Arlington Communications Honored as Best in Nation for Second Year

Published on September 16, 2026

The City of Arlington Office of Communication took home top honors at the City-County Communications & Marketing Association Savvy Awards on Sept. 10, 2026. The City received six awards, including the best in show, for its video programming, budget communications, website efforts and Spanish outreach.

The Savvy Awards, held in conjunction with 3CMA's Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado this year, recognize outstanding local government achievements in communications, public-sector marketing and citizen-government relationships. This year’s awards featured more than 1,200 submissions in various categories.

Arlington’s FY2026 Budget Campaign, “Piecing it Together” received 3CMA’s highest distinction, the Diamond Award, recognizing it as the best overall Communication & Marketing Processes entry. This is the second year in a row Arlington’s budget communications campaign has won this award.

“This Diamond Award highlights our commitment to delivering transparent and comprehensive budget communications for our community,” said Jay Warren, Director of Communication and Legislative Affairs. “Our goal is to ensure residents not only have access to the information they need, but that it’s presented in clear, creative and engaging ways that strengthen trust in local government.”

Other awards Arlington received included:

• “Piecing it Together: Arlington’s FY2026 Budget Campaign,” Communication & Marketing Plan, Savvy (first place)
• “Uniedo las piezas” Spanish budget campaign, Campaign Outreach to a Diverse Audience, Savvy (first place).
• “Piecing it Together: Arlington’s FY2026 Budget Video,” Education/Training Video, Silver Circle (second place).
•  City of Arlington Website Redesign and Reorganization, Overall Website, Silver Circle (second place)
• “National Medal of Honor Grand Opening Video,” Special One-Time Video, Award of Excellence (third place).

Earlier this year, the City of Arlington's Office of Communication received six awards (including four first-place awards) at the annual Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) conference held in Austin.