Marana Communications Receives Two National Awards
Published on September 14, 2026
MARANA, Ariz. – The Town of Marana Communications Division has received two national awards from the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA), recognizing excellence in local government communications, public-sector marketing, and resident engagement.
The awards were announced on Thursday, September 10, during 3CMA’s Annual Conference in Denver, where more than 1,200 entries from local governments across the country were evaluated by professional communicators.
Savvy Award for 13,000 Years of Marana's History Timeline
Marana received a Savvy Award in the Other Marketing Tools, 0–120,000 population category for its 13,000 Years of Marana’s History Timeline located at the Marana Aquatic and Recreation Center (MARC). The permanent installation brings more than a millennium of Marana’s history to life through accessible storytelling and visual design, helping residents and visitors connect with the people, milestones, and cultural influences that shaped the community.
(Pictured: Residents at the timeline wall during the MARC grand opening ceremony)
The project was developed primarily in-house by the Town’s Communications Division in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Specialist and MARC Project Manager. Town staff conducted the research, writing, and graphic design.
13,000 Years of Marana can be viewed in person, for free, at the Marana Aquatic & Recreation Center, at 13455 N Marana Main St, Marana, AZ 85653.
Silver Circle Award for Furry Fugitives in Marana!
The Communications Division also received a Silver Circle Award in the Best Use of Humor, 0–75,000 population category for Furry Fugitives in Marana! The campaign helped reunite three escaped goats with their owners after Town staff turned an urgent animal-control situation into a community-focused social media effort.
Rather than relying on a traditional alert, the Communications team created an infomercial-style Instagram Reel featuring the goats and used humor to capture residents’ attention. The campaign was produced entirely in-house, including the voiceover, at no production cost. The campaign generated significant community engagement across Town and Marana Police Department social media channels and received local television coverage. Within 24 hours of the initial video being posted, the goats’ owners contacted the Town, and the animals were safely reunited.
“These awards represent the hard work and dedication of Town staff and our partners to provide information through channels and methods that are accessible, transparent, relevant, and meaningful to our community,” said Communications Manager Vic Hathaway.
The 2026 awards mark the 9th non-consecutive year the Town of Marana Communications Division has been recognized by 3CMA, celebrating just under a decade of innovative communications that inform, engage, and serve the Marana community.
About the 3CMA Savvy Awards
The 3CMA Savvy Awards recognize skilled and effective local government communications professionals across the United States who creatively plan and execute successful communications and marketing initiatives. Entries are judged by professional communicators.
About 3CMA
The City-County Communications & Marketing Association is the nation's premiere network of local government communicators. The organization was founded in 1988 on the philosophy that communications and marketing are essential to helping governments engage and build stronger relationships with their residents. Effective public communicators are vital to local government success, linking residents to the essential information they need to access services and be part of the democratic process. They play a key role in cultivating a shared vision for the community.