New Jersey Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America Honors 12 Organizations and Three Individuals for Excellence in Public Relations

 

BRUSHFIRE INC., MWW GROUP AND NEW JERSEY BUILDERS ASSOCIATION WIN TOP HONORS AT 2010 PYRAMID AWARDS

 

Basking Ridge, N.J., June 9, 2010 – A campaign that brought the Jersey Shore to the heart of Manhattan and a digital communications campaign to launch a car exclusively via a mobile platform demonstrated the extensive applications of public relations and received top honors in the 20th annual Pyramid Awards, held June 9 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 21 awards.

 

“From marketing communications to government affairs to non-profit campaigns, some of the finest work in the public relations industry is created and implemented by New Jersey-based corporations, PR firms and practitioners,” said Ken Hunter, president of PRSA NJ. “The 2010 class of PRSA NJ Pyramid Award winners represents an incredible array of work, reinforcing the tremendous value of public relations in helping organizations raise awareness and build and protect its brand.”

 

PRSA NJ awarded MWW Group, of East Rutherford, N.J.; and Brushfire Inc., of Cedar Knolls, N.J.; with its coveted “Best of Show” awards.

  • MWW Group received top honors in the single-item category for its campaign for Volkswagen, making the 2010 Volkswagen GTI the world’s first car to be launched exclusively on an iPhone. The launch was extremely successful and driven solely by publicity – without paid media support of any kind.
  • Brushfire won campaign of the year for its program for the New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism which reminded New Yorkers of the affordable pleasures of a shore getaway by bringing the experience of a day at the beach to the heart of Manhattan. The Jersey Shore Store opened on Broadway, offering authentic tastes of the resorts’ iconic pleasures, including cotton candy, sand castles, showgirls and a strip of Atlantic City boardwalk.  

   

Other event highlights included the following:

 

  • John Moscatelli, Chief Operating Officer of Anne Klein Communications Group, in Mount Laurel, N.J., received the 2010 PRSA NJ Public Relations Professional of the Year award in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions to the profession of public relations in New Jersey.

 

  • Joseph Cohen, Group Vice President of MWW Group, was recognized with the PRSA NJ Chapter Service Award in Honor of David Bressen in appreciation of his commitment and contributions to PRSA/NJ.

 

  • New Jersey Builders Association earned PRSA NJ’s Award for Excellence in recognition of its incredible accomplishments and contributions to the profession of public relations.

 

  • PRSA NJ honored Kimberly Ciesla, of Rowan University, with the organization’s Future Public Relations Professional of the Year Award which is sponsored by PR Newswire and is in honor of Joseph A. Vecchione, APR, Fellow PRSA.

 

Following is a list of additional 2010 Pyramid Award winners:

 

·         Community Relations – R&J Public Relations for Somerset Medical Center

·         Financial/Investor Relations – MWW Group for Emerisque

 

·         Marketing Communications – Coyne PR for Medco Health Solutions

 

·         Marketing Communications – Coyne PR for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

 

·         Crisis Communications – Anne Klein Communications Group for St. Mary Medical Center

 

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

 

·         Public/Governmental Affairs – R&J Public Relations for National Fire Sprinkler Association

 

·         Public/Governmental Affairs – Flanders Fire Company & Rescue Squad

 

·         Special Events – Communications Strategies Inc. for Teva/Plan B

 

·         Special Events – Coyne PR for Hasbro

   

·         Media Relations – MWW Group for IKEA North American Services LLC

 

·         Media Relations – Stern + Associates for B. Braun Medical, Inc.

 

·         Special Programs – Brushfire, Inc. for the NJ Division of Travel & Tourism

 

·         Special Programs – MWW Group for the Hershey Company

 

·         Special Programs – R&J Public Relations for New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board

                                               

·         Digital Communication/Social Media – MWW Group for Volkswagen         

 

·         Digital Communication/Social Media – Anne Klein Communications Group for Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries

 

·         Brochures & Presentations – United Water Company            

 

·         Feature or News Article – Anne Klein Communications Group

                                                     

·         Online or Interactive Technology – The SPI Group for Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority

 

·         Video Communications – ConocoPhillips



PRSA NJ Students and Professionals Participate in "Meet the Media" Panel

April 14, 2010, New Brunswick, NJ - Today the Public Relations Society of America New Jersey Chapter, the Public Relations Student Society of America at Rutgers University, and the New Jersey Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists held a "Meet the Media" panel and breakfast at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. The panel faced the challenge of discussing the "Year of the Crisis," that has resulted from scandals ranging from Tiger Woods to Toyota.

Through discussion and probing questions in front of an audience of about 130, the panel detailed the relationships that form between the media and public relations professionals when major scandals arise and offered solutions on how to make them the best possible for each side.

Ken Hunter, President of the PRSA New Jersey Chapter and Vice President-Account Services at R&J Public Relations moderated the panel. Members of the panel included David Porter, with 25 years of experience in journalism and currently writing for the Associated Press; Walt Kane, host of News 12 New Jersey's "Kane in Your Corner"; Mike Smith, supervising writer for Fox & Friends at Fox News Channel; and Jolie Solomon, who blogs for CBS Money Watch and is a freelance writer and editor.

The panel offered words of wisdom for students and public relations professionals in dealing with the media in both a professional and private setting. When Hunter challenged the panel with the question of how they would handle the Toyota crisis differently, they mostly agreed that the situation was handled very poorly. Smith said they would have been wise to confront the situation immediately and offer consumer incentives.

Kane suggested that "one of the biggest lessons PR people need to learn is that the problem will not just go away - you can't wish it away."

An audience member asked what public relations professionals can do to better foster media relationships. Porter stressed the fact that public relations professionals need to be both available and consistent. Solomon suggested that working in a newsroom and seeing how the media works would be a tremendous help to anyone working in public relations. Kane stressed looking for the positive in a negative story.

"There's going to be a hole in (a negative) story that is looking to be filled that says, 'This is terrible and we need to do something about it.'" Kane said. "There's no rule that says that can't be your client."

Mr. Kane concluded the panel by stating that if an organization's public relations team is visible even if the story is negative news, it fosters trust. "If you're available and going to be there in good times and bad, it engenders trust, and that's sort of what you're there for," he said.

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PRSA NJ Elects 2010 Officers, Announces 2010 Calendar of Events


NAVESINK, N.J., January 6, 2010 - The New Jersey Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA NJ) recently wrapped up another successful year and elected its 2010 officers and committee chairs at the organization's December town hall meeting and holiday party, held December 9th at Pal's Cabin in West Orange, N.J.

Officially taking over the reigns from 2009 PRSA NJ President Joseph Cohen, APR, group vice president for MWW Group; is Ken Hunter, APR, vice president of account services for R&J Public Relations. Hunter brings 20 years of experience in public relations and journalism to his role as PRSA NJ president.

Additional PRSA NJ officers elected for 2010 are:

  • President-Elect: Rich Lukis, President, Coyne PR

  • Vice President: Melissa Lauer, Senior Account Supervisor, Edelman

  • Treasurer: Bryan Kaus, Strategic Communications Consultant, ConocoPhilips Bayway Refinery

  • Secretary: Loren Waldron, Creative Services Manager, MWW Group

  • Directors-at-Large: Annamaria Lalevee, Director of Public Relations, Centenary College (3-year term); Anna Brodetsky, Account Manager, Utopia Communications (1-year term)

  • Assembly Delegates: Rachel Litner, Founder & President, Rachel Litner Associates; Ann Subervi, President & CEO, Utopia Communications; Ken Hunter and Joseph Cohen (3-year terms)

    A 2009 Retrospective: Milestones in Membership, Programming and Awards
    Cohen, who will remain active on PRSA NJ's Board of Directors as Immediate Past President, shared his thoughts on the accomplishments of this past year at the Chapter's town hall meeting. "PRSA NJ bucked a national trend in 2009 by strengthening our budget while maintaining our membership. As the communications industry continued to evolve, PRSA NJ heightened its own relevancy by serving as a resource for continued education and a community where professionals of all ages, levels of seniority and areas of expertise could share thoughts and ideas."

    Cohen added, "In addition to consistently producing well-attended events and workshops, our chapter worked in tandem with PRSA national to spearhead the first-ever Accredited in Public Relations (APR) Boot Camp."

    During the town hall meeting, chapter leaders and membership also heard from PRSA National's Chair and CEO Michael Cherenson, who shared positive information from the national committee. "In addition to expanding PRSA's Job Center resource from a job board to a comprehensive online community, developing a hardship program for out-of-work PR professionals and launching a free monthly professional development tele-seminar series, PRSA National also increased its use of social media, expanded its APR and ethics programs, and launched 'The Business Case for Public Relations' campaign," shared Cherenson. He also noted that it is the success of chapters like PRSA NJ which helps the national organization analyze and benchmark other chapters.

    Marking another significant milestone in 2009, PRSA NJ named its Chapter Service Award, given in conjunction with the Chapter's annual Pyramid Awards in June, in honor of the late Dave Bressen. Bressen was a former Chapter president and long-time active member who contributed countless hours and unrelenting dedication to PRSA NJ over several decades, helping to make the Chapter what it is today.

    Continuing the Momentum in 2010
    "We've planned a robust 2010 activities calendar to include professional development programs such as 'Building a Brand Called You,' a workshop on the diplomatic PR professional, and continuing events like the 3-on-3 basketball tournament," said Hunter. "I'm excited for the coming year and look forward to working with the new officers and committee chairs, along with the leaders and members who continue to make this Chapter an ongoing success."

    Programming that is being spearheaded by PRSA NJ in 2010 will include:

  • Social Media Workshops - Featuring some of the industry's top digital media experts as well as bloggers and online journalists, PRSA NJ social media workshops are geared to educate PR practitioners on the latest advances that are reshaping the communications industry.

  • Commitment to the Community - Each year, PRSA NJ "adopts" a local New Jersey-based non-profit organization and provides a group of Chapter volunteers to handle communications surrounding one of its key initiatives.

  • Member Networking Events - From themed dinners to meet ups for new and young PR professionals, PRSA NJ will host a series of networking functions enabling communications professionals to extend their personal networks in relaxed settings.

  • Member Communications - Continuing to evolve as the Web provides additional channels to dialogue with stakeholders, PRSA NJ offers members a robust social media presence, including active and growing Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter communities - providing an up-to-the-minute forum for news, networking, job opportunities and event information - as well as its Web site www.prsanj.org and online quarterly newsletter that delivers the latest industry news, trends and advice.

    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.

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