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2022 LANTERN AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) recognized outstanding public relations practices during the Lantern Awards ceremony held September 13 at the Hilton Baton Rouge (LA) Capitol Center.
Professional and student members of the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA), the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), and the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM) earned a total of 61 awards honoring the best PR in the Gulf South.
“The wealth and quality of experience our membership display in the Lanterns competition are impressive,” said SPRF President Lisa Darnell, APR (PRCA North Alabama). “Each entrant’s ability to understand and utilize the strategic process provides outstanding returns to their organizations and clients while advancing the best public relations practices.”
Sixteen projects won Lantern awards, the program’s top honor, for outstanding achievement.
Memorial Health System (a member of PRAM MS Beach) earned the top award, the William A. Taylor Best of Show, as the best Short-Term Program for their “Prevention Takes Action” marketing campaign. Ochsner Health (PRAL Baton Rouge) was named the Best Long-Term Program for their “Putting a Face to Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Trials” media relations campaign. The Best Tactical Material went to the Mississippi Department of Education (PRAM Central) for their “Mississippi Emerging Science of Reading Schools Video.”
Mississippi’s other six Lantern winners included the University of Mississippi Medical Center (PRAM Central), Mississippi State University Extension Service Office of Agricultural Communications (PRAM MSU/Starkville), Surge Advisors, LLC (PRAM MSU/Starkville), Sanderson Farms (Pine Belt PRAM), South Mississippi State Hospital (Pine Belt PRAM), and The University of Southern Mississippi (Pine Belt PRAM).
Louisiana members also earned four Lantern Awards, including Beta Engineering (PRAL Central), Crest Industries (PRAL Central), Natchitoches CVB (PRAL Central), and NOLA Public Schools (PRAL New Orleans). Three Lanterns went to Proxi Public Relations (PRCA Mobile) from Alabama.
Professional and student submissions in 30 categories were scored on their individual merit based on adherence and success utilizing the four-step RPIE process by PR practitioners from the Nebraska Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). To be eligible, submissions must have been produced/appeared in the previous calendar year, January 1 through December 31, 2021, and entered by a current member of SPRF. Award-winning entries demonstrating excellence in process and results earned Certificates of Merit and Awards of Excellence, with top projects and programs earning Lantern Awards. The Best of Tier winners were selected from the Lantern-winning entries in each tier, with the Best of Show award chosen from the three Best of Tier winners.
Click here for a full list of the 62 award winners.
If you have questions, contact 2022 Lantern Awards Chair Matt Martin, APR at [email protected].
THE INSPIRATION FOR THE NEW TROPHIES
SPRF’s representative states all border the Gulf of Mexico looking over its rich waters. The Gulf is a key resource and unique to the identity of this region. Introduced in 2019, the new family of Lantern trophies is designed to represent an angular silhouette of a lighthouse with a beacon of light shining out to illuminate its surroundings, informing and alerting all those within its influence.
Exemplary public relations product operates in much the same way – standing as a guide, communicating to vast and distant publics, serving as a constant and reliable guide when others require assistance and to help them steer clear of rough waters. A Lantern winner is a beacon of public relations excellence. The Best of Show and Best of Tier trophies are mounted on LED bases to amplify the "lighthouse" effect.
