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Awards help business development efforts by elevating firms above their competitors. They also provide valuable visual assets for marketing and social-media content. Another benefit of entering professional awards is that prominent jury members review the submissions; jury members are often media professionals or other architects who sit on approval boards, project competition juries, and conference committees. The primary challenge is prioritizing which awards programs are the best matches for our clients’ budgets and goals—whether recognition for a specific project, firm, or individual.
McIntosh Poris Architects, a Detroit-based firm, aimed to solidify its position as a leading voice in architecture, planning, and interior design, with a specific focus on preserving Detroit’s architectural heritage and contributing to the city’s urban transformation. The firm’s founder, Michael Poris, AIA, has been a driving force behind the preservation of the city’s architectural fabric and the implementation of innovative design solutions that have contributed to its revitalization.
Taylor & Company strategically promoted McIntosh Poris’ commitment to preserving Detroit’s design legacy and transforming the city’s urban landscape. This involved securing widespread positive coverage for the firm, positioning its representatives as advocates for Detroit’s revitalization, and leveraging the cultural interest in the city’s architectural renaissance. The firm’s expertise in adaptive reuse, exemplified by transformative projects such as the conversion of the former Detroit fire department headquarters into the stylish Foundation Hotel, was a key focus of the promotion. Building on Poris’ own history as a lifelong Detroiter positioned him for profiles focusing on his dedication to his hometown.
Taylor & Company has chaired awards committees and uses this insight to council clients on which programs can provide the best platform for uplifting clients and their projects. We maintain a growing calendar of awards that includes deadlines and eligibility requirements. In addition to awards consultation, Taylor & Company can manage the submission process. This usually entails our team writing text to fit word-count requirements, gathering additional information, and re-formatting photography according to specifications. Each submission has different parameters.
The collaboration between McIntosh Poris Architects and Taylor & Company resulted in significant media coverage and public attention for the firm’s role in Detroit’s architectural and urban renewal. By aligning McIntosh Poris with the cultural intrigue in Detroit’s revitalization, the PR campaign elevated the client’s profile, contributed to a broader conversation on the importance of preserving and repurposing historic buildings, and achieved industry recognition and success at large.
Results include features in a wide range of local and national media, including Architectural Record, Crains Detroit Business, DBusiness, Detroit Free Press, Great Lakes by Design, Interior Design, The New York Times, and Urban Land, among many others. Speaking and podcasts include “EntreArchitect,” Renew Reuse Regrow conference, and “USModernist Radio.” The campaign illustrated the power of strategic promotion in amplifying a client’s core strengths and values, as well as the ability to strategically leverage a client’s participation in a story of great interest to achieve positive media coverage and industry recognition.
Often overlooked, local awards offer opportunities to stand out in the community. Many business journals and urbanism groups offer awards programs that recognize local projects and staff for a variety of accomplishments. As well, several awards programs offer opportunities to support younger team members with “40 Under 40” and similar commendations for new talent. On the other end of the spectrum, senior staff may be eligible for “Life Achievement” and “Legacy” awards.
Awards wins are marketing tools with impact, as they recognize important industry achievements. They provide engaging web and social-media content, and they bolster “About Us” boilerplates with impressive results. Taylor & Company reinforces award wins by creating and distributing announcements, which often result in additional coverage and features.
Individual achievement awards can also help fuel future campaigns for other professional certifications, such as AIA College of Fellows admission, boards of directors candidacies, and other committees and endeavors. All previous project and individual award wins fuel submissions for firm awards.
Ready to elevate your company’s presence in the media? Contact us today to learn more about our marketing and public relations team and how we can help you achieve your goals in the industry. Let’s tell your story and make an impact together.
