Nominations for Hawaii PRSA Public Relations Award Now Open

By Sonia Isotov

The Hawai‘i Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is now accepting entries for the 28th annual Koa Anvil awards to recognize outstanding public relations programs and tactics throughout the islands.

Established in 1983, this competition is open to all public relations professionals in Hawaii, not just PRSA members.

Entries are due by April 29, and discounts are available for early entries submitted by April 15.

Winners will be announced at the 28th Annual Koa Anvil Awards dinner on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki Resort and Golf Club.

Entry categories include: community relations, reputation/brand management, events and observances, public service, public affairs, marketing consumer products, marketing consumer services, marketing business to business, global communications, crisis communications, issues management, internal communications, investor relations, multicultural public relations, and integrated communications.

The Koa Anvil Awards are given in five categories:

• Koa Anvil Awards recognize completed public relations programs which incorporated sound research, planning, execution, and evaluation and met the highest standards of performance in the profession.
• Koa Hammer Awards recognize outstanding public relations tactics that are a part of a communications campaign. These include research, writing, publications, and audio and visual communications vehicles.
• Gregg W. Perry Public Relations Professional of the Year Award honors an exemplary practitioner who, during a distinguished career, has made a major contribution to the profession and has applied public relations techniques in a professional manner to achieve meaningful objectives. The 2010 Professional of the Year was Donna Spiker, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Kuakini Medical Center.
• Hokupa‘a Award recognizes a relative newcomer to public relations for demonstrating exceptional leadership potential and achievement in his/her initial years in the profession.
• PRSA Hawaii President’s Leadership Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the success of the chapter and the profession.
• PRSA Hawaii Hall of Honor, the highest honor bestowed by the chapter, recognizes the ultimate public relations practitioners with distinguished and exemplary careers in public relations.

To make a nomination, or for more information, go to PRSA website.