New Jersey Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America Honors 16 Organizations and Three Individuals for Excellence in Public Relations

Basking Ridge, N.J., June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A campaign that created the first-ever bedbug summit, called "Bedbug University," received the top honor for "Best in Show," while MWW Group and Coyne Public Relations each took home four honors at the 21st annual Pyramid Awards, held June 15th at the Basking Ridge Country Club in Basking Ridge, N.J. Sponsored by the New Jersey Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA NJ), the Pyramid Awards honor the state's best work and top practitioners in the field. More than 80 examples of public relations campaigns and single-tactic entries competed for the awards.

"From crisis communications to special events to low-budget campaigns, New Jersey-based corporations, PR firms and practitioners are continuing to develop and implement smart and highly strategic campaigns and programs," said Rich Lukis, president of PRSA NJ. "The 2011 PRSA NJ Pyramid Awards highlighted some of the world's best campaigns proving that New Jersey PR professionals are truly excelling in the industry."

PRSA NJ awarded Cooper Pest Solutions & Bedbug Central with its coveted "Best in Show" award.  Cooper Pest Solutions & Bedbug Central received top honors in the "Special Events" and "PR on a Shoestring Budget" categories for its campaign called Getting Them to Bite: Turning a Bedbug Seminar Into a National Media Frenzy, where the company created the first private sector bedbug summit – now known as Bedbug University: North American Summit. The campaign garnered more than 1,500 media placements and swept the top three national morning talk shows.  

Other event highlights included the following:

• Ann Willets of Utopia Communications received the 2011 PRSA NJ Public Relations Professional of the Year award, sponsored by PR Newswire, in recognition of her outstanding achievements and contributions to the profession of public relations in New Jersey.

• Heather Hurd of Medisys Communications, LLC, formerly of Seton Hall University, was recognized with the PRSA NJ Chapter Service Award in Honor of David Bressen in appreciation of her commitment and contributions to PRSA NJ.

• The New York Jets earned PRSA NJ's Award for Excellence in recognition of its incredible accomplishments and contributions to the profession of public relations.

• PRSA NJ honored Megan Kelly of Seton Hall University with the organization's Future Public Relations Professional of the Year Award, sponsored by Prudential Financial and in honor of Joseph A. Vecchione, APR, Fellow PRSA.

Following is a list of additional 2011 Pyramid Award winners:

• Financial/Investor Relations – MWW Group for North Jersey Community Bank

• Marketing Communications – Coyne PR for Medco Health Solutions

• Marketing Communications – Coyne PR for Disney Parks & MWW Group for Samsung Mobile

• Crisis Communications – R&J Public Relations for Arnot Health

• Public/Governmental Affairs – NJ State Library

• Special Events – Cooper Pest Solutions and Bedbug Central

• PR on a Shoestring Budget – Cooper Pest Solutions and Bedbug Central

• Multicultural/Diversity Communications – MWW Group for Samsung Telecommunications America

• Media Relations – Coyne PR for Breastcancer.org

• Media Relations – Coyne PR for SkyJump Las Vegas at Stratosphere Hotel & Casino

• Media Relations – Stern + Associates for Herman Miller, Inc.

• Special Programs – Coyne PR for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company  

• Digital Communication/Social Media – MWW Group for Nikon

• Feature or News Article – R&J Public Relations for National Fire Sprinkler Association

• Online or Interactive Technology – Stern + Associates for Henry Chesbrough of University of California – Berkeley Haas School

About PRSA NJ

The New Jersey Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (www.prsanj.org) was founded in 1960 and represents business and industry, counseling firms, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms, and nonprofit organizations. Its parent organization, PRSA, was chartered in 1947, and is the world's largest public relations professional organization. Based in New York City, PRSA has nearly 32,000 professional and student members organized into more than 100 Chapters nationwide, 19 Professional Interest Sections and numerous Affinity Groups. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) has nearly 300 Chapters at colleges and universities throughout the United States.

SOURCE PRSA NJ