The 2023 Media Innovation Competition acknowledges and celebrates the remarkable achievements of member rescue missions and ministries in print and online media. By recognizing their valuable progress and innovative offerings, we highlight the impactful content created by Citygate Network members.
This prestigious event sets a high standard for the industry and inspires others to push boundaries in media innovation. Join us in honoring these exceptional individuals and organizations as we applaud their commitment to excellence and their transformative contributions to the media landscape.
NEWSLETTERS/MAGAZINES
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: Mission Magazine
Vendor/Designer: BDI Agency
Union Rescue Mission, Los Angeles, CA
Judge’s Comments: Very engaging photos that draw in readers. Content reinforces the publication’s tagline, “Let’s end homelessness in LA”. Mission Magazine is an easy read that belies the stirring content about life transformation. The design is clean, with a warm feel. Readers short on time can quickly scan the content and pick-up the bolded key messages throughout. The back page includes cross-marketing content, pointing readers to more engagement opportunities and information about an upcoming television broadcast featuring the mission.
|
Award of Merit: Mission NewsVendor/Designer: UGM Team |
NEWSLETTERS/MAGAZINES
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: Hope Lives Here
Vendor/Designer: Jen Li Designs
Philly House, Philadelphia, PA
Judge’s Comments: Strong branding, clean layout, nice font choice that’s appropriately sized. Content is well-organized with compelling themes that engage the reader in the organization’s work. The piece includes calls to action, social media promotion, and a monthly update with the ministry’s output statistics, yet the layout still has room to breathe.
 |
Award of Merit: Home BlessingsVendor/Designer: Cross Appeal |
GENERAL BROCHURES
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: Ministry Overview
Vendor/Designer: Susan Pottberg
Miracle Hill Ministries, Greenville, SC
Judge’s Comments: The cover photo is striking — a contrast of need and provision, of desperate circumstances and joy. Inside, clean infographics provide quick references to the needs and provisions, while information about the ministry’s various programs and facilities are showcased with engaging photos. Stories help bring the information into focus at a personal level. Financial information is neatly displayed and organized for quick review. The piece closes with an artful ask with various giving options and further information. The branding is cohesive, and the sturdy, matte, stock feels quality.
 |
Award of Merit: Referral Agency BrochureVendor/Designer: BDI Agency |
GENERAL BROCHURES
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: Unconditional Refuge and Hope
Vendor/Designer: Guardian Agency
Philly House, Philadelphia, PA
Judge’s Comments: Simple, clear messaging that is reinforced throughout the cohesively branded brochure. The substantial, matte stock is appealing. People photos portray community and joy. Inside layout leads the eye to a QR code to facilitate donating.
 |
Award of Merit: Volente BrochureVendor/Designer: Tom Matthew |
ANNUAL REPORTS
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: Union Gospel Mission 2021 Annual Report
Vendor/Designer: UGM Team
Union Gospel Mission — Inland Northwest, Spokane, WA
Judge’s Comments: Lots of smiles, impact statistics, key messages, and information flow throughout this annual report. The content is easy to digest and compels the reader to turn the page for more. The photography is excellent, the design exudes professionalism, and the content is warm. Of special note is this piece’s restraint. It’s not wordy, and it doesn’t have to be, because the photos and succinct quotes speak volumes.
 |
Award of Merit: Because of You: Annual Report 2022Vendor/Designer: Hampden Press |
ANNUAL REPORTS
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: Making An Impact: FY 2021-2022 Annual Report
Vendor/Designer: Tom Matthew
Modesto Gospel Mission, Modesto, CA
Judge’s Comments: This piece is a beautiful and effective blend of engaging photos, interesting infographics, and well-crafted copy. Its clean lines organize the content very well, and the use of simple icons reinforce the mission’s key messages. I really appreciate the use of the ministry’s logo to brand its various programs and the pops of color that coordinate with each program/facility. The nice weight and matte finish complement the design.
 |
Award of Merit: Restore: BRM Annual Report, FY 2022Vendor/Designer: Tatum Curry |
SHORT VIDEOS
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: “URM 4k Run Walk”
Vendor/Producer/Director: John Lockmer
Union Rescue Mission, Los Angeles, CA
Judge’s Comments: This video is interesting because it expertly utilizes a high frame rate throughout most of the work to create a feeling of almost being suspended in time, allowing the viewer to catch important details, such as the scores of times the URL is shown on t-shirts, signage, and more. At other times, it uses a low frame rate to create energy. Throughout, the resonant voice over is clear and engaging.
 |
Award of Merit: “Alone”Vendor/Designer: Katie Stodola, Digital Storyteller, Miracle Hill |
SHORT VIDEOS
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: “It’s Coffee with a Mission!”
Vendor/Producer/Director: Cris Munoz
Modesto Gospel Mission, Modesto, CA
Judge’s Comments: Very visually appealing with a clear and compelling message. The movement, perspectives, music, and narration blend perfectly…just like an expertly brewed cup of coffee.
 |
Award of Merit: “Who We Are”Vendor/Designer: Dream On Studios |
EXTENDED VIDEOS
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: “KARM Outside The Walls with Carey & Pastor Mychal”
Vendor/Producer/Director: Westfall/Naomi Lee
Knox Area Rescue Ministries, Knoxville, TN
Judge’s Comments: This hard-hitting narrative is impactful, captivating, and inspirational, while informing the viewer about KARM’s outreach ministry. The soundtrack, music, and pace perfectly complement the story. The camera work, transitions, lighting, and all technical aspects are spot on, but the way the story is told is really phenomenal.
|
Award of Merit: “Jasmine's Story”Vendor/Designer: Lampstand Story Co. |
EXTENDED VIDEOS
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: “Call Us Philly House!!”
Vendor/Producer/Director: Veracity Studios
Philly House, Philadelphia, PA
Judge’s Comments: The video energetically tells the ministry’s story, from its founding through its rebranding, while simultaneously describing the services it offers. Utilizing guests as spokespersons shows ownership and creates excitement. It’s light, engaging, and informative, with solid technical qualities.
 |
Award of Merit: “Ventura County Rescue Mission 50th Anniversary”Vendor/Designer: Ventura County Rescue Mission, with Sergio Torres, Auténtico Films |
PHOTOGRAPHS
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: “A Moment of Rest”
Photographer: Scott Streble
Phoenix Rescue Mission, Phoenix, AZ
Judge’s Comments: This photograph captures a genuine moment of solace and compassion. The in-focus subject expressions belie a difficult realty in the near-background. The photograph is excellent, both technically and creatively.
 |
Award of Merit: “Renewed Hope”Photographer: Megan Ashenden |
PHOTOGRAPHS
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: “For God So Loved The World”
Photographer: Tom Matthew
Modesto Gospel Mission, Modesto, CA
Judge’s Comments: This photograph uses negative space effectively to depict loneliness, while simultaneously illuminating hope through Jesus and help at the mission. The subject is in focus and appropriately li — just enough to tell the story. It’s a strong composition, inviting people out of the shadows and into the light.
 |
Award of Merit: “New Look”Photographer: Jason Dailey |
WEBSITES
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: www.uniongospelmission.org
Website Designer: UGM Team
Union Gospel Mission, Spokane, WA
Judge’s Comments: This website grabs attention with its subtle, yet interesting, background video montage, urging the user to engage at a deeper level through various calls to action, presented one screen scroll at a time. Its top-level navigation is very clean, yet the full site map is present on virtually every page, along with a search feature and social media links. The branding and the messaging are cohesive. There's no ambiguity in the links; the user gets exactly what they'd expect to receive at each click. Loads lightning-fast and functions/scales perfectly on mobile devices. Through simple sign-ups, the site offers extensive education about homelessness and related issues, also allowing the ministry to make a connection with its website users.
 |
Award of Merit: www.karm.orgVendor/Designer: New Frame Creative |
WEBSITES
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: www.downtownhopecenter.org
Website Designer: Savannah Henson
Downtown Hope Center, Anchorage, AK
Judge’s Comments: This website oozes personality. The animations draw attention appropriately, without being overdone. It's easy to navigate, fast-loading, and scales responsively across devices and browsers. Its content focuses on engagement. Virtually every page invites visitors to donate, volunteer, follow on social media, and partner in various ways. The donation functions are clean and unintimidating.
 |
Award of Merit: www.mymission.orgVendor/Designer: Calitag |
SOCIAL MEDIA
Budget category: More than $5 million
Award of Excellence: @denverrescuemission Instagram
Social Media Manager: Stephen Hinkel
Denver Rescue Mission, Denver, CO
Judge’s Comments: Denver Rescue Mission uses custom covers to highlight and categorize its stories. The Instagram stories, because they’re fresh and temporary, can drive a sense of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), prompting repeat visitors. What visitors find is high-frequency, varied, interesting, inspirational, educational content. Branding, tone, and messaging are consistent, and copy is well written.
 |
Award of Merit: @opendoormission TwitterVendor/Designer: Logan Koepke |
SOCIAL MEDIA
Budget category: Up to $5 million
Award of Excellence: @dskhopecenter Facebook
Social Media Manager: Savannah Henson
Downtown Rescue Mission, Anchorage, AK
Judge’s Comments: Engagement drives Downtown Rescue Mission’s Facebook presence. Beyond shares and likes, the mission receives frequent high-quality mentions from outside organizations. This profile does an excellent job of representing the work they do, the people they do it for, and the volunteers and donors that make it all happen. The branding is consistent, and so is the mission’s expression of gratitude in its posts.
 |
Award of Merit: @butterescuemission InstagramVendor/Designer: Tatum Curry |