NEW YORK – June 30, 2023 – Marino, a full-service communications firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles, today announced it has won the Silver award for Best Not-for-Profit/Association Campaign and the Bronze award for Best Issue/Cause Advocacy Campaign as part of the 2023 Bulldog PR Awards.  

Marino was recognized for its work with the nonprofit DKMS, the world’s largest stem cell donor center, to raise awareness of the urgent need for individuals to register as potential stem cell donors. As part of its strategy to build brand recognition, educate potential donors about the donation process and ultimately, grow the organization’s ability to save lives, Marino focused its efforts on telling DKMS’ powerful human-interest stories to drive action and inspire individuals to register. The national media campaign secured more than 1.2 billion impressions in 2022, including a major segment on NBC’s The Today Show that spotlighted a first-time meeting between a patient and her lifesaving donor. The segment resulted in 22 million impressions, hundreds of dollars in donations, and over 600 registrations – the highest spike DKMS has seen from a media related story.    

Additionally, Marino was recognized for its successful campaign for Innovation QNS, winning approval by the New York City Council for a rezoning to facilitate a $2 billion mixed-use development in Astoria, Queens. Facing a difficult and hostile development arena, Marino coalesced demonstrated broad community support for Innovation QNS, engaging neighbors and community members throughout the development and rezoning process while advocating for increased affordability and housing creation.  

The 2023 Bulldog PR Awards program recognizes remarkable PR and communications campaigns and impressive individual and agency contributions to the industry. The Bulldog Awards offer a unique, industry-specific evaluation process by being the only PR awards program judged exclusively by journalists. 

Marino has been recognized with a multitude of industry honors and accolades including: PR News Agency Elite 100, PR NET 100, Crain’s New York Business Notable in Marketing & PR, City & State New York PR and Political Power 50 and Real Estate Power 100, and Globe St. Influencers in Marketing & Communications, in addition to consistently being ranked one of the most powerful PR firms by The Observer.