2024 marks the 24th year that Fort Lauderdale and Aspen-based public relations and marketing agency Durée & Company has been in business — and we are better than ever! What founder Durée Ross launched on December 30, 1999, has evolved to become a multi-faceted agency serving international, national and local clients spanning 25 industries.
The past year was certainly active for us, not only did we win several industry, national and local leadership awards, but we also expanded our focus on the marine industry, supported our South Florida and Aspen communities while engaging in many events and launched a brand refresh.
Awards Galore
Our work did not go unnoticed by esteemed industry organizations in 2023! Durée took home the PRNEWS People of the Year national award. This honor celebrates the strategic vision and innovation of key executives and PR professionals, highlighting Durée’s role in advancing the industry. Receiving this national recognition was a major milestone for us. Our team was proud to travel to New York City for the award ceremony, which not only celebrated our achievements but also reinforced our connections within the public relations community. Our agency also received an honorable mention for the PRNEWS Nonprofit Awards for PR on a Shoestring Budget, reflecting our work with nonprofit client Feeding South Florida® throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, we won bronze in the Bulldog PR Awards’ Best Crisis Management category representing our work with Sea Tow. Our agency’s adept handling of complex situations has once again set a benchmark in the industry.
Our accomplishments this year also took us to the Cannabis Marketing Summit in Denver, where we were recognized as the only winner in the “Best Use of PR” category at the inaugural Cannabis Marketing Association Seven Awards. This accolade was for our innovative work with Columbia Care/The Cannabist Company during their launch in West Virginia’s budding cannabis market. Being surprised with this award in person was not only a testament to our team’s dedication but also a memorable highlight of the year, underlining our expertise in cannabis PR and marketing.
As for local awards in South Florida, Fort Lauderdale Magazine readers named us the Best PR Agency in Fort Lauderdale, and Durée was a South Florida Business & Wealth magazine Apogee Award honoree.
Expanded Focus on the Marine Industry
Our Fort Lauderdale headquarters, situated in the hub of the boating world, allowed us to further our involvement in the marine and yachting industry in 2023. Our involvement in the marine and yachting industry has deepened, reflected in our active memberships with the International Yacht Brokers Association and the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, among others. We’ve applied our PR and marketing expertise to elevate clients including Port 32 Marinas, Sea Tow and Leopard Catamarans, demonstrating our deep understanding of this specialized field.
Our team has been instrumental in brand positioning, orchestrating product launches, promoting companies’ services, and publicizing growth and expansion, among other things, ensuring each campaign is tailored and impactful. We’ve leveraged our knowledge to develop narratives that resonate in the marine marketplace, combining traditional PR with strategic social media campaigns to enhance our clients’ digital presence.
In a field where the currents of market trends are ever-changing, Durée & Company has been the guiding force in charting a course for success. Our innovative strategies and precise execution have positioned us as the go-to compass in marine industry marketing and public relations.
A Snapshot of Durée & Company’s Eventful Year
2023 was a year filled with exciting events for us at Durée & Company, and what we’re sharing here is just a small recap of some of the many events we attended. Our time at MJBizCon in Las Vegas was particularly memorable. It offered us a great opportunity to build connections in the cannabis and hemp industry and keep up with the latest trends. This event was an ideal blend of learning, networking, and growth amidst the vibrant Las Vegas atmosphere.
We also celebrated a significant milestone with Sea Tow at their 40th Anniversary during the Marine Marketers Association’s Networking cocktail reception at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS). This event was a fantastic way to honor Sea Tow’s decades of service in maritime safety and assistance. Additionally, our participation in FLIBS was more impactful than ever. As members of key marine organizations, we were actively involved with industry leaders, enhancing our role in the marine industry.
A highlight of our year was the Profile Miami’s ProfileConnect event, where we served as the exclusive PR partner. This event was a celebration of Miami’s real estate market. We were thrilled to be a part of this gathering of Miami’s top real estate professionals, offering insights into both residential and commercial real estate. It was a night of making new connections, sharing valuable insights and toasting to the thriving Miami real estate scene.
Giving back to the community has always been a cornerstone of our culture. This was evident at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s 15th Annual “Wild About Kids” Gala. By participating in this fundraising event, we continued to support the vital work for the youth in Miami-Dade.
In addition, we proudly supported the PAWS Fall Fashion Show, an event that aligns with our commitment to community causes. This fashion show, benefiting the Humane Society of Broward County’s mission, was a stylish way to make a positive impact.
The Third Annual Pumpkins & Palm Trees Fall Fest at The LOOP in Fort Lauderdale Beach was a unique and enjoyable event. This family-friendly fall celebration was a perfect mix of local culture and seasonal festivities, reflecting our strong community engagement.
Alongside these, our participation in a variety of other events, such as the Marine Industry Association of South Florida’s Member Mixer, numerous groundbreaking ceremonies and significant real estate project unveilings with landmark projects including 7918 West Drive in North Bay Village, Alina Residences in Boca Raton and Forté Luxe in Jupiter and global conferences like the PRBI Annual General Meeting in Milan, showcases our versatility and commitment to excellence in the PR and marketing industry.
Durée & Company’s Aspen office continues to expand, taking on new opportunities and clients. Our work with Valley View Hospital goes beyond standard public relations; we’re deeply involved in supporting and promoting Valley View’s community events and ongoing initiatives, showcasing our commitment to Aspen’s community development.
This year, we also played a key role in promoting a high-profile longevity event hosted at a multimillion-dollar property in Aspen. From soup to nuts, we managed every aspect of the event. Our office remains committed to effective, straightforward communication and exceptional service as our Aspen operations expand.
These events are just a few examples of how we’ve engaged with different industries and communities throughout the year, highlighting our commitment to being a dynamic and influential force in the world of public relations and marketing.
A Brand Refresh for 2024
Reflecting our evolution as a company and our commitment to staying at the forefront of the PR and marketing industry, we’ve launched an exciting brand refresh with new colors and fonts, mirroring a modern look and feel. This fresh aesthetic is being seamlessly integrated across all our platforms, from our website to social media pages, as well as in our marketing materials and promotional products, ensuring a cohesive and revitalized brand experience for all our clients.
Happy anniversary to us! Here’s to many more years of shaping stories, building brands, and navigating the ever-evolving world of public relations and marketing. If you’d like to find out more about how we can help positively impact your bottom line in 2024 and into the future, contact us.
About Durée & Company, Inc.
Founded in 1999, Durée & Company is a full-service, well-respected and highly creative public relations and marketing agency serving a diverse client base of local, national and international consumer brands, landmark industries, business leaders and philanthropists from its offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Aspen, Colorado. Practice areas include nonprofit, hospitality, business, lifestyle, health and wellness, legal, real estate, yacht and marine as well as cannabis, psychedelics, and other emerging industries. Durée & Company is a member of some of the nation’s most elite professional organizations including PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI), The Florida Hemp Council, The Cannabis Marketing Association and is a corporate partner of Cannabis LAB. To learn more, call 954-723-9350; go to dureeandcompany.com; cannabismarketingpr.com; or psychedelicpr.com. Join the social conversation and follow Durée & Company on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn at @DureeCoPR.
