Brownstein Receives Honorable Mention in 2020 PRNEWS Platinum PR Awards for Media Relations Role in Fashion District Philadelphia Opening


October 29, 2020 — Philadelphia, PA. Brownstein’s public relations work for Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) and the 2019 opening of Fashion District Philadelphia has earned the agency an honorable mention in the Media Relations category of the 2020 PRNews Platinum PR Awards. As the leading American publication covering public relations news, PRNEWS hosts the awards annually to celebrate the best communications programs, teams, and achievements across the world.

“Great marketing is made even greater through media relations, because PR is the dollar multiplier that amplifies and contextualizes all other costly tactics to create true momentum,” said Laura Emanuel, VP and Director of Public Relations at Brownstein. “Our agency’s roots in Philly go back 56 years, so playing an important role in making Philadelphia retail history with our established client PREIT is a milestone moment for our team and our city.”

PREIT and its partner Macerich sought a partner who would embrace the task of challenging perceptions of brick and mortar retail and generating positive buzz ahead of the widely anticipated opening of their 1.2-million-square-foot retail center — an urban mall and Philadelphia’s newest retail project, Fashion District Philadelphia. Recognizing its understanding of the local media market and its proven record of results-driven public relations, PREIT turned to its long-standing PR agency, Brownstein, to take on the job.

The agency’s media relations strategy maximized opportunities for media coverage, timing news stories to generate buzz about the opening weekend and well beyond it. In the 10 days around the opening of Fashion District Philadelphia, Brownstein’s campaign resulted in 132 media placements totaling 14.2 million impressions. Throughout 2019, more than 320 media placements were published, garnering nearly 50 million impressions.

In its outreach to local and national media, Brownstein highlighted what The District could offer, not just for area shoppers, but for the Market East neighborhood and the city of Philadelphia. The agency touted The District’s diverse tenancy, community programming, and commitment to local businesses and the art community. On opening day, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney welcomed hundreds of people outside of the mall; in its first month of business, The District saw more than a million visitors.

“Market Street has always been home to many businesses, which attract both residents and businesses alike. Now, Fashion District Philadelphia is helping to redefine this corridor’s future,” Kenney said at the opening.

The news was announced earlier this week at PRNEWS’ virtual Platinum PR Awards Gala, where Brownstein qualified as a finalist in the media relations category.

ABOUT BROWNSTEIN

Brownstein is an independent advertising and public relations agency based in Philadelphia. Founded at the height of the Creative Revolution in 1964, we are one of the longest-running independent agencies in the country, offering expertise across brand strategy, advertising, public relations, social media, and digital services. We build unstoppable brands by helping clients navigate the changing tides of culture and business with a focus on brand longevity, and have worked with a range of companies including IKEA USA, Comcast Xfinity, DuPont™ Sorona®, TruGreen, The GIANT Company, ACI Speedpay, NJM Insurance, and Saint-Gobain North America. Brownstein is a 2018 Ad Age Small Agency of the Year, a 2019 PRNEWS Small Public Relations Firm of the Year finalist, and an inductee at Advertising Week’s 2020 Madison Avenue Walk of Fame.

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