FORT WORTH -- (October 12, 2011) – The T (Fort Worth Transportation Authority) has won two national AdWheel “Grand Awards” and five “First Place” awards from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) for marketing campaigns developed in partnership with its agency of record, Fort Worth-based ad/PR firm, Concussion. APTA’s AdWheel Awards, which included more than 600 entries, annually recognizes public transportation systems and business members for excellence in advertising, communications, marketing, and promotion.
In the group category of “Public Transportations Systems with 4-20 Million Annual Passenger Trips,” The T won the “Special Event” Grand Award for its “Expressions That Move You” art contest and public relations/awareness campaign, which encouraged Fort Worth Independent School District students to develop a piece of art that expressed what The T meant to them personally. The top 10 winners’ artwork was displayed on the side of The T buses throughout the summer of 2011.
The T also won the “Print” Grand Award for its "The Name Event" advertisement/awareness campaign, which called for local residents to submit their ideas online to name The T’s new commuter rail corridor Tarrant County, now called TEX Rail. Sundance Square awarded finalists $25 gift cards redeemable at its venues and American Airlines donated two round-trip tickets to the winner in a finalists’ drawing.
In addition to the two Grand Awards, The T received five “First Place” awards, including the “Poster” Award and “Promotional Campaign” Award for its "Transport Yourself” Trinity Railway Express campaign, the “Digital Advertisement” Award for its "Stop Talking Out of Your Tailpipe” expandable banner advertisement to promote clean air, the “Public Relations/Awareness & Educational Special Event” Award for the “Expressions That Move You” campaign, and the “Advertisement – Advocacy/Awareness” Award for “The Name Event” campaign
Grand Award winners were chosen from first place winners in each group category.