The Creative Company Wins Big, Six WisCOMsin PRSA Awards

The Creative Company, a leading PR and digital agency, swept the 2025 PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) Madison and Northeast Wisconsin Chapter’s WisComsin Awards Ceremony on Tuesday afternoon, earning six accolades, including one Award of Excellence and five Awards of Distinction.

Each award-winning campaign represents a unique story and sector, highlighting the diversity of our clients and the breadth of categories in which we excel. From education and community initiatives to corporate milestones and public service campaigns, our work spanned a range of industries and communication disciplines. The awards covered categories ranging from Public Affairs & Community Education to Multimedia Tactics, reflecting both the breadth of our expertise and the depth of our commitment to impactful storytelling.
 

Award-Winning Campaign Highlights

• “Finish Your FAFSA” – Award of Excellence, Public Affairs & Community Education. This statewide initiative encouraged students to complete their federal financial aid applications. Working alongside education and community partners, our campaign raised awareness and helped more students access the resources they need for college. 
   
• Gorman & Company 40th Anniversary Campaign – Award of Distinction, Events & Observances. A commemorative campaign celebrating Gorman & Company’s 40 years in business, this project honored the company’s legacy in community development. We helped turn a corporate milestone into an engaging story of growth, gratitude, and community impact.
   
• Impact Christian Schools’ Response to Abundant Life Christian School Shooting – Award of Distinction, Crisis Communication. In the wake of a tragic school shooting, we worked with Impact Christian Schools to communicate with compassion, clarity, and care. This crisis response effort kept the community informed and united, demonstrating the power of thoughtful communication during difficult times.
   
• Ascendium Education Group and Black Men Coalition of Dane County eCornell Certificate Program – Award of Distinction, PR/Media Relations Tools. A collaborative educational initiative, this campaign highlighted a partnership offering an Ivy League credential program to local Black men. By sharing success stories and engaging with the media, we helped Ascendium and the Black Men Coalition showcase how strategic partnerships can create opportunities and inspire change.
   
• Madison Police Department HR Creative Campaign – Award of Distinction, Multimedia Tactics. An innovative recruitment and HR campaign for the Madison Police Department, this project used engaging multimedia storytelling to connect with potential recruits. The Creative Company crafted videos and digital content that reflected the department’s values, diversity, and commitment to community service, helping to humanize the badge and attract qualified candidates.
   
• “Home Again – A Restoration Story” for Mathetria Press – Award of Distinction, Multimedia Tactics. A heartfelt multimedia storytelling project produced for Mathetria Press, “Home Again” tells a powerful journey of restoration and hope. Through creative video, narrative, and design, we brought this story to life in a way that resonated with audiences, underscoring the impact of hope, faith, and community support.

Each of these awards is a testament to our team’s excellence in community-driven storytelling, strategic communication, and meaningful impact. We are incredibly proud of our team members, whose passion and creativity made these recognitions possible. Being honored by PRSA – our industry’s leading professional organization – reinforces the value of the thoughtful strategies and heartfelt stories we strive to deliver every day. 

Thank you to our clients for entrusting us with your stories and missions. These awards are as much yours as they are ours. We also congratulate our entire Creative Company team for their hard work and dedication. Together, we will continue to create strategic, impactful campaigns that inform, inspire, and make a positive difference in our communities.

About PRSA: Chartered in 1947, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the world’s largest and foremost organization of public relations professionals. PRSA provides professional development, sets standards of excellence, and upholds principles of ethics for its members and, more broadly, the multi-billion-dollar global public relations profession. We also advocate for greater understanding and adoption of public relations services and act as one of the industry’s leading voices on our time’s important business and professional issues.

About Creative Company: When companies are building, growing, or changing, they hire The Creative Company to tell their story. The Creative Company is a leading PR and Digital Agency representing nonprofits, businesses, and cooperatives, helping them evolve, promote, and protect their brands and reputations. The Creative Company is certified as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise by the State of Wisconsin and is the 2022 Dane County Small Business of the Year Winner. Representing leading brands and creating purposeful work for 35 years. Learn more.

Iconica Wins Three IIDA Wisconsin 2025 Celebrate in Design Awards

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Wisconsin Chapter has recognized three recent Iconica projects in the 2025 Celebrate in Design Awards. These awards honor exceptional interior design that blends creativity, function, and innovation. We’re proud to see our work included among this year’s standout projects.

The award-winning designs include Hickory Hill Academy, Madison School & Community Recreation – West, and our very own Iconica Office. Each space reflects our commitment to thoughtful, purpose-driven design—and, in the case of our office, the seamless integration of architecture, construction, and engineering through our design-build model.

We’re honored by this recognition from the IIDA Wisconsin Chapter and deeply grateful to the clients and partners who trusted us to help bring their visions to life. Each award represents a shared commitment to collaboration, problem-solving, and the power of well-designed environments to enhance everyday life. You can explore each of the projects in more detail on our blog.

Gov. Evers Honors the 2024 Governor’s Financial Literacy Award Recipients

Awards Recognize Individuals & Organizations including the Bank of Sun Prairie for Elevating the Financial Literacy, Capability, and Financial Inclusion of Wisconsin’s Residents

MADISON, Wis. – Today Gov. Tony Evers honored 11 individuals and eight organizations as recipients of the 2024 Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards in a ceremony at the Wisconsin State Capitol. The recipients were honored for their efforts in helping Wisconsinites build their financial literacy and capability skills.

“Financial education gives people the tools they need to achieve their goals, expand new opportunities, and help attain financial security for themselves and their families,” said Gov. Evers. “These dedicated individuals and organizations are doing important work to help Wisconsinites become more financially secure and prepare for their futures, which is a critical part of strengthening the financial well-being of our entire state. I thank these dedicated individuals and organizations for all they have done to help advance financial wellness in Wisconsin, and I congratulate them for receiving this prestigious award.”

The 2024 Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards honored recipients in one of three categories, individual, organization, or legacy, for providing exceptional financial literacy and capability education in an inclusive and innovative manner. The legacy award is given to an organization, business, or individual whose purpose and heritage is ingrained in sustained financial literacy and capability efforts. This lifetime recognition is intended to be conferred only once to recipients.

The recipients of the 2024 Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards are:

Individual Category:

• Lily Alvarado, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, Milwaukee
• Kerri Herrild, De Pere High School, De Pere
• Ana Melo, Old National Bank, West Allis
• Kristen Ruhl, SecureFutures, Milwaukee
• Matthew Vandre, Francis LLC, Brookfield
• Todd Williams, Plymouth High School, Plymouth
• Jessica Zarnke, School District of Loyal, Marshfield

Organization Category:

• Bank of Sun Prairie, Sun Prairie
• Blackhawk Community Credit Union, Janesville
• Capital Credit Union, Green Bay
• College Goal Wisconsin, Madison
• Delavan-Darien High School and the Delavan-Darien Technical School, Delavan
• Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, Madison
• Francis LLC, Brookfield
• Simplicity Credit Union, Marshfield

Legacy Category:

• Scott Christy, Green Bay East High (retired), Green Bay
• Janeen Dietsche, Marshfield High School (retired), Marshfield
• Victor Frasher, Educators Credit Union, Mt. Pleasant
• Kelli Send, Francis LLC, Brookfield

The recipients were selected by the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability from the nominations submitted for consideration. Criteria used to judge nominations included: innovative implementation of an effective financial literacy and capability program or program element within the last two years; emphasis on financial inclusion, demonstrated measurable results; collaboration with partners; and scalability of the program design. Visit the Council’s webpage to read a synopsis of the recipients’ efforts.

The Council serves as a continuous sounding board for the Office of the Governor, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), and the DFI’s Office of Financial Literacy. The Council provides guidance and strategies to measurably improve the financial literacy, capability, and financial inclusion of Wisconsin’s residents. To learn more about the Council, visit the Council’s webpage or contact Council Executive Director David Mancl by phone at (608) 572-5794 or by email at David.Mancl@dfi.wisconsin.gov.

Spherion Staffing and Recruiting in Madison Presented With Service Excellence Award

Local Staffing and Recruiting Company Recognized with Prestigious National Honor

MADISON, Wis. – Spherion Staffing and Recruiting (Spherion) South Central Wisconsin and Northern Illinois announced today that President and Franchise Owner Austin Kassner was presented with the Service Excellence Award during the company’s annual National Meeting.

Given to the office that consistently delivers exceptional service to its partners, Kassner’s commitment to continual improvement earned both of his offices praise with a quality assurance score of 93.5% and an average Google rating of nearly five stars. Kassner was also recently recognized for his community impact by In Business Madison as part of the publication’s “Forty Under 40 Class of 2025” and as a “Millennial Franchise Rockstar” by Franchise Business Review in 2024. His dedication to the community shines through in partnerships with organizations such as The River Food Pantry, Second Harvest Food Bank and Rockford Promise.

“Building strong teams and creating opportunities is what we do—but it’s the relationships we build that truly make the difference,” said Kassner. “We continue to challenge ourselves to be better, to show up for our partners in ways that matter. This award is a reflection of our team’s drive, passion, and commitment to the communities we call home.”

The 2025 Spherion National Meeting was held at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, from February 27 to March 1. This annual event gives franchisees a chance to build connections with peers and corporate team members while attending educational workshops. During this gathering, Spherion partnered with San Antonio-based non-profit Soldiers’ Angels, making 45 no-sew blankets for active military members, veterans and their families. This effort further emphasizes Spherion’s commitment to making a positive impact in every community it serves.

“Reflecting on 2024, I am incredibly grateful for the passion and dedication of our Spherion community,” said Kathy George, President of Spherion. “Gathering in San Antonio reinforced just how much our franchisees shape careers, support businesses, and uplift their communities in lasting ways. Austin and the South Central Wisconsin and Northern Illinois teams are a shining example of what makes Spherion exceptional—leading with integrity, fostering strong partnerships with candidates and clients, and setting the standard for excellence in our franchise community. Their unwavering commitment to creating opportunities and driving meaningful change makes a lasting impact, not just within Spherion but in the communities they serve. We are honored to celebrate their achievements and the difference they make every day.”

Spherion brandishes the power of local through a network of independent and empowered franchisees like Kassner. Each Spherion franchisee enriches their community through connecting and facilitating employment opportunities—and when they’re successful together, their investments flow back into the neighborhoods where they live and work. The power of Spherion is in its local roots.

To learn more about Spherion Madison, visit www.spherion.com/madison.

Iconica Named a 2025 Top Workplace for the Fourth Consecutive Year

Iconica is honored to announce its fourth consecutive recognition as a 2025 Top Workplace by the Wisconsin State Journal. This award is based on employee feedback gathered through a confidential survey conducted by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The survey evaluates key aspects of workplace culture, including employees feeling respected & supported, enabled to grow, and empowered to execute.

A Workplace Culture That Drives Success
Receiving this award for four years in a row is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our incredible team. We believe that a strong workplace culture drives success for our employees and the clients and communities we serve.

“It makes it easier to come into work knowing that they care about me, they care about my health, they care about my work-life balance. So, I want to give back to them and make sure that the company really succeeds.” — Rose, Architectural Designer at Iconica

As a full-service design-build firm, Iconica integrates architecture, engineering, and construction professionals under one roof. With a team of over 60 talented individuals, each person plays a crucial role in shaping our identity and fostering a collaborative, innovative environment.

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into valuable business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 19 years of culture research and insights from 27 million employees across over 70,000 organizations, Energage provides the most accurate competitive benchmark. Their survey measures workplace culture, focusing on employee engagement, satisfaction, and overall experience.

We remain committed to empowering our employees, providing opportunities for growth, and maintaining a workplace where everyone feels valued. Thank you to our amazing team for making Iconica a great place to work — One Revolution At a Time.