team’s creativity and expertise, while taking a lighthearted approach to the lighting design discipline.

Preparation included purchasing craft supplies, researching methods for creating lanterns, rehearsing the DIY portion, and staging the set with festive décor. Once filmed, the DIY portion of the video was edited into an easy-to-follow instructive video, then shared during an in-office team happy hour. During the happy hour, TLP staff crafted their own lanterns and b-roll was filmed for the second portion of the video.

The final video features a step-by-step tutorial, TLP team members participating in the craft, and festive, holiday graphic elements and music. The video was shared via email newsletter, on the company site, and social media (LinkedIn and Instagram). The video from the newsletter linked to the video post on the site to ensure clients were brought to the site.

Campaign successfully spread holiday cheer and emphasized TLP team culture, inciting enthusiastic engagement on all platforms. The email open rate of 36% surpassed our 33% goal, and the 5% click rate met expectations. LinkedIn impressions exceeded the 2,500 goal, reaching 3,935. Website traffic spiked with 884 views on the video release day, above the average 200 December daily views.

Newsletter

I Heard it Through the (AKRF) Grapevine | Submitted by: AKRF

Creative Brief:

Launched in the immediate aftermath of AKRF’s first-ever acquisition and just a few months ahead of the firm’s rebrand, The Grapevine was initiated to humanize our workplace community by sharing news and notes in a personal and playful nature while bringing employees together in a post-pandemic, hybrid work environment. From the inaugural newsletter in April 2024 to subsequent issues, The Grapevine has been an immediate hit across the company.

The Grapevine is thoughtfully prepared and emailed to all 400 employees of AKRF on a bi-monthly schedule. Two of our marketers plan the theme, topics, and layout and curate employee-provided content. The Grapevine celebrates the firm’s 2024 rebrand through updated formatting and colors and continuing in the brand voice: clear and simple; inventive and savvy; clever and charming; and lively and bright.

Our newsletter does more than simply share the news. The Grapevine involves employees in games (e.g., “Guess your co-workers’ go-to coffee orders”), celebrates their personal milestones, and promotes employee engagement activities like trivia, Coffee Club, and the Mentoring Program. The Grapevine has already evolved to include new features such as “The Funnies" and a “Word Around the Water Cooler” cover section.

It is truly a newsletter by and for the people. The marketing team consistently receives positive feedback after each issue and employees from around the company eagerly share their news with photos in the hopes of appearing in the next. The Grapevine has become indispensable to the employee experience at AKRF.

2024 Happenings: Celebrating 30 Years | Submitted by: THA Consulting, Inc.

Creative Brief:

THA Consulting, a nationally and internationally recognized leader in parking and mixed-use facility design, is a certified DBE and W/MBE firm headquartered in Blue Bell, PA. Since 1994, we’ve provided planning, design, engineering, consulting, and restoration services for transformative projects in sectors such as corporate, government, healthcare, higher education, transit, and more.

Our 30th anniversary edition of the annual newsletter celebrates the remarkable journey we’ve shared with our clients, partners, and staff. We reflect on our growth with a comprehensive timeline, showcasing the evolution of THA Consulting over three decades. This special edition also highlights key milestones from the past year, including our talented new hires, who bring fresh ideas and energy to our team.

Project highlights and staff events demonstrate our ongoing commitment to excellence and fostering a collaborative culture. A unique feature in this edition is the “Dream Garage” project, where we invited staff to share their vision of the perfect garage. We then brought these imaginative designs to life, rendering them into a video and reinforcing our creativity and innovation.

In addition, the newsletter features photos from charitable events, internal staff events, and a highlight from our 30th anniversary kick-off celebration, capturing the vibrant culture we’ve cultivated over the years.

This newsletter is more than just a look back—it’s a celebration of the passion, expertise, and teamwork that have shaped our success. As we reflect on the past, we look forward to continued growth and delivering exceptional solutions for our clients in the years to come.

Project Pursuit Marketing

Walt Disney World Client Acquisition | Pennoni Associates, Inc. | Winner - 1st Place

Creative Brief:

This Pennoni PowerPoint presentation effectively combines clarity and creativity to convey its message. The presentation is visually appealing, with a cohesive design that enhances, rather than distracts from, the content. The slides distill each facet of our digital solutions into clear, digestible chunks using concise text, visualizations, and videos. It has a logical flow that captures and maintains attention. It avoids clutter and unnecessary detail, ensuring that each slide serves a distinct purpose.

It captures the essence of forward-thinking solutions, blending cutting-edge technology with a clear, compelling narrative. The content is strategically crafted to
highlight the tangible impact of these innovations, demonstrating not only their uniqueness but also their ability to drive real-world results for clients.
By blending creativity, strategic messaging, and powerful design, this presentation stands out as a prime example of how innovative solutions can be marketed
effectively. It demonstrates the power of forward-looking thinking in a way that not only informs but also captivates and motivates the audience.

As a direct outcome of this presentation, we have been added to the client's approved vendor list and have successfully secured one ongoing project, along with five active proposals currently under consideration.

Recruitment and Retention

NAWIC Philadelphia Foundation’s In the Construction Zone: An Activity Book | Submitted by: NAWIC Philadelphia Foundation

Creative Brief:

In November 2024, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Philadelphia Foundation released In the Construction Zone: An Activity Book
(https://a.co/d/8mz7ivs), a construction-themed coloring and activity book designed to encourage interest in the building trades among children aged 6-12.
Supporting the organization’s mission to develop the building trades workforce through engagement with children and young adults, the book features 39 pages of
illustrations of women and men in construction roles, puzzles, safety tips, trivia, and a “day in the life” comic strip. Driven by the mantra, “If they can see it, they can be it,” special attention was placed on showcasing women in construction, as well as images of people of diverse body types and features. There are also spreads describing
different building trades and the training paths to work in construction.

The book also spotlights Philadelphia’s industry: The cover features iconic Philadelphia landmark buildings, the comic’s characters are based on real, local
construction workers, and there is Q&A page featuring a Philadelphia teacher and middle school student.

Because NAWIC Philadelphia Foundation is 100% volunteer-run, the book is self-published and sold through Amazon.com, reducing the need for ongoing maintenance and expanding the book’s reach. 

In addition to being picked up by construction industry blogs and shared via social media, the book will be promoted via earned media in Construction Executive and on 6abc.

In 1.5 months, the book sold 350 copies and boasts a 5-star rating on Amazon from unsolicited reviews.

Social Media

International Fraud Awareness Week | Submitted by: HKA | Winner - 1st Place

Creative Brief:

Each year, HKA sponsors the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ International Fraud Awareness Week by launching a social media campaign. This year, we reimagined and redesigned our campaign to build on our 2023 results and showcase the significant expansion of our fraud-related services and expertise in 2024.

Our 2023 campaign centered on sharing fraud awareness tips from our experts. In 2024, we focused on our experts, demonstrating the breadth of our relevant fraud services and celebrating the diversity and global reach of HKA’s fraud professionals.

With the help of our fraud experts, we designed a carousel featuring HKA professionals from around the world, highlighting their backgrounds and skill sets. We also created a content calendar where the featured team members re-shared the original post, allowing us to tap into their networks, the various industries they work with, and time zones to ensure maximum reach and relevance. This amplified our visibility and underscored the global nature of our brand and our ability to deliver tailored solutions to our clients.

The results were both measurable and impactful. We saw a significant increase in interactions and reposts, reflecting genuine interest from our audience. This campaign stands out because it combines strategic planning with creative execution. By leveraging timing, team participation, and targeted content, we achieved meaningful connections and significantly increased online engagement.

This success reflects innovation, inclusivity, and clear results – qualities that make our social media campaign deserving of recognition.

Special Events

The Lighting Practice Openings Chicago Office | The Lighting Practice | Winner - 1st Place

Click here for video link.

Creative Brief:

As a lighting design firm with a growing national presence, The Lighting Practice (TLP) determined it was critical to open a location in the Midwest to service clients of that region. With a rich architectural history, Chicago was the best choice for establishing TLP’s fourth location, fostering closer collaboration with industry leaders and
supporting continued growth.

Brian Wiley, whose professional lighting career began in Chicago, before joining TLP in 2022, led the establishment of the new location. While Brian maintained relationships with key Chicago and Midwestern AEC clients, the firm recognized benefits of additional promotion. Planning began in March 2024, for a July 2024 public announcement.

The marketing team utilized a multi-channel approach, including an e-newsletter comprised of a promotional video highlighting the new office and Brian, accompanied by a press release to existing and potential clients. The video and press release were posted on Instagram/LinkedIn, with the LinkedIn post being sponsored. Four days following the video/press release, a graphic announcing the opening was posted on LinkedIn/Instagram, reinforcing the announcement. Strategic ads were placed in two AIA Chicago newsletters to amplify visibility in the region, reaching target audiences. The campaign emphasized TLP’s local commitment and nationwide expertise. The campaign successfully exceeded objectives, reaching target audiences, with positive feedback from Chicago AEC professionals. Brian’s LinkedIn repost generated 71 comments/5 emails. Email open-rate of 41.3% exceeded the 33% goal. Impressions for LinkedIn video and graphic exceeded expectations, with 30,196 for the video (goal 20,000) and 4,635 for the graphic (goal 1,000).

Tradeshow

Mixed Media Tradeshow Display | THA Consulting, Inc.

Creative Brief:

THA Consulting, a nationally- and internationally-recognized leader in parking and mixed-use facility design, is a certified DBE and W/MBE firm headquartered in Blue Bell, PA. Since 1994, we’ve provided planning, design, engineering, consulting, and restoration services for thousands of transformative projects spanning corporate, government, healthcare, higher education, transit sectors, and more.

Our tradeshow marketing approach combines creativity, innovation, and strategic engagement to leave a lasting impression. Our booth’s goal is to communicate THA’s
expertise, innovation, and client-focused services. Featuring a modern, inviting design, it showcases our portfolio through an LG smart screen displaying dynamic project images, high-quality drone footage, and videos, offering attendees a vivid and immersive display of our capabilities. A custom-designed THA coloring book with crayons adds a personal, interactive touch that sparks creativity and inspires the next generation of architects and engineers.

Complementing these digital and interactive elements are printed materials, including sector-specific brochures, a full-services overview half-sheet, and pieces highlighting awards we’ve won over the years. These materials provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of our expertise, achievements, and services.
Tradeshows are a cornerstone of our business development strategy, fostering invaluable connections with industry leaders, clients, and partners. By blending interactive elements, cutting-edge digital displays, and thoughtfully crafted print materials, we deliver a meaningful and engaging experience that resonates with diverse audiences. This integrated strategy not only reinforces our brand’s legacy and forward-thinking approach but also ensures our presence stands out, creating lasting impressions and new opportunities for growth.

Website

AKRF's Brand Brought to Life | Submitted by AKRF | Honorable Mention

Website: https://www.akrf.com/

Creative Brief: 

With a new visual identity and messaging platform finalized in October 2023 for the rebranding of AKRF, there was only one piece missing before the public reveal. Launching a new website would be the most public demonstration and manifestation of our rebrand—and its largest undertaking.

AKRF and TOKY, our consultant, embarked on a multi-phase project to bring the website to fruition. We met a 4-month schedule for Website Discovery and UX Design and 8-month schedule for Website UI Design and Development—the last month included training and content entry—and launched the website in September 2024 as a centerpiece of the rebrand. 

The new website expertly displays the full range of our visual identity—including curve compositions and a signature pattern—while describing AKRF using our brand voice and messaging. The website’s attention is directed squarely on our target audience, with ‘Expertise’ and ‘Perspectives’ sections serving clients and partners and ‘People’ and 'Story’ sections catering to existing and prospective employees.

The website reflects our brand promise—Original Perspective Breaks Through—in two unique ways: multiple sections feature horizontal scrolling, while select photos ‘break through’ their curve composition framework. 

The website has achieved a 21% year-over-year increase in quarterly users for 2024 Q4 and sustained momentum of over 4,000 users a month, demonstrating its staying power. Marketing holds weekly “Fun Friday Analytics” meetings to implement digital marketing and SEO strategies for the website. The website continues to receive extensive praise from clients and employees.

MidAtlantic Construction Website | Submitted by Third & Arch, Push10

Website: https://www.midatl.net/

Creative Brief: 

Introduce MidAtlantic and their experience across various markets in order to attract more clients who are searching for contractors with a successful track record.

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2024 MCA Submissions

Congratulations to our 2024 MCA Winners!

Best in Show - HSC's 35 Anniversary Celebration | Submitted by: HSC Builders & Construction Managers

People's Choice - Susquehanna Civil 2023 Rebrand | Submitted by: Susquehanna Civil

Corporate Identity

Susquehanna Civil 2023 Rebrand | Submitted by: Susquehanna Civil 

Creative Brief:
We stand in awe of our humble beginnings, Susquehanna Civil started as a one-person firm in 2008 and we are proud of how far we have come. We are now 80-person-strong women-owned multi-service DBE firm with the opportunity to Engineer our Road Ahead!
Our rebrand is worthy of award recognition for its creativity, strategic approach, revamped graphics, and ability to effectively convey our brand story.  
•    Celebrating 15 Years of Success
•    Symbolism of “S” for Susquehanna
•    New Tagline “Engineering the Road Ahead”
•    Modern and strong color palette
Our rebrand surpassed our goal of an identity that connects our expertise, history, and future in one bold and elegant visual.  It is a big identity for our small business! Our rebranding was planned to coincide with our 15th anniversary. The design focuses on the multifaceted symbolism of the “S”, incorporating transportation elements of curved roads, waterways, and geotechnical equipment. Internally we use this symbol to inspire employees and reinforce our company’s culture.  The 3 lines in our “S” tie to our strategic approach of client-focus, people-centric, and quality-driven.
Our rebrand also represents our growth from a one-women start-up to an established firm for our client/partners. It was important that our color palette and new font represent forward thinking, professionalism, and approachability. We paired this with a new tagline “Engineering the Road Ahead” to relay our focus on the transportation infrastructure industry. The tagline is also meant to convey to employees that they can “engineer” their career path at Susquehanna Civil.

Holiday

2023 Holiday Video: Ode to Engineers | Submitted by: Urban Engineers, Inc.

Click here to watch the video.

Creative Brief:
Annually, Urban’s highly anticipated Holiday Video becomes a focal point of community discussion. Without fail, Urban’s in-house video production team perfectly blends creativity, professionalism, and community spirit that defines our firm and sets us apart in the industry.
Our holiday video goes beyond the traditional. We chose to tell a story that reflects our passion for civil engineering, the importance of STEM, and the limitless potential of young minds. The narrative is engaging, heartwarming, and motivated by a good cause. We donate $1 to the ACE Mentoring Program of Greater Philadelphia for every view.
This video should win an award for several reasons:

• Creative Excellence: The video showcases a high level of creativity that captivates the audience.
• Community Engagement: Its ability to spark conversation and unite people is a testament to its effectiveness in engaging the audience.
• Social Impact: The video is not just about entertainment; it has a philanthropic aspect.
• Motivation for a Good Cause: The video’s motivation to support the ACE Mentoring Program of Greater Philadelphia by donating to each view adds a valuable layer of social responsibility. This aligns the video with a meaningful cause, showcasing the company’s commitment to making a positive impact beyond the engineering industry.

Project Pursuit Marketing

John F. Kennedy International Airport Redevelopment Program Proposal | Submitted by: Urban Engineers, Inc.

Creative Brief:
With JFK International Airport’s anticipated increase to 100 million passengers by 2050, the current infrastructure, largely unchanged since the 1990s, faces challenges in meeting peak passenger volumes. Urban was selected by the Port Authority to address JFK’s evolving needs through professional engineering, construction management, and related services for the airport’s Redevelopment Program over a five-year term.

To win this contract, the team developed a compelling proposal. Urban’s marketing staff worked closely with subject matter experts and practice leaders to develop compelling content that satisfied RFQ requirements and presented a clear plan reinforced with quality graphics and layout. The staff worked with project managers and sub-consultants, all remotely, to ensure the completed proposal was of a high caliber. The resulting proposal effectively highlighted Urban’s differentiators, including the firm’s past and current work with the Port Authority at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark International Airport. The firm was selected for the contract, strengthening our relationship with a valuable client.

The collaboration on the proposal highlights a strong and cohesive team effort. Working remotely, the team produced a high-quality proposal that met the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) requirements and exceeded expectations. Winning the contract and retaining an important client are tangible outcomes that speak to the success of Urban’s proposal.

Special Event

2023 Open House Camp Hill, Pennsylvania | Submitted by: Volkert, Inc.

Creative Brief:
Volkert, Inc.’s Camp Hill, PA Open House was a captivating and welcoming affair, acquainting new clients and teaming partners with our company’s rich heritage and signature Southern charm. Our leaders, employing the corporate food truck, traversed over 1,000 miles to personally serve up an authentic “Southern Low Country Boil” feast, brimming with shrimp, jambalaya, and an array of southern delights. Sharing such a delectable meal in a casual setting laid the perfect groundwork for forging long-term relationships with our business clientele.

This exceptional event warrants recognition for its role in elevating brand visibility, solidifying our reputation as a leader in delivering the future of infrastructure, and fortifying connections crucial for sustained growth. Leading up to the occasion, we adopted a diverse marketing approach, leveraging tailored email campaigns, invitations, and distributing materials at local conferences.

Furthermore, our team didn’t stop at mere hospitality; we went above and beyond by curating special packages containing genuine Louisiana frozen sausages for each attendee, ensuring the experience lingered beyond the Open House. Volkert, Inc. takes immense pride in being an integral part of this community and cherishing the lasting impact of the Camp Hill, PA Open House—an engagement that resonates far beyond the event itself.

Tradeshow Marketing

2023 APC Fall Seminar | Submitted by: Urban Engineers, Inc.

Creative Brief:
Urban’s booth at the APC Fall Seminar stands out for its design and engaging approach to showcasing Urban’s initiatives. The sleek booth design creates a visually appealing space for attendees. Through interactive displays, we aim to make our projects come to life, making information sharing more engaging and accessible.

Our booth activities, like the Linq Hub, video, and raffle, were a hit with visitors, sparking casual chats and generating interest. The Linq Hub was user-friendly, letting people tap in with their phones to access a personalized Urban Engineers profile, complete with project links, services, and team details. Its adaptability for different conferences adds flexibility.

The raffle, featuring a Yeti, Stanley Cup, and Bogg Bag, brought people to our booth for a chance to win. Once there, they could check out a video showcasing various Urban projects. It was a more laid-back way for visitors to learn about us and join in on the discussions.

We believe our booth merits recognition for its creativity, technology integration, and engagement. Over 200 contacts were collected at the end of 1.5 days of exhibiting.

Video

HSC's 35th Anniversary Celebration | Submitted by: HSC Builders & Construction Managers

Click here to watch the video.

Creative Brief:
HSC Builders has proudly been in business for 35 amazing years. We wanted to commemorate our success in the form of a video that showcases this achievement. We first did this internally in November at our anniversary celebration and then externally via LinkedIn in December. The video serves multiple purposes, including, but not limited to showcasing:

• The milestone of being in business for 35 years
• Conveying the reason HSC was founded, who we serve today, and why it matters
• Successfully maintain relationships with clients over the span of our 35 years in business
• Growing with our clients as their projects have increased in scope and complexity
• Routinely going above and beyond for our clients to support their missions
• Continually improving the culture of our company so everyone has the capacity to grow
• The future of technology in construction and how we plan to stay at the forefront

JMT Celebrates 40 Years in Pennsylvania | Submitted by: Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc.

Click here to watch the video.

Creative Brief:
JMT’s regional senior leadership team, in partnership with our talented created services team, produced a video highlighting the firm’s growth in Pennsylvania and commemorating its 40th anniversary working there. The video showcases our beginnings in the Commonwealth, our success over the past 40 years, and features past and current people influential in our continuing growth.

The creative concept for the video centered on the firm’s Pennsylvania beginnings in 1983, so it was natural to create an opening scene with a VHS tape in a VCR. The creative team used a grain finish and period font styles on the introductory frames to set the mood for historical reference.

The video shifts to a modern style to represent today and our look toward the future. As the video transitions from projects to people, it features the early leaders who were instrumental in establishing JMT at the forefront of the transportation engineering industry across many disciplines in Pennsylvania. It then shows some of the people carrying the firm forward. It was essential to recognize technological advancements in the industry, so the video includes mention of the innovative technologies and techniques we use to complete our projects.

The video closes by recognizing our many teaming partners over the years as we thank them for their partnership in our collective success. The closing frame is a modern view of the same font style and imagery used at the beginning, tying our theme together.

Urban Starts with You | Submitted by: Urban Engineers, Inc.

Click here to watch the video.

Creative Brief:
In our video, “Urban Starts with You,” we invite viewers to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic culture of Urban Engineers. Through a well-crafted narrative and engaging visuals, we highlight the essence of our firm and the dedicated and diverse individuals who make up our team.

“Urban Starts with You” is relevant to various audiences, including potential candidates, current team members, clients, partners, and the public. Our in-house production team combined creativity with strategic messaging to produce a video that captures the spirit that sets Urban Engineers apart. This video goes beyond typical corporate storytelling using employee interviews, communicating key aspects of the firm while capturing the authentic atmosphere of our workplace. These qualities make “Urban Starts with You” a standout submission that deserves recognition for its ability to showcase the culture of Urban Engineers.

The video was created entirely in-house by the Urban Video Production team, who collaborated with the Corporate Development team, a genuine team effort by Urban staff. With the goal of fostering a sense of appreciation among our staff and instilling pride in their association with Urban, the video reinforces the Urban brand. It plays a pivotal role in attracting new talent, setting our firm apart in a competitive job market.

The video garnered positive responses both within the firm and from external sources, generating widespread engagement across various social media platforms.

Website

Relaunching of Burns-Group.com | Submitted by: Burns Engineering

Click here to view the website.

Creative Brief:
Burns is expanding nationwide. As we rapidly add new services, offices and staff, our online presence needed to adapt. In 2023, Burns undertook a total website revamp. The overhauled site clearly demonstrates the interconnected nature of our specialties across disciplines, geographies and industries. It offers seamless navigation, enabling users to discover interrelated services across industries, relevant projects within services, innovative thought leaders across teams and offices, and much more. The new site maintains brand consistency all while creating a vibrant, dynamic new look for the company. 

After a thorough process of engaging internal stakeholders, we created an information architecture reflective of the organization’s growing complexity — with built-in flexibility as we continue to expand. The site now tells a clear story for all our discipline-, industry- and solution-specific services. Yet we can easily pivot as business development strategies evolve due to the use of a sophisticated content management system. Entirely new pages were created, for example, detailing our structural and security design services. The robust design applies an intuitive organizational matrix consistently across project spotlights, thought leadership content, and company announcements.  

HTML5/CSS3/J3 utilizes mobile-friendly and responsive design solutions, leveraging high-quality content and SEO best practices. It is truly a beautiful, UX-centric site. Results speak for themselves: 

• More visitors are staying on the site and delving deeper into the content.
• Organic search traffic is up, especially to our Projects and People pages.
• Job seekers are visiting more pages within the site. 

Previous MCA Winners

2023/2024

Corporate Identity

• Honorable Mention: Susquehanna Civil | Rebrand

Video

• Honorable Mention: JMT
• 1st Place: HSC

Tradeshow

• 1st: Urban Engineers | APC Fall Seminar

Website

• Honorable Mention: Burns Engineering | Relaunch of Burns-Group.com

Best in Show

• HSC | 35th Anniversary Celebration Video

People’s Choice

• Susquehanna Civil | Rebrand

2022/2023

Multi-media Marketing

• Honorable Mention: Burns

Special Event

• The Lighting Practice

Best in Show

• The Lighting Practice

People’s Choice

• The Lighting Practice

2021/2022

Website

• Honorable Mention: Spiezle Architectural Group

Direct Mail

• 1st Place: A.D. Marble

Special Event

• 1st Place: GBCA

Miscellaneous (Project Proposal)

• 1st Place: Urban Engineers

Best in Show

• Direct Mail: A.D. Marble

People’s Choice

• Miscellaneous: Urban Engineers Project Proposal

 

2020/2021

Website

• 1st Place: Michael Baker International

Social Media

• 1st Place: The Lighting Practice

Direct Mail

• Honorable Mention: Bala Consulting Engineers

Miscellaneous

• 1st Place: Michael Baker International
• 2nd Place: Wick Fisher White
• Honorable Mention: McCormick Taylor

Best in Show

• Website: Michael Baker International

People’s Choice

• Direct Mail: Bala Consulting Engineers

 

2019/2020

Website

• 1st Place: McCormick Taylor
• Honorable Mention: Integrated Project Systems

Promotional Campaign

• 1st Place: The Lighting Practice

Social Media

• Honorable Mention: P. Agnes, Inc

Brochure

• Honorable Mention: A.D. Marble

Miscellaneous

• 1st Place: Urban Engineers (Holiday Video)

Best in Show

• Promotional Campaign: The Lighting Practice

People’s Choice

• Miscellaneous: Urban Engineers (Holiday Video)

2018/2019

Corporate Identity

• Honorable Mention: Michael Baker
• Honorable Mention: Wick Fisher White

Website

• Honorable Mention: AD Marble

Video – External

• 1st Place: Urban Engineers

Best in Show

• Video – External: Urban Engineers

People’s Choice

• Corporate Identity: Wick Fisher White

 

2016/2017

Marketing Campaign

• 1st Place: Array Architects

Special Event

• 1st Place: Ballinger

Website

• 1st Place: Urban Engineers

Best in Show

• Marketing Campaign: Array Architects

People’s Choice

• Special Event: Ballinger 

 

2015/2016

Website

• 1st Place: Intelligent Infrastructure Systems

Direct Mail

• Honorable Mention: Aramark

Special Event

• Honorable Mention: Michael Baker

Promotional Campaign

• 1st Place: Array Architects

Internal Communications

• Honorable Mention: Array Architects

Brochure

• 1st Place: Aramark

Book

• 1st Place: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

Best in Show

• Website: Intelligent Infrastructure Systems

People’s Choice

• Special Event: Michael Baker