Drive Take Home Prestigious Marketing Award
Organization named recipient of NSF Overall Award of Excellence for 2nd straight year
The Greenville Drive faced off against major league opponents and won . . . again. For the second consecutive year, Greenville's Single A baseball teamwon the National Sports Forum ADchievement Awards' "Overall Award of Excellence." The Drive also took home awards for individual aspects of their campaign in the Radio and Out of Home categories.
Created in partnership with the Drive's agency of record, Erwin-Penland, the Overall Award of Excellence winning campaign positioned Fluor Field as a place where family and friends can escape the daily grind. Aspects of the winning campaign included the Outta Left Field comics, radio commercials, city trolleys and billboards that reminded fans that "a family that heckles together stays together." All done in typical Drive fashion - with a sense of humor and irreverence.
While the NSF Adchievement Awards are open to organizations at every level of sports, the Drive is the only minor league team in any sport to win the Overall Award of Excellence. The Drive, South Atlantic League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, join the Oakland A's (2004 and 2005) as the only back-to-back winner of the award. This year's second, third, fourth, and fifth place winners were Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the New York Red Bulls, the Orlando Magic and the San Jose Earthquakes, respectively.
"Winning the Overall Award of Excellenceand awards for radio and out of home, especially considering the organizations we competed against, are extraordinary honors," said Mike deMaine, general manager of the Greenville Drive. "We're proud of these recognitions and indebted to our long-term partner, Erwin-Penland, for all their efforts in helping to develop and promote the Drive brand."
While the Overall Award of Excellence winner was chosen by an independent group of advertising experts, winners in the individual categories were selected by attendees of the 2011 National Sports Forum in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31 toFeb. 2.
The radio award recognized the "Kids Can Be Kids" campaign, which portrayed Fluor Field as a place to break the rules and have a good time. The out of home campaign spoke to the overall value and fun that Drive games provide to the whole family.
"We are excited to be recognized by the NSF for the work we have done on behalf of the Greenville Drive," said Joe Erwin, president of Erwin-Penland. "As a Greenville-based agency, it is a great thrill to help another member of our community achieve a national honor like this."
Previous Overall Award winners include the Oakland A's (2004 and 2005), San Francisco 49ers (2006 and 2008), Minnesota Twins (2007) and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (2009).
About the Greenville Drive
The Greenville Drive is a South Atlantic League affiliate of the 2004 and 2007 World Champion Boston Red Sox; the team plays 70 home games a year from April to September in award-winning Fluor Field at the West End, located in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. Alumni of the Drive include pitchers Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, both of whom have thrown no-hitters at the Major League level.
About Erwin-Penland
Based in Greenville, S.C., Erwin-Penland (www.erwinpenland.com) is a full-service marketing firm that provides advertising, event marketing, interactive, public relations and strategic planning services to clients including: Verizon Wireless, Denny's, Lockheed Martin, BI-LO Supermarkets and Advance America. The 250-person firm is part of Boston-based Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos Inc., one of the nation's largest ad agencies and a member of The Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG).
Created in partnership with the Drive's agency of record, Erwin-Penland, the Overall Award of Excellence winning campaign positioned Fluor Field as a place where family and friends can escape the daily grind. Aspects of the winning campaign included the Outta Left Field comics, radio commercials, city trolleys and billboards that reminded fans that "a family that heckles together stays together." All done in typical Drive fashion - with a sense of humor and irreverence.
While the NSF Adchievement Awards are open to organizations at every level of sports, the Drive is the only minor league team in any sport to win the Overall Award of Excellence. The Drive, South Atlantic League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, join the Oakland A's (2004 and 2005) as the only back-to-back winner of the award. This year's second, third, fourth, and fifth place winners were Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the New York Red Bulls, the Orlando Magic and the San Jose Earthquakes, respectively.
"Winning the Overall Award of Excellenceand awards for radio and out of home, especially considering the organizations we competed against, are extraordinary honors," said Mike deMaine, general manager of the Greenville Drive. "We're proud of these recognitions and indebted to our long-term partner, Erwin-Penland, for all their efforts in helping to develop and promote the Drive brand."
While the Overall Award of Excellence winner was chosen by an independent group of advertising experts, winners in the individual categories were selected by attendees of the 2011 National Sports Forum in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31 toFeb. 2.
The radio award recognized the "Kids Can Be Kids" campaign, which portrayed Fluor Field as a place to break the rules and have a good time. The out of home campaign spoke to the overall value and fun that Drive games provide to the whole family.
"We are excited to be recognized by the NSF for the work we have done on behalf of the Greenville Drive," said Joe Erwin, president of Erwin-Penland. "As a Greenville-based agency, it is a great thrill to help another member of our community achieve a national honor like this."
Previous Overall Award winners include the Oakland A's (2004 and 2005), San Francisco 49ers (2006 and 2008), Minnesota Twins (2007) and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (2009).
About the Greenville Drive
The Greenville Drive is a South Atlantic League affiliate of the 2004 and 2007 World Champion Boston Red Sox; the team plays 70 home games a year from April to September in award-winning Fluor Field at the West End, located in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. Alumni of the Drive include pitchers Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, both of whom have thrown no-hitters at the Major League level.
About Erwin-Penland
Based in Greenville, S.C., Erwin-Penland (www.erwinpenland.com) is a full-service marketing firm that provides advertising, event marketing, interactive, public relations and strategic planning services to clients including: Verizon Wireless, Denny's, Lockheed Martin, BI-LO Supermarkets and Advance America. The 250-person firm is part of Boston-based Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos Inc., one of the nation's largest ad agencies and a member of The Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG).