PRSA Announces Award Winners

Photos of winners

(NORFOLK, Va. - January 8, 2003) Today, the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announced its 2002 winners for the PRSA Pinnacle Awards, a program designed to recognize the best public relations practices and tactics in the Hampton Roads region.

The Pinnacle Awards recognizes winners in two main categories: Public Relations Tactics, which includes newsletters, brochures, annual reports, audio-visual and interactive communications; and Public Relations Practices including crisis communications, special events, media relations campaigns and community awareness campaigns. Entries were judged on factors such as research, planning, quality, creativity, technical excellence and results.

In the Tactics categories, first place winners are:

• Newsletters budget over $3,500 - City of Virginia Beach for "City Page"
• Brochure, budget over $3,500 - LifeNet Donor Memorial Foundation for its organizational brochure
• Annual Report, budget over $3,500 - The Norfolk Foundation, for its 2001 annual report, "Inspiring Philanthropy."

Receiving Honorable Mentions in the Tactics categories are:

• Newsletters, budget over $3,500 - Tidewater Builders Association for "The Builder"
• Brochure, budget over $3,500 - Goldman and Associates for a Drive Smart Virginia brochure
• Brochure, budget under $3,500 - Nauticus, for its 2002-2003 Tour Operator Guide
• Annual Report - budget over $3,500 - Nauticus

In the Practices categories, first place winners are:

• Community Awareness - Goldman and Associates for its Buckle Up Now 2002 campaign
• Media Relations - Goldman and Associates for a wedding campaign with Spirit Cruises Receiving Honorable Mentions in the Practices categories are:
• Community Awareness - Rubin Cawley and Associates for "Let's be Water Smart" for James City Service Authority
• Media Relations - The Meridian Group for the opening of the new Norfolk International Airport Arrivals Terminal
• Special Event - The Meridian Group for the opening of the new Norfolk International Airport Arrivals Terminal

This year, the chapter also presented a Best in Show award, which went to Goldman and Associates for the Buckle Up Now 2002 community awareness campaign.

An annual award presented by the Hampton Roads PRSA chapter was also announced. Professional of the Year honors went to Emma Inman, APR, the media and communications manager for the City of Virginia Beach. This award recognizes chapter members for outstanding achievement in public relations.

Dr. Judy VanSlyke Turk, APR, Fellow PRSA, dean of the school of mass communications at Virginia Commonwealth University, delivered the keynote address at the awards luncheon, held at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. Dr. VanSlyke Turk discussed the importance of reputation management and measurement as the public relations profession's next calling. Joe Flanagan of WVEC-TV served as master of ceremonies.

The Hampton Roads Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is a 21-year-old professional association of communications and public relations in the Hampton Roads region. This chapter is one of three chapters of the international PRSA organization in Virginia. Its mission is to uphold and promote professional standards of the public relations practice and to provide top-quality service to benefit and provide value to members. With a diverse membership from the public, private and non-profit sectors, the Hampton Roads PRSA Chapter is actively working to build relationships through public relations and build value and understanding for the public relations profession.

For More Information:
Mindy Hughes, APR, (757) 479-3359
Judy Baker, APR, (757) 495-3583