The Scoop

Raleigh Public Relations Society Announces New Board Members
— Triangle Public Relations Practitioners Named RPRS Officers for 2011-2012 —

Raleigh, N.C. – December 13, 2011 – The Raleigh Public Relations Society (RPRS), a professional development organization for Triangle communication professionals, announced its new board members Tuesday.

The board’s term will run until November 2012 and includes:

·         Katy Hipp Burgwyn (Marbles Kids Museum & IMAX Theatre), president
·         Stephanie Llorente (Butterball, LLC), vice president
·         Christa Leupen, treasurer
·         Kelly Hubbard (Largemouth Communications), membership chair
·         Ashley Andrews (Jennings), newsletter chair
·         Josie Butler (Clairemont Communications), publicity chair
·         Lauren Brown (S&A Cherokee), web chair
·         Eva Hornak (S.T. Wooten Corporation), awards chair
·         Lindsay Priester (Rountree Communications), banquet chair
·         Mallory Hatcher (Hope Community Church), secretary/historian
·         Joe Mecca (Coastal Federal Credit Union), member at large
·         Kerry Heckle (Rex Healthcare), member at large

“We’re excited to welcome such a diverse group to the board this year,” said Katy Hipp Burgwyn, president, RPRS. “Each member brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, and we feel that this board is really well-rounded – we have members from the corporate, agency and nonprofit side of public relations. We’re looking forward to many educational opportunities this year.”

The board is responsible for all RPRS professional development programs including monthly lunch meetings and the annual Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Excellence in Communication, which recognizes the best public relations campaigns and tactics in North Carolina.

About RPRS
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.

Raleigh Public Relations Society Awards Local Firms and Practitioners for Tactics and Campaigns —

Raleigh, N.C. – Nov. 7, 2011 – The Raleigh Public Relations Society recognized local public relations firms and practitioners during its 2011 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Excellence in Communication. The awards banquet, held on Sept. 27 at the Renaissance Hotel at North Hills, was emceed by August Turak, speaker, consultant and regular contributor to Forbes.

“RPRS was honored to recognize some of the Triangle’s top communication professionals,” said Katy Hipp Burgwyn, president, RPRS. “Each award entry was reflective of the area’s wealth of creativity and distinction in the public relations industry.”

The Sir Walter Raleigh Awards competition is a showcase of exemplary work by public relations and communication professionals throughout North Carolina. The competition is held annually and recognizes and honors practitioners who have achieved excellence in a variety of categories, as judged by an independent panel of judges. This year’s awards were judged by members of the Public Relations Association of Western North Carolina.

RPRS also presented Cindy Gardiner, APR, with the 2011 Watt Huntley Award for Lifetime Achievement. This award is given annually to an individual who has made meaningful contributions to the field of public relations over the course of a career.

“It was a true honor to recognize Cindy,” said Eva Hornak, awards chair, RPRS. “With more than 40 years of experience in the industry, she has led campaigns for Durham Public Schools, Verizon and Blue Cross Blue Shield, among others. She is also an active community philanthropist and will continue to leave a lasting impression on the field and the state of North Carolina as a whole.”

Presented in seven divisions, the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards recognized the following winners in 2011:

Best in Division

First Division – Total Communications/Community Relations Campaign
Moe’s Southwest Grill Partners with the Durham Bulls, French/West/Vaughan

Second Division – Publications
MBA Viewbook, Meredith College

Third Division – Public Relations Writing
HPG “All Hands on Deck” Press Release, Articulon

Fourth Division – Interactive Communications
Wrangler Western Corrals Conservative Consumers in a New Marketing Age, French/West/Vaughan

Fifth Division – Audio/Visual Communications
Band Together NC Radio Ads, S&A Cherokee

Sixth Division – More Bang for the Buck
Triangle Family Services 8th Annual Gingerbread Benefit, Clairemont Communications

First Division – Total Communications/Community Relations Campaign
Category 1 – Promotional Campaign for a Product, Program, Topic or Issue

• Gold: Moe’s Southwest Grill Partners with the Durham Bulls, French/West/Vaughan
• Silver: Battle for Bean Street: Driving Coffee Sales Through Charity, Local Rivalry, Largemouth Communications
• Silver: Commercial Finance Association: Repositioning Asset-Based Lending, S&A Cherokee
• Honorable Mention: Overdraft Forgiveness Program, Coastal Federal Credit Union
• Honorable Mention: Creating a National Pundit, French/West/Vaughan

Category 2 – Organizational Identity/Promotion

• Gold: Briar Chapel, Clairemont Communications
• Silver: Brady Company Awareness Campaign, Articulon
• Honorable Mention: Precise Holistic Complete Launch, Howard, Merrell & Partners

Category 3 – Political Issue/Candidate Program

• Honorable Mention: North Carolina Takes on Virginia in OLF Fight, French/West/Vaughan

Category 4 – Employee Relations

• Honorable Mention: I Love Thomasville, Clairemont Communications

Category 5 – Crisis Communications

• Gold: Nick Schuyler: Not Without Hope, French/West/Vaughan
• Honorable Mention: Garner Responds to ConAgra Plant Closing, S&A Cherokee

Category 6 – Miscellaneous Special Events

• Gold: Moe Magic Premiere, French/West/Vaughan
• Silver: “The Chancellor’s Ice Cream Dream,” University Dining, North Carolina State University
• Honorable Mention: 2010 Fresh Season Millionth Bird Events, Howard, Merrell & Partners

Second Division – Publications
Category 8b – Brochure, Handbook or Guidebook with Three or More Colors

• Gold: MBA Viewbook, Meredith College
• Silver: Drexel Heritage Furniture Collections Brochure, Clairemont Communications

Category 10b – Magazines with Three or More Colors

• Gold: Cary Magazine, S&A Cherokee
• Gold: Meredith Magazine, Meredith College

Category 12 – Open

• Gold: Changing the World for Horses and Humans, French/West/Vaughan
• Silver: 2011 CIAA Publicity Playbook Media Kit, French/West/Vaughan
• Silver: Clairemont Communications Quickie Card, Clairemont Communications

Third Division – Public Relations Writing
Category 13 – Opinion/Feature Writing

• Gold: Military Design Article by Saft in Product Design & Development Magazine, French/West/Vaughan
• Gold: Fun in the Sun Cover Feature, Meredith College

Category 14 – News Release

• Gold: HPG “All Hands on Deck” Press Release, Articulon
• Silver: Butterball LLC Holiday Donations Announcement, Howard, Merrell & Partners

Fourth Division – Interactive Communications
Category 16 – Website

• Gold: CIAATournament.org, French/West/Vaughan
• Silver: Financial Assistance Websites, Meredith College

Category 18 – Social Media

• Gold: Wrangler Western Corrals Conservative Consumers in a New Marketing Age, French/West/Vaughan
• Silver: 2011 CIAA Journey to the Tourney Sweepstakes, French/West/Vaughan
• Honorable Mention: NutriDense Silage Web Moo.0 Contest, Howard, Merrell & Partners
• Honorable Mention: Thomasville Facebook, Clairemont Communications

Fifth Division – Audio/Visual Communications
Category 19 – Audio/Visual Presentation

• Honorable Mention: Precise Pet Products Brand Video, Howard, Merrell & Partners

Category 21 – Radio Ads/PSAs

• Gold: Band Together NC Radio Ads, S&A Cherokee

Sixth Division – More Bang for the Buck
Category 22 – Special Event/Campaign

• Gold: Triangle Family Services Eighth Annual Gingerbread Benefit, Clairemont Communications
• Silver: Technology Spring Clean, WingSwept
• Honorable Mention: ReuseConex, S&A Cherokee

Seventh Division – Student Entries
Category 25 – College

• Gold: Rose Hill Conference Center Website Marketing, Emily Urquhart, student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and intern at Rick Rountree Communications
• Silver: Rick Rountree Communications: 10 Years of Public Relations, Emily Urquhart

About RPRS:
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. The organization regularly hosts professional development opportunities, including monthly meetings and the annual Sir Walter Raleigh Awards banquet, which recognizes the best public relations practices in North Carolina. For more information, visit www.rprs.org.

Raleigh, N.C. – Sept. 13, 2012 – The Raleigh Public Relations Society recognized local public relations firms and practitioners during its 2012 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Excellence in Communication. The awards banquet, held on Sept. 11 at the Cardinal Club, was emceed by Shae Crisson of ABC11 WTVD.

“We were overwhelmed by the quality of the Sir Walter Raleigh Award entries this year,” said Katy Hipp Burgwyn, president, RPRS. “This is a great testament to the fact that Raleigh-Durham is an area recognized for its creative and strategy-driven public relations agencies and practitioners.”

The Sir Walter Raleigh Awards competition is a showcase of exemplary work by public relations and communication professionals throughout North Carolina. The competition is held annually and recognizes projects that have achieved excellence in a variety of categories, as judged by an independent panel of judges. This year’s awards were judged by members of the Sacramento Public Relations Association.

RPRS also presented Queenie Byars with the 2012 Watt Huntley Award for Lifetime Achievement. This award is given annually to an individual who has made meaningful contributions to the field of public relations over the course of a career.

Byars is an assistant professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She currently serves as the diversity coordinator for the journalism school, as well as directs the Chuck Stone Program for Diversity in Education and Media. In addition to starting her own firm in Northern Virginia, she previously served as a lieutenant colonel and public affairs officer at the base, major command and Air Staff and the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where she held assignments in Texas, Florida, Honduras, Japan and the Pentagon.

“Queenie’s diverse background in public affairs for the federal government, public relations consulting and diversity work in the university setting made her an excellent candidate,” said Eva Hornak, awards chair, RPRS. “She is truly a remarkable individual, and we were honored to name her the 2012 recipient of the Watt Huntley award.”

Presented in seven divisions, the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards recognized the following winners in 2012:

Best in Division

First Division – Total Communications/Community Relations Campaign
Tony Lama Boots Steps Into a New Century, French/West/Vaughan

Second Division – Publications
Gemesis Diamond Company Media Kit, French/West/Vaughan

Third Division – Public Relations Writing
Inspiring Action, Meredith College

Fourth Division – Interactive Communications
Social Media: Thomasville Furniture, Clairemont Communications

Fifth Division – Audio/Visual Communications
Video and Film: Thomasville Furniture, Clairemont Communications

Sixth Division – More Bang for the Buck
Triangle Family Services 9th Annual Gingerbread Benefit, Clairemont Communications

Seventh Division – Student Entries
Find Your Fortune at Zen Blossom, Ian Peterson, N.C. State University,Campus Enterprises

First Division – Total Communications/Community Relations Campaign

Category 1 – Promotional Campaign for a Product, Program, Topic or Issue

• Gold: Tony Lama Boots Steps Into a New Century, French/West/Vaughan
• Silver: Kangaroo Express Salute Our Troops, Largemouth Communications
• Honorable Mention: Band Together NC, S&A Cherokee

Category 2 – Organizational Identity/Promotion

• Gold: Briar Chapel, Clairemont Communications

Category 5 – Crisis Communications

• Gold: Edenmoor Becomes Walnut Creek, Clairemont Communications
• Gold: Michael Vick: Animal Welfare Advocate, French/West/Vaughan

Category 6 – Miscellaneous Special Events

• Gold: ABB: Huntersville Plant Groundbreaking Event, French/West/Vaughan
• Silver: Dix Visionaries: N.C. Museum of Art Event, French/West/Vaughan
• Honorable Mention: Briar Chapel Earth Day Celebration and Chef Challenge, Clairemont Communications
• Honorable Mention: Cinco de Moe’s Celebration Raises Sales, French/West/Vaughan

Second Division – Publications

Category 7b – Annual or Special Report with Three or More Colors
·         Gold: The Jimmy V Foundation Annual Report, French/West/Vaughan

Category 8b – Brochure, Handbook or Guidebook with Three or More Colors

• Gold: 2011-2012 University Dining Meal Plan Collateral, Campus Enterprises

Category 9b – Newsletter with Three or More Colors
·         Gold: The One Newsletter, French/West/Vaughan

Category 10b – Magazines with Three or More Colors

• Gold: Meredith Magazine, Meredith College
• Honorable Mention: Cary Magazine, S&A Cherokee

Category 11 – Media Kits
·         Gold: Gemesis Diamond Company Media Kit, French/West/Vaughn

Category 12 – Open

• Silver: Harrelson Hall Wall Graphics, Campus Enterprises

Third Division – Public Relations Writing

Category 13 – Opinion/Feature Writing

• Gold: Inspiring Action, Meredith College
• Silver: Confessions of a New Business Owner, Clairemont Communications
• Honorable Mention: Netsertive Article for Dental Entrepreneur Magazine, S&A Cherokee

Category 14 – News Release

• Gold: Talley Renovation and Addition Blog, Campus Enterprises
• Silver: GEAR4’s Angry Bird Speakers Fly Off the Shelves, French/West/Vaughan
• Honorable Mention: Newland’s Humanitarian Award, Clairemont Communications

Fourth Division – Interactive Communications

Category 16 – Website

• Silver: Improved Form & Function for the Jimmy V Foundation Website, French/West/Vaughan
• Honorable Mention: DRA First Friday Website Becomes a Work of Art, French/West/Vaughan

Category 18 – Social Media

• Gold: Social Media: Thomasville Furniture, Clairemont Communications
• Silver: “Your Hometown Jeweler” Campaign, Rick Rountree Communications and Baileys Fine Jewelry
• Honorable Mention: Arian Foster Engages Fans Through Social Media, French/West/Vaughan
• Honorable Mention: Melitta Private Café Collection Escape, French/West/Vaughan
• Honorable Mention: Wrangler Western Grows Facebook Fan Base, French/West/Vaughan

Fifth Division – Audio/Visual Communications

Category 19 – Audio/Visual Presentation

• Silver: Video and Film: Thomasville Furniture, Clairemont Communications

Sixth Division – More Bang for the Buck

Category 22 – Special Event/Campaign

• Gold: Triangle Family Services 9th Annual Gingerbread Benefit, Clairemont Communications
• Silver: Lacrosse Launch, Meredith College
• Honorable Mention: North Carolina’s “New Center of Attention,” French/West/Vaughan

Seventh Division – Student Entries

Category 25 – College

• Gold: Find Your Fortune at Zen Blossom, Ian Peterson of Campus Enterprises

About RPRS:
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. The organization regularly hosts professional development opportunities, including monthly meetings and the annual Sir Walter Raleigh Awards banquet, which recognizes the best public relations projects in North Carolina. For more information, visit www.rprs.org.

RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 4, 2009) – Don’t just join the in-crowd this holiday season — join the in-the-know crowd with the Raleigh Public Relations Society (RPRS).

RPRS will host its annual holiday networking social Tuesday, Dec. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Caffé Luna in downtown Raleigh. Professionals from all areas of public relations, including: government, non-profit organizations, corporate offices, educational institutions and private communication and design firms will attend.
“Our annual holiday social offers members and guests the opportunity to visit with other public relations professionals in a festive environment. It’s a time to celebrate an industry filled with talented and creative people,” says Megan Henderson, RPRS membership chair and event coordinator.

Each guest will receive a commemorative gift, compliments of RPRS, and will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. Attendees are also eligible to win door prizes from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, Café Carolina and Bakery, Marbles Kids Museum, Rex Healthcare, Chili’s Grill & Bar and Brand Fuel Promotions.

RPRS members along with Triangle communications professionals are invited to attend at no cost; however, space is limited. To RSVP, contact Megan Henderson at megan@lookingglassnc.com or call 919-389-2615 by Friday, Dec. 11. Business or holiday attire is requested. Event photographer Jonathan Peedin will capture images of the cheerful festivities.

“Don’t be surprised if an expert PR practitioner donning a red suit makes an appearance,” Henderson laughs.

About RPRS

The Raleigh Public Relations Society (RPRS) is an organization for public relations professionals in the Raleigh, N.C., area. For more than 50 years,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. The organization regularly hosts professional development opportunities, including monthly meetings and the annual Sir Walter Raleigh Awards banquet, which recognizes the best public relations practices in North Carolina. For more information, visit www.rprs.org.

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