CHARLESTON, S.C. - In only one month’s time, Rawle Murdy took home six major awards for its outstanding work in marketing, advertising and public relations. The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International and several other acclaimed trade organizations recognized Rawle Murdy for strategic communication campaigns created for five of South Carolina’s most iconic brands.

Rawle Murdy was recognized with three Adrian Awards from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International for its work with Wild Dunes Resort and Charleston Place Hotel. Two were “Silver” awards for an integrated campaign, “Stay More, Save More,” which promoted value with longer stays at Wild Dunes during a down economy, and Charleston Place Hotel’s Summer Leisure Campaign, which used personalized direct mail to drive bookings. Rawle Murdy also won a “Gold” in Public Relations Crisis Management for its proactive Wild Dunes Resort’s beach renourishment efforts that utilized social media in addition to traditional PR and marketing to keep bookings strong.

“We were so pleased to have the opportunity to nominate Rawle Murdy for one of our industry’s most prestigious awards,” said Andressa Chapman, director of marketing communication at Wild Dunes Resort. “They have been a true partner to us and we knew that our peers would recognize the stellar work we’ve done together.”

In November, the Charleston American Marketing Association presented Rawle Murdy with two Spark Awards for exceptional marketing campaigns. Rawle Murdy’s campaign to rebrand the Charleston Animal Society and launch the nonprofit’s new state-of-the-art center not only won a “Torch” award, it also received the highest score of any contest entry submitted in 2008. Rawle Murdy also won a “Fuse” award, which recognizes a campaign that takes a seemingly one-dimensional issue and builds buzz, for the agency’s “Pledge for Growth” initiative created with the South Carolina State Port Authority to promote responsible growth in and around Charleston.

Finally, Rawle Murdy’s “Say It With Beef” Valentine’s Day campaign for Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co. was awarded the People’s Choice Award for a Retail Television or Radio Advertisement by the attendees at the Certified Angus Beef annual conference in September 2008. The innovative campaign, created to introduce a new offering at the grocery store chain, even earned a mention on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” earlier this year.

“We are grateful to be honored with these recognitions, especially in light of being named a finalist in The Wall Street Journal’sTop Small Workplaces for 2008,” said Bruce Murdy, president of Rawle Murdy. “All six of these awards reinforce our focus on delivering thoughtful, strategic work for our clients.”

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Due to the steadily growing need for smart interactive counsel and integrated marketing solutions, Lou Fabian has joined Rawle Murdy as interactive project manager. From managing web design projects to overseeing and analyzing online and rich media, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and advertising campaigns, Fabian will be responsible for managing all client interactive projects.

Before joining Rawle Murdy’s interactive team, Fabian worked as a senior account executive at imc², a full-service independent interactive agency located just outside Philadelphia, Pa. He also honed his skills in the growing fields of e-commerce solutions, SEM and online advertising by working with large retailers like Footlocker, Timberland, GNC (General Nutrition Center) and Linens N’ Things while at the leading interactive firms of GSI Commerce and Unreal Marketing Solutions.

“Lou’s strong background in digital planning and strategic interactive counsel will only further strengthen our interactive team,” said Rawle Murdy President Bruce Murdy. “We’re excited to have him on board.”

Fabian built his career in the burgeoning field of interactive marketing after earning a bachelor’s of Science and Business Administration from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania in 2002.

Rawle Murdy Gets Creative to Raise Money for Alzheimer’s Association

Rather than just asking Rawle Murdy’s 60+ staffers to donate money for the Alzheimer Memory Walk in late October, the agency’s media department got creative–they set a goal of raising $500 and coordinated internal bake sales, raffles, and offered a “Wear Jeans Day” for $5. Not surprisingly, the brownies disappeared and donations rolled in. In fact, the team raised nearly $750, well exceeding their goal. And they capped off the effort by literally walking the Walk.

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Mark Updegrove—former vice president at Yahoo! Canada and MTV Networks executive—has joined Rawle Murdy as Director of Business Development. Updegrove will be responsible for leading new business development efforts for the firm.

Updegrove brings Rawle Murdy two decades of leadership experience working with some of the world’s most iconic brands—from Time Magazine to MTV Networks to Yahoo!

Updegrove was vice president of sales and operations at Yahoo! Canada helping them expand their reach as the world’s second largest search engine. He launched Nickelodeon’s custom publishing division and helped build MTV Magazine for MTV Networks after serving as publisher for Newsweek in New York. Updegrove also spent eleven years with Time in Los Angeles, New York and Toronto, where he served as president of Time Canada.

“Mark’s relevant experience working with some of the top worldwide brands will certainly be an asset to Rawle Murdy,” said Rawle Murdy President Bruce Murdy. “We are thrilled and fully confident he will bring great value to the ongoing success and growth of our firm.”

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CHARLESTON, S.C. – Rawle Murdy has added two communications professionals to its growing staff: Anne Polito as a public relations account executive and Dana Kauck as executive assistant and new business coordinator.

Originally from New York, Polito served as senior account manager at Kaleidoscope Youth Marketing in Mount Pleasant, S.C. and assistant account executive at Ketchum Public Relations in New York City. Polito has worked with such powerhouse brands as Johnson & Johnson, Listerine, Cingular and Frito-Lay and specializes in strategic and program management as well as post program resulting and research. Polito earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Syracuse University and will be responsible for developing and managing results-driven public relations solutions for clients.

As part of the College of Charleston’s most recent graduating class, Kauck earned a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communication and completed two consecutive internships at Rawle Murdy before joining the team permanently. In addition to her past experience at Rawle Murdy Associates, this Cincinnati native has worked with restaurant and hospitality public relations firm Wagstaff Worldwide.