(Editor’s Note: PPAI’s annual Pyramid Awards, sponsored by Pacesetter Awards Co., honor creative excellence in the promotional products industry and the outstanding promotions, creative campaigns and exceptional craftsmanship of Association members. The 2023 Pyramid Awards are now accepting submissions.)

With submissions to the 2023 PPAI Pyramid Awards still officially open until this Friday, PPB Newslink is sharing the stories of several 2022 winners to highlight their accomplishments and to learn more about what it means to secure a PPAI Pyramid win. Today we’re taking a look at how a distributor pulled off a Silver Pyramid by helping its healthcare client show appreciation to its employees after a difficult year.

The people behind the Shumsky (PPAI 108531, D9) campaign with the client CareSource had generated some buzz among the Healthcare company’s employees. The distributor put together a gift box that included a plush blanket and candy from a local chocolatier that CareSource shipped to its employees during the holiday season. The blanket was embroidered with the company logo, and the box was inserted in a polybag with a CareSource sticker.

Shumsky completed the project at 10% under budget.

Hannah Stickford, Shumsky marketing operations lead, says that her process of choosing which campaigns to submit for consideration for a Pyramid is an outcomes-based decision.

“I mainly focused on projects that increased employee productivity, workplace culture, and employee morale,” Stickford says.

As far as advice to potential submitters, Stickford says that thinking outside of the box while looking for ways to serve clients is a healthy way to approach a campaign, and, not surprisingly, the way to impress the PPAI Pyramid panel. “When you do this, you should also include as many details [in your submission] as possible,” she adds.

It’s easy to understand the value in the work that Shumsky did for CareSource. They helped them reward their employees, many of whom work in sectors that have become more trying in the past few years. It’s natural for Shumsky to want to showcase that kind of work and show the world they are willing and able to do more of it. The PPAI Pyramid Awards provided that showcase.

“I expect that the Pyramid Award will enhance our business through multiple different avenues,” Stickford says. “Some may include building client relationships, spotlighting the unique services and opportunities we provide our clients, as well as the ability to gain new business.”