GROVELAND — John Guilfoil Public Relations (JGPR) is proud to announce that we have been named a finalist for the prestigious Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Silver Anvil Awards. This marks the first time in our 12-year history that we have achieved this recognition, a milestone that underscores our dedication to delivering impactful and effective public relations and communications services to our clients.
JGPR is a finalist in the Most Effective Campaign on a $5,000 to $10,000 Budget category for our work with the Dennis Police Department and the Town of Dennis in 2024. The campaign helped communicate new public safety and parking initiatives at three of Dennis’s beaches on the Fourth of July, addressing a recent surge in large, unruly crowds, fighting, alcohol and drug consumption, and other unsafe behaviors at the family beaches. Through a strategic and well-executed communications plan, our team played a pivotal role in helping to curb these issues by informing the public and media about the Town’s new measures.
Through the multifaceted communications campaign, which included press releases, a press conference, a social media campaign, infographics, a video, and strategic media relations, JGPR successfully secured over 100 media placements locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The results included a 75% drop in public safety calls for service year-over-year and zero arrests at the beaches, compared to 13 the previous year.
“We are honored to be a Silver Anvil finalist and extremely proud of the great work our team put in to pull off this campaign, not only because of the tremendous tangible results we saw, but also because of the very short deadline we faced,” said Senior Vice President Benjamin Paulin. “We were hired to begin this campaign in mid-June, which gave us only about a week to create and craft all of the deliverables necessary for this to be communicated effectively and be as impactful as possible. Our team rose to the challenge and delivered exceptional results.”
Senior Vice President Paulin spearheaded the campaign, crafting the communications strategy and overseeing execution from start to finish. Marketing Manager Katelyn Goddard played a key role in the campaign’s success, designing eye-catching graphics that defined the social media presence and ensured the messaging stood out. Executive Producer Gerald Hinch contributed significantly by producing an impactful video featuring Dennis Police Chief John Brady in under 24 hours, which garnered over 18,000 views on Facebook — exceeding the Town’s population of 14,000. Vice President of Digital & Enterprise Accounts Kristen Potter was instrumental in offering invaluable insight and feedback throughout the campaign’s execution.
Additionally, we extend our appreciation to John Guilfoil, Principal of JGPR, for his unwavering support and confidence in our team to deliver under a tight deadline. This accomplishment reflects the collaborative effort and dedication of our entire team.
“I am incredibly proud of the work of our team and our amazing clients in the Town of Dennis. This was truly a collaborative effort with safety as the number one strategic goal,” said company founder John Guilfoil. “It is humbling to see our company’s work recognized by PRSA. The Silver Anvil is perhaps the highest honor in the public relations industry, and I am proud to see our work in government communications recognized among so many great examples of public relations that have been finalists for the Silver Anvil in the past.”
The PRSA Silver Anvil Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 15, at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. This prestigious event recognizes outstanding strategic public relations programs and industry best practices.
We are honored to be recognized among the best in the field and look forward to celebrating with our peers in May.
About John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC
With the philosophy that every police and fire department and government agency deserves effective communications and public relations on the same scale as major corporations, John Guilfoil Public Relations produces clear, concise written materials, communications strategy, website development, and crisis management services for our clients and responds to breaking news incidents for more than 500 police and fire departments, public schools, and municipal governments, and nonprofits throughout the U.S. The company is based in Massachusetts and was founded by John Guilfoil, a former Boston Globe staff reporter who served as deputy press secretary for the late Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. For more information, visit JGPR.net.