GF was recognized with three awards for marketing and communications excellence at the 2025 SMPS New York Liberty Awards, along with a fourth individual honor for the firm’s marketing leadership!
The Liberty Awards program celebrates outstanding achievements in marketing across the AEC industry, judged by a panel of senior marketing and business development professionals. GF received Awards of Excellence in both the Social Media and Project Pursuit categories, a Merit Award in the Video category, and the firm’s Director of Marketing, Danielle Barr, was named Marketer of the Year.
The awards were announced at the annual SMPS NY Liberty Ball on July 24th.
Social Media – Award of Excellence
Over an eight-month period, GF revitalized its social media presence through a strategic mix of organic and paid content across LinkedIn and Instagram. The “We Are GF” campaign, a two-month initiative spotlighting company culture and legacy, served as a key driver of engagement. With only $600 in paid promotion, the campaign increased Instagram reach by 325.9%, Story views by 740.7%, and LinkedIn impressions by 75.2%. Reaching more than 10,000 AEC professionals, the campaign strengthened GF’s brand voice and fostered meaningful connections both internally and externally.
Project Pursuit – Award of Excellence
GF’s proposal and interview materials for a major school district pursuit showcased the firm’s ability to pair technical expertise with clear, compelling storytelling. The marketing team produced a SF330-compliant proposal under a tight deadline, collaborating closely with the A/E team to align messaging with the client’s goals. Over 80 hours of preparation resulted in a successful project win and a strengthened relationship with the district, demonstrating the power of focused, strategic communications in competitive pursuits.
50th Anniversary Video – Merit Award
GF’s 50th-anniversary video was a true in-house production: planned, researched, edited, and distributed entirely by our marketing team. Drawing from archival footage, newly shot b-roll, and a professionally recorded voiceover (the only outsourced element), the narrative-driven video celebrates five decades of innovation, collaboration, and client partnerships. Shared across LinkedIn, Instagram, and our website, it garnered 3,475 views and 684 engagements, along with enthusiastic feedback from employees, clients, and industry peers. This collaborative effort not only honored GF’s legacy but also showcased the creativity and talent of our internal team through a meaningful and versatile storytelling piece.
Marketer of the Year
GF’s Director of Marketing, Danielle Barr, was honored with the Marketer of the Year award, which recognizes individuals whose leadership and achievements have significantly contributed to their firm’s success. The award underscores the strategic guidance and creative vision driving GF’s communications efforts across all platforms.
GF is proud to be recognized among peers for work that reflects creativity, impact, and collaboration at the heart of its brand!
