WASHINGTON—The American Gaming Association (AGA) today announced finalists for the 2008 Gaming Voice Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement in public relations, marketing, advertising and financial and corporate communications in the gaming industry.  

The finalists, which represent 21 gaming companies, properties and organizations from across North America, were named in 15 categories, including best 2007 annual report, best customer publication, best print, outdoor, radio and television advertisements, best direct mail, best Web site, and best public affairs and multi-format advertising campaigns.  A panel of judges with expertise in advertising, marketing, public relations, Internet design, graphic arts and financial communications evaluated more than 270 entries, the highest number in the award program’s history, to determine the 47 finalists.

“Given the current economic climate and the challenges being faced by so many members of our industry, it is more important than ever for companies to differentiate themselves in a highly competitive marketplace, and excellent marketing, advertising and communications is one way they can do just that,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA, who will serve as master of ceremonies for the awards presentation.  “The finalists for this year’s Communications Awards represent the finest work being done in gaming communications and provide proof that our industry is developing some of the most innovative and interesting communications materials around.”

Gaming Voice Awards will be presented at the AGA Communications Awards Presentation, part of the Global Gaming Expo’s Marketing Networking Luncheon, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The AGA also will honor Jack Leone, vice president of corporate communications for Sierra Pacific Resources with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Gaming Communications.  Leone’s career in the public relations, marketing and advertising fields spans more than 48 years and many industries, but none of his work can compare to the contributions he has made to the gaming industry.  For nearly two decades, he represented legendary properties such as Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, MGM Grand Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.  His years in the casino industry cover a time of dramatic growth during which marketing and advertising were critical components of the revitalization and re-imagining of the Las Vegas Strip.

The AGA Communications Awards are made possible with support from Wells Fargo Bank, Piercy Bowler Taylor & Kern (PBTK) and Global Gaming Expo (G2E).

2008 Gaming Voice Award Finalists (listed in alphabetical order):

Best 2007 Annual Report
MGM MIRAGE (Assisting agency: SK+G)
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (Assisting agency: Outthink)
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (Assisting agency: SK+G)

Best Broadcast Advertisement – Radio
Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino – “Larry” (Assisting agency: Leo Burnett)
Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino – “Lenny” (Assisting agency: Leo Burnett)
Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino – “Norm” (Assisting agency: Leo Burnett)
Mohegan Sun – “Sweet Home Mohegan” (Assisting agency: Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners)
Treasure Island Resort & Casino – “Never Settle” (Assisting agency: Periscope)

Best Broadcast Advertisement – Television
Mohegan Sun – “At the Sun” (Assisting agency: Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners)
Mohegan Sun – “My Mohegan” (Assisting agency: Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners)
River Rock Casino – “River Rock Dream Car Giveaway #2” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)

Best Corporate Social Responsibility Publication
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. – “CodeGreen Toolkit” (Assisting agency: Danyon Advertising)
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. – “Southern Nevada Community Report” (Assisting agency: Via Design)
Potawatomi Bingo Casino – “A New Day Dawns - Community Investment Report” (Assisting agency: Milwaukee Design)

Best Customer Publication
Bally Technologies, Inc. – “The Networked Floor of the Future” (Assisting agency: T-Graphics)
Harrah’s Entertainment – “Total Rewards Magazine” (Assisting agency: Time Inc. Content Solutions)
Harrah’s Entertainment – “Your Guide to Total Rewards” (Assisting agency: Time Inc. Content Solutions)

Best Direct Mail – Single Piece
Beau Rivage Resort and Casino – “Beau Rivage Hotel Sales Kit” (Assisting agency: Masterminds)
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. – “Seven Stars Renewal” (Assisting agency: The Media & Marketing Group)
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino – “Mandalay Bay New Year’s Eve VIP Invitation” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)

Best Direct Mail Campaign
Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino – Club Barona Tier Aspiration/Migration Program
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. – Atlantic City New Business Mailers (Assisting agency: The Media & Marketing Group)
Mohegan Sun – Series of Player Development Mail (Assisting agency: Outthink)

Best Employee Publication
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. – “Winning Magazine” (Assisting agency: Eurie Creative)
Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino – “Barona Moments Internal Campaign” (Assisting agency: NYCA)
Beau Rivage Resort and Casino – “The Shoreline” (Assisting agency: JWT Employment Communications)

Best Multi-format Ad Campaign
Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino – “Barona Moments External Campaign” (Assisting agency: NYCA)
Beau Rivage Resort and Casino – “Arrive/Depart” (Assisting agency: Masterminds)
Belterra Casino Resort and Spa – “Belterra: Easy to Love. Hard to Leave.” (Assisting agency: SK+G)

Best Outdoor Advertisement – Single Piece
Harrah’s Entertainment – “Slots on Time Square” (Assisting agency: BBDO West)
River Rock Casino – “River Rock Dream Car Giveaway” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Hollywood, FL) – “Jack of Rock” (Assisting agency: Outthink)

Best Outdoor Advertising Campaign
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. – “Total Rewards Program Enhancement” (Assisting agency: Leo Burnett)
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. – “Pick 3 + Pick 4: Are you carrying today’s winning ticket?” (Assisting agency: Bensimon Byrne)
Southland Park Gaming & Racing – “Be Lucky That Way” (Assisting agency: cs2 advertising)

Best Public Affairs Campaign
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. – “CodeGreen Awareness” (Assisting agency: Danyon Advertising)
Harrah’s Foundation/WGBH Boston – “Caring for Your Parents Campaign” (Assisting agency: Via Design)
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. – “OLG Corporate Campaign ‘Celebrations’” (Assisting agency: Draft FCB)

Best Print Advertisement – Single Piece
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. – “Ara Spa Poster” (Assisting agency: Cannonball)
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. – “Lunar New Year Greeting - Year of the Rat” (Assisting agency: L3 Advertising, Inc.)
Harrah’s Foundation/Opportunity Village – “I Can” (Assisting agency: Via Design) 

Best Print Advertising Campaign
Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. – “Tattoo Campaign” (Assisting agency: Marz & Company)
River Rock Casino – “River Rock Dream Car Giveaway” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
River Rock Casino – “Welcome to Win Country” (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)

Best Web Site
Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino – www.barona.com/2008open-invite 
Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino – www.buffalothunderresort.com (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)
River Rock Casino – www.riverrockcasino.com (Assisting agency: The Glenn Group)

The American Gaming Association (AGA) is the national trade association for the commercial casino industry. In addition to representing the interests of its members on federal legislative and regulatory issues, the AGA serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.