The Arkansas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) held its annual Prism Awards event this past Thursday, Sept. 22, in person for the first time since 2019. Numerous awards were presented to honor the exceptional public relations programs and skills of the state’s practitioners, companies and organizations.
“After the challenges of the past two and half years, it was wonderful to gather together and recognize the leaders in our field,” said Shira Kelley, A.P.R., who served as event chairperson. “Arkansas communicators found innovating and exciting ways to meet those challenges and elevate their clients and the public relations field.”
One such innovator is Rex Nelson, Senior Editor of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, who received the PRSA Diamond Award, which recognizes an individual outside the field of public relations who has nonetheless made significant contributions to enhancing the image of Arkansas. After accepting, Nelson spoke on how the fields of public relations and journalism are more important than ever in the age of mis- and disinformation.
Other awards included the Lifetime Achievement Award, posthumously given to long-time PRSA member Markham Howe, and the 2022 Bob Sells Best of Show Award, given to Little Rock PR agency The Communications Group for its Women in Industry podcast.
Of the titular Prism Awards, there were 45 entries across many categories, all judged by members of the Central Ohio chapter of the PRSA. The winners are as follows:
- Public Service
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – Arkansas PBS Rise and Shine
- Public Affairs, sponsored by Talk Business & Politics
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – EVT Arkansas
- Public Relations on a Shoestring Budget
- Winner: The Communications Group – Women in Industry
- Special Events & Observances, Less Than 7 Days
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – Keep Arkansas Beautiful: Otto’s Birthday Party
- Reputation & Brand Management
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – UACCB Summer Brand Management
- Community Relations
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – Keep Arkansas Beautiful Community Clean-ups
- Institutional Programs
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – Building Cybersecurity Standards with Intelligent Buildings
- Content Marketing
- Winner: The Communications Group – Baldor Content Marketing Center
- Crisis Communications
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – Monette Manor Disaster Response
- Marketing Communications
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – Flying Duck Migration Celebration
- Other Public Relations
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – Au’Diese Toney NIL Partnership
- Special Events & Observances, More Than 7 Days
- Winner: The Communications Group – Arkansas Soybean Month
- Multicultural Public Relations
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – UACCB Multicultural Grassroots Outreach
- Advertising Support
- Winner: The Bridgeway – Mental Health in the Workplace
- Creative Tactics
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – Keep Arkansas Beautiful mural
- Winner (tied): The Communications Group – Arkansas Boll Weevil Eradication grower tools
- Feature/News Writing
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – UALR Community Influencer commentary
- Media Relations
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – EVT Arkansas
- Multimedia
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – Au’Diese Toney NIL Partnership
- Promotional Printed Pieces
- Winner: The Communications Group – Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board research
- Social Media & Influencers
- Winner: The Communications Group – Women in Industry
- Websites
- Winner: The Communications Group – Arkansas Boll Weevil Eradication site abwep.org
- PSA
- Winner: MHP/Team SI – Middleton Heating & Air Angelic Product
- Periodicals
- Winner: The Communications Group – Better Beginnings Buzz newsletter
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