Whizbang won four Communicator Awards for their creative excellence in print and interactive media in a competition that receives over 9,000 awards internationally.  The 16th Annual Communicator Awards received entries from agencies of all sizes from around the world, making it the largest awards of its kind.

Whizbang won the gold Award of Excellence for their Professional Mixer Flyer in the marketing and promotional flyer category, as well as an award for their work on Rosie’s Workwear online advertising and marketing through social media.  They also won two silver awards for their work with Solarponics and ewoodart.com.  The Award of Excellence, the highest honor, is given to entries “whose ability to communicate puts them among the best in the field.”

“We have won many awards for Rosie’s Workwear, but this is the only one that awards for not just the piece, but also the approach.  It is the whole enchilada,” said Ellen Curtis, co-owner and Creative Commander of Whizbang.

The Communicator Awards is judged by the International Academy of Visual Arts, which is made up of “top-tier” professionals from media, advertising, communications, marketing and design firms. Entries are judged on their merits based on the 15 year history of the Communicator Awards and placed on a ten point scale.  Judges include executives from Disney, HBO, Monster.com, Polo Ralph Lauren, MTV and the Ellen Degeneres Show.

“Winning this award shows that we are delivering what we promised to our clients.  The increase in their business is the real result, but this proves that the most creative ads are the most successful.  It is creativity with results,” said Frank Scotti, co-owner and Chief Idea Officer.

Rosie’s Workwear website, Facebook, Twitter and blog won gold

Professional Networking Business Mixer flyer won gold

Solarponics print ad won silver

ewoodart.com ad won silver

by Frank Scotti, Chief Idea Officer

Have you heard? Paso Robles is “Authentic California.” Not sure exactly what this means. Is Paso home to a large Hispanic population from the days of the Mexican land grant, Rancho Paso de Robles? Maybe Paso is a place to learn all about the authentic Salinas Indians, the historical inhabitants of the area. No. Is it the current downtown shopping culture? Doubt it. Is there something in Paso that makes it authentic, as opposed to San Miguel? There is a lot that is not authentic. Technically, white people aren’t “Authentic California.” Neither are grape vines, trains, paved roads and water parks. I wonder what “authentic” means. I think it might be the charm of a small, friendly community.

Just when I thought I had a vague understanding of “Authentic California,”  San Luis Obispo claims to be “Pure California.” Don’t pure and authentic mean the same thing? Why, yes they do. They are synonyms. But no one will disagree that Paso and SLO are very different towns. Also, isn’t there a lot about SLO that is not “Pure California?” Crate & Barrel is Pure Chicago. Banana Republic is Pure Grover City. Home Depot is Pure Atlanta. I know, I know. I’m missing the point. This is a tag line, meant to differentiate SLO from other destinations. Pure refers to the mission, our proximity to the coast and healthy living. Hmmm, but then that also includes Monterey, San Jose, Santa Barbara, San Rafael, Santa Clara, San Francisco. Santa Cruz, and every other mission town. Maybe I’m not missing the point. Maybe the tag line is lazy, vague and simply falls short of its purpose.

But wait, that’s not all! Read more and you’ll discover that Arroyo Grande’s new tag line is “Vintage California.” I’m pretty sure the city meant this to mean representing the high quality of a past time, and not old-fashioned or obsolete. Mmmm. Wait. Maybe they mean vintage, as in the harvesting of a grape crop. But doesn’t Paso and SLO both claim to be the region’s wine center?

I had a little fun and created tag lines for most of the county’s other towns, so they don’t feel left out. Templeton is now “Genuine California” (it actually comes closest to being true). Atascadero, “Irrefutable California.” Pismo Beach, “Initial California.” Santa Margarita, “Veritable California.” Shell Beach, “Accurate California.” Morro Bay, “Legit California.” Oceano, “Bona Fide California.” Nipomo, “Factual California.” Cayucos, “Honest California.” Los Osos, “Valid California.” Avila Beach, “Credible California.” If I left out your city, e-mail and I will get you your very own “Undeniable California” tagline.