Civilian Wins Four Hermes Creative Awards for Purpose-Driven Campaigns

San Diego, CA — Civilian, a Certified B Corporation and purpose-driven marketing agency based in San Diego, has been honored with four Hermes Creative Awards for its work on campaigns that tackle mental health, youth well-being, and public health messaging in California. The wins — two Platinum and two Gold — underscore Civilian’s leadership in behavior change marketing and its commitment to using communications for good.

The Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition honoring creative professionals who bring ideas to life through traditional and digital platforms. Administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), one of the largest and oldest evaluators of creative work in the world, the awards recognize excellence in publications, branding, advertising, marketing, and communications. With more than 325,000 entries from more than 135 countries throughout the years, the competition continues to set the standard for creative excellence.

The Civilian Hermes Creative Platinum Award winners are:

• Live Beyond Campaign – A statewide mental health awareness campaign led by the California Office of the Surgeon General, aimed at breaking the stigma around Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. Civilian led the strategy, messaging, media, and creative execution across multiple platforms, featuring diverse youth voices and culturally relevant storytelling. View the submission.

• Never a Bother Campaign – A bold suicide prevention campaign designed by and for youth, particularly those in underrepresented communities. The campaign’s powerful message, “No problem is too small, and no one is a bother,” resonated deeply with audiences and helped normalize mental health conversations among young people. View the submission.

The Hermes Creative Gold Awards winners are:

• California Department of Public Health Branding Refresh – Civilian refreshed the department’s brand and visual identity with a modern, inclusive, and audience-informed design, ensuring that critical public health messages are cohesive and recognizable statewide. View the submission.

• Never a Bother Website – The campaign’s digital hub, neverabother.org, offers youth-friendly resources and real stories from young people across California. Civilian designed the site with a trauma-informed lens and co-created content with youth advisors. View the submission.

“These campaigns prove that when we center humanity and community in our work, and elevate the voices of those most impacted, we don’t just win awards, we drive change,” said Stacey Nelson Smith, President and Founder of Civilian. “I’m proud of our clients for their bold campaigns, our team for their dedication, and most importantly, the communities we serve.”

This recognition comes on the heels of Civilian’s 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of work at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and social impact. Civilian’s approach reflects a core belief: that great marketing can fuel real progress, especially when it is inclusive, honest, and grounded in purpose.

About Civilian

Civilian is a full-service marketing agency committed to improving lives, strengthening communities, and creating lasting social impact. Certified as a B-Corporation, Civilian partners with government agencies, nonprofits, and socially conscious organizations to deliver campaigns that matter. For more information, visit Civilian.com.

Media Contact: Hiram Soto, Director of Communications and Public Relations, hiram@civilian.com