2021 Innovation Award Winners

Category: Marketing & Branding          

Best Digital Campaign

Winner: Sola Salon Studios

Runner-Up: Wing it On!

 

Best Limited Budget Campaign (under $1 million)

Winner: Golden Chick

Runner-Up: Bin There Done That

Best PR Campaign

Winner: Planet Fitness

Runner-Up: British Swim School

Best Social Media Campaign

Winner: Camp Bow Wow

Runner Up: Moran Family of Brands

Cause Marketing Champion

Winner: Miracle-Ear

Runner Up: Penn Station East Coast Subs

Local Marketing Leadership

Winner: Coldwell Banker

Runner-Up: Dream Vacations

Category: Products & Services

Most Innovative Product Introduction

Winner: Blaze Pizza

Runner-Up: School of Rock

Most Innovative Service Introduction

Winner: Chicken Salad Chick

Runner-Up: Anago Cleaning Systems

Most Innovative Use of Customer-Facing Digital Tools

Winner: School of Rock

Runner-Up: McAlister’s Deli

Most Innovative Use of Data

Winner: RE/MAX

Most Innovative Use of Technology: Services

Winner: Lift Brands

Runner-Up: Spherion Staffing

Category: Operations

Most Innovative Building Design, Remodel, or Prototype

Winner: The UPS Store

Runner-Up: Wetzel’s Pretzels

Most Innovative Consumer Self-Service Tools

Winner: Junk King

Runner-Up: Kiddie Academy

Most Innovative Franchisee Support

Winner: Camp Bow Wow

Runner-Up: Floor Coverings International

Most Innovative Operations Team

Winner: Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop

Runner-Up: Premium Service Brands

Most Innovative Supply Chain Improvements

Winner: Wild Birds Unlimited

Most Innovative Use of Data

Winner: Checkers & Rally’s

Runner-Up: Miracle Ear

Most Innovative Use of Technology

Winner: Floor Coverings Int’l

Runner-Up: Dream Vacations

Category: Human Resources

           

Most Innovative Employee Hiring   

Winner: Express Employment Professionals

Most Innovative Employee Recruiting

Winner: Meritage Hospitality Group

Runner-Up: Self Esteem Brands

Most Innovative Employee Retention

Winner: Penn Station East Coast Subs

Runner Up: Squeeze

Most Innovative Employee Training

Winner: Authority Brands (Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Mister Sparky Electric)

Runner-Up: Self Esteem Brands