Hispanic Public Relations Association® Honors Industry's Best and Awards Scholarships at 28th Annual PRemio Awards & Scholarship Gala

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA), the leading organization of Hispanic public relations practitioners in the U.S., celebrated excellence at its 28^th Annual PRemio Awards and Scholarship Gala on October 4, 2012, in Los Angeles. The organization awarded scholarships to students continuing their education in the communications field, honored leaders in the Hispanic market, and the best in Hispanic public relations campaigns.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121005/DC87984)

"As HPRA keeps growing with a footprint now from coast to coast, the competition for HPRA's coveted annual awards is getting more and more intense," says Oralia Michel, HPRA National President.  "We are proud of the caliber of applicants, entries and nominations and applaud our award winners and scholarship recipients for their achievements and excellence."

HPRA presented $11,000 in scholarships to five Southern California Hispanic students pursuing a career in Public Relations and related communications fields.

• Julian Burrell – University of La Verne
• Claudia Calderon – California State University, Northridge
• Veronica Sepulveda – University of La Vern
• Susana Plascencia – University of Southern California
• Erica Green – Loyola Marymount University

Erica Green received the Esther Renteria Community Service Award for her outstanding community service involvement. This special recognition is given in memory of communications industry leader and community activist Esther Renteria, co-founder of the National Hispanic Media Coalition and a former HPRA president.

This year's Public Relations Professional of the Year honoree award went to Lucia Matthews, President and founder of DIALOGO for her commitment to PR excellence.  Univision was presented with the Corporation of the Year award for 50 years of commitment to the U.S. Hispanic market.  Honors were also awarded to Young PR Professional of the Year Cynthia Cruz of iolo technologies and Journalist of the Year, Pilar Marrero, senior political writer with La Opinion.

HPRA recognized national campaigns showing excellence in Hispanic Public Relations with the coveted Campaign of the Year PRemio Award. The winners were:

• Food and Beverage: "Starbucks Hispanic Millennials Summer Launch"  - Edelman for its work with Starbucks
• Technology: Edelman for "Xbox 360 Para Todos"
• Public Education – Corporation: Verizon and VPE Public Relations for its HopeLine from Verizon "Give the Call of Hope" media relations campaign
• Integrated Marketing Communications: MGS Communications for the "got milk? Proyecto Desayuno" campaign
• Corporate Media Event: Verizon and The Axis Agency for "Verizon's My Fabulous Quince" campaign
• Non-Profit - Public Education: The Axis Agency with INOBTR for the "Impact of Domestic Violence on Youth" campaign
• Healthcare: "A Tu Salud!" by Latin2Latin Marketing and Communications for The Mount Sinai Hospital
• Fashion & Beauty: Edelman Multicultural for "Suave Professionals: Desfilando Contigo con Mas Estilo"
• Digital Public Relations (Social Media):  Cultural Strategies for "The Social Revolucion" campaign

The evening was hosted by NBC News network correspondent, Diana Alvear, and made possible by sponsors Wells Fargo Bank, Hispanicize, Goya Foods, Southern California Edison, VPE Public Relations, Sportivo, Edelman, First 5 LA; and partners PRSA-Los Angeles Chapter and HPRA's official newswire distribution partner, PR Newswire.

About Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA)

The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) is the foremost organization of Hispanic public relations practitioners in the U.S.  HPRA is a resource for communications professionals and for individuals seeking Hispanic market expertise.  It is dedicated to the recognition and advancement of Hispanics in public relations through year-round programs, professional development seminars and networking.   Together with HPRA Los Angeles, the founding chapter established in 1984, HPRA hosts one of the industry's most anticipated annual events: the PRemio Awards and Scholarship Gala.  Over a quarter million dollars in scholarships has been awarded to college and university students of Latino descent pursuing careers in communications.  The National organization meets the needs of the growing number of Hispanic PR practitioners, independents and agencies throughout the U.S.  HPRA National, its Chapters and those Chapters in formation are paving the way for the next phase of growth and evolution in the PR industry, especially in the Hispanic market space.  For more information please visit www.hpra-usa.org.

SOURCE Hispanic Public Relations Association