CHICAGO — Oct. 6, 2026 — Gatesman is celebrating another year of award-winning work at the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Chicago chapter’s annual Skyline Awards, where the team was recognized for standout client work.

The Skyline Awards are Chicago’s premier public relations and communications awards competition, celebrating creativity and innovation in public relations and showcasing business impact and results.

The Gatesman team received an Award of Excellence in the Content Marketing category for USG’s influencer campaign highlighting Fiberock® AquaSmart™ Tile Backerboard. The campaign aimed to build credibility for the new waterproofing solution among contractors and tile professionals in a crowded category where peer recommendations and proven performance drive product consideration. By combining targeted trade media relations with contractor influencer partnerships, hands-on product demonstrations and trusted industry content, Gatesman brought AquaSmart™’s performance, installation and sustainability benefits to life through credible third-party voices. 

Also in the Content Marketing category, Gatesman earned a Skyline Award for its “Level Up Your Commute” campaign executed on behalf of Pace Suburban Bus. The campaign aimed to increase awareness and ridership of Pace’s I-90 Express routes among Elgin-area commuters frustrated by traffic, parking costs and stressful daily commutes. Using gaming-inspired creative, Gatesman positioned Pace as a real-life “cheat code” that helps commuters bypass congestion, save time and simplify their commute. Through an integrated mix of digital and out-of-home advertising anchored by an interactive “Level Up Your Commute” game, the campaign delivered 21.4 million impressions, 127,800 clicks and 35,700 game plays. Following the campaign’s launch, total I-90 ridership increased 32% year over year in January 2026, helping position Pace as a smarter alternative to the daily drive.

“Both USG and Pace trusted us to find creative ways to connect with their audiences and deliver measurable impact,” said Beth Thompson, SVP, director of public relations, social media and agency brand communications at Gatesman. “These awards are a testament to strong client partnerships and the teams behind work that not only gets noticed, but gets results.”

For more information, please visit gatesmanagency.com or keep up with #TeamGatesman on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

About Gatesman:

With offices in Pittsburgh and Chicago, Gatesman offers expertise in strategy/branding, advertising, public relations, social media, digital and analytics. Gatesman is a partner in AMIN Worldwide, an alliance of over 50 independent marketing agencies, IPREX, a global communications network and most recently the Ad Age Small Agency Network. Gatesman is also proud to be recognized as one of Ad Age’s Best Places to Work, reflecting its commitment to a strong, people-first culture. 

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