The Martin Group wins big at PRSA Buffalo Niagara’s 2026 Excalibur Awards, including Rising Star and Best in Show – The Martin Group
The Martin Group’s public relations team celebrated another successful evening at PRSA Buffalo Niagara’s 2026 Excalibur Awards – earning 11 awards, including a platinum “Best in Show” – for work across public relations, public affairs, social media, and more. Each award reflects the team’s commitment to strategic communications, creative storytelling, and delivering meaningful results for clients across industries.
The evening also brought a special recognition for Julia Telford, a Public Relations Manager at The Martin Group, who received the Ann R. Carden Rising Star Award. This award honors an emerging public relations professional who demonstrates strong leadership potential and a commitment to both the industry and their community.
Julia’s recognition celebrates her dedication, confidence, and contributions to the team and her clients. With a passion for media relations and storytelling, Julia helps bring ideas to life through thoughtful, strategic communications. We’re proud to see her work and potential recognized among Western New York’s finest communications professionals.
The annual Excalibur Awards recognize outstanding public relations and communications campaigns, tactics, and professionals throughout the Buffalo Niagara region. Now in its 36th year, the awards celebrate the creativity, strategy, and measurable impact behind the work that helps organizations connect with their audiences and communities.
The Martin Group’s full list of awards includes:
Ann R. Carden Rising Star Award
- Julia Telford, Public Relations Manager, The Martin Group
Platinum “Best in Show”
- USA Football: Seizing a Super Bowl–Sized Opportunity
Gold Awards:
- LeadingAge New York — Stop the crisis. Stop the closures. Fully fund long-term care
- USA Football: Seizing a Super Bowl–Sized Opportunity
- M&T Bank and Tops Friendly Markets: The Gift of Warmth: 40 Years of Keeping Western New York Warm
- M&T Bank Launches ‘Meet Me Downtown’ Initiative
- Rosina Food Products: National Meatball Day Is About So Much More Than Meatballs
- What ‘Survivor’ Reveals About Executive Communication Under Pressure
Silver Awards
- The Martin Group Acquires Mr. Smith Agency
- National Fallen Firefighters Foundation: Honoring Our Nation’s Bravest: NFFF Memorial Weekend 2026
Bronze Awards
- M&T Bank Rallies Communities to “Billieve Together”
- The Martin Group Monthly Newsletter
Congratulations to Julia and our entire public relations team on these well-deserved recognitions. We’re grateful to our clients and partners for their continued trust and collaboration, and are proud of the work we’ve accomplished together.
Want to learn more about The Martin Group’s award-winning work? Click here.
