Recognizing Marketing’s Finest
Here we present all of this year’s winning submissions, highlighting a different category each week.
INTEGRATED PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN /
Atlantic Coast Electric Supply (ACES)
Now Introducing ErNesT
ACES recognized that while widely used, electrical nonmetallic tubing (ENT) is rarely differentiated in a way that captures contractor attention or drives sales at the counter.
With this in mind, the marketing team, in partnership with Kraloy and Bill Wade & Associates, identified an opportunity to reposition ENT from a commodity product into a solution-driven system with clear installation and performance advantages.
To break through industry noise, the campaign introduced a bold new creative concept: the “Meet ErNesT” interactive display—a character-driven representation of the Kraloy ENT system. This creative branding, combined with internal sales training, physical product interaction, counter day events, and multichannel promotion, turned a technical product into an engaging experience.
“This standout campaign unites creative storytelling, hands-on engagement, and multichannel support into a single, solution-driven narrative,” said the judges.
Schaedler Yesco Distribution
Industrial Automation Modernization
As many industrial facilities still have outdated elements running critical equipment, the Schaedler Yesco Industrial Automation Team encourages customers to assess their equipment so they understand the product life cycle and obsolescence before a critical failure occurs.
The SLC500 campaign was the second of two campaigns in 2025 to encourage modernization for facility reliability.
Using an installation video, a web landing page, social media, employee email signature ads, email blasts, SYD TV, and a webinar, the campaign informed customers with the SLC 500 platform of the serious risks faced, converted customers to new technology, and encouraged them to look for additional opportunities to modernize obsolete equipment—with the largest lead generated directly related to the training video demonstrating the ease of the modernization process.
The judges called the campaign a “well-executed, customer-centric effort that delivers clear value through a unified message across both digital and print media.”
Lonestar Electric Supply
Nashville Marketing Blitz
In spring 2025, Lonestar Electric Supply expanded into Tennessee with the opening of its Nashville branch.
To quickly build awareness and establish credibility, Lonestar launched a coordinated six-month campaign called the “Nashville Marketing Blitz.”
The campaign, which used a coordinated mix of digital, physical, and in-person touchpoints, focused on 644 licensed electrical contractors within a roughly 30-mile radius of the Nashville branch and was built around a simple message: “Win More Projects with Lonestar.”
Messaging highlighted the operational advantages Lonestar brings to contractors and reinforced Lonestar’s brand promise—“We Make It Happen”—while introducing regional messaging such as “Electrifying Tennessee Together.”
The branch’s grand opening event drew more than 200 electrical contractors and 30-plus vendor partners, helping establish immediate relationships within the local industry.
“This well-coordinated, highly focused ‘blitz’ not only accomplished what it set out to do—get the word out about the new location—but also did so in a way that cemented Lonestar’s brand promise and built credibility,” said the judges.
Intermatic
Holiday Plug-in Solutions
Because plug-in timer solutions are a staple of the winter season, the Intermatic team sought to evolve past campaigns and create a multipronged integrated message that would both be a practical sales resource and engage contractors and end-users with relatable digital/social content.
The resulting campaign consisted of a series of product-focused deliverables, including a distributororiented sell sheet, related article content, and targeted email blasts.
Along with this, they created an engaging consumer-focused video that alluded to the classic Home Alone holiday movie franchise, along with mobile-friendly product highlight videos.
“Integrated marketing that moves smoothly from distributor sales to end-user delight, this delivered a unified, customer-centric story that’s hard to beat,” said the judges.
Acuity
Wireless SensorSwitch AIR
Acuity’s “SensorSwitch AIR” campaign addressed contractor fatigue around “new” control technologies by simplifying the value proposition and driving pull-through demand at distribution.
The strategy for the campaign followed a multiphase approach: The first phase focused on building curiosity through a teaser campaign, while the second transitioned into the official launch.
Messaging remained consistent across all channels, and each touchpoint reinforced three core pillars: simplicity through quick and easy installation, reliability through trusted performance, and flexibility through scalable wireless solutions.
The judges applauded how this campaign “delivered a seamless, customer-centric integration of digital, distributor, and agent touchpoints that turns curiosity into measurable sales momentum.”
WEBSITE – Honorable Mention
DSG
Milwaukee Tool Online Flash Sale
Summit Electric Supply
Connecting Every Step of the Journey
Keystone Technologies
Exit the Ordinary
Robroy Industries
ETL Aluminum
nVent
Lead with Liquid Cooling
Schneider Electric
What You Need, When You Need It
Tagged with awards, Best of the Best, marketing