2017 Faxies & Best Sellers Recap
It was a morning full of revelry at Cablefax’s Faxies and Best Seller Awards Friday, where four were inducted into the Sales Hall of Fame and several PR and marketing campaigns were feted for their creativity and results.
There were some laughs, such as when Big Ten Network’s Jordan Maleh quipped that he didn’t know how proud he should be to accept the Faxies for “Shoestring Marketing.” BTN partnered with OYO sports to contract stop motion artist Jared Jacobs to create nine adorable stop motion videos to re-create iconic football plays. The videos were a hit, generating over 28,000 interactions across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and bringing in over 800,000 views. BTN’s shoestring tip? OYO figures are much more affordable than Legos, said Maleh, BTN’s director of digital marketing and communications.
There were more serious notes as well, such as when Cable Hall of Fame inductee Mark Kang, INSP’s svp, worldwide distribution, called on the audience to make content with a conscience. “Your work influences directly what people, think and how they act,” he said to the crowd gathered at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.
Crown Media Family Networks svp, program publicity Pam Slay took home the PR Exec of the Year honor—and the skilled publicist made sure to mention in her acceptance speech her pride that Crown was in the running for PR Team of the Year and Marketing Team of the Year. PR Team of the Year ended up going to National Geographic, which has had a busy time promoting big events like “Mars” and “Before the Flood.” Nat Geo global communications evp Chris Albert talked about how the team views it as a privilege to work for the brand that’s focused on science, rattling off a Neil deGrasse Tyson quote: “The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it.”
Epix received the Marketing Team of the Year for work that included promotion of its first original scripted series, while Alexandra Shapiro of NBCU was named Marketer of the Year. Check out the full list of winners below.
Sandy Ashendorf
EVP, Content Distribution
EPIX
Mark Kang
Senior Vice President of Worldwide Distribution
INSP
Steve Mandala
EVP, Advertising Sales
Univision Communications Inc.
Roland Trombley
SVP & GM
Comcast Spotlight
Affiliate Salesperson of the Year (Below the VP Level)
Winner:
- Killian Beldy – Crown Media Family Networks
Affiliate Salesperson of the Year (VP and Above)
Winner:
- Joe Felber – NBCUniversal
Digital Sales Leader of the Year
Winner:
- Nick Johnson – Turner
Sales Team of the Year | National Sales
Winner:
- NBCUniversal
Salesperson of the Year (Below the VP Level) | National Sales
Winner:
- Ashley Easteadt – Crown Media Family Networks
Salesperson of the Year (Below the VP Level) | Regional Ad Sales
Winner:
- Erin Arend – Discovery Communications
Salesperson of the Year (VP and Above) | National Sales
Winner:
- Lisa Fischer – UP TV and ASPiRE
Acquisition and Upgrade Marketing
Winner:
- GALLEGOS United – XFINITY Interruptions
Finalists:
- Boingo Wireless – Boingo Broadband International Launch
- DigitasLBi – XFINITY X1 Voice Remote Engagement DM
- GALLEGOS United – XFINITY Beautifully Bilingual
Advertising Campaign for a Network
Winner:
- TLC – “I AM” Campaign
Finalists:
- truTV – “Funny because it’s tru” Campaign
- USA – “We The Bold” Campaign
Advertising Campaign for a Single Program
Winner:
- BET Networks – The New Edition Story, An Epic 3-night Miniseries Event
Finalists:
- Pop – Baywatch Teases
- TLC – Too Close to Home S1B
- Viewpoint Creative – A+E 60 Days In Season 2 Promo Campaign
Affiliate and Partnership Marketing
Winner:
- Turner Entertainment Networks – AT&T and CONAN Comic Con 2016
Finalists:
- A+E Network – Roots and 23andMe Partnership
- Big Ten Network – BTN Tailgate
- Discovery Communications – Discovery Channel 2016 Shark Week
- INSP – Comcast VIP Screening of Savannah Sunrise at Rossmoor
Brand Image and Positioning Campaign
Winner:
- Boingo Wireless – Boingo All In: I Love LA
Finalists:
- Burrell Communications – XFINITY: Unplug and Connect
- GCI – Alaska Born and Raised campaign
- Mediacom – “Spirit of Mediacom” TV
- The Weather Channel
Community Relations
Winner:
- Altice USA – Altice Connects
Finalists:
- Telemundo – El Poder En Ti
- Nickelodeon – Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack
- Cox Business – Get Started Tucson
Corporate Social Responsibility / Green Campaign
Winner:
- WE tv – 2016 Black History Month PSA Campaign
Finalists:
- Nickelodeon – Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack
- Sprout – Kindness Counts
- TLC – Give a Little
Integrated Marketing Campaign
Winners:
- NBCUniversal – 2016 Rio Olympic Games Resource Site
- Turner Entertainment Networks – iHeartRadio Music Awards presented by Capital One
Finalists:
- A+E Networks – USAA and HISTORY Pearl Harbor Anniversary
- Burrell Communications – XFINITY X1 Voice Remote: Speak Your Mind
- Investigation Discovery – The Vanishing Women
- National Geographic – MARS
- NBCUniversal – TV Everywhere “TV Always. All Ways.”
- Telemundo – El Poder En Ti’s #YoDecido PSA Campaign
Marketer of the Year, VP Level and Above
Winner:
- Alexandra Shapiro, USA/Syfy
Finalists:
- Joni Fernandez, Univision
- Jennifer Giddens, Sprout/NBCUniversal
- Jennifer Sarlin, TLC
Marketing Campaign
Winner:
- SundanceTV – “Project Five by Five” Presented by Visit Seattle
Finalists:
- BET Networks – BET Awards 2016
- Crown Media – Countdown to Christmas 2016
- Sprout – Sprout Talks Tech
- TLC – Too Close to Home S1B
- truTV – Impractical Jokers Ultimate Block Party at Comic Con
Marketing of a Continuing Series
Winners;
- Discovery Communications – Investigation Discovery’s A Crime to Remember: Activations You Won’t Forget
- USA Network, Universal Cable Productions & Here Be Dragons – Mr. Robot Virtual Reality Experience
Finalists:
- Big Ten Network – BTN Tailgate
- HBO – Game of Thrones Campaign
- Syfy – The Expanse: Enter The Future
- Syfy – The Expanse: Expanse Recat
- The Weather Channel
Marketing of a New Series or Show
Winners:
- HBO Multicultural Marketing – Insecure
- Sprout – Floogals
Finalists:
- BET Networks – The New Edition Story, An Epic 3-night Miniseries Event
- EPIX – Berlin Station
- History and A+E Studios – Roots
- National Geographic – MARS
- Ovation TV – Versailles Series Launch
- Pop – Nightcap Campaign
- USA Network & Ludomade – COLONYTV.COM
Marketing of a Special or Documentary/ Documentary Series
Winner:
- EPIX – America Divided
Finalists:
- CNN – Finding Jesus
- Investigation Discovery – The Vanishing Women
Marketing Team of the Year
Winner:
- EPIX
Finalists:
- Boingo Wireless
- Crown Media Family Networks
- Pop
- TLC
Media Event
Winner:
- Bravo – Below Deck Mediterranean Launch Party
Finalists:
- Crown Media – South Street Seaport Tree Lighting Event
- ESPN – 2016 ESPN Upfront Event
- Pop TV – Nightcap Premiere Event: Crosby Hotel
- Turner – FilmStruck Launch
Media Relations Campaign
Winner:
- Hallmark Channel – Countdown to Christmas
Finalists:
- Cox Business- Get Started Tucson
- ESPN – Jessica Mendoza Joins Sunday Night Baseball
- Hallmark Channel – Kitten Bowl
- National Geographic – Before the Flood
- National Geographic – MARS
- Oxygen Media – Strut Press Kit
Multicultural Marketing
Winner;
- Gravity Media – XFINITY ILD Campaign
Finalists:
- BET Networks – The Quad HBCU Campaign
- Burrell – The Next G.O.A.T. – Greatest of All Time
- ESPN – Cultural Positioning Presentation Kit
- HBO Multicultural Marketing – Mapplethorpe: Look At The Pictures
- International Media Distribution – 2016 Mediaset Italia/Verizon Special Offer Marketing
Nonprofit Partnerships
Winner:
- The Weather Channel
Finalists:
- Discovery Communications – Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl Cares Social Meme Generator
- GCI – Monthly Nonprofit Program
- National Geographic – Gender Revolution
- Oxygen Media – The Prancing Elites Project Season 2 | Prancify Your Profile To Promote Equality
- Ovation TV & The Ovation Foundation – Creative Economy innOVATION Grant Awards
- Telemundo – El Poder En Ti’s Historias de Heroes
- TLC – Give a Little Campaign
PR Executive of the Year, VP Level and Above
Winner:
- Pam Slay, Crown Media Family Networks
Finalists:
- Tom Caraccioli, Outdoor Sportsman Group
- Chris Delhomme, VH1 + LOGO/ VIACOM
- Liza Burnett-Fefferman, VH1 + LOGO/ VIACOM
- Alex Slater, Clyde Group
PR Stunt
Finalists:
- Bravo – Vanderpump Rules Pub Crawl
- National Geographic – MARS
- UP TV – McGhee Family Viral Photo Re-creation
PR Team of the Year
Winner:
- National Geographic
Finalists:
- Hallmark Channel – Countdown to Christmas: Network Program Publicity Team
- Showtime Networks
- USA and Syfy
- VH1 + LOGO
Press Kit
Winner:
- National Geographic – MARS
Finalists:
- Bravo – “Imposters” Season 1 Press Kit
- Golf Channel – “Summer of Golf”
- National Geographic – Killing Reagan
- Syfy – The Magicians, Season 2
Programming Stunt
Winner:
- UP TV – GilMORE The Merrier Binge-a-thon
Finalists:
- Investigation Discovery – Premiere New Year
- LOGO – Friendsgiving
- NBCUniversal – Sprout – Black History Month
- The Weather Channel – The Weather Channel – Programming Stunt
Public Affairs Campaign
Winner:
- A+E Networks – Critics’ Choice Awards #See Her Award
Finalist:
- Altice USA – Meet the Leaders
Shoestring Marketing
Winners:
- Big Ten Network – Big Ten Network’s Minifigures
Finalists:
- BET Networks – TRAP Karaoke Powered by BET Awards 2016
- Boingo Wireless – Boingo Broadband International Launch
- Pop – Nightcap Campaign
- UP TV – GilMORE The Merrier Binge-a-thon
Social Media During a Program
Winner:
- BET Networks – The New Edition Story
- Pop – Orwell Games
Finalists:
- National Geographic – Gender Revolution
- UP TV – GilMORE The Merrier Binge-a-thon
Social Media Marketing
Winners:
- Nickelodeon – Legends of the Hidden Temple Instadventure
Finalists:
- BET Networks – The New Edition Story
- Bravo – Odd Mom Out – Robo Acclaim Trailer Customizer
- Hallmark Channel – Countdown to Christmas 2016
- Hallmark Channel – Kitten Bowl IV
- Layer3 TV Acquires Majority of Customers Through Social Media Marketing!
- truTV – #truTVisAThing Brand Awareness campaign
Sweepstakes and Games Marketing
Winner:
- INSP – State Plate VIP Sweepstakes
Finalists:
- RCN – 2016 Customer Appreciation Sweepstakes
- USA Network & Ludomade – COLONYTV.COM
- USA Network – Mr. Robot Digital Easter Eggs
Tchotchke
Winner:
- Showtime Networks – Twin Peaks Log Pillow
Finalists:
- BET Networks – The Quad Lounge Premiums
- Bravo Media – Imposters Season 1 Mailer
- DigitasLBi – Comcast Business Quick Service Restaurant Dimensional Mailer
- HBO – Vice Principals Paddle
Trade Show Marketing/PR
Winner:
- INSP – INSP Brings Taylor Hicks to The Independent Show
Finalist:
- HBO – Hall of Faces
Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality Marketing
Winner:
- Crown Media – Six Flag’s Santa Wild Sleigh Ride
Finalists:
- American Heroes Channel – Blood & Fury: America’s Civil War
- Syfy – Incorporated: Incorporated VR
- The Weather Channel – “Window to Weather” Campaign
- Turner Entertainment Networks – AT&T and CONAN Comic Con 2016
- USA Network, Universal Cable Productions & Here Be Dragons – Mr. Robot Virtual Reality Experience