EMBARK Earns National Transit Advertising Award

The American Public Transportation Association has named EMBARK as a Grand Award winner in its 2022 AdWheel Awards competition, which recognizes APTA member systems and business members for outstanding marketing and communications efforts that contributed to strategic goals.

It is the sixth time EMBARK has received Grand Award recognition in the AdWheel competition. The organization also received honors in 2005, 2006, 2015, 2016 and 2019.

“Our frontline transit professionals never missed a day of service during the pandemic, and the objective of this campaign was to raise awareness of EMBARK's efforts to provide safe, essential transit services,” City of Oklahoma City Assistant City Manager and EMBARK Administrator Jason Ferbrache said. “Our strategy was centered around demonstrating our safety protocols on our two busiest transit services – fixed-route bus and streetcar – and inviting riders back to the service.

“Our entry showcased how effective storytelling can deliver results that have lasting effects. Growing community confidence during a pandemic demonstrates our agency's resilience, responsiveness, and commitment to excellence – even in the most challenging circumstances.”

AdWheel honors initially are awarded in four groups, based on system size. A Grand Award winner then is selected from the first-place group winner.

“I am excited to congratulate the latest AdWheel winners,” said Paul P. Skoutelas, the president and CEO of APTA. “This year, public transportation has balanced COVID-19, fluctuating ridership and many other challenges. Under these trying circumstances, the AdWheel winners have used exemplary communications and marketing efforts to reach out to their communities, educate their riders and accomplish their organization’s goals, all while providing the best possible mobility services to communities across North America.”

APTA formally presented the Grand Awards during its TRANSform Conference, which was held Oct. 9-12 in Seattle.