Raleigh Public Relations Society

The Raleigh Public Relations Society (RPRS) aims to advance the art and science of public relations and to strengthen communication, understanding and cooperation among the diverse individuals, groups, and institutions of the Society.

RPRS News

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RPRS Honors Capstrat’s Ken Eudy with the 2015 Watt Huntley Award

RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 24, 2015) – Ken Eudy, co-founder and chief executive officer of Capstrat, was honored with the 2015 Watt Huntley Award for Lifetime Achievement in the field of public relations during the Raleigh Public Relations Society (RPRS) Sir Walter Raleigh Awards banquet on September 23 at The State Club.

Each year, RPRS presents The Watt Huntley Award to an individual who has made lasting and meaningful contributions to the field of public relations over the course of a career. It is given in memory of the late Watt Huntley, who served as public relations chief at Carolina Power & Light in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Huntley also served as president of the Raleigh Public Relations Society, and so the organization’s highest honor bears his name.

“As the communications landscape continues to evolve and change, Ken continues to lead his colleagues and practitioners in the field. We’re pleased to present Ken with the Watt Huntley Award as recognition for his accomplishments and for what he has contributed to the public relations industry,” said Kelly Propst, president, Raleigh Public Relations Society. “We are appreciative of his work to advance the profession and his impact on the Triangle area and PR community.”

The evening also honored the best in communications and public relations campaigns from across the state of North Carolina during the Sir Walter Raleigh awards. Entries were honored in five divisions, with one firm winning the top award in each:

  • Division 1 – Total Communications/Community Relations Campaign: Clairemont Communications – LEKKER Bikes U.S. Rolls into America
  • Division 2 – Publications: Media Partners, Inc. – Pediatric Care, Close to Home
  • Division 3 – Public Relations Writing: Clairemont Communications – LEKKER Bikes U.S. Rolls into America
  • Division 4 – Digital Communications: Clairemont Communications – PDQ Invites Mom Bloggers to Experience Fresh Concept
  • Division 5 – More Bang for the Buck: French/West/Vaughan – A History Lesson Like No Other in a Place Like No Other: The 150th Civil War Anniversary at Fort Fisher

To learn more about the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards and the Watt Huntley Award, as well as the Raleigh Public Relations Society, please visit www.rprs.org.

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About the Raleigh Public Relations Society
For more than 50 years, the Raleigh Public Relations Society (RPRS) has advanced the art and science of public relations and strengthened communication, understanding and cooperation among diverse individuals, organizations and institutions throughout the Triangle. For more information, visit www.rprs.org.

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Awards Entry Advice: Katie Johnson from French/West/Vaughan

KatieJohnsonAs you are compiling your Sir Walter Raleigh Awards entries this year (remember deadline June 26!) we wanted to share some advice from past award winners. Below, Katie Johnson, group account director at French/West/Vaughan shares a few tips.

Tip 1: Set the Scene

When crafting a solid award entry, I take the approach all PR pros take when pitching the media – lead with the important information. While the entire entry is going to give the complete story starting with “Challenge” and ending with “Results,” use the first paragraph to tout the most important results of the campaign. Treat the judges – who are reading tons of entries – like editors who read thousands of pitches, and get to the point fast.

Tip 2: Tell a Story

Rather than addressing each required section of an entry separately, identify each entry’s story and weave it throughout. This common thread should be what you want the judges to remember about the success of your campaign, and you want to drive the point home through your description of research, creative thinking, and finally, results. This will help ensure the key takeaways are memorable and the judges will be able to quickly and clearly understand why your entry deserves recognition.

 

Tip 3: Incorporate PR

Whether you’re entering a social campaign or a website launch, remember PR is the backbone of the RPRS Awards and also likely the day-to-day for the judges evaluating your entry. Regardless of the type of marketing campaign, an element of PR is necessary for success and it’s important to clearly state that.

 

Tip 4: Presentation

Never underestimate the value a nice-looking entry carries. While it goes without saying written communication is necessary to merchandise great PR work in the form of an award entry, it’s also valuable to ensure the visual presentation makes a mark on the judges and helps set it apart from others competing for the same recognition. Keep this in mind for the entry itself, as well as the supporting materials.

Ready to get started with your entries? Click here to access the submission form.

 

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Awards Entry Advice: Glenn Gillen from S&A Communications

glenngillenAs you are compiling your Sir Walter Raleigh Awards entries this year (remember deadline June 26!) we wanted to share some advice from past award winners. Below, Glenn Gillen, APR and Senior Account Manager at S&A Communications shares some tips.

What can you do throughout the year to prepare for awards season?

Throughout the year, S&A Communications staff track the results of our efforts and take note of projects we think might be award-worthy. We try to pay special attention to measurable objectives like number of pickups, impressions, web traffic, phone calls, sales figures, number of attendees, etc.

How do you decide what to enter?

When award-nomination deadlines are initially announced, we usually discuss potential submissions at our PR staff meetings.

We usually try to compile submissions that go beyond routine activities and results, and look for entries that exceeded expectations or that were difficult to achieve (e.g., getting recognition for a local client in a national media outlet).

How did you decide who would fill out the entry?

The lead account person will usually draft up the written nominations, and route them to several of our staff to edit and proofread.

Any other words of wisdom?

Read the nomination directions and award criteria closely, and draft your written entry to answer the specific questions asked. Also, proofread over and over again since typos can diminish the entries in the eyes of judges. Be careful to state specific objectives that are desired. Think measurable results, not tasks. For example “distribute a press release” is not an objective. Also, don’t write vague objectives like “obtain the most amount of coverage possible.” Remember that judges will read your entry but only skim over your supporting materials. Provide enough examples to illustrate your successful results, but don’t overwhelm judges with too many pages to wade through.

Ready to get started with your entries? Click here to access the submission form.

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Raleigh Public Relations Society Announces Call for Entries for Sir Walter Raleigh Awards

Entries are now being accepted for the Raleigh Public Relations Society’s annual Sir Walter Raleigh Awards. With 22 categories – plus two student categories – the awards are designed to showcase exemplary work by public relations and communications professionals from across the state. The competition recognizes and honors all practitioners who have achieved excellence in the field — from freelance practitioners to full-service agencies. Participants and winners will be celebrated for their work at the RPRS Annual Awards Banquet in September.

The Sir Walter Raleigh Awards entries are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 26. Entries for RPRS members are still only $45 for the first entry and $35 for each additional entry. Non-members can submit a first entry for $60 and subsequent entries for $50 each. Student entries are just $25. Drop-off location and additional instructions can be found within the Call for Entries on the RPRS website.

Nominations are also being accepted through Aug. 29 for the Watt Huntley Award for Lifetime Achievement. The late Watt C. Huntley was a distinguished public relations professional at CP&L and former RPRS president who exemplified the highest degree of professionalism and integrity. This award honors individuals who have also made meaningful contributions to the field of public relations. The recipient may be a retired or practicing public relations or communications professional or journalist.

Any questions about the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards, as well as Watt Huntley award nominations, should be directed to awards chair Lindsay Priester at Lindsay@rickrountree.com.

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April Lunch Meeting – Infographics

When you need to present complex data in a simple, timely and eye-catching way, an infographic can be a powerful tool. G&S Business Communications Creative Director Alan Hicks and Client Service Manager Lyndsey Newnam shared how to determine if an infographic is the right tool to effectively reach your communication objectives and align with your communication strategy, and tips about how to create standout graphics that get your information noticed.

Here are a few key takeaways we picked up from Twitter chatter during the event (click to view):

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