🏆 Merlot Takes Gold Twice the Hermes Creative Awards

Merlot Marketing earned two Gold honors at the 2026 Hermes Creative Awards, one of the oldest and most respected international creative competitions, drawing more than 6,000 entries from over 30 countries.

CAHP Credit Union – Gold Hermes Award

In collaboration with CAHP Credit Union, Merlot developed the award-winning Bank with the Badges® campaign, a bold brand platform designed to help the organization stand out in a crowded law enforcement marketplace. Through strategic messaging, impactful visuals, and a cohesive suite of print and digital assets, the campaign reinforced the Credit Union’s commitment to supporting officers both on and off duty.

The campaign generated immediate positive feedback from members, employees, and academy recruits, expanding beyond its original scope to include sponsorships, events, signage, and commemorative materials. Its continued growth demonstrates the campaign’s lasting impact on member engagement and brand recognition.

American Outdoor Grill – Gold Hermes Award

Merlot partnered with American Outdoor Grill and guided the brand through its REDiscover™ Process to redefine its market position, refine its messaging, and support a comprehensive brand refresh. Building upon a newly developed logo, the team created a foundational messaging platform and visually rich brand style guide that established clear standards for brand expression across all marketing channels.

The style guide now serves as the cornerstone of the refreshed brand, providing internal teams, agency partners, and vendors with a unified framework for maintaining consistency across every touchpoint.

California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP) – Honorable Mention Award

For the California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP), Merlot developed a comprehensive brand style guide designed to strengthen the organization’s connection with current and future members. The project included a strategic messaging platform, refined brand positioning, and visual standards that better reflected CAHP’s mission and role as a leading voice for California Highway Patrol officers.

The resulting guide unified messaging, design, and brand application into a single resource that empowers staff, partners, and vendors to communicate with consistency and confidence while supporting future marketing and member engagement efforts.

See all the creative work on the Hermes Creative Awards Winners Gallery.