Live Wire Earns Three Platinum and Two Gold Honors at the 2026 MarCom Awards

Live Wire has earned three Platinum and two Gold MarCom Awards for PR and social media campaigns serving five clients: Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, Silvus Technologies, Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, the University of Illinois’ Grainger College of Engineering, and Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business.

The winning campaigns showcase the power of strategic communications to elevate expert voices, build engaged audiences, and strengthen our clients’ visibility in competitive markets.

PLATINUM WINNERS

Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business

Communication Plan

Building on an eighteen-year partnership, Live Wire worked with Georgetown McDonough’s internal communications team to elevate the school’s national profile, position faculty as business thought leaders, and showcase student success. The campaign connected the school’s expertise to timely conversations about business, policy, and the industries shaping the future.

Key campaign objectives included:

• Position faculty as expert sources on finance, business, federal regulation, international trade, and marketing;
• Support the school’s reputation and ranking priorities through strategically targeted earned media coverage;
• Highlight student achievements, entrepreneurial ventures, and programs such as the Pivot Program; and
• Strengthen McDonough’s position as a leading business authority in the Washington region.

Since January 2025, Live Wire secured 370 faculty interviews and 214 earned media placements, including 95 placements related to McDonough’s Fields of the Future: AI, analytics, and the future of work; the business of health; the business of sustainability; and sports business.

Silvus Technologies

Social Media Campaign

Live Wire developed and executed a comprehensive social media campaign to reinforce Silvus Technologies’ leadership in tactical radio communications. Combining platform-specific storytelling, custom graphics, animations, short-form video, and targeted paid amplification, the campaign translated complex technology into content designed to reach and engage specialized audiences.

Key campaign objectives included:

• Expand Silvus’ audience and engagement across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X;
• Reinforce its position as a leading provider of mobile ad hoc network radio solutions;
• Increase understanding of its products, technology, and mission-critical applications; and
• Position company executives as credible voices in tactical communications.

Since January 2024, the campaign generated 28,648 new followers across Silvus’ social channels. LinkedIn’s audience grew 91%, Instagram’s audience grew 104.5%, and Facebook’s audience grew 841.8%, supported by ongoing performance analysis and content optimization.

Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology

Communication Plan

Live Wire developed a strategic communications campaign to bring CSET’s independent, data-driven research into the conversations shaping technology policy and national security. Through proactive media outreach, the campaign connected researchers with journalists covering artificial intelligence, advanced computing, biotechnology, and global technology competition.

Key campaign objectives included:

• Expand the reach of CSET’s research among government, industry, and international audiences;
• Reinforce its standing as a trusted, nonpartisan authority on AI and security;
• Position analysts as expert commentators on emerging technologies and their security implications; and
• Strengthen CSET’s visibility and reputation to attract funders and leading research talent.

Since August 2025, Live Wire secured 206 researcher interviews and 132 earned media placements, including coverage in The Economist, NPR, and TIME, alongside prominent newsletters from The Washington Post, POLITICO, Fortune, and WIRED.

GOLD WINNERS

University of Illinois’ Grainger College of Engineering

Communication Plan

Live Wire partnered with Grainger Engineering’s internal communications team to expand the college’s visibility and position faculty as influential voices in science, engineering, and technology. The campaign brought research breakthroughs and faculty perspectives into national discussions about quantum science, manufacturing, AI, and innovation.

Key campaign objectives included:

• Position faculty and staff as thought leaders in national media and industry publications;
• Increase awareness of the college’s research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and broader impact;
• Support institutional reputation and ranking priorities through targeted earned media coverage; and
• Connect faculty expertise to timely technology and policy conversations.

Since January 2025, Live Wire secured 233 faculty interviews and 134 earned media placements, including 29 feature stories. Campaign highlights included a takeover week on Academic Minute featuring four faculty research stories at the intersection of engineering and medicine, along with 15 high-level opportunities for Grainger’s quantum experts.

The Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University

Communication Plan

Live Wire worked with Leavey’s internal communications team to elevate the school’s profile, showcase faculty research, and increase visibility for its academic programs. The campaign combined proactive media relations, interview preparation, and faculty storytelling to connect the school’s expertise with business and higher education audiences.

Key campaign objectives included:

• Expand Leavey’s visibility in national media and relevant industry publications;
• Increase media engagement around faculty expertise and research;
• Position faculty and staff as thought leaders across business disciplines; and
• Highlight the achievements of faculty, students, centers, and academic initiatives.

Since January 2025, Live Wire secured 255 faculty interviews and 141 earned media placements, including seven feature stories. The team also provided media training to 47 Executive MBA students and developed 18 faculty profiles for Leavey’s newsletter, which reaches more than 100,000 students, alumni, faculty, and donors.

Congratulations to our clients and the entire Live Wire team. These five honors reflect the collaboration, creativity, and strategic thinking behind work we’re proud to share.