PR for SearStone Antique Event Captures “More Bang for the Buck” Awards

CARY, N.C. (June 27, 2008) — S&A Cherokee, a full-service communications firm, picked up two Sir Walter Raleigh Awards from the Raleigh Public Relations Society at a banquet held June 24 at the Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh. S&A Cherokee’s entry, “SearStone Antique Event,” captured a Gold Award in the category of Special Event/Campaign in the More Bang for the Buck division and the Best in Division Award.

The Sir Walter Raleigh Awards competition is a showcase of exemplary work by public relations and communications professionals throughout North Carolina. The annual competition recognizes and honors practitioners who have achieved excellence in a variety of categories, as judged by an independent panel of out-of-state judges.

“There are many fine public relations agencies in this area,” said S&A Cherokee President Ron Smith. “To have our company win Gold and Best in Division awards speaks to the quality of the work being done by our staff.”

Utilizing press releases, community calendars and online forums, S&A Cherokee helped publicize a special promotional event for the distinctly different SearStone senior community in Cary. Modeled after the popular PBS program “Antiques Road Show,” the event at Prestonwood Country Club featured professional antiques appraisers evaluating items brought by invitees and the general public.

Within the confines of a modest budget, the event raised SearStone’s public profile, generated new leads in the desired senior demographic, and garnered mentions in 15 different media outlets.