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