Announcing Ragan’s Employee Communications Awards finalists

Congratulations to this year’s impressive finalists.

By Ragan Staff
Feb. 16, 2022

Entrants in Ragan’s Employee Communications & Top Places to Work Awards never cease to amaze. We received a flurry of incredible internal communications work from the past year—and leared a lot about the best workplaces.

These impressive finalists kept their employees—many of whom remain working remotely—engaged and inspired, championed a more diverse and equitable workplace, delivered powerful stories and so much more.

We are planning to announce the winners of our Employee Communications on March 16. In addition, winners of our Top Places to Work will be selected and announced in a Special Edition at the same time.

Scroll down to see who made this year’s list, and congratulations to all of our Employee Communications Awards finalists.

Note: Our list of the Top Places to Work will be released with the winners’ announcement on March 16.

[RELATED: We are going to Cannes, are you? June 17-21, 2024]

Grand Prize

Best Remote Work Experience/Culture

Aflac: Aflac Work-From-Home Experience
Bospar: Bospar, The Politely Pushy Tech PR Agency
Mizuho Americas: Mizuho Americas Remote Work Culture
Wray Ward: Wray Ward

Best Use of Technology

Finning: Traction: Finning
Legoland Parks & Resorts: Brickbuzz (Speakap)
Maximus: Technology Drives Company Performance

Employee Communication Campaign of the Year

Accenture Strategy & Consulting: We Are One
Atos: Secure the Gold
Encompass Health: Encompass Health brand standards
Horizon Therapeutics: Graves’ Disease Awareness Month and TED Awareness Campaign with Gail Devers
Intel Employee Communications and Employer Brand: A Vital Employer Brand for Intel’s Future
Newell Brands: Newell Now: Newell Brands’ Culture Connector

Employee Communications Team of the Year

3M: 3M Employee & Executive Communications
Aflac: Aflac’s Employee Communications Team
Fifth Third Bank: Internal Communications Team
Intel: Employee Communications & Employer Brand
Lehigh Valley Health Network: Engaging During a Crisis & Revolutionalizing Internal Communications
London Stock Exchange Group: LSEG Internal Communications team
Mizuho Americas: Mizuho Americas Employee Communications Team of the Year
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises: Telemundo
Novant Health: Team Awesome: generating next-level remarkable team member communications for Novant Health
Optus: Employee Communications
Prudential Financial, Inc.: Prudential Communications

Content and Communications

Benefits Communication

Douglas J: Benefits Education Campaign
University Health: 2021 University Health Open Enrollment
University of California: University of California Open Enrollment

Change Communication

Integral: IBM’s Project Afterburner Transformation Communication
Intel Employee Communications & Employer Brand: Connecting Leaders and Managers to Expectations for a New Era
Intel Employee Communications and CEO Communications: Accelerating Intel’s Transformation with a New (but Familiar) CEO
London Stock Exchange Group: LSEG’s first 100 days
Novant Health: Novant Health | New Hanover Regional Medical Center acquisition and Better Together Jeopardy
YMCA of the USA: Communicating Change in Crisis

COVID-19 Communication

ARUP Laboratories: Employee COVID-19 Crisis Focus
Atlantic Health System: Atlantic Health System Internal Communications
Atrium Health: Enterprise Communications
Caliber Colision: Caliber Collision pivots plans to create employee-centric COVID-response platform
HP Inc.: Mobilizing HP’s Employees to Fight COVID-19 with 3D Printing
Intel Employee Communications & Employer Brand: Keeping Intel Employees Thriving in a Pandemic That Wouldn’t End
Lehigh Valley Health Network: Engaging During a Crisis & Revolutionalizing Internal Communications
Maximus: Stop the Spread
Mizuho Americas: Mizuho Americas COVID-19 and Return-to-Office Communications
Policygenius: Implementing a values-first: responsive approach to COVID-19 communications
Southern Nuclear: COVID communications
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: COVID-19 Information and Updates
UPMC Insurance Services: “What’s Your Why?” Humanizing Vaccines and Addressing Hesitancy

Email Communication

A&D Mortgage LLC: The Best Employee Communication Monthly News Letter
Novant Health: Quick Connect

Employer Branding Campaign

Cisco: Cisco Employer Brand – National Intern Week
Intel Employee Communications and Employer Brand: A Vital Employer Brand for Intel’s Future

Executive/Leadership Communication

Aflac: Teresa White – Leading through Challenging Times
Intel Employee Communications & Employer Brand: Connecting Leaders and Managers to Expectations for a New Era
Mastercard LAC: Good Morning LAC
Renown Health: Best Place to Work
The Kroger Co.: Kroger Houston Division Negotiations

Podcast

Newell Brands: LeadersLive!
Scotia Digital: The 20

Rebranding Campaign

APCO Holdings: Core Values Refresh Campaign
Encompass Health: Encompass Health brand standards
Intel Employee Communications and Employer Brand: A Vital Employer Brand for Intel’s Future
Lam Research: Lam Research Transforms Brand to Reflect Bold New Vision, Strengthen Employee Pride
Novant Health: Taking Remarkable to the Next Level
Visa: Meet Visa

Recruitment Campaign

Intel Employee Communications and Employer Brand: A Vital Employer Brand for Intel’s Future
Kroger: The Kroger Co. Recruitment Marketing Plan

Return-to-Workplace Communication

Carson Group: Carson Group’s Return-to-Workplace Campaign
Mastercard: Together is Priceless

Use of Social Media

Cisco: @WeAreCisco Social

Employee Experience

Amazing Workplace Culture

Bospar: Bospar, The Politely Pushy Tech PR Agency
Delta Dental of Kansas: Delta Dental of Kansas’ Culture Transformation
N-able: Top Places to Work

Brand Ambassador Program

Ford Motor Company: Bronco Employee Advocacy

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment

Albert A Webb Associates: Belong by WEBB, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program
AMC Networks: DEI Commitment
Ascension: ABIDE
Atlas Renewable Energy: We are all part of the same energy
Bazaarvoice: DE&I Taskforce
Bospar: Bospar, The Politely Pushy Tech PR Agency
Capital One: Diversity Inclusion & Belonging
Crown Media Family Networks: Crown Media Family Networks
Ford Motor Company: Women’s History Month
Gilead: Inclusion
Maximus: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Communications
Mizuho Americas: Mizuho Americas Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment
UPMC Insurance Services: Juneteenth Panel Discussion
Volkswagen Financial Services: 100% Me

Employee Education/Training Program

Atos: Secure the Gold
Kaseya: Kaseya Provides Top-Tier Career Development and Training Opportunities
Purolator International: Employee Corporate Orientation

Employee Engagement

APCO Holdings: Core Values Refresh Campaign
Atos: Secure the Gold
Bospar: Bospar, The Politely Pushy Tech PR Agency
Ford Motor Company: Employee Appreciation Week
Georgia United Credit Union: Creating Engagement Opportunities
Ingka Services AB – IKEA & OTW: Ingka (IKEA) global news
Mastercard: Women’s Mentoring Series – ‘Mentoring Matters’
MGC: Best practice
Newell Brands: Newell Now: Newell Brands’ Culture Connector
Pfizer: Conversation Leaders
UPMC Insurance Services: MyVoice – An Employee Survey Campaign
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust: Walsall Healthcare App

Employee Recognition or Reward Program

Bayer: Stop and Thank: Employee Appreciation and Engagement During a Pandemic
UPMC Insurance Services: Recognizing ACES Winners

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

John Hancock: John Hancock’s Employee Resource Groups

Employee Volunteer Program

Alkermes: Alkermes in Action: Coming Together and Giving Back
Mastercard: Boards for Impact

Hybrid Workplace Strategy

Brooks Running: 13.1 Company Meeting

Internal Event Strategy

AMC Networks: AMCN Remote Employee Engagement
Deloitte: SPARK something great: Extended Tax Leadership Group (ETLG) virtual kickoff
Ford Motor Company: Internal Events Strategy
Office of the Chief Information Officer: U.S. Department of Labor: National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2020

Talent Management Strategy

Mastercard: Boards for Impact
Mastercard: Women’s Mentoring Series – ‘Mentoring Matters’

Intranet Collaboration & Innovation

Employee Engagement

Atos: Secure the Gold
Finning: Traction: Finning

Internal Social Network

Finning: Traction: Finning
Legoland Parks & Resorts: Brickbuzz (Speakap)

Launch or Relaunch

Nordic Consulting: NordicHQ: Nordic’s Global Digital Headquarters

Mobile Integration

Glencore: The Core

Value to Employees

Finning: Traction: Finning

Intranet Content & Design

Best Feature/Section

Finning: Traction: Finning

Best Intranet Design

Glencore: The Core
Nordic Consulting: NordicHQ: Nordic’s Global Digital Headquarters

Intranet Usability

Glencore: The Core

Publications

Annual Report

Kean University Foundation: Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report
Mailchimp: Mailchimp’s Annual Report
Memphis Light: Gas and Water Division: 2019 MLGW Annual Report
Southern Company Gas: Fuel for Life 2020 Progress Report

Blog

Cisco: We Are Cisco Blog
University of Utah Health: Public Affairs Team

CSR/ESG Report

Lam Research: Lam Research Delivers Roadmap to a More Sustainable, Equitable Future
Maximus: Corporate Responsibility Reports
Newell Brands: Building Better Together: Newell Brands’ 2020 Corporate Citizenship Report

Feature Article

University of Utah Health: Public Affairs Team

Internal Email Campaign

Carson Group: The Bottom Line Email Newsletter
Encompass Health: Encompass Health brand standards

Magazine

Northrop Grumman: One Magazine

Newsletter

Bloomberg Industry Group: INDG Weekly
Crown Media Family Networks: Crown News
Manulife Canada: ‘Take 5 with Mike’
Purolator International: Employee Corporate Orientation
The Kroger Co.: At the Table Newsletter

Remote Culture

Virtual Employee Engagement

Accenture Strategy & Consulting: We Are One
AMC Networks: AMCN Remote Employee Engagement
Atos: Secure the Gold
Best Buy Canada: Holiday HQ
DHG: NABA LIFT Drive
Mastercard LAC: Good Morning LAC
Mizuho Americas: Mizuho Americas Remote Work Culture
Newell Brands: Newell Now: Newell Brands’ Culture Connector
Philip Morris International: Turning Employees into One Another’s Biggest Fans

Virtual Employee Recognition or Reward Program

Citizens Property Insurance Corp.: Citizens Engages in a Virtual Era
Cox Communications: Employee Service Awards: Rockin’ through the Ages
MGT Consulting Group: FY20 Bull by the Horns Awards Ceremony
Novant Health: Season of Gratitude

Virtual Events/Celebrations

Aflac: Aflac Employee Appreciation Week 2021
Best Buy Canada: Holiday HQ
Citizens Property Insurance Corp.: Citizens Celebrates in a Virtual Era
Cox Communications Southwest: Year-End Meeting & Virtual SuccessFest
Ford Motor Company: Employee Appreciation Week
Maximus: Customer Service Week
Mizuho Americas: Mizuho Americas Remote Work Culture
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises: Latin AMAs “Hora Loca” Yam-Jam

Virtual Executive Communication

Mastercard LAC: Good Morning LAC
Mizuho Americas: Mizuho Americas Executive Communications
Pearson: Onboarding a CEO virtually

Virtual Onboarding

Mailchimp: How Mailchimp Shifted Its Employee Onboarding Program to Virtual
Talcott Resolution: Virtual Onboarding Process

Virtual Town Hall

Mizuho Americas: Mizuho Americas Executive Communications
Newell Brands: Connecting Newell Through Global Meetings

Virtual Well-Being Programs

Bospar: Bospar, The Politely Pushy Tech PR Agency
MGT Consulting Group: MGT Wellness Month

Tech

Best Employee App

Beekeeper: Beekeeper: the mobile productivity and collaboration platform for frontline workers
Kroger: FEED Mobile App
Legoland Parks & Resorts: Brickbuzz (Speakap)
Newell Brands: Newell Now: Newell Brands’ Culture Connector

Video

Company Overview Video

Bospar: Bospar, The Politely Pushy Tech PR Agency
Carson Group: Carson Partner Overview Video
Mathematica: Influence & Impact Video

DE&I Video

Albert A Webb Associates: Belong by WEBB: Diversity: Equity and Inclusion Program
Mizuho Americas: Diversity: Equity & Inclusion at Mizuho Americas Video
UPMC Insurance Services: Diversity and Inclusion Council Anniversary

Humorous Video

Alkermes: Webex How-To Video Series
Bospar: Bospar, The Politely Pushy Tech PR Agency

Informational Video

Ascension: Good Day Ascension Newscast
Bospar: Bospar, The Politely Pushy Tech PR Agency
Ford Motor Company: Google Partnership Announcement Video
University of Utah Health: Internal Communications Team

Inspirational Video

Bospar: Bospar, The Politely Pushy Tech PR Agency
Ford Motor Company: Google Partnership Announcement Video
Michigan State University Federal Credit Union: Credit Union Week 2020
Office of the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Labor: Women in Tech Video
University of Utah Health: Internal Communications

Interview Video