LAS VEGAS -- An MGM Grand Las Vegas print advertising campaign swept three top awards at the third annual American Gaming Association Communications Awards at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
A group of MGM Grand print ads won the multiple consumer print ad campaign category and later was tabbed as the "Best in Show" for best overall ad campaign, it was announced during the Wednesday afternoon ceremony. A Las Vegas agency, Schadler Kramer Group Advertising, created the ads.
MGM Grand's "Halo" advertisement won the award for best single print ad, an ad created by the Cramer Krasselt agency.
Las Vegas-based Harrah's Entertainment won the HVS Top Performing Board of Directors Award. Harrah's Chairman Phil Satre, who hosted the awards luncheon, and Harrah's Chief Executive Officer Gary Loveman accepted the award, with Loveman crediting Satre for putting together the company's board.
Loveman also took the opportunity to revisit a pet theme of his, calling on gaming regulators to minimize the hurdles company board members have to clear, arguing that the intrusive process makes it difficult to attract the best talent.
Las Vegas and Detroit casino bosses collected the top two individual awards.
Mandalay Resort Group's Gregg Solomon was chosen as the CMA Western United States gaming professional of the year. Solomon, senior vice president of operations, is a 24-year industry veteran who began his career as a slot technician.
Sal Semola, chief operating officer at Detroit's Greektown Casino, garnered the Eastern U.S. version of the award.
Recently deceased gaming publisher Irving Babson was posthumously awarded the Gaming Voice Award for Lifetime Achievement. Babson created Gaming Business magazine, the forerunner of IGWB, the industry's most respected monthly trade publication. He also was credited with starting the gaming industry's first trade show.
Acres Gaming Chairman Floyd Glisson and MultiMedia Games Chairman Gordon Graves won the HVS Top Performing CEO Award, a contest that ended in a tie.
Park Place Entertainment Corp. won the best Web site award, topping MGM Grand and Vending Data Corp.