Glendale’s Communications Director Earns National Honor
Sue Breding selected as 2023 ‘Communicator of the Year’ by 3CMA
The City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) has presented its 2023 Communicator of the Year Award to Sue Breding, communications director from Glendale, AZ. 3CMA is the nation’s premier network of local government communicators.
Breding’s visionary leadership and innovative communications strategies are behind the numerous communications and marketing efforts that have generated global attention for Glendale.
“Her generosity of spirit, collaborative mindset, and unwavering commitment to excellence in communication has strengthened the bond between the city and its residents, businesses, and stakeholders,” said the 3CMA Communicator of the Year selection committee. “Sue’s tireless dedication and extraordinary contributions have not only put Glendale, Arizona, on the map but have set a shining example for communicators like us across the nation.”
According to the association, several accomplishments earned her the award:
- Her exceptional leadership serving on both the city’s Super Bowl LVII (57) leadership team and the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee’s marketing and communications council. Her work greatly contributed to the NFL’s successful hosting of the largest single-day sporting event in February 2023 in Glendale. The game was the most watched telecast of all time.
- Her understanding and utilization of the latest communications tools and devices earned numerous individual honors for her in 2023. She also serves in a prestigious spot as a trustee for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the governing body for Primetime, Daytime & Sports Emmy® awards.
- Her demonstrated creativity and innovation in her communication strategies, like creating a comprehensive digital media kit, has not only been beneficial to the media but has also made handling incoming requests for information more efficient during high-profile events.
Her commitment to reinventing the city’s outdated government communication methods makes it a cutting-edge city with a robust communication strategy and a high standard of excellence for all its internal and external outreach.
The association added, “What truly sets Sue apart is her dedication to community service and mentorship. She actively mentors the next generation of communicators. She recently organized a student lunch and learn day at the media center, providing valuable insights into government communication to area high school broadcasting students.”
The organization also awarded its first-place Best Marketing Event SAVVY Award to Glendale for Sue’s Swift City initiative. The honor recognizes the specialized marketing techniques used to plan and execute a fun, successful and globally viral media event celebrating how Superstar Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras tour was kicking off in Glendale.
“Every day we are witnessing an increased importance on how organizations communicate and market themselves,” said Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps. “3CMA, comprising of more than 1,400 members, is the premier communication and marketing organization in the country, so to be recognized by her peers as the Communicator of the Year is both a huge accomplishment and honor for Sue.”
Sue has been with the city of Glendale since 2015. As communications director, she oversees a multi-disciplined team that handles the city’s media relations, social media and website, video production and graphic design. Sue was a longtime 3TV/Arizona’s Family news reporter, including eight years on the popular “Good Morning Arizona” show.
“I’m honored to have been selected for this incredible award by such an esteemed group of professionals,” said Breding. “I really love my job and will always cherish the memory of receiving it, not only for what the honor means to me but also for what it means for the terrific city I serve.”
3CMA’s prestigious Communicator of the Year Award is the only one of its awards that is given solely to an individual rather than an entire government entity. This year’s awards ceremony was held during 3CMA’s annual conference on September 6 - 8 in Orlando, Fla.