MINNEAPOLIS (July 5, 2023) — The Insurance Marketing and Communications Association (IMCA) announced the winners of the 65th Annual IMCA Showcase Awards at last month’s “Ignite” conference in Nashville, Tennessee. This year’s entries were the most competitive in Showcase Awards history, with 124 awards in 53 distinct categories.
Entries were awarded gold, bronze or silver, dependent on the total number of points given by the judges, which include advertising, marketing, public relations, and corporate communications executives from across North America.
Top honorees include:
- Admiral Insurance Group – 12 total awards, including four gold
- Gallagher – eight total awards, including three gold
- Risk Placement Services – six total awards, including two gold
- Foremost Insurance and Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. both with five total awards, including three gold
- CRC Group – eight total awards
The judging criteria included alignment with target audience, achievement of objectives, and measurable results.
To view the full list of award recipients, please visit
http://www.imcanet.com/IMCA/Awards/2023_Showcase_Award_Winners.aspx
Jim Flynn Named 2023 ‘Icon’
Jim Flynn, executive vice president and chief brand strategist of ONEFIRE, is this year’s recipient of the annual IMCA Icon award.
The Icon award recognizes a marketer or communicator who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and exemplary achievement in the insurance industry. To be considered for the award, an individual’s achievements must serve as an inspiring example of how effective marketing and communications can contribute to the advancement of an organization’s business objectives while setting a higher standard for outstanding work. Moreover, their innovation and creativity have a measurable impact within the industry.” Jim uses his unique experience and training to help organizations, particularly in the insurance industry, to better integrate sales, marketing and service initiatives,” said IMCA in announcing the award. “His goal is to drive distinction through brand and ROI-focused inbound marketing, taking marketing successes to the next level.”
“Receiving the IMCA Icon from an organization I admire so much makes me very grateful for the opportunities to have served on many committees and on the Board of Directors,” said Flynn. “I’d encourage anyone who is looking to accelerate their career in insurance marketing to focus on serving with peers in this one-of-a-kind organization.”
2023 ‘Trailblazer’ to Bost and Landry
Danielle Bost, vice president, marketing manager with CRC Group; and Michael Landry, graphic designer with Falvey Insurance Group, received the annual IMCA Trailblazer award.
The Trailblazer Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions and demonstrated leadership in the insurance marketing and communications field. It recognizes those who set the standard, raise the bar and are blazing trails for the future of insurance marketing.
“Bost lives out the characteristics of adaptability, resilience and optimism each day,” IMCA said. “Team members and partners alike appreciate her attention to detail and tireless work ethic, which ensures each project is executed to the highest degree of quality possible. Her can-do, collaborative approach makes her a trusted partner for all those she works with. She leads her team from conceptualizing to execution of a variety of marketing communications strategies, including high-quality virtual and in-person industry events, web design, email campaigns, product flyers and social media engagement.”
“I am honored and filled with heartfelt gratitude to accept the prestigious IMCA Trailblazer Award,” said Bost. “This award not only recognizes my personal accomplishments but also serves as a testament to the unwavering support and collaboration of a remarkable team and the amazing mentors that have inspired me throughout my career. I am deeply grateful for their guidance, trust, and belief in my capabilities, which have fueled my growth and helped me to reach my goals.”
Landry embodies the characteristics wanted for future leadership of our industry and any other, IMCA said. “He portrays exemplary behavior in all aspects of his work and is spoken highly of by is peers for his willingness to always pitch in, his effort to build friendships and his kind-heartedness towards everyone in the workplace.” Since joining Falvey, he’s expanded the custom library of photography, implemented a process for professional headshots and developed in-house video capabilities.
“Winning this award means the world to me,” said Landry. “When I graduated college, I didn’t expect to end up in marketing, never mind working in insurance, but I’m so lucky that I did. With only one year in the insurance field, I am learning something new every day and every day I feel so grateful to be part of such an amazing team at Falvey Insurance Group where I truly feel valued for all the work I put in.”
‘Best in Show’ to Church Mutual
The IMCA Best in Show Award, for the entry voted by the IMCA CMO Council to be the best overall work among all Gold-winning Showcase entries, was presented to Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. for their campaign: “Nonprofit & Human Services Expansion: The Strength of a Few.”
The campaign focused on telling the story of Church Mutual’s nonprofit and human services customers, and how the passion of the few staff, volunteers, and leaders within these organizations makes an enormous difference in their communities. This entry also was awarded three IMCA Gold Showcase Awards.
“Receiving the IMCA Best in Show award for our ‘Strength of a Few’ campaign is a testament to how much we value the partnership we share with our customers, whose work continually inspires us,” said Bethany Hoffmann, Church Mutual’s Brand Manager. “We are humbled to be able to share our customers’ stories and proud to be a small part of the work they do every day as a cornerstone of their communities.”
About the Insurance Marketing & Communications Association
IMCA is the oldest association for insurance marketing and communications professionals in North America with roots tracing back to 1921. Membership includes leading international and domestic multiline insurance companies and brokerage firms, regional and specialty companies, general agencies, and prominent industry suppliers. The organization represents more than 120 companies, including the industry’s top five property-casualty writers. Members include senior level management and professional staff working in the areas of corporate communications, advertising, public relations, marketing communications, marketing and sales promotion, marketing research and technology. For more information, please visit www.imcanet.com.
About the IMCA Showcase Awards
For more than 60 years, the IMCA Showcase Awards have recognized the most effective and innovative work from the best minds in insurance marketing and communications. The competition is open to IMCA members and non-members, including marketing agencies that wish to submit work on behalf of insurance industry clients. Entries eligible for a gold, silver or bronze award based on scores received from a panel of judges
Media Contact:
Jen Wothe
952.928.4644
jwothe@imcanet.com
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