The Martin Group Earns 22 Awards at PRSA Buffalo Niagara Excalibur Awards, Including Platinum “Best in Show”

Agency recognized for excellence in public relations, public affairs, social media and content development over the past year

BUFFALO, NY (September 26, 2023) – The Martin Group received a total of 22 awards – the most of any organization – at the 2023 PRSA Buffalo Niagara Excalibur Awards ceremony, celebrating a year’s worth of work across the agency’s public relations, public affairs, social media and content teams. The Martin Group’s winning projects, announced September 21 at Tewksbury Lodge in Buffalo, represent the agency’s commitment to excellence and its growing presence in Western New York and beyond.  

The annual Excalibur Awards honor the best in public relations campaigns and tactics in the Buffalo Niagara region. Since 1990, this event has celebrated countless communications leaders in Western New York, while shining a light on meaningful work that is making a difference in the community. Each submission is judged by various PRSA chapters across the country.

The Martin Group celebrated six gold, 12 silver, and three bronze awards, as well as one of the highest honors of the night – the Platinum “Best in Show” award for a campaign amplifying the National Football League’s thought leadership on flag football and advocating for its adoption as a girls’ high school sport. Each award showcases the agency’s robust capabilities and its daily efforts to deliver exceptional results for trusted clients and partners:

Platinum Award:

• NFL: Amplifying Thought Leadership on Flag Football

Gold Awards:

• NFL: Amplifying Thought Leadership on Flag Football
• Independent Health’s Impact on the Western New York Community
• The Independent Health Foundation: Celebrating 30 Years
• Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA: Back-to-School Influencer Campaign
• Galbani Cheese: Integrated Influencer Brand Campaign
• Western Governors University: Online Education Can Boost the Nursing Workforce

Silver Awards:

• Tops Markets: Strength and Resilience – Reopening Buffalo’s Jefferson Avenue Store
• M&T Bank: Amplifying M&T’s Commitment to Multicultural Communities
• PaintCare Launches Paint Recycling Program in New York State
• Greenlight Networks: Strategic Expansion Across the Empire State
• Austin Air Systems: Western New York’s Clean Air Educators
• The Martin Group: Covering Politics and Government During Changing Times
• The Martin Group: Covering Tragedy – Reflections from WNY Journalists on the Front Lines
• PaintCare: Press Kit for New York State Launch
• M&T Bank Launches Tech Hub at Lafayette Court
• Greenlight Networks: Bringing Fiber Connectivity to North Tonawanda
• Chautauqua Institution: Reflections with Op-ed in Leading Regional Newspaper
• Wallace Turner Law: Introductory Blog Series

Bronze Awards:

• Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA: 2022 Community Relations Campaign
• NYSSPA: PAs Arrival to New York State’s Political Landscape
• Western Governors University: Tuition Partnership with KFC

“At The Martin Group, our team is constantly working alongside our clients to develop comprehensive and collaborative campaigns that make a difference for their organizations and for the communities they serve, and it’s always rewarding to see that dedication recognized,” said John Mackowiak, Vice President of Public Relations at The Martin Group. “We are grateful to our amazing clients for the opportunity to support their missions, strengthen their brands and advance their goals, and we’re excited about the work ahead in the years to come.”

During the 2023 Excalibur Awards, the PRSA Buffalo Niagara also awarded top individual honors, including the Outstanding Executive Award and May C. Randazzo Outstanding Practitioner Award. John Persons, Chief Operating Officer of Northeast Grocery and former President of Tops Markets, earned the Outstanding Executive Award, and he was introduced by Matt Davison, Chief Business Officer at The Martin Group.

“We were honored to support our client Tops Markets and John Persons over the last year as he guided his Tops family and supported our community with strength and empathy in the aftermath of an unthinkable tragedy,” said Matt Davison, Chief Business Officer at The Martin Group. “Throughout his years at Tops and now at Northeast Grocery, John Persons has always valued clear, consistent communication, understanding its importance when serving the community and guiding a workforce of about 14,000 people. He is more than deserving of this honor.”

About The Martin Group

The Martin Group is a leading integrated communications firm headquartered in downtown Buffalo with office operations in Albany, Rochester, and New York, NY. The firm works with best-in-class organizations ranging from small businesses to global enterprises and has extensive experience in several industry verticals, including sports, healthcare, financial services, food and beverage, education, professional services, and not-for-profit support. Continually recognized for marketing communications excellence by the American Advertising Federation, the American Marketing Association, the Public Relations Society of America, and the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, among others, the agency has been previously selected as a “Top Private Company” and “Fastest Growing Company” by various regional news publications. For more information on The Martin Group, visit martingroup.co or follow the agency on Twitter @martingroupco.