Local Public Relations Practitioners Recognized for Excellence
The Canadian Public Relations Society’s Hamilton Chapter celebrated the best in public relations and communications at the Pinnacle Awards on April 21.
“These awards are an opportunity to recognize the great work being done by Public Relations practitioners throughout Southwestern Ontario,” said Liliana Busnello, CPRS Hamilton President. “This year we were privileged to present awards to some true leaders who have demonstrated the value of public relations as an aspect of community service and corporate responsibility.”
Major Award winners were recognized for their ongoing contributions to the field:
The Bill Cockman Memorial Award of Excellence in Public Relations was awarded to Tricia Hellingman (APR*), President of Hellingman Communications. Located on Locke Street in Hamilton, Hellingman Communications celebrated its 20th year in business in 2009.
Darrel Skidmore was named the CPRS Hamilton Public Relations Professional of the Year in recognition of a long and distinguished career in service to the community. Skidmore recently retired after leading the United Way of Hamilton Burlington through a successful revitalization.
Jeff Vallentin (APR) of Hamilton Health Sciences was awarded the Lorelei Kilgour Memorial
Outstanding Practitioner Award in recognition of, among other things, his leadership on issues of transparency and ethics in the hospital’s public relations work.
Bruce Stock (APR) was this year’s recipient of the CPRS Hamilton Mentorship Award for his enthusiasm and generosity in mentoring students and junior practitioners.
The Student Award of Excellence for 2009 went to Katie Farr, a star student in Niagara College’s Public Relations program.
Other local practitioners received awards for programs and projects they led in 2009:
Pinnacle Award for Marketing Communications
Halton Region: Anna Larson, Carleen Carroll, APR, Angela Sugden-Praysner, Jill Attack, & Al Navikevicius
Best of Both Worlds: Physician Recruitment Campaign 2008-2009
Pinnacle Award for Issues/Crisis Management
Halton Region: Sharon Little, Jeff Crowder and Carleen Carroll, APR
Communicating Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Immunization Clinics
Pinnacle Award of Merit for Special Events
Concept Solutions: Deirdra Watson
Client: International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Local 128 Members and Family
An Afternoon at the African Lion Safari
Pinnacle Award of Merit for Audio Visual
Halton Region: Sharon Little
Free Urgent Dental Care for Youth
Pinnacle Award of Merit for Print Projects
Halton Region: Carleen Carroll, APR
Halton Region 2009 Progress Report
Student Project Award
Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning: Matthew Dudman and Von Jeppesen
The 3S’s Restaurant
