Contact: Leah Craig, Communications Director

(904) 419-3346; leahscraig@gmail.com

Gainesville, Fla., May 16, 2013—The Gainesville Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), the oldest public relations organization in the U.S., recently recognized the best in research, strategy, implementation and execution in the public relations profession at its 2013 annual Image Awards luncheon held April 18, 2013 at Sweetwater Branch Inn, Gainesville, Fla.

Eight awards were presented to local public relations professionals in two divisions—Public Relations Programs and Audio/Visual Tools of Public Relations. Three types of awards can be presented in each division. The Award of Distinction is presented to all entries that meet the five criteria of excellence set by the panel of judges. The Image Award is presented to the top-scoring entry in each category, provided it meets the predetermined criteria of excellence. The Judges’ Award is given to an outstanding entry that achieves maximum results while using a minimum amount of money. The top-scoring entry in each division receives a Grand Image Award, with the top public relations program receiving the Grand All Image Award.

Congratulations to our 2013 Image Award winners:

Division A: Public Relations Programs

 Category 7: Promotional/Marketing

• Image Award & Grand All Image Award: Paul Ramey, APR, Leeann Hewlett and Logan Gerber received these awards for the Florida Museum of Natural History’s Cruisin’ the Fossil Freeway entry.

Category 2: Public Service

• Judges’ Award & Award of Distinction: Sheryl Eddie, Brittany Borsanyi and Tiffany Manning of the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County received these awards for their Family Resource Festival entry.

Division C: Audio/Visual Tools of Public Relations

Category 5: Video-Internal

• Judges’ Award, Image Award & Grand Image Award: Gainesville Regional Utilities, The City of Gainesville received these awards for its Total Service Excellence Video.

Category 11: Website

• Award of Distinction: Wendy Crites Wacker, APR, Jenny Highlander, APR, and Leah Craig of RTI Biologics, Alachua, Fla., received this award for its Rspace intranet redesign.

Each entry consisted of a two-page summary of the program, tool or project and a notebook of supporting materials. Judges for the local competition are qualified, experienced, and accomplished PR professionals from a neighboring FPRA chapter who have achieved their APR accreditation.

“We are so honored to recognize these individuals for their excellence and passion for public relations,” said Allison Downey, FPRA’s Image Awards director. “We are pleased to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to their many successes in the future.”

Winners of local Image Awards are encouraged to apply for the statewide Golden Image Awards, given at FPRA’s annual conference in August in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Golden Image Awards competition is conducted annually by FPRA to recognize outstanding public relations programs in Florida and to encourage and promote the development of public relations professionalism in our state. Winners demonstrate the very best examples of innovation, planning and design.

The Gainesville Chapter of FPRA was established in 1968 and boasts more than 100 members. The group hosts a variety of professional development, networking and community relations activities throughout the year, including monthly luncheons, its annual Professional Development Symposium and numerous fundraisers. In August, FPRA named the chapter its 2011-2012 Chapter of the Year—the sixth time it received the distinction. To learn more about the Gainesville Chapter of FPRA, visit www.fpragainesville.com. Get the latest chapter news at www.facebook.com/fpragainesville and on Twitter at @FPRA_GNV.

About FPRA

Lt. Col. John Dillin, APR, CPRC, established FPRA in 1938 for the purpose of helping public relations practitioners do their jobs better. As the oldest public relations organization in the country, FPRA is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners, who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. FPRA comprises 15 professional and nine student chapters throughout the state, providing professional development, networking and professional recognition opportunities. For more additional information, visit www.fpra.org.

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11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sweetwater Branch Inn, Gainesville, FL

Join us in May for our joint luncheon with the Advertising Federation of Gainesville. George Zwierko, founder of Rumbo Cultural Marketing in Tampa, Fla., will present “Multicultural Marketing: Deciphering the Culture Code.” Zwierko has nearly 20 years of experience as a creative professional and has garnered multiple local and national ADDY awards in a variety of disciplines, as well as several Telly Awards for national broadcast commercials.

Before founding Rumbo Cultural Marketing, Zwierko was a partner and vice president of creative services for the Dutcher Group in Tampa. In July 2006, he founded Grupo D, the Hispanic marketing division of the Dutcher Group. His Latin and European heritage provides him with cultural insight that has contributed to his strategic approach to multicultural marketing.

At the May luncheon, Zwierko will discuss cultural marketing and reveal the nuances that trigger emotional connections between consumers and brands. Attendees will explore how the lines between communication and anthropology are beginning to blur and that language may connect individuals but it doesn’t define an entire community.

RSVP to attend.

IMPORTANT: To be eligible for a refund, you must cancel your reservation by the registration deadline. The FPRA registration deadline is 12 p.m. on Tuesday the week of the luncheon. The cancellation must be submitted by e-mailing programs director Kevin Coulson.

Catherine Seemann

Catherine is a communications coordinator at the University of Florida’s (UF) Student Health Care Center in Gainesville, Fla. After working her way through college at Publix Super Markets, Catherine received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from UF in 2001 and joined the corporate Publix team in Lakeland, Fla. Not long after, she returned to Gainesville seeking better opportunities. Catherine joined Naylor Publications as an editor and worked there for nearly six years before deciding to go back to school for graphic design.

On a whim, after meeting a roller girl in the fall of 2007, Catherine started a local women’s flat track roller derby team, known today as the Gainesville Roller Rebels. Before retiring, she worked in all aspects of the non-profit sports group, including advertising, media relations, webmaster, fundraiser, charity coordinator and coach. She received her associate’s degree in digital media technology from Santa Fe College in 2010.

“I like working in public relations because the audience is always changing,” Catherine says. “I used to shy away from change, but now I embrace it—and have learned that sometimes the simpler, often-overlooked path is the one to success.”

When she’s not working Catherine enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, watching marathons of crime/detective series and biking.

Danna says her favorite part of working in public relations is seeing a story she has researched, written, edited and tirelessly pitched to the media come to life in print. “Sharing the good news with your client is the icing on the cake.”

When she’s not working she enjoys spending time with her family and working on DIY projects.

Image Awards: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Paul Ramey, APR, FPRA VP of Finance

Paul Ramey, APR, provided insight and perspective on FPRA’s local and state Image Awards process, including his case study on the Florida Museum of Natural History’s 2012 Dick Pope All Florida Golden Image Award. The museum was the first Gainesville organization to win FPRA’s top public relations programs award for its Florida Cattle Ranching/Florida Cowboys exhibits campaign.

Paul Ramey, APR, is assistant director in charge of marketing and public relations at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. He currently serves on FPRA’s State Executive Committee as VP of Finance, and past positions include VP of Annual Conference, VP of Technology and VP of Professional Development. He served as president of the Gainesville Chapter in 2005-06 and won Chapter of the Year. He also is a past recipient of FPRA’s State Member of the Year Award, and has been recognized as Gainesville Chapter Member of the Year and Professional of the Year. Ramey has won many local Image and Grand All Image awards and state Golden Image awards, including the 2012 Dick Pope All Florida Golden Image Award for Public Relations Programs for the museum’s Florida Cattle Ranching/Florida Cowboys exhibits campaign.

Ramey earned his bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). He has more than 25 years of communications experience, including work in radio news and production and as a newspaper writer and editor in Florida and Alaska before entering the public relations field, where he has worked in public affairs for the Anchorage Alaska School District and PR director for the UF College of Medicine before moving to the Florida Museum. He enjoys hunting and fishing, and spending time with his wife of 22 years Karen and their two children, as well as their 7-year-old lab/chow mix, Lilly.

Sarah Coulson

Sarah is a communications specialist at United Way of North Central Florida (UWNCFL) in Gainesville. She earned a B.S. in journalism and a minor in art history from the University of Florida. After graduation, Sarah began an unexpected career in quality assurance where she utilized her writing, editing and communications skills, as well as her creativity in the development of technical procedures and internal newsletters. After eight years, she is excited to pursue a new career in communications and public relations.

A native of Rhode Island, Sarah now considers herself a true Floridian. When she’s not working, she enjoys bicycling, watching Gator sports, listening to bands play at local venues, and hanging out with friends and family. “Most of all, I love being with my husband, Kevin, and our 20-month-old baby girl, Olivia,” Sarah says. “Hands down, they are the funniest people I have ever met.”

In her current role at United Way, Sarah says she learns something new each day and is reminded of the quote:  “You only know what you know.” Sarah says she is lucky to have a great mentor and to work with a dynamic and energetic team. “I am excited for the direction my career has taken me and to be a new FPRA member.”

Shaumond Scott

Shaumond is state communications coordinator for UF|IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program in Gainesville. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in marketing from Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Meyers, Fla. This is his eighth year working in the communications field and his third year at 4-H. Shaumond’s professional experience includes time spent as an on-air radio personality, copy writer, web developer and, most recently, an online advertising designer for The Gainesville Sun. In addition, he has spent some time teaching. “While working with an after-school program I created and taught a web design course to elementary students,” he says. “That was one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my career.”

Shaumond says his job is to connect his organization with its audience to develop a mutually beneficial relationship. Forming connections is his favorite part of working in the public relations field.

Shaumond is a husband and father and enjoys sports and spending time with his family.

Jordan Meyer

Jordan is director of communications and marketing for the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce and Council for Economic Outreach.  At the Chamber he oversees the communications department, which encompasses public and media relations, marketing strategy, advertising campaigns, print and electronic content, website development and social media management. Prior to joining the Chamber he worked at Concepts Advertising in Grenada, West Indies as a communications and marketing manager.

Originally from Minnesota, Jordan received his bachelor’s degree in communications from St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minn. He also holds an MBA with an emphasis in marketing from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management.

When it comes to PR, Jordan says his favorite part is determining what people want to hear and providing it for them without them realizing that was the intent. “Taking any situation and making it into a message reflecting positively on the organization I represent is a challenge that I look forward to every day.”

Jordan is engaged to Deanne Kolander who is completing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Florida. They have a five-month old son, Blake, and a dog, Buddy.

Alisha Kinman

Alisha Kinman

Alisha is communications and research manager at the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce/Council for Economic Outreach. A graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, she received her B.S. in public relations with a minor in communication studies. As a student she pursued numerous local internships, including ones at Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, Cinema Verde Environmental Film & Arts Festival and the Hippodrome Theatre.

Although she was born in Miami, Alisha has lived in Gainesville since she was a child. She is a proud graduate of the Alachua County School District and attended Santa Fe College for two years prior to transferring to UF. When she’s not working, she volunteers at the Hippodrome, publicizing and promoting upcoming films. She also enjoys watching movies and traveling. Last summer, before starting her job at the Chamber, Alisha traveled to Israel and France. “Next on my list is a Mediterranean Cruise to Spain, France, Croatia and Italy lined up for this April,” she says.

When it comes to public relations, Alisha lives by Theodore Roosevelt’s quote, “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Whether working on an electronic newsletter or an event, she says she puts all of her effort into the project at hand. “I just love the field I am in and think public relations professionals serve a vital role in society,” she says.

But to everyone else, it was no surprise.

Carey is director of public relations at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. During her 22 years in public relations, she continually demonstrates great professionalism while gaining positive exposure for the college with numerous stories placed throughout the country.

Sarah Carey, APR

One nomination reads, “It never fails that I read or hear about an amazing story coming from the College of Veterinary Medicine. We have a true public relations gem right here in our community.”

Another reads, “As long as I’ve known her, she is always working on a big, national story. She is one of the most professional practitioners I know.”

Carey manages media relations, social media and her college’s web presence, as well as works closely with others throughout the college and university to meet communications needs in effective, efficient and meaningful ways. She is grateful for the opportunity to share so many stories of animals overcoming huge odds, such as the dog that was bitten by a rattlesnake and survived, thanks to the veterinarians at the UF Small Animal Hospital.

“We all need inspiration and evidence that there are good stories and happy endings out there,” Carey says. “I personally feel rewarded when I can see the faces and meet the people behind these stories, because I appreciate what a unique position I am in, to be able to hear about these kinds of cases and share them with others.”

While Carey believes relationships with journalists are important, she says it’s the story that matters in the end.

“Your credibility as a PR person is tested over time based on how well you can judge the genuine newsworthiness of a story,” Carey says. “It’s all about the credibility of the pitch.”

In her role with the college, Carey finds that as there are more tools and mechanisms in public relations, it’s critical to use her time effectively.

“With the time I have for the goals we have as a college, it makes more sense to concentrate on one or two social media tools effectively, consistently and well, than attempting to use many tools but using them poorly or ineffectively. For us, that’s primarily Facebook, although we’re also exploring the Twitter universe,” she says.

Carey notes that the public relations field can be stressful, so she balances by recharging through activities such as reading, creative writing, exercising and spending time with her dog.

“If we are coming apart at the seams emotionally, we are not going to do the best job and we’re not going to be able to be there for the people who depend on us,” Carey says.

Carey describes receiving the Professional of the Year Award as “indescribably special.”

“To be acknowledged by one’s peers in this way says: we get it and we see it and we know what you’re doing and it matters. What a gift and what a treasure to know that.”