News

MONTGOMERY (Oct. 3, 2008) - Bill Cunningham and McWhorter Communication were the two big winners at the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA) Annual Conference held Oct. 3, at the new Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center in historic downtown Montgomery. The conference, hosted by PRCA’s Montgomery Chapter, was highlighted by the annual Medallion Awards competition, which recognizes the best work of the state’s top public relations practitioners.

Cunningham was the recipient of the Council’s Philip R. Forest Jr. Professional Achievement Award. McWhorter Communications won Best of Show for their Reputation Brand Management for the City of Decatur called “City of Decatur: A Grand City on A Charming Scale.”

Judges’ Awards were given to Mobile’s Red Square Agency for a Total PR Program with a budget of $25,000 or more for an Integrated Marketing Campaign for Bishop State Community College and to Lori Quiller of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama for a Short Term Internal Communication Program called ” 2008 National County Government Week” PR Plan.

The Philip R. Forest Jr. Professional Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Public Relations Council of Alabama to a single practitioner. The recipient is selected from the six nominees presented by each of the organization’s chapters. The award recognizes a public relations practitioner who is outstanding in the field of public relations and who exhibits excellence in community service, professional activities and career achievement. It has been given to one Alabama public relations practitioner each year since 1973.

Cunningham is the founding partner, president and account executive of Cunningham Group in Montgomery, where he is responsible for maintaining healthy client and agency relationships. He is a member and former board member of the Montgomery Chapter of PRCA and has mentored students and professionals for many years. Cunningham is also a senior practitioner with the Southern Public Relations Federation, PRCA’s umbrella association; a member of the Montgomery Advertising Federation and an alumnus of Leadership Montgomery. He has won numerous awards from PRCA, SPRF and MAF. He actively participates in civic and cultural organizations to promote understanding and personal development in the city of Montgomery, and he participates in Senior Portfolio Days for area universities and colleges. He also serves as a member of the Alabama State University Advisory Council.

Thirty-two Medallions were presented at the banquet:

Lori Quiller of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama in two different Internal Communication Programs
Bill Cunningham of the Cunningham Group and Nancy Dennis of the Alabama Retail Association in Special PR Program 90 days with a budget $25,000 or more
Civil Air Patrol and PA and Creative Services in Annual Report with a budget of $5-$10,000
Marty Sullivan of the Business Council of Alabama in Special Purpose Publications: Programs
The Cunningham Group won in several categories: Special PR Program 90 days with a budget of $10-25,000; Reputation Brand Management: Crisis Planning; Special Purpose Invitations; Organizational ID: Promotional Products; Writing for PR: Public Relations or Marketing Plan; and Broadcast Production Internal Video.
McWhorter Communication for Reputation Brand Management: Integrated Marketing Communication
Lori Miller of WHNT TV 19 for Public Service Program: 90 days
Mary C. Wymer of the University of Alabama in Publications - External Magazine and PR Projects - Brochure/Folder with a budget of $5,000-$10,000
Tru Livaudis, Alicia King, Mary Lawhorn in Direct Mail - Print
American Cast Iron Pipe Company in Special PR Program 90 days with a budget of $25,000 and Writing for PR - PR or Marketing Plan
Jimmie Hale Mission for an Annual Report with a budget under $5,000
Metropolitan Development Board in Interactive Media CD or DVD
Robyn L. Bridges in PR Projects - Broadcast/Folder with a budget of $10,000 for her work on the Official Visitors Guide, Cameron Pfeiffer, Sharee Broussard, APR and Beth Morrissette of the Junior League of Mobile in Publications: External Magazine and to Sharee Broussard, APR, in Quantitative Research
Red Square Agency swept the category with awards in Total PR Program with a budget of $25,000 or more; Special PR Program: 90 days with a budget of $25,000 or more; Direct Mail Print; Organizational Identity; External Video Broadcast Production; Broadcast Production: PSA Video; Photography Color Images; and in the Potpourri category.

Awards of Excellence were presented to:

Lori Light, Veronica Canter, and Sonia Robinson for Special Events with a budget of $20,000
Lori Miller of WHNT TV 19 in Presentations: Slide/Power Point; and Sonia Robinson and Lori Light in Images: Photography Color
Deidre Stalmaker and Doug Swimholster in Special Purpose Publications - Other Single Issue
Deidre Stalmaker and Andy Rainey with Other Interactive Media
Mary C. Wymer of the University of Alabama in Brochure/Folder with a budget under $5,000 and Writing for PR - Op/Ad
Lucy Arnold Sikes of the University in Alabama in the category of Potpourri
Josh Till, Charles Buchanan, Jessica Huffstutter and Steve Wood in Publications - External Magazine; Josh Till in Writing for PR - Feature Story
Jimmy Hale Mission in Broadcast Production - External Video
RSA-Adgefield Lumber Company in Media-Press Kit Print
Leigh-Perry Herndon of the Mobile Chamber of Commerce in Writing for PR/Op-Ed
Sharee L. Broussard, APR of the Junior League of Mobile in Writing for PR: PR or Marketing Plan
Red Square Agency won in several categories: 90 Day Public Affairs Program; Special Events Under $20,000; Publications: External Magazine; Special Purpose Invitations; twice in Organizational Logo Design; Organizational ID: Letterhead/Business Cards; Organizational ID: Signage; three times in Broadcast Production: External Audio; and Website Development Internet.
Cunningham Group in Special PR Program 90 days with a budget of $25,000 or more and in Annual Report with a budget of $10,000 or more
Marty Sullivan, Lenore Vickrey, and Scottie Mitchell of the Business Council of Alabama in Special Events under $20,000 and Special Purpose Publication: Invitation. Sullivan and Vickery also won in Internal Newsletter.
Nia Johnson of the Community Bankers Association of Alabama won in Brochure/Folder with a budget under $5,000; Publications: External Magazine; and Writing for PR: Feature Story.
Lori Quiller of the Association of County Commissions won in Publications: External Magazine
Mark Johnson and Lara Lewis of Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts won in Publications: External Magazine
Square Root Communications won in Regular Electronic Publications
Square Root Communications and Alabama Retail Association won in Website Development: Internet.

The Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA) is the state’s longest operating and largest group of public relations practitioners. The organization exists to further the professional and networking interests of today’s public relations and communication professionals in private, public and nonprofit businesses and organizations.

PRCA was formed by a group of Birmingham PR practitioners who saw the need for regular networking with their peers. Though the date of the first meeting is uncertain, various accounts put it sometime between 1953 and 1956. Most do agree, however, that the early meetings were usually held in various drinking establishments.

The group is more formally organized now, with more than 500 members in six Alabama chapters - Birmingham, East Alabama (in Auburn), Mobile, Montgomery, North Alabama (in Huntsville), and West Alabama (in Tuscaloosa). Along with networking, PRCA offers career development opportunities, mentors college students and works to improve the professionalism of public relations practice through its accreditation program. PRCA is a part of the Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF). SPRF is a network of public relations professionals from Alabama, North Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi who share a common interest in the public relations profession. Membership in the Federation is automatic for members of the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA), the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization (ECPRO), the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), and the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM).

January 3, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Nan Baldwin, APR
PRCA State VP, Accreditation
205-912-5964
PDF version

PRCA TO OFFER ACCREDITATION JUMPSTART WORKSHOP ON MARCH 10, 2007

MONTGOMERY – The Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA) will host its annual Accreditation Jump-Start Workshop on Saturday, March 10, 2007, at the First Baptist Church of Montgomery (305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event is free to all PRCA members and $15 for non-members. Continental breakfast, lunch and all workshop materials will be provided to participants. To register, contact Nan Baldwin, APR - PRCA vice president for accreditation, at nan@mdb.org or 205-912-5964.

The workshop delivers an excellent introduction to the accreditation process for Public Relations (PR) practitioners who are interested in pursuing this important milestone in their professional careers. It provides a thorough understanding of the steps involved in becoming an Accredited PR practitioner. Also included will be an overview of five of the major topics tested on the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), a case study exercise and helpful study tips from cross-state Accredited PR practitioners.

“Earning the APR designation is a distinct honor that sets experienced PR practitioners apart from others in our profession,” said Baldwin. “Similar to other professional certifications, Accreditation is our professions’ seal of approval identifying those that have mastered the skills, knowledge and abilities specific to the PR profession.” Accreditation in Public Relations is a voluntary certification program for public relations professionals, administered by the Universal Accreditation Board. It is offered to any public relations professional with three or more years’ experience who is a member of a participating professional PR organization. The purpose of Accreditation is to unify and advance the profession by identifying those who have demonstrated broad knowledge, experience and professional judgment in the PR field. The designation APR signifies a high professional level of experience and competence.

As the marketplace becomes more competitive, job listings in the PR field are specifying “APR preferred.” Today, there are thousands of APR’s in the U.S., yet only 10 percent of practitioners in Alabama have attained the APR designation. Accreditation is ideal for PR practitioners seeking to increase their professional marketability. PRCA is a member of the Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF).

For more information, visit www.prcaonline.com or www.praccreditation.org. For directions to the Jumpstart workshop, go to www.montgomeryfbc.org.

PRCA Recognizes 2006 Medallion Award Winners
TUSCALOOSA, AL–October 5, 2006–

The Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA) recognized the outstanding work of public relations practitioners during the Medallion Awards presentation at the 2006 PRCA State Conference in the historic Bama Theatre in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Friday, September 29, 2006.

The Medallion Awards competition recognizes the best work of the state’s PRCA members with certificates of merit, awards of excellence and the Medallion Award, the highest award given. The Medallion Awards were selected by a panel of judges from Public Relations Association of Mississippi (Starkville Chapter), who reviewed 159 entries from 19 categories, awarding 14 Medallion Awards, 25 Awards of Excellence, 13 Certificates of Merit, and two Best of Show awards. The judges considered planning, originality, creativity, effectiveness of communications, budget utilization and the role of the entrant in the project. The Best of Show Award is considered to be the most outstanding of all category entries. This year, the Best of Show – Print was awarded to Redstone Federal Credit Union for its quarterly publication, Connections and the Best of Show – Electronic was awarded to UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center for its Ray of Hope DVD.

Award recipients by state chapter and number of awards won were:

Birmingham:

Children’s Health System (1)
DavisDenny (1)
Metropolitan Development Board (1)
Style Advertising (3)
UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center (7)

East Alabama:

Auburn University College of Education (1)
Colonial University Village (1)

Mobile:

Bellwether Group (1)
Imagery Marketing & Research Consultants (2)
Isle of Capri Casino (1)
South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce (3)
Volkert & Associates (1)

Montgomery:

Alabama Association of REALTORS (1)
Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel (1)
Alabama Retail Association (1)
Civil Air Patrol (4)
Southern Poverty Law Center (1)

North Alabama:

Avocent Corporation (1)
Crestwood Medical Center (4)
Huntsville Utilities (1)
Port of Huntsville (3)
Redstone Federal Credit Union (4)

West Alabama:

DCH Health System (2)
The University of Alabama

A complete listing of winners for the 2006 Medallion Awards can be viewed on the PRCA state website at www.prcaonline.com.

About PRCA
PRCA is a professional organization of more than 450 members in six chapters in Alabama. PRCA fosters relationships and the exchange of ideas among PR practitioners and promotes the PR profession and a high standard of conduct by its members.

Contact: Veronica Wilder, VP Students, 2006
256-880-4735
veronica.wilder@triadhospitals.com

For Immediate Release

The Public Relations Council of Alabama presented the 2006 Student Medallion Awards at the PRCA State Conference in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on September 28, 2006.

Virginia McCurry Johnson, a student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham took home top honors as the Michael K. Simmons Student of the Year. The Betty Hudgens Student Chapter of the Year was awarded to the University of Aabama at Birmingham.

Twelve Medallions were awarded in the following categories to these students:

Total Public Relations Program – External; Out of Order Communications - O.T. Beverly, Patrick Box, Cecilia Riester, Carolina Guerrero, Meredith Guzy, David Rathmell - Springhill College

Total Public Relations Program – External; 2006 Public Relations Client Team - Troy University

Special or One-time Public Relations Program: Short-term Internal (fewer than 90 days); Chase Long, Lauren Fierman, Sarah Waters - University of Alabama

Writing for Media: Feature Stories Internal/External; Virginia McCurry Johnson - University of Alabama at Birmingham

Speech Writing; Virginia McCurry Johnson - University of Alabama at Birmingham and Jonathan Robert Pigg - University of Alabama at Birmingham

Special Publications: Promotional Brochures and Folders, Two or More Colors; Lauren Englund - Troy University

Direct Mail: Posters; Lauren Englund - Troy University

Direct Mail: Miscellaneous; Candace Hulcher - Troy University

Graphic Design: Photography, Single or Series for Display; Anthony Cooper - University of Alabama at Birmingham

Web Site Design; Anthony Cooper - University of Alabama at Birmingham

Potpourri; Cresandra Smothers - University of Alabama

To see a complete listing of all awards presented at the conference, check out www.prcaonline.com.

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Deborah Geiger, 445-1759
Deborah.geiger@white-spunner.com
PRCA, VP of Projects

D’Oliveira Named PRCA Practitioner of the Year

Denise D’Oliveira, APR, was named the 2006 Philip R. Forrest Practitioner of the Year by the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA).

D'Oliveira has held public relations positions on both sides of Mobile Bay for the Mobile and Baldwin County Public Schools. Her work has helped engage parents and school shareholders in educational reform, increase school funding, raise awareness of the role of public education, and create a communications model for school districts and communities throughout the U.S.

For PRCA, she initiated a successful APR Jump Start training class for the Mobile Chapter that was later used statewide and may become a national model. She has received three national Awards of Excellence from the National School Public Relations Association and two national Golden Achievement Awards. D’Oliveira completed her undergraduate and master's degrees in secondary education at the University of South Alabama and holds a master of arts in public relations from the University of West Florida.

The Philip R. Forrest, Jr. Practitioner of the Year Award is the highest honor bestowed on a member by the PRCA. An outstanding member from each PRCA chapter is nominated by his peers as his or her chapter’s Practitioner of the Year and must prepare an entry detailing their career achievements for judging on the state level. D’Oliveira was nominated by the Mobile Chapter of PRCA and there were three other nominees from chapters around the state. The selection is based on professional activities, community service, career achievement and examples of the nominee’s work.

The award was re-named in memory of Philip R. Forrest, Jr., a longtime member of the Mobile Chapter, after his death in 1983. He was the 1977 recipient of PRCA’s then Practitioner of the Year Award.

PRCA is the state's oldest and largest group of public relations practitioners. The organization exists to further the professional and networking interests of today's public relations and communication professional in private, public and nonprofit businesses and organizations.

For Immediate Release: October 18, 2006
Contact:
Deborah Geiger
445-1759
Deborah.geiger@white-spunner.com
PRCA, State VP of Projects

Mobile Chapter Named PRCA Chapter of the Year

The Mobile Chapter was named the 2006 Sharon Heflin Chapter of the Year by the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA). Led by president, Traci C. Gyan (pictured), the Mobile Chapter leadership also included: President Elect, Leigh Perry Herndon; VP Finance/Treasurer, Julie Otts; VP Programs, Susan M. Rak-Blanchard; VP Membership, Penny Thatcher; VP Projects, Crystal Wall; Historian, Herb Jordan; Communications, Melissa Hinson; Student Affairs, Mary Louise Mason Hoffman; Accreditation, Denise D'Oliveria APR; Community Service, Catherine Vulerich; Publicity, Amber Guy Wiseman; Past President, Barbara Allen; and Board Advisor, Jennifer Graham Jenkins.

The award honors the PRCA Chapter that has exhibited excellence in overall chapter operations during the previous year. Specific focus is placed on the following categories: programs, membership recruitment and retention, membership participation, promotion of public relations internally and externally, projects, community involvement, accreditation and professional development. The winning chapter receives a cash award in addition to a small gift for each member.

The award is named for Sharon Heflin, APR, who passed away in 1999. She was a long-time member of the Montgomery Chapter with service on both the state and local boards. Ms. Heflin, who many in Montgomery would call the heart of their chapter, devoted her career of over 20 years to furthering the arts in Alabama, as public information officer for the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Ms. Heflin’s legacy embodies the commitment and excellence in which we hope to aspire to in our local chapters of PRCA.

Suzanne Fornaro, APR was presented the 2006 SPRF Professional Achievement Award At the SPRF Conference in New Orleans.

August 7, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Suzanne Fornaro, APR received the 2006 Professional Achievement Award

Suzanne Fornaro, APR, has worked nearly 30 years in the field of public relations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in communications from Syracuse University. Suzanne is assistant vice president for public relations with Volkert & Associates, a consulting firm of engineers, architects and environmental scientists based in Mobile.

Keith King, Chairman of Volkert’s board of directors, says of Suzanne: “As a pioneer in public relations for the engineering design industry, Suzanne recognized the opportunity to meld technical expertise and communications, thus establishing and maintaining a cohesive, efficient and professional profile for our firm.”

After 25 years with Volkert, Suzanne continues her traditional role in public relations developing innovative internal communication tools and taking the firm’s message to the public. She also is part of the in-house professional training team and takes a lead role in community relations planning and activities.

Suzanne is Accredited in Public Relations, and is a past president of PRCA Mobile Chapter and the PRCA state Board and is a former SPRF board member. Suzanne’s work has earned numerous recognitions including PRCA Medallions and SPRF Lanterns. Her fellow PRCA Mobile Chapter members recognized her with the Diamond Award in 2002 for service to the chapter and as the Practitioner of the Year in 1986, 1988 and 2005, when she also won the state award as the 2005 PRCA Philip R. Forrest, Jr., Practitioner of the Year.

Suzanne and her husband, Bob, have two grown daughters, Rachel and Nancy, and two grandchildren, Jordan and Rachel Bradley. She enjoys traveling in the United States and abroad on vacations.

Fornaro Named PRCA Practitioner of the Year

Suzanne Fornaro, APR, was named 2005 Philip R. Forrest Practitioner of the Year by the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA). As the director of public relations for Volkert & Associates, a 650-person engineering, environmental and construction services firm, Suzanne is responsible for corporate public relations and communications. She is nationally accredited in public relations by the Universal Accreditation Board and has won 14 awards from professional organizations for her work in the field of public relations. She has a B.A. degree in public relations and advertising from the University of Georgia and an M.S. in communications from Syracuse University.

Suzanne has served on the boards and as president of the local and state chapters of PRCA and as president of the Press Club of Mobile. She represented PRCA on the board and served as secretary of the Southern Public Relations Federation. She is a readiness review panelist for APR candidates from SPRF and an instructor for chapter accreditation courses.

On April 1, Suzanne completed a two-year term as national president of the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA), a 15,000-member volunteer advocacy organization with affiliates in 43 states. She is a past president of the local and state affiliates of LDA. Her local volunteer activities include Partners in Education, Exploring/Learning for Life Program of the Boy Scouts of America, Mobile Area Education Foundation, United Way of Southwest Alabama, American Red Cross, and Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Philip R. Forrest, Jr. Practitioner of the Year Award is the highest honor bestowed on a member by the PRCA. An outstanding member from each PRCA chapter is nominated by his peers as his or her chapter’s Practitioner of the Year and must prepare an entry detailing their career achievements for judging on the state level. Suzanne was nominated by the Mobile Chapter of PRCA and there were five other nominees from chapters around the state. The selection is based on professional activities, community service, career achievement and examples of the nominee’s work.

AU’s Michael Tullier, APR, Receives SPRF’s Achievement Award

The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) presented its highest honor—the Professional Achievement Award—to Auburn University’s Michael Tullier, APR. The award was presented during the Federation’s annual conference on Aug. 16 at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi.

Tullier is director of external relations for AU’s College of Education. The Pubic Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA) nominated him for the award by naming him its 2004 Philip R. Forrest Jr. Practitioner of the Year. Each of SPRF’s four member organizations may nominate one professional for the annual award. Nominees are judged in areas of career achievement, professional activities, continuing education/Accreditation, and community service.

“Michael’s public relations peers and those he mentors hold him in the highest esteem,” Carol Mann, APR, SPRF president, said. “He maintains the utmost standards in everything he does whether it is his career, community service, interaction with other professionals, or his personal life. This award recognizes Michael’s accomplishments as a leader, professional, and selfless volunteer. I expect him to accomplish even greater things for years to come.”

He currently serves as PRCA’s immediate past president, SPRF’s vice president of Accreditation, and a member of the industry’s Universal Accreditation Board, which oversees the nationwide program that current accredits more than 5,000 public relations professionals. He earned the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) in 2003, a master’s of public administration at Auburn in 1998, and a bachelor of arts in mass communication from Louisiana State University in 1994.

A member of PRCA’s East Alabama Chapter, Tullier has served in leadership roles at the local, state and regional levels since helping to found the chapter in 1997. He was twice recognized as its Practitioner of the Year for a career that includes public relations service to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, and AU’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. He accepted his current position in AU’s College of Education in 2004. He has taught both public relations and public administrations courses at AU as an adjunct instructor and is the professional adviser to PRCA’s Auburn University student chapter.

Tullier’s professional and volunteer work has garnered awards at the state and regional level in the areas of campaigns, community relations, events promotion, publications, survey research and interactive technology. He currently volunteers in a public relati

Membership Benefits

Professional development through monthly chapter meetings, periodic state seminars and annual state and regional conferences
Quarterly newsletter and association website highlighting local and state activities...

Learn More

PRCA Mission

The Public Relations Council of Alabama is committed to PROMOTING professional and ethical practice, DEVELOPING the potential of current and future practitioners, BUILDING a community of professionals, and ADVOCATING for the profession through effective member action and volunteer leadership.

Apply for Membership

News

Membership Benefits

PRCA Mission

Awards

Operations

Universal Accreditation

Contact