
Common Ground Public Relations Earns Top Honors in International MarCom Awards
St. Louis agency receives two Platinum and three Gold awards for excellence in strategic communications, media relations, social media and publications
St. Louis-based Common Ground Public Relations (CGPR) has earned five honors in the 2026 MarCom Awards, including two Platinum Awards, the competition’s highest distinction, and three Gold Awards recognizing excellence in marketing and communications.
The recognition follows CGPR’s selection as the 2026 Best Public Relations Firm in St. Louis in Small Business Monthly’s Best in Business poll. The agency has been recognized among the region’s best public relations firms every year since 2003.
The agency received two Platinum Awards for:
- Jefferson National Parks Association: Keeping an Icon Open: CGPR and JNPA’s Gateway Arch Reopening Campaign, recognized in the Publicity Campaign category for strategic media relations surrounding the reopening of one of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks.
- St. Louis Development Corporation: Optimizing a Public Agency’s Instagram Presence and Strategy, recognized in the Instagram Site category for strengthening the agency’s social media strategy and digital engagement.
And three Gold Awards for:
- Bethesda Health Group: 2025 Bethesda Health Group Report to Community, recognized in the Annual Report category for nonprofit organizations.
- National Academy of Arbitrators: Elevating Arbitration: A Case Study of NAA, recognized in the Public Relations Program category for strategic communications.
- Common Ground Public Relations: From SEO to GEO: A Client Education Campaign, recognized in the Public Relations Program category for helping clients understand the evolving role of generative AI in communications and online visibility.
“These awards reflect the strategic thinking, creativity and commitment to results that our team brings to every client relationship,” said Denise Bentele, APR, founder and CEO of Common Ground Public Relations. “From high-profile national media campaigns to helping organizations navigate emerging communications trends, our focus is on creating work that delivers real impact for our clients.”
The MarCom Awards competition is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), an international organization of marketing, communications, advertising, public relations and digital professionals. Established in 2004, MarCom is one of the world’s largest creative competitions, attracting approximately 6,000 entries annually from dozens of countries. Platinum Awards are presented to entries judged to be among the most outstanding in the competition, while Gold Awards recognize work that exceeds industry standards of excellence.
The agency’s continued recognition also reflects its commitment to client service. In its 2026 client satisfaction survey, 100% of responding clients described CGPR as a trusted extension of their team. The firm’s clients consistently cited strategic counsel, creativity, responsiveness and reliability among the qualities they value most.
