Behan Communications Inc., which has an office in Glens Falls, received the Silver Anvil Award, the highest honor in the public relations industry in the United States.
The firm was among dozens receiving awards at a Public Relations Society of America ceremony in New York City in June.
Behan won the Silver Anvil in the Public Affairs-Business category.
John Brodt, vice president and partner in the firm, accepted the award for its “Vote Yes for the Adirondacks” project, a 2013 statewide ballot campaign he directed to persuade New York voters to approve Proposition 5, a swap of 1,500 acres of private land for 200 acres of Forest Preserve land in the Adirondack Park.
The land exchange protected 100 rural jobs at Behan client NYCO Minerals Inc., an Adirondack mining company, and expanded the Adirondack Forest Preserve with lands rich in fishing and hiking opportunities.
The Behan firm organized a statewide, bipartisan coalition of business, labor, environmental and local government groups; mounted a television, radio and online advertising campaign in the New York metropolitan area. It also secured 16 newspaper editorial endorsements. On Election Day, Proposition 5 won in 53 New York counties and by a margin of more than 130,000 votes.
Brodt joined Behan Communications in 1990 after working as a newspaper journalist. He handles media, community, employee and government relations for corporate clients, including health care providers, manufacturers and financial institutions.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Utica College of Syracuse University and an associate’s degree in liberal arts from SUNY Adirondack.
He is a member of the boards of directors of Amanda’s House, Inc., and the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Brodt led a team of professionals working on the campaign including Troy Burns, Bill Richmond, Tara Morgan, Dannica Campbell, Marilyn Reisch, Jon Cohen and Mark Behan. Behan Communications specializes in public affairs, strategic and crisis communications, and serves clients across New York and the Northeast. The firm has major practices in the environmental, energy, manufacturing, financial services, innovation, health care and non-profit sectors.
Photo Courtesy Behan Communications