Bethany, Conn. (July 5, 2011) – Mason, Inc. earned a total of thirteen Mercury Awards, including both "Best in Show" honors, during the statewide public relations ceremony recently held at Fantasia in North Haven, Connecticut. The Mercury Awards recognize outstanding work in the public relations, communications and marketing professions throughout Connecticut and are sponsored by the Connecticut Valley, Southern Connecticut and Westchester/Fairfield Public Relations Society of America chapters.

The Bethany-based firm received the most awards out of all entrants, taking home seven awards in the tactical categories and four in the campaigns category. Mason was also awarded both of the highly coveted "Best in Show" honors.

In strategic campaigns categories, Mason was awarded four gold awards; two for the United Illuminating Company for special events and observances with Earth Day and for marketing energy efficiency, one for crisis communications for Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, and one for Connex Credit Union's integrated communications program for its Vice President of Unbanking campaign. The Vice President of Unbanking for Connex Credit Union's integrated communications program also won the firm a Best in Show award in the campaigns category.

Mason received six gold awards and one silver award in the tactical categories. The firm received both the silver and gold awards in the editorials/op-ed category for its work with the United Illuminating Company. In the brochures category, Mason received the gold award for "Art to Healing" for Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven. Mason also won a gold award in the website category for its work with Hospital for Special Care and received three gold awards for its work with Connex Credit Union; one in the nontraditional communications category for Connex Credit Union's Holiday Special, one in the creative tactics category for Connex Credit Union's Vice President of Unbanking and one in the research/evaluation category for Connex Credit Union Research, which went on to win the Best in Show award in the tactics category.

"This has been a remarkably exciting year for us, and we're truly honored to receive this recognition for our work," said Francis Onofrio, APR, Fellow, president, Mason, Inc. "I'm also very proud that we took home both Best in Show honors, which is no easy feat. These awards not only represent the very best in public relations, but it also is a testament to our entire agency and the combination of strategy and creativity."

The Mercury Awards recognize outstanding work in public relations, communications and marketing professions throughout Connecticut and are sponsored by the Connecticut Valley, Southern Connecticut and Westchester/Fairfield Public Relations Society of America chapters.