Overview
- Merlot Marketing earned multiple accolades at the 2025 PRSA California Capital Chapter Influence Awards, recognized across six categories for excellence in PR and marketing campaigns. (prnewswire.com)
- Awards included Special Events, Audiovisual, Collateral Materials / Publications, Internal Communications, and Media Relations, spanning clients such as Empava, DRMP, CAHP Credit Union, NaturVet, and Swedencare.
- Merlot emphasized its proprietary REDiscover™ Process, highlighting a structured methodology that blends creativity, strategic insight, and execution.
Case Studies
Case Study 1: Empava KBIS 2025 – Experiential Event Campaign
- Challenge: Stand out at the competitive Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS 2025).
- Solution: Merlot produced a memorable live activation — including a creative, attention-grabbing experiential element — to drive booth traffic and social buzz.
- Outcome: Won the Special Events category; demonstrated how experiential marketing can amplify brand presence and engagement.
Case Study 2: DRMP Audiovisual Campaign
- Challenge: Communicate mission-driven messages for a public-sector client with limited resources.
- Solution: High-quality audiovisual storytelling combined with media-ready assets to reach key stakeholders effectively.
- Outcome: Recognized with an Audiovisual Award, showing Merlot’s capability to handle complex, non-profit-focused campaigns.
Case Study 3: Media Relations & Brand Campaigns (NaturVet, Swedencare, CAHP Credit Union)
- Challenge: Build awareness and trust for consumer products while differentiating in crowded markets.
- Solution: Media relations, strategic collateral, and consistent brand messaging through innovative campaigns like “Bank with the Badges™.”
- Outcome: Multiple awards in Media Relations and Collateral categories, demonstrating strong execution and strategic planning.
Case Study 4: Internal Communications (Sac Sewer)
- Challenge: Train and engage internal stakeholders while conveying technical messages effectively.
- Solution: Media training programs and internal campaigns tailored to employee understanding and engagement.
- Outcome: Recognition in Internal Communications, highlighting Merlot’s ability to craft clear, impactful messaging for internal audiences.
Commentary & Industry Insights
- Versatility Across Sectors: Winning in diverse categories illustrates Merlot’s adaptability — from consumer brands to public-sector clients.
- Creativity + Execution: Bold experiential campaigns like Empava KBIS show that innovative ideas, when well-executed, can deliver measurable attention and engagement.
- Storytelling Matters: Audiovisual and media-relations wins reinforce that compelling narratives remain central to PR effectiveness.
- Frameworks Strengthen Performance: Proprietary methodologies like REDiscover™ enable consistent quality across diverse campaigns, reinforcing credibility.
- Integrated Approach Remains Relevant: Success across events, media relations, collateral, and internal communications indicates full-service PR agencies still hold a competitive advantage in a fragmented media environment.
Implications
- For Brands: Agencies like Merlot provide a versatile, creative, and strategic approach across multiple PR and marketing channels.
- For Agencies: Combining creativity, strategy, and multi-format execution is a proven model for industry recognition.
- For PR Industry: Awards like PRSA Influence continue to reward innovative storytelling, integrated campaigns, and measurable impact.
- For Talent Development: Emerging PR professionals should aim to develop skills across digital, experiential, media relations, and internal communications to remain competitive.
What Happened: Merlot Marketing’s 2025 Wins
- At the 11th Annual PRSA California Capital Chapter Influence Awards (held October 16, 2025), Merlot Marketing was recognized with six awards for outstanding client campaigns. (PR Newswire)
- One highlight: an Influence Award in the “Special Events” category for their campaign for client Empava at the 2025 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). (StreetInsider.com)
- Additional Merit Awards came in diverse categories:
- Audiovisual: for a campaign for Delta Regional Monitoring Program (DRMP) (StreetInsider.com)
- Collateral Materials / Publications: for work with CAHP Credit Union (“Bank with the Badges™”) (Comtex News)
- Internal Communications: for a media‑training project for Sacramento Sewer District (Sac Sewer) (StreetInsider.com)
- Media Relations: for public‑relations efforts on behalf of clients such as NaturVet (All‑in‑One Multivitamin) and Swedencare (Crunchy Dental Bites) (PR Newswire)
- According to their public announcement, the agency reaffirmed its commitment to delivering “passion, creativity and results” via its proprietary methodology, known as the REDiscover™ Process. (PR Newswire)
In short: Merlot Marketing ended 2025 with strong peer recognition across multiple campaign types — from events and audiovisual content to media relations and internal comms — demonstrating versatility and effectiveness.
Case‑Study Illustrations: What the Winning Campaigns Tell Us
Illustration A: Empava KBIS 2025 — Using Events to Amplify Brand Presence
- What they did: For Empava (a brand in home/ building products), Merlot Marketing orchestrated a campaign around the 2025 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show — one of the sector’s major trade events — using a special live‑activation (in this case, involving a “live mermaid attraction” to drive booth traffic and generate social buzz). (Merlot Marketing)
- Why it worked: The immersive and attention‑grabbing tactic stood out against ordinary booth setups. It likely boosted foot traffic, social engagement, and lead generation — showing how memorable experiential events can elevate a product launch or B2B/B2C activation.
- Result: The campaign earned a top‑category Influence Award, validating the creative risk and excellent execution.
Illustration B: DRMP Campaign (Audiovisual Award) — Storytelling for Non‑Profit / Public Sector
- What they did: Merlot produced an audiovisual campaign for the Delta Regional Monitoring Program — likely combining video storytelling, media‑ready assets, and stakeholder messaging. (StreetInsider.com)
- Why it matters: Public‑sector / non‑profit communications are often under‑resourced — effective storytelling can greatly improve public awareness, stakeholder buy‑in, or funding outcomes. Winning in this category shows Merlot’s ability to handle complex, mission‑driven clients, not just commercial brands.
- Implication: Agencies that master both consumer‑brand PR and public‑interest communications have broader market resilience and relevance.
Illustration C: Media Relations & Brand Campaigns for Consumer‑Goods Clients (NaturVet, Swedencare, CAHP Credit Union, etc.)
- What they did: For clients like NaturVet and Swedencare, Merlot executed media‑relations campaigns — securing editorial coverage, shaping brand messaging, and amplifying product launches. For CAHP Credit Union, they developed collateral materials and campaign messaging under “Bank with the Badges™.” (PR Newswire)
- Why it matters: Media relations remains a core pillar of PR — coverage in credible media outlets, consistent brand messaging, and well-crafted collateral can drive trust, visibility, and consumer interest.
- Outcome: Multiple awards across media relations and collateral design demonstrate executional strength and strategic planning — a sign that Merlot understands both creative and tactical aspects of PR. Commentary & What This Win Signals for the Industry
1. Versatility Is a Strength — Not Just Boutique‑Style Creativity
Merlot Marketing isn’t pigeon‑holed into a single niche. Their wins span across events, audiovisual, media relations, internal communications, and collateral design. That kind of versatility positions them well in a fragmented marketplace — able to serve both corporate, consumer‑goods, public‑sector, and non‑profit clients.
2. Experience + Creativity = Competitive Advantage
The Empava KBIS win shows that creativity — like using live attractions for trade‑show marketing — still has a place. In an age of digital noise, agencies that design memorable, attention‑grabbing experiential campaigns can stand out. Merlot’s Recognition proves bold creative gambits still pay off when executed well.
3. Storytelling Remains Core — Across Sectors
From wastewater‑management audiovisual campaigns (DRMP) to pet products and kitchen‑and‑bath brands — the ability to tell a compelling, appropriate story for each audience remains central. As seen, a strong narrative plus media strategy continues to be rewarded.
4. Specialized Methodologies & Frameworks Help Differentiate Agencies
Merlot cites its proprietary “REDiscover™ Process” as part of its success. Having a clear framework — blending insight, creativity, and strategic discipline — helps agencies maintain quality across diverse campaign types and clients. This suggests that for PR agencies, process + creativity + discipline is a powerful combination.
5. The “Full‑Service” Model Still Holds Value in Fragmented Media Landscape
With many clients using multiple channels (events, social, traditional media, B2B, B2C), agencies that offer integrated services — from PR to media relations to digital content — may have an edge. Merlot’s award wins across categories validate the continued relevance of full‑service PR/marketing firms.
Potential Considerations & What to Watch
- Sustainability of Creativity vs Cost: Staging experiential campaigns (e.g., live mermaid at a trade show) can be costly. Agencies need to balance creativity with ROI and ensure big ideas deliver measurable results.
- Scalability Across Clients / Industries: What works for a consumer or home‑goods brand might not translate directly to public‑sector or B2B clients; agencies must adapt storytelling accordingly.
- Need for Multi‑Channel Expertise: With digital, traditional media, events, audiovisual — agencies must remain agile and skilled across all media formats to succeed.
- Measurement & Impact Transparency: Awards celebrate creativity and execution — but long‑term value depends on metrics (engagement, conversions, sentiment, ROI). Agencies must deliver beyond the award‑winning campaign.
What This Means — For Brands, Agencies & PR/Marketing Landscape
- For clients seeking PR/marketing partners: Merlot’s 2025 win signals that agencies with broad services and creative ambition can deliver across industry types — a useful choice for brands needing flexibility.
- For agencies: The success shows that maintaining a balanced portfolio (creative + execution + strategy + results) remains a winning approach. Full‑service, integrated-agency models still have relevance.
- For the PR industry: Awards like PRSA Influence encourage innovation, cross‑category work, and demonstrate that PR remains a powerful driver (not just ads) in brand building, product launches, and public‑sector communication.
- For emerging talent: Agencies that combine creativity, strategic thinking, and multi‑media execution (digital, events, audiovisual, media relations) may stand out — perhaps even more than those focusing on only one specialty.
- Here’s a detailed case-study + commentary overview of Merlot Marketing’s performance at the 2025 PRSA Influence Awards:
Overview
- Merlot Marketing earned multiple accolades at the 2025 PRSA California Capital Chapter Influence Awards, recognized across six categories for excellence in PR and marketing campaigns. (prnewswire.com)
- Awards included Special Events, Audiovisual, Collateral Materials / Publications, Internal Communications, and Media Relations, spanning clients such as Empava, DRMP, CAHP Credit Union, NaturVet, and Swedencare.
- Merlot emphasized its proprietary REDiscover™ Process, highlighting a structured methodology that blends creativity, strategic insight, and execution.
Case Studies
Case Study 1: Empava KBIS 2025 – Experiential Event Campaign
- Challenge: Stand out at the competitive Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS 2025).
- Solution: Merlot produced a memorable live activation — including a creative, attention-grabbing experiential element — to drive booth traffic and social buzz.
- Outcome: Won the Special Events category; demonstrated how experiential marketing can amplify brand presence and engagement.
Case Study 2: DRMP Audiovisual Campaign
- Challenge: Communicate mission-driven messages for a public-sector client with limited resources.
- Solution: High-quality audiovisual storytelling combined with media-ready assets to reach key stakeholders effectively.
- Outcome: Recognized with an Audiovisual Award, showing Merlot’s capability to handle complex, non-profit-focused campaigns.
Case Study 3: Media Relations & Brand Campaigns (NaturVet, Swedencare, CAHP Credit Union)
- Challenge: Build awareness and trust for consumer products while differentiating in crowded markets.
- Solution: Media relations, strategic collateral, and consistent brand messaging through innovative campaigns like “Bank with the Badges™.”
- Outcome: Multiple awards in Media Relations and Collateral categories, demonstrating strong execution and strategic planning.
Case Study 4: Internal Communications (Sac Sewer)
- Challenge: Train and engage internal stakeholders while conveying technical messages effectively.
- Solution: Media training programs and internal campaigns tailored to employee understanding and engagement.
- Outcome: Recognition in Internal Communications, highlighting Merlot’s ability to craft clear, impactful messaging for internal audiences.
Commentary & Industry Insights
- Versatility Across Sectors: Winning in diverse categories illustrates Merlot’s adaptability — from consumer brands to public-sector clients.
- Creativity + Execution: Bold experiential campaigns like Empava KBIS show that innovative ideas, when well-executed, can deliver measurable attention and engagement.
- Storytelling Matters: Audiovisual and media-relations wins reinforce that compelling narratives remain central to PR effectiveness.
- Frameworks Strengthen Performance: Proprietary methodologies like REDiscover™ enable consistent quality across diverse campaigns, reinforcing credibility.
- Integrated Approach Remains Relevant: Success across events, media relations, collateral, and internal communications indicates full-service PR agencies still hold a competitive advantage in a fragmented media environment.
Implications
- For Brands: Agencies like Merlot provide a versatile, creative, and strategic approach across multiple PR and marketing channels.
- For Agencies: Combining creativity, strategy, and multi-format execution is a proven model for industry recognition.
- For PR Industry: Awards like PRSA Influence continue to reward innovative storytelling, integrated campaigns, and measurable impact.
- For Talent Development: Emerging PR professionals should aim to develop skills across digital, experiential, media relations, and internal communications to remain competitive.