2024 Lantern Award Winners

The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) is proud to announce the winners of the prestigious Lantern Awards, celebrated during the annual conference held in Biloxi, Mississippi, from October 20-22, 2024. This year's awards recognized outstanding public relations achievements across Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Florida panhandle.

The Lantern Awards highlight the exceptional work and dedication of public relations professionals in the SPRF states. Each entry was judged by industry experts, showcasing creativity, innovation, and the impactful communication strategies that drive successful public relations campaigns.

"Congratulations to all the winners who exemplify the highest standards of excellence in our field," said Kim Foster, APR, President of SPRF. "The work being done in the SPRF region is a testament to the power of effective communication and its ability to connect communities."

Winners and their award-winning projects were honored during a special ceremony at the conference, bringing together public relations practitioners, educators, and students to celebrate the best in the industry.

Student Lantern Winners

Certificate of Merit

Social Media Management
Starkville State Theatre         
Kalli Hedgepeth and Cason Brown

Lantern Awards

Special Events
Student Money Management Center
PRISM, Department of Communication, Mississippi State University
Maryanna Morris, Emily Anthony, Annalise Rome

Digital
Promoting Power of the Almond with Tasteful Tactics         
PRISM, Department of Communication, Mississippi State University
Zoie Henson, Caroline Dewberrry, Lucy Trew

Campaigns     
Glo Cubes: A Bright Campaign          
PRISM, Department of Communication, Mississippi State University

Best of Show – Student Division

Glo Cubes: A Bright Campaign          
PRISM, Department of Communication, Mississippi State University

Professional Lantern Awards

Certificates of Merit

Tier One Certificates of Merit

Long Term Strategic Programs Internal Communications
Late Breaking News Relaunch
Mississippi Division of Medicaid
Matt Westerfield & APR,Kelly Shannon

Long Term Strategic Programs Marketing
Add A Little Lagniappe Campaign     
Southern Heritage Bank
MICAH A. WALKER, MBA, APR

Long Term Strategic Programs Media Relations
Mississippi State University College of Arts & Sciences Experts List 
MSU College of Arts & Sciences Communications Team
Karyn Brown and Sam Kealhofer

Tier Two Certificate of Merit

Short Term Strategic Programs Reputation, Issues & Brand Management
Facebook Refresh of 2023     
Southern Heritage Bank
MICAH A. WALKER, MBA, APR

Short Term Strategic Programs Special Events         
2023 HBCU Day at the Capitol          
Louisiana Board of Regents
Chris Yandle, Ph.D., APR

Short Term Strategic Programs Special Events         
Eagle Reef Press Conference 2023    
JJPR Agency

Short Term Strategic Programs Special Events         
Beads & Brushes benefiting Highland Jazz & Blues Festival 
Lagniappe P.R.I.M.E., LLC.
Emerie Eck Holtzclaw,

Short Term Strategic Programs Special Events         
Mississippi Youth Institute at Mississippi State University   
CALS Dean's Office
Darrell Sparks, Sarah Busby, Tiffney Williams, Karen Brasher, Dominique Belcher, Vanessa Beeson, David Ammon

Tier Three Certificate of Merit

Tactical Materials/Projects Advertising & Publications
Meauxmentum: Master Plan Year 4 Update 
Louisiana Board of Regents, Chris Yandle, Ph.D., APR,

Tactical Materials/Projects   Audio & Video
Vax Matters Podcast  
Feigley Communications

Tactical Materials/Projects   Audio & Video
Alabama Community College System - Access Granted Podcast      
Elijah Baker and Ty Rayford

Tactical Materials/Projects  Graphics           
Clearing the Path to a Welcoming Library Space      
LSU Libraries
Christine Wendling and Behnoush Tavasolinia

Tactical Materials/Projects   Social Media Management
Southern Miss Campus Rec Instagram Redesign      
April Jordan & Matt Martin, APR, Natalie Gleason, Tegan Bumbieris, Jessica Hatfield

Awards of Excellence

Tier One Awards of Excellence

Long Term Strategic Programs Community Relations & Public Service      
Shaping Tomorrow’s Energy: Understanding Smart Meters with SWEPCO  
Southwestern Electric Power Company, Corporate Communications
Michelle Marcotte

Long Term Strategic Programs  Internal Communications  
Revitalizing The University of Alabama's Internal Newsletter          
The University of Alabama, Division of Strategic Communications,

Long Term Strategic Programs Potpourri     
H2A Agricultural Guest Workers Campaign  
Alabama Farmers Federation
Mary Wilson, Marlee Jackson, Matt Wilson, Laura Unger

Long Term Strategic Programs  Potpourri    
Mobile County Social Media Posting Methodology  
Content Fresh
Mobile County Public Affairs

Long Term Strategic Programs Reputation, Issues & Brand Management
Zero in On Safety       
Ingalls Shipbuilding
Integrated Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

Long Term Strategic Programs  Reputation, Issues & Brand Management
Mobile County Animal Shelter Community Management   
Mobile County Public Affairs
Content Fresh

Long Term Strategic Programs Special Events
Sunbelt Ag Expo Spotlight State        
Alabama Spotlight State Committee
Mary Willson, Marlee Jackson, Committee Co-Chairs

Tier Two Awards of Excellence

Short Term Strategic Programs  Integrated Communications          |
Don't Trash Mississippi          
Mississippi Department of Transportation
Anna Ehrgott and Drew Hall

Short Term Strategic Programs Marketing
Hound Dog Approved Marketing Campaign 
Tupelo CVB

Short Term Strategic Programs Potpourri    
Kind Cafe Communications Audit 2023         
JJPR Agency

Short Term Strategic Programs Special Events         
Diversity Talks for a Belonging and Better Functioning Society        
Jae-Hwa Shin, Ph.D., MPH, MBA, APR, Professor, School of Media and Communication, University of Southern Mississippi

Tier Three Awards of Excellence

Tactical Materials/Projects Advertising & Publications      
The Anchor - 85 Year Edition 
Ingalls Shipbuilding, Integrated Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

Tactical Materials/Projects  Advertising & Publications
Superintendent's Annual Report      
Mississippi Department of Education
Office of Communication and Government Relations

Tactical Materials/Projects   Audio & Video
Mississippi State University College of Arts & Sciences Vision Podcast        
MSU College of Arts & Sciences Communications Team
Sam Kealhofer and Karyn Brown,

Tactical Materials/Projects  Digital
Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) Website
MSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Marketing
Chase Shaw, Karen Brasher ,Meg Henderson, Scott Willard

Tactical Materials/Projects Graphics
Award of Excellence   Add A Little Lagniappe Ads    
Southern Heritage Bank
MICAH A. WALKER, MBA, APR

Tactical Materials/Projects  Research & Measurement      
Strategic Plan for EDA of Jones County Tourism       
Visit Laurel & Jones County Strategic Plan
Foster Relations, Inc.,

Tactical Materials/Projects Writing  
University of Alabama Commencement Series 2023
The University of Alabama
Division of Strategic Communications

Lantern Awards

Tier One Lantern Awards

Long Term Strategic Programs Integrated Communications
2023 Natchez Trace Compact Integrated Communications  
Natchez Trace Compact
Foster Relations, Inc.

Long Term Strategic Programs  Integrated Communications
MCHD Family Health Campaign 2023
JJPR Agency

Long Term Strategic Programs  Internal Communication
Learning & Development Program – UKG Pro Learning        
Crest Industries

Long Term Strategic Programs Internal Communications   
"In the Know" Newsletter      
Louisiana Board of Regents, Chris Yandle, Ph.D., APR,

Long Term Strategic Programs Internal Communications   
The IBiZ Now Safety Show     
RoyOMartin, Communications Team,

Long Term Strategic Programs  Media Relations     
2023 MyTupelo Public Relations Strategy     
Tupelo CVB
TURNER Public Relations,

Long Term Strategic Programs Reputation, Issues & Brand Management
Take Two: Developing Our Famous Home Town's Online Presence 
City of Laurel
Kat Romero, APR

Long Term Strategic Programs Reputation, Issues & Brand Management 
A TRU Rebrand!         
TRU Solutions

Long Term Strategic Programs Special Events          
Mississippi State University College of Arts & Sciences Eclipse Viewing Event         
MSU College of Arts & Sciences Communications Team

Tier Two Lantern Awards

Short Term Strategic Programs Community Relations & Public Service
Operation Iron Ruck 2023      
TRINDGROUP, LLC

Short Term Strategic Programs Community Relations & Public Service
Relay for Life Fundraising Campaign 
RoyOMartin, Communications Team,
Caitlin Rolon

Short Term Strategic Programs  Crisis Communications     
Crisis Communication: Senate Rejects Agency Leader
Mississippi Department of Education
Office of Communication and Government Relations

Short Term Strategic Programs Integrated Communications          
Every School Day Counts Attendance Campaign      
Mississippi Department of Education
Office of Communication and Government Relations

Short Term Strategic Programs Integrated Communications          
ACCEL Academy 2023 Recruitment Campaign
JJPR Agency

Short Term Strategic Programs Internal Communications
Methanex Gives Campaign   
Methanex
Alicia Davidson

Short Term Strategic Programs Media Relations     
Africatown Heritage House Launch
Mobile County Commission & Partners
Mobile County Public Affairs, Sharee Broussard

Short Term Strategic Programs Public Affairs          
Mississippi Opal        
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
James Starnes, Jan Schaefer, Alice Perry,

Short Term Strategic Programs Reputation, Issues & Brand Management |
From the NICU to the NFL     
Memorial Health System, Marketing & Communications

Short Term Strategic Programs Special Events         
Ingalls Shipbuilding Family Day         
Ingalls Shipbuilding
Integrated Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

Short Term Strategic Programs Special Events
Friendsgiving 
Community Foundation for Mississippi
Sophie McNeil Wolf,

Short Term Strategic Programs Special Events         
LSUA Shrimp Jam 2023          
LSUA Division of Strategic Communications
LSUA Foundation

Tier Three Lantern Awards

Materials/Projects  Advertising & Publications
Mississippi State University College of Arts & Sciences Vision Magazine     
MSU College of Arts & Sciences Communications Team
Karyn Brown and Sarah Nicholas, Sam Kealhofer and Kelli Anthony

Tactical Materials/Projects  Advertising & Publications     
Jones Guidebook: A Book On Jones Culture 
Jones Capital, Shelby White, Amanda Sanford

Tactical Materials/Projects > Audio & Video
Bright Minds, Good Hearts Student Profiles 
Jackson Academy,
Patti Wade, Jonathan Blackwell, Jake Slinkard, Jim Wilkirson

Tactical Materials/Projects  Audio & Video
Girls Can Too Explainer Video
RoyOMartin
Communications/Media Team

Tactical Materials/Projects   Collateral Materials    
2024 Chickasaw Country Travel Guide          
The Chickasaw Nation / Chickasaw Country,
Chickasaw Country Marketing Association

Tactical Materials/Projects  Digital  
University of Alabama News Center  
The University of Alabama,
Division of Strategic Communications

Tactical Materials/Projects  Graphics           
Tishomingo County Logo & Identity  
Foster Relations, Inc.

Tactical Materials/Projects  Potpourri         
Li'l Chubby's Poster Design    
Chase Dyess

Tactical Materials/Projects Social Media Management      
The Savannah Bananas are coming to Baton Rouge 
Visit Baton Rouge

Short Term Strategic Programs Special Events         
Tupelo's New Year's Eve Party
Tupelo CVB
Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association

Best of Tier Winners

Best of Tier One

A TRU Rebrand!         
TRU Solutions

Best of Tier Two

Mississippi Department of Education
Office of Communication and Government Relations

Every School Day Counts Attendance Campaign

Tier Three Winner is:

Girls Can Too Explainer Video
RoyOMartin
Communications/Media Team

Best of Show:

Mississippi Department of Education
Office of Communication and Government Relations

Every School Day Counts Attendance Campaign

Congratulations to all of our winners!