Van Eperen Wins Two Awards at PRSA Maryland’s 2020 Awards Gala

12/21/20

PR and Marketing Agency Wins Top “Best in Maryland” Honors for Transportation Communications Client, E-ZPass Maryland

Van Eperen, an integrated communications agency specializing in public relations, marketing, and creative services, today announces it took home two awards at the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Maryland’s 2020 “Best in Maryland" (BIM) Awards Gala . Both awards were for marketing services with E-ZPass Maryland, the Maryland Transportation Authority’s (MDTA) tolling system.

Van Eperen’s “Best in Maryland” 2020 Awards were in the categories of Brochures (pamphlets, booklets, or other small publications designed to inform a target audience about an organization, product, service, or issue) and Creative Tactics (innovative, unconventional, creative tactics or approaches used as part of a public relations program). Both efforts were components of an integrated communications program to increase brand awareness, educate current and prospective customers about the time- and money-savings of having an E-ZPass Maryland account, and to further position E-ZPass Maryland as a customer service-driven leader to deliver on the state’s Customer Service Promise.

"We appreciate the recognition from our PR peers with these 2020 BIM Awards," said Laura Van Eperen, CEO and founder. "At Van Eperen, we build people-centric content that improves experiences and inspires action. And to do exactly that with these two award-winning projects for the Maryland Transportation Authority, makes me incredibly proud of our team."

The Brochure Award was for a print piece referred to informally as the “broulder.” Merging a folder and brochure, Van Eperen worked with MDTA to develop a unique, multi-use starter packet with all the information new E-ZPass Maryland account holders need. The creative component serves as an informational brochure and features two angled pockets to contain brochures, rack cards, and other items for customers to easily reference and keep together. Measuring five inches wide, and 11 inches tall, the size was designed to fit into customer vehicles’ glove boxes.

The Creative Tactic Award was received for the design and installation of a creative bus wrap for the E-ZPass Maryland’s 39-foot promotional bus which welcomes the public inside to speak with members of the E-ZPass Maryland Outreach Team and staff to ask questions, learn more, and purchase an E-ZPass “On the Go” transponder package.

This year’s BIM Awards judges were members of Indiana’s PRSA Hoosier Chapter who evaluated each entry based on planning/content, creativity/quality, technical excellence, and results. The competition is open to all public relations, communications, and marketing professionals who work in Maryland or who wish to enter projects completed in Maryland, or on behalf of a Maryland-based client. The BIM Awards is presented annually to professionals who, in the judgment of their peers, have successfully addressed a communications challenge with exemplary professional skill, creativity, and resourcefulness. PRSA Maryland models the BIM Awards after the PRSA Silver and Bronze Anvils.

About Van Eperen

Van Eperen is an award-winning, full-service communications agency serving clients in the public and private sectors and membership-based associations. Sectors served include health/science, transportation, real estate, education, and others. Founded in 2004, the Maryland-based firm is a certified minority business enterprise (MBE)/disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Delaware, North Carolina, Pennsylvania. The agency has offices in Rockville and Baltimore and blends PR, marketing, and creative strategies to drive meaningful results for clients. On the federal GSA AIMS schedule, Van Eperen is a woman-owned small business (WOSB), serving DoD and HHS agencies. Engage with Van Eperen on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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