PRSA Georgia Recognizes Outstanding Programs And Professionals

Awards celebration honored excellence in public relations work and industry superstars

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Georgia Chapter, Public Relations Society of America

Nov 12, 2014, 10:00 ET

ATLANTA, Nov. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (www.prsageorgia.org) hosted its annual Awards Ceremony on November 6, honoring excellence in public relations practice and industry leaders for their contributions to the Chapter and the profession. More than 435 professionals attended the celebration, held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

(Left to Right): Neil Hirsch, APR, President of PRSA Georgia Chapter and Manager, Global External Communications with Novelis presents the Best of Phoenix Award to Lindsay Ash with MSLGROUP Atlanta. Also pictured is Juliann Kaiser, APR of Kaiser Marketing Group and a Past President of PRSA Georgia.

During the ceremony, 79 Phoenix Awards and 74 Awards of Excellence were presented to the programs and projects that represented the best in public relations in Georgia during the time period of July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014. In addition, several individuals were honored for their demonstrated leadership and contributions to the public relations profession, including:

Alicia Thompson, APR, Senior Vice President – Consumer, Edelman, was inducted into The Order of the Phoenix and PRSA Georgia Hall of Fame. The Order of the Phoenix was established in 1986 by PRSA Georgia to recognize and honor distinguished public relations professionals for their career achievements, significant contributions in the field of public relations and exemplary community service. Chapter members inducted into the Order of the Phoenix also enter the PRSA Georgia Hall of Fame, created in 1988 by the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at The University of Georgia. Charles Davis, Ph.D., Dean of the Grady College, was on hand to induct Thompson into the Hall of Fame.

Doug Shipman, CEO, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, received the Distinguished Public Relations Award, which recognizes a prominent Georgian outside of the public relations practice who has made an outstanding contribution to Georgia's regional, national or international reputation through public relations practices and principles. The Center opened in June 2014, and Shipman has led the project since its inception in 2005. He was presented the award by Bari Love, Senior Vice President of Communications with the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Elyse Hammett, APR, Vice President, Public Relations, Phase 3 Marketing & Communications, received the Luminary Star Award, which recognizes a Chapter member with more than 15 years of experience who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and contributions to the profession of public relations. Ashley Biondich, Public Relations Manager with Phase 3, presented the award.

Jasmine Hoffman, APR, Director of Communications, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, was recognized with the Shining Star Award, given to a member with eight to 15 years of professional experience and demonstrated leadership within the Chapter. Kelsey Schmitt, Internal Communications Manager with Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, presented her award.

Lindsay Cameron, Communications Specialist, IHG, received the Rising Star Award, which honors a member with less than seven years of professional experience who has shown leadership and contributions to the Chapter. Kelsey Schmitt also presented this award.

Jenny Lynn Anderson, APR, JLA Public Relations, was given the George Goodwin Award in recognition of her significant contributions to the community through volunteer service. Anderson is the author of "Room 939: 15 Minutes of Horror, 20 Years of Healing," an inspiring book about how she survived a robbery and sexual assault in a hotel while on a business trip. A resilient survivor and empathetic advocate, she is a frequent speaker whose message of courage, faith and healing has been shared with thousands. The Award was presented by Kyle Farnham, Managing Director of MSLGROUP Atlanta, and Karen Haggerty of PinPoint Communications. The award is named in honor of MSLGROUP's Senior Counselor, George Goodwin. In honor of Anderson's recognition, MSLGROUP will make a $1,000 donation to the Rape Crisis Center of the Coastal Empire in Savannah in her name. The Center supports approximately 700 victims each year, including adults, child victims and family members of victims in Savannah and the surrounding area.

The Best of Phoenix Award went to MSLGROUP on behalf of The Home Depot for the "Shake up the Season" campaign. The Home Depot charged MSLGROUP with creating a nationwide media relations campaign to position the retailer as the shopping destination for unique gifts and innovative holiday home decor. MSLGROUP created a strategy to break through the clutter and enable The Home Depot to capture share of voice in an oversaturated media landscape. The campaign reached more than 645 million consumers through national and local media and contributed to 3.9 percent year-over-year fourth quarter sales growth and one of the best sell-through rates ever for holiday products. MSLGROUP's Lindsay Ash accepted the award, which was presented by Neil Hirsch, APR, President of PRSA Georgia Chapter and Manager, Global External Communications with Novelis, and Juliann Kaiser, APR, of Kaiser Marketing Group, a Past President of the Chapter.

About PRSA Georgia:
PRSA's Georgia Chapter (www.prsageorgia.org) consists of some 900 members throughout Georgia. Its mission is to enhance the profession, provide continuing education and offer networking opportunities for its members.

The Chapter has monthly meetings as well as eight Special Interest Groups (Corporate and Employee Communications, Healthcare, Independent Counselors, Leader Board, Nonprofit, Technology, Travel and Tourism, and Young Professionals) that meet at various times.

The Chapter supports 10 PRSSA (student society) groups at the following colleges: Berry College (Rome), Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta), Columbus State University (Columbus), Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville), Georgia State University (Atlanta), Georgia Southern University (Statesboro), Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw), Savannah State University (Savannah), University of Georgia (Athens), and University of West Georgia (Carrollton).