10.13.08

2008 PRAL First Circle Award Nominations Sought 

Each year, PRAL recognizes a public relations professional who has demonstrated the highest standards of the profession with the First Circle Award.

PRAL is now seeking nominations for our 23nd Annual First Circle Award recipient. Nominate someone you know for the most prestigious honor PRAL bestows upon one of its members!

Please complete the nomination form and submit it to PRAL’s Past President Pierre Washington, by Friday, October 17.

Criteria for nomination and selection are as follows:

• minimum of 5 years as PRAL or PRSA member;
• minimum of 15 years in public relations or related field;
• service to PRAL and/or SPRF, including activity as a member of a committee, as a committee chair or as a member of the PRAL board of directors;
• recognized for high standards of professional and personal integrity; and
• must show service to the profession through public service, volunteer work, and/or work with students, interns and young professionals.

Questions? Contact:
Pierre Washington
Phone: 225-219-5031
Fax: 225-219-5043
E-mail: pwashin2@dhh.la.gov

08.12.08

PR Professionals Recognize Industry Best
Duncan Named 2008 Professional Achievement Award Winner
Dr. Walton Named PR Educator of the Year

Sandestin, Fla.—The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) wrapped up its annual conference with two days of networking, professional development, industry recognition and its first-ever Educator of the Year awards program.

Themed “The PR Circus...Making Sense of It,” the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization hosted participants from the 1,300-member, four-state organization for continuing education and the annual Lantern Awards banquet, a competition that recognizes outstanding work produced by SPRF members.

The conference highlight was the presentation of the Professional Achievement Award (PAA), the organization’s highest honor. This year’s recipient was Glen Duncan, APR, representing the Public Relations Association of Louisiana’s Baton Rouge chapter.

Duncan earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Duke University and a master’s degree from the University of Georgia. He explored for oil with Amoco Production Company before serving on a water finding mission in drought areas of Zimbabwe, Africa. He earned a master’s degree in journalism at Louisiana State University and became an award-winning environmental reporter and meteorologist at WBRZ-TV (ABC affiliate) before founding his own public relations firm. He currently serves on the management committee and is director of communications at the world’s largest, university-based nutrition research center.

Dr. Laura Richardson Walton, APR, assistant professor of communication at Mississippi State University representing the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM), took home the first-ever Outstanding Educator of the Year Award. SPRF established the award to recognize an educator who has taught public relations or similar disciple and who has demonstrated a commitment to advance the profession of public relations.

“We are very excited that Laura has been recognized by SPRF for her achievements,’ said Dr. John E. Forde, APR, Associate Professor and Head Department of Communication at Mississippi State University. “She is a valued colleague in our department and has become a great leader in public relations. We expect many more accomplishments from her in the years to come.”

Walton teaches a variety of courses including PR Campaigns, PR Theory and PR Case Studies. Students say that Walton’s classes are demanding, but that she offers encouragement and helps students achieve their goals. “She is an inspiration, role model and mentor to me,” wrote one student.

Walton is active in a variety of activities and organizations including the MSU/Starkville Public Relations Association of Mississippi chapter where she serves as a board member. She is also a member of the PRAM state board and is involved with the organization’s annual PRism awards program.

Other big winners of this year’s Lantern competition include The Red Square Agency of Mobile, Ala., who claimed the prestigious William A. Taylor Best in Show award for its work on Bishop State College’s integrated communications campaign. A Special Judges’ Award was given to the Godwin Group of Jackson, Miss., for its work on the Dropout Prevention Adult Summit.

Conference keynote speaker was Retired Brigadier General H. J. (Jerry) Dalton Jr., APR, Fellow PRSA, and the first communications professional to head the U.S. Air Force’s Pentagon-based public affairs operation. Other session topics included PR ethics, social media, leadership research and crisis communications.

Founded in 1972, SPRF is a regional network of more than 1,300 public relations professionals from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and north Florida who share a common interest in the public relations profession.

SPRF exists to further the professional and networking interests of today’s public relations and communication professionals in private, public and nonprofit businesses and organizations. Along with networking, SPRF serves to advocate on behalf of and assist its members through ongoing professional development and defining ethical behavior. SPRF is the umbrella organization for the Public Relations Council of Alabama, Public Relations Association of Mississippi, the Public Relations Association of Louisiana and the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization.

SPRF, along with eight other regional and national public relations organizations, is a participating member of the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), the national body which administers the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) mark. Members certified as APRs have successfully demonstrated competency in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice public relations effectively in today’s business arena.

08.12.08

SPRF Designates 21 Professionals as Senior Practitioners

Sandestin, Fla.—The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) honored 21 people at its annual conference recently at the Sandestin Bayside Inn Conference Center as senior practitioners. The senior practitioner designation was established to honor SPRF members recognized by their peers as veteran PR professionals with high ethical standing.

Nomination and selection is made by each local chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA), Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM), the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) and the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization (ECPRO) based on criteria set by SPRF. Nominees must have met three of four criteria:
· 15 years of full-time PR experience
· Accreditation by the UAB
· Officer or board member at the chapter, state or SPRF level
· Recognition of professionalism as evidenced by an SPRF Lantern Award, practitioner of the year award, or similar PR-related recognition or honor.

The 2008 senior practitioners are as follows:

PRCA (Public Relations Council of Alabama)

East Alabama Chapter

1. Terri Knight, Marketing and Specialty Leasing Manager; Village Mall; Auburn, Ala.

West Alabama

2. Suzanne Dowling, Communications Specialist; The University of Alabama; Tuscaloosa, Ala.

3. Cresandra Smothers, Director of Internal Communications; The University of Alabama; Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Birmingham

4. Carl Carter, APR, President; Carter-Harwell Public Relations; Birmingham, Ala.

Mobile Chapter

5. Herb Jordan; Bishop State Community College; Mobile, Ala.

North Alabama Chapter

6. Tammie Dodson, Public Relations Manager; ADTRAN, Inc.; Huntsville, Ala.

7. Monica M. "Monty" Vest, Director of Communications; JANSON Communications; Huntsville, Ala.

Montgomery Chapter

8. Peggy Collins, Regional Director; Alabama Tourism Department; Montgomery, Ala.

PRAM (Public Relations of Mississippi)

Central Chapter

9. Jarrod Ravencraft, CPM, Strategic Planning Director; Mississippi State Hospital; Whitfield, Miss.

Golden Triangle Chapter

10. Dr. Van T. Roberts, Assistant Professor; Dept. of Communication; Mississippi University for Women; Columbus, Miss.

River City Chapter

11. Bill K. Mullen, Technical Writer; Science Applications International; Vicksburg, Miss.

Starkville/Mississippi State Chapter

12. Leighton Spann, APR, Leader, Electronic Media; Mississippi State University; Starkville, Miss.

Oxford/Ole Miss Chapter

13. Robin Street, Instructor of Journalism & Public Relations; Dept. of Journalism; University of Mississippi; Oxford, Miss.

Mississippi Beach Chapter

14. Kevin Drum, Executive Director; Mississippi Gulf Coast Golf Association; Biloxi, Miss.

15. Lauren Thompson, Public Relations Director; Mississippi Dept. of Marine Resources; Biloxi, Miss.

Meridian Chapter

16. Pace Cooke Emmons, EAP Coordinator/Public Relations Director; Weems Community Mental Health Center; Meridian, Miss.

17. Amy Ford, Director of Public Relations; Rush Foundation Hospital; Meridian, Miss.

ECPRO (Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization)

18. Dr. Randy Bobbitt, APR, Assistant Professor; Dept. of Communications and Arts; University of West Florida; Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.

19. Ken Hair, Executive Director; Children in Crisis, Inc.; Shalimar, Fla.

20. Kathy Newby, Public Information Officer; Okaloosa County; Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.

PRAL (Public Relations Association of Louisiana)

21. Pam Hutchinson, Vice President of Public Affairs; Louisiana Public Facilities Authority; Baton Rouge, La.

Founded in 1972, SPRF is a regional network of more than 1,300 public relations professionals from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and north Florida who share a common interest in the public relations profession.

SPRF exists to further the professional and networking interests of today&rsuqo;s public relations and communication professionals in private, public and nonprofit businesses and organizations. Along with networking, SPRF serves to advocate on behalf of and assist its members through ongoing professional development and defining ethical behavior. SPRF is the umbrella organization for PRCA, PRAM, PRAL and ECPRO. SPRF, along with eight other regional and national public relations organizations, is a participating member of the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), the national body which administers the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) mark. Members certified as APRs have successfully demonstrated competency in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice public relations effectively in today’s business arena.

08.11.08

PR Pros Recognized for Outstanding Work
Mobile’s Red Square Agency Wins Best of Show Award

Sandestin, Fla.—The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) recognized outstanding work in the field of public relations during the Lantern Awards banquet at its 2008 Conference held recently at the Sandestin Bayside Inn Conference Center.

The Lantern Awards competition recognizes the best work produced by SPRF members with certificates of merit, awards of excellence and the Lantern Award, the highest award given. A panel of judges from Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, who reviewed 249 entries in 25 categories, selected the awards. Of the entries, only 15 percent were awarded Lantern Awards. The judges considered planning, originality, creativity, effectiveness, budget utilization and the role of the entrant in the project.

The Red Square Agency of Mobile, Ala., claimed the prestigious William A. Taylor Best in Show award for its work on Bishop State College’s Integrated Communications campaign. Special Judges’ Awards were given to the Godwin Group of Jackson, Miss. for its work on the Dropout Prevention Adult Summit and Hattiesburg, Miss.’s Area Development Partnership for its work on Festival of Swans.

The following organizations won Lanterns (number of Lanterns):

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana of Baton Rouge, La. (6)
• Red Square Agency of Mobile, Ala. (4)
• Crestwood Medical Center of Huntsville, Ala. (1)
• LSU Public Affairs of Baton Rouge, La. (3)
• Godwin Group of Jackson, Miss. (3)
• Insight Marketing Communications of Navarre, Fla. (2)
• The Cirlot Agency of Jackson, Miss. (2)
• LWCC of Baton Rouge, La. (1)
• Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau of Jackson, Miss. (2)
• Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce of Mobile, Ala. (2)
• Baton Rouge General Medical Center of Baton Rouge, La. (1)
• MightyPenguin Design of Hattiesburg, Miss. (1)
• BREC of Baton Rouge, La. (1)
• AllisonDigital of Tupelo, Miss. (1)
• Coast Electric Power Association of Gulfport, Miss. (1)
• AltaPointe Health Systems of Mobile, Ala. (1)
• Mississippi Department of Marine Resources of Gulfport, Miss. (1)
• Singing River Electric Power Association of Pascagoula, Miss. (1)
• Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources of Hattiesburg, Miss. (1)
• Louisiana Lottery Corporation of Baton Rouge, La. (1)
• Cunningham Group of Montgomery, Ala. (1)
• Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (1)
• Singing River Electric Power Association of Pascagoula, Miss. (1)
• Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources of Miss. (1)
• Louisiana Lottery Corporation of Baton Rouge, La. (1)
• Cunningham Group of Montgomery, Ala. (1)

Founded in 1972, SPRF is a regional network of more than 1,300 public relations professionals from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and north Florida who share a common interest in the public relations profession.

SPRF exists to further the professional and networking interests of today’s public relations and communication professionals in private, public and nonprofit businesses and organizations. Along with networking, SPRF serves to advocate on behalf of and assist its members through ongoing professional development and defining ethical behavior. SPRF is the umbrella organization for PRCA, PRAM, PRAL and ECPRO. SPRF, along with eight other regional and national public relations organizations, is a participating member of the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), the national body which administers the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) mark. Members certified as APRs have successfully demonstrated competency in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice public relations effectively in today’s business arena.

Founded in 1972, SPRF is a regional network of more than 1,300 public relations professionals from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and north Florida who share a common interest in the public relations profession.

SPRF exists to further the professional and networking interests of today’s public relations and communication professionals in private, public and nonprofit businesses and organizations. Along with networking, SPRF serves to advocate on behalf of and assist its members through ongoing professional development and defining ethical behavior. SPRF is the umbrella organization for the Public Relations Council of Alabama, Public Relations Association of Mississippi, the Public Relations Association of Louisiana and the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization.

SPRF, along with eight other regional and national public relations organizations, is a participating member of the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), the national body which administers the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) mark. Members certified as APRs have successfully demonstrated competency in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice public relations effectively in today’s business arena.

04.29.08

Call for Senior Practitioner Designees Due

Each year, SPRF member organizations (ECPRO, PRAL, PRAM, and PRCA) and their respective chapters are invited to nominate up to two professionals per chapter for the SPRF Senior Practitioner designation. The senior practitioner designation was established to honor members of SPRF who are recognized by their peers as veteran public relations professionals with high ethical standing. Recipients of this designation are announced at the SPRF annual conference.

Here are the guidelines for nomination:

1. Nomination and selection is made by each local chapter based on criteria set by the Southern Public Relations Federation. To receive the designation “senior practitioner,” a recipient must meet three of the following four criteria:
• 15 years of full-time public relations experience
• Accreditation by the NAPRC member organization
• Officer or board member at chapter, state or SPRF level
• Recognition of professionalism as evidenced by such awards as Practitioner of the Year, Lantern Award or similar honor.
2. Nominees may only be designated as a senior practitioner one time in their career.
3. Submit nominees, including full name, title and company of Senior Practitioner designees, via e-mail to Holly Cullen, APR at hhouk@lsu.edu.
4. Deadline—Nominations must be received by no later than June 12 , 2008.
5. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Holly Cullen at 225-578-3872, hhouk@lsu.edu.

To view a list of past designees, please log on to http://www.sprf.org/awards_program/senior.html.

2008 SPRF Lantern Awards Call for Entries

It’s that time of year again—the 2008 SPRF Lantern Awards Competition. We have made it easier than ever to enter your public relations programs and projects with an online awards entry system. If you are unfamiliar with the online entry system, you are encouraged to read the tutorial for a detailed explanation of the system's functionality.

If you entered last year, you will have to re-register your “login” and “password” this year, as the previous year’s login information is not saved.

And don’t forget: All entries must be received—not postmarked—by end of day May 23, 2008 to be eligible for judging.

Entry fees are $55 per entry or $50 per entry if you submit four entries or more. Information about duplicate awards can be found on the Lantern Awards Web site.

04.24.08

LSU and ULL Students Receive Awards from PRAL

The Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) recognized two outstanding college students for their dedication to the field of public relations: Megan Broussard of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) and Ashley Herrick of Louisiana State University (LSU).

“These two young ladies have amazing credentials and are well on their way toward a successful career in public relations,” said Michelle Spielman, APR, PRAL Awards Committee Chair. “As an organization, we strongly support the development of our future colleagues and are thrilled to present these awards to such accomplished students as Megan and Ashley.”

PRAL President Holly Cullen, APR (center) is pictured with PRAL's scholarship award winners Megan Broussard (Jack H. Sanders Memorial Award) and Ashley Herrick (William M. Michelet Honorary Award).

Herrick was awarded the $1,000 Bill Michelet Honorary Award, a designation that honors the founder of PRAL, a former LSU professor and accomplished public relations practitioner. A senior at LSU from Ponchatoula, La., Herrick, demonstrates exceptional proficiency in the field of public relations and a strong commitment to community involvement. As a student, Herrick has done pro bono work for various local organizations including CASA and Catholic Charities. In 2006, she participated in a 10-month exchange to study media at the University of Wales Swansea. While in the United Kingdom, Herrick volunteered as an international student ambassador and wrote a foreign correspondence column for her hometown newspaper, The Ponchatoula Times. She is planning a to participate in a five-week French immersion program in Nova Scotia this summer and plans to pursue a career in international public relations following graduation in December 2008. Herrick is the daughter of Terry and Carl Herrick of Ponchatoula, La.

Broussard and Herrick were recognized and presented with their awards at PRAL’s monthly membership, held at Juban’s Restaurant in Baton Rouge on April 22.

02.27.08

PRAL Honors 2007 Communicator, Practitioner and Member of the Year

J.R. Ball	Glen Duncan, APR	Michael Johnson

The Baton Rouge chapter of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) honored local professionals for their accomplishments during the organization’s annual awards and board installation ceremony held Jan. 29 at Juban's Restaurant in Baton Rouge.

J.R. Ball, vice president of editorial for Baton Rouge Business Report, was named PRAL’s 2007 Communicator of the Year for his editorial leadership of Business Report and 225 Magazine’s publishing divisions and online editorial entities as well as for his oversight of the newly launched 10/12 Magazine that covers the linear city found along the I-10/I-12 corridor from Slidell to Lake Charles.

Glen Duncan APR, director of communications for Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, received PRAL's 2007 Practitioner of the Year Award for his success in achieving the center’s five-year strategic plan and elevating the center’s exposure to the national and international media, potential donors and the general public.

The PRAL board also recognized Michael Johnson, senior communications specialist for Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation, as the recipient of its first-ever Member of the Year Award for his outstanding service in creating an interactive web site for the organization.

The 2008 PRAL officers inducted during the ceremony were President Holly Houk Cullen, APR, of LSU’s Office of Public Affairs; Vice President Stephen Loy, APR, of Louisiana Technology Park; Secretary Amy Nolan, APR, of Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation; Treasurer Les Landon, APR, of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers; and Immediate Past President Pierre Washington of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Mental Health.

PRAL board members for 2008 are Alicia Davidson of Louisiana Economic Development, Pam Hutchinson of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Amy Delaney of Ochsner Medical Center—Baton Rouge, Shelly Dupré of Object 9, Michael Johnson of Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation, Sadie Wilks of the Louisiana State Medical Society, and Glen Duncan, APR, of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

01.18.08

Will 2008 Be the Year You Become Accredited?

More and more of your colleagues are choosing to become Accredited in Public Relations. As more local practitioners earn this distinction, an increasing number of Baton Rouge employers are recognizing those with the APR credential as proven public relations professionals. 

In today’s rapidly changing business climate and job market, having the APR credential behind your name may help edge out the competition if you choose or need to seek new employment. Plus, the preparation process is a great way to enhance your professional knowledge and sharpen your skills.

Start on the road to accreditation today! PRAL’s APR Chair Scott Miller, APR, can assist you along the way. For more information, contact Scott at scott.miller@brgeneral.org. 

2008-09 Readiness Review Schedule:
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Saturday, January 31, 2009