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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
 | | Glen Duncan, APR |
I'm not sure everyone who decides to step into SPRF leadership believes or wants to be president eventually. I know I did not. My first step toward leadership was pretty self-serving. It was the day I was asked to relieve the treasurer, who had been on the job for a couple of years. I had never been a treasurer before and looked at that moment as my chance to learn more about the financial management of an organization and perhaps improve my own financial skills.
Seems like selfish motives, don't they? What happened to good old altruism; the desire to help for the sake of it? Well, maybe selfish is the wrong word. Wiser people have taught me the distinction between selfishness and self-interest. My self-interest was to grow, to learn and to contribute, and SPRF was ready to let me do all three. I'd guess that a lot of our past leaders may have taken their first step because they felt the same thing - a desire to grow personally; which, I believe, comes on top of underlying altruistic reasons.
I say whether you are guided by pure altruism to step up for your profession and organization or by self-interest - or both - step up nonetheless. We are currently and continually on the prowl for good leaders. SPRF is your chance to learn, to grow and to shine on a regional level. This will be a regular message from me to you - consider the great benefits to you of serving SPRF. Find out how to be appointed a representative to the board. Chances are all you need do is volunteer; someone will hear and guide you. Then join us and find your way. Thanks ahead of time for that.
We are heading into the new year with new faces and news names of people who have joined some veterans as well. Your board of directors is listed on the SPRF website, so cozy up to one of them and ask how they got there.
We - your new board of directors - have many things in store for you as members of SPRF, and I'll use this space to fill you in; but my main message is this: look to SPRF as THE place to get involved, to contribute, and to grow professionally.
This year will be the first for SPRF to convene and manage its own conference. We will need the help of our local chapters as usual, but help us take this huge step by planning now to attend, to engage and to give us feedback. We'll be gathering at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Ala., October 2-4, so see you there.
Before that, though, your board and all interested members will gather at Mississippi State University on April 15 to inaugurate the Southern Public Relations Hall of Fame, hosted by the University and located in its library. Our vision is to make this THE place to recognize the true leaders in public relations in the south, whether members of SPRF or not. This is truly a professional, historic and academic endeavor - not just another way to reward ourselves. Thanks to Mississippi State professor John Forde, PhD, APR, Fellow PRSA, and Adam Kelley, APR, (both SPRF members and former SPRF presidents) for making this dream a reality.
And as always, we will serve you with a smile and real value for your membership - and recognition. Start now to prepare your Lantern entries, your Chapter of Distinction entries, your accreditation materials and your nominees for Educator of the Year and the Professional Achievement Award. What better value than to be recognized by such an accomplished group of professionals as being among the best?
Sincerely,  Glen Duncan, APR President
Southern Public Relations Federation |
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Make Your Point as a Sponsor/Exhibitor at SPRF's Annual Conference Oct. 2-4 in Point Clear, Ala.
Are you considering being a sponsor or exhibitor at SPRF's Annual Conference? Well, now is the time to Get to the Point and make plans to attend.
Participating as a sponsor or exhibitor during the conference gives you the perfect opportunity to network and share your company's products and services with public relations professionals from across this four state region. Additionally, it will provide exposure to all conference participants, increase brand visibility, help build your client base and be seen across multiple communication modes. What a win-win business opportunity!
Mark your calendar now and join us! The conference is scheduled for October 2 - 4, 2011, at the Marriott's Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Ala.
For complete packages on becoming a sponsor and/or exhibiting during the event, please contact Ann Sirmon, sponsor and exhibitor coordinator, by phone at 251-344-3210 or email at annsirmon@me.com.
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Congratulations to SPRF's newest APR: Ginger Guttner, APR
Ginger Guttner, public relations coordinator with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, recently earned the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation. She is a member of the Baton Rouge chapter of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana. "We are so proud to include Ginger as one of our members," said Glen Duncan, APR, 2011 SPRF president. "This achievement signifies her dedication to the public relations profession, her focus on professional development and commitment to communicating effectively."  | | Ginger Guttner, APR |
Guttner received her bachelor's degree in English and master's degree in Mass Communication from LSU. An internship at the Foundation for Historical Louisiana led to a permanent position as the association's tour and event coordinator from 1997 through 2000. She then worked as an association coordinator for Posthlethwaite & Netterville, where she coordinated membership, conferences, and newsletters for statewide associations, including the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association and the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association. In 2004, she joined LSU as the public relations coordinator for the School of Veterinary Medicine, where her duties include overseeing the school's publications and website and handling media relations. |
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Forde Named Co-Chair of Universal Accreditation Board
 John Forde, PhD, APR, Fellow PRSA, was appointed co-chair of the Universal Accreditation Board, the leading certification body for the public relations profession. Forde is one of SPRF's two representatives to the UAB, serving with SPRF's VP of Accreditation Missy LaBorde, APR, of PRAL-Alexandria. Forde is associate professor and head of the Department of Communication at Mississippi State University.
If you're interested in becoming accredited, visit http://praccreditation.org for free online resources, including the recently updated 150-page study guide.
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Silent Auction Raises $1,633
at SPRF Conference
Many thanks to all of you who helped make the Silent Auction at the 2010 SPRF Conference a success! Thanks to your donations, some of which were crafted by our members' own hands, and your participation, there were 31 items donated and a total of $1,633 raised for SPRF programs, services and activities. This far exceeded the original goal of 22 items and $550 raised! There were a wide variety of items donated, from weekend getaway packages to artwork, sports memorabilia, books, jewelry and baskets full of goodies. There was definitely something for everyone in the auction! The great donations helped draw a crowd to the Silent Auction room throughout the conference. A special thank-you goes to the Conference Committee for all of their help in providing a location complete with skirted tables for display and for being flexible when we decided to move the items to the Lantern Reception location for final bidding. Those who helped flex their muscles and move the items, including Danny Blanton, Susan Christensen, APR and Shannon Coker, APR, Adam Kelley, APR, and Pete Smith, all deserve a round of applause for spending their afternoon down-time working hard instead of relaxing. Members seemed to enjoy perusing the items and having a last chance to bid during the reception. With her expertise and experience Shannon Coker, APR was immensely helpful throughout the Silent Auction preparations and especially during the auction and its most important part---tallying up the bids and determining the winners. She ensured the whole process ran very smoothly. Thank you for your help, your donations and your bids. All contributions, both big and small, helped make the Silent Auction a great success! Caron Blanton, APR 2010 Silent Auction Chair |
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Keep Your Member Profile Up to Date
It is critical that you keep your profile updated so you receive the benefits you expect and pay for from SPRF, ECPRO, PRAL, PRAM, PRCA and your local chapter.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR UPDATING MEMBER PROFILES IN THE SPRF ONLINE DIRECTORY
On the right side of the page, locate the Member login and password section to the private section of the website.
Use your email address on file with our chapter. If your e-mail is invalid, send an e-mail request to Leigh Perry Herndon, SPRF vice president of membership, lherndon@mobilechamber.com, and it will be corrected.
All passwords have been changed to lowercase sprf unless you have previously logged in and changed your password. Then, it will be the password you have chosen.
This will open the private membership page that has the Membership Directory.
To update your personal membership record, click on Edit My Directory Profile.
Update your info and click on update.
Helpful Hints for Accurate Records
For password, change it to something personal, but remember, your default will always be lowercase sprf.
For e-mail, be sure you have a valid e-mail address. Most of the communication at the regional, state and local level is sent to members via e-mail from this directory.
Be sure you include the area code on all your phone numbers.
Please include home phone numbers and URLs.
If a member's name is "Mary Jones-Smith," then the hyphenated "Jones-Smith" goes in the last name column. If a member's name is "Mary Jones Smith," then only the Smith goes in the last name column.
If a corporate membership is paid, but the company has not selected an employee to fill the membership, then put "TBA" in the first name and last name columns.
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Southern Public Relations Hall of Fame To be Dedicated April 15
Nominations Due May 30
for Next Class of Honorees
All SPRF members are invited to attend the dedication ceremony for the Southern Public Relations Hall of Fame the afternoon of April 15 at the Mitchell Memorial Library on the campus of Mississippi State University in Starkville. During the ceremony, the Hall of Fame will be formally dedicated and the inaugural class of inductees will be honored.
Inaugural Hall of Fame members -- the late Phil Forrest Jr. of Alabama, Rex Kelly of Mississippi and Bill Michelet of Louisiana -- were initially honored during the 2010 SPRF Conference in Baton Rouge. Photos of Hall of Fame members will be permanently displayed in the Hall's home outside the John Grisham Room inside the Mitchell Memorial Library at Mississippi State University. Sponsored by SPRF, the Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding lifetime achievement in the field of public relations.
 | | Pictured left to right is Adam Kelley, APR, 2010 Hall of Fame Chair; Rex Kelly; William "Bill" Michelet; the late Philip R. Forrest Jr.'s grandson Phil Forrest IV and his wife Mary Wynne Forrest; and Jarrod Ravencraft, 2010 SPRF president. |
"The purpose of the Southern Public Relations Hall of Fame is to recognize the distinguished accomplishments, commitment and leadership of professional public relations practitioners and educators from the southeastern U.S. for the benefit of promoting the PR profession," said Jarrod Ravencraft, Hall of Fame chair. "Inductees are former public relations practitioners or educators who have brought honor to the PR field."
SPRF is accepting nominations for the 2011 Hall of Fame, and the deadline has been set for May 30. Hall of Fame candidates must be SPRF members to be considered for selection, but a membership application may be submitted along with the Hall of Fame nomination form, and the waiting period will be waived.
Criteria for selection includes 25 years or more of professional experience by candidates who:
- have brought honor to the profession of public relations (Inductees may also be recognized for some strong contribution to their company, organization, city, state or region.);
- may be deceased;
- may have shown leadership at the local, state and regional levels of SPRF and member organizations and chapters; and/or
- may have demonstrated professional practice and behavior that are characteristic and consistent with the SPRF Code of Ethics.
"Induction into the Hall is intended to identify past leaders in our industry whose memory should be honored and promote the profession about the extraordinary achievements, accomplishments and contributions of the inductees as well as SPRF and its members and member organizations" Ravencraft said.
For more information on the dedication ceremony or to request a 2011 nomination form, please contact Ravencraft, usm_jr@yahoo.com, 601-201-0666, or visit the Hall of Fame page at www.sprf.org.
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Stay Connected Through SPRF's Pages on Facebook, LinkedIn
 Do you love keeping up with all your friends and colleagues on Facebook and Linkedin? If so, you'll definitely want to join the SPRF Facebook and Linkedin groups and check out the latest PR discussions and postings of information about upcoming SPRF events!
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SPRF Offers Constant Contact and Survey Monkey to Chapters
If you need to conduct a vote, take a survey, publish an e-newsletter or send an e-mail message to members, remember SPRF can provide access to its SurveyMonkey and ConstantContact accounts for SPRF-related activities. Contact VP/communications Kristie Aylett, APR, for more information.
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List YOUR Events on the SPRF Master Calendar
Are your chapter's meetings listed in the SPRF Master Calendar at www.sprf.org? If not, don't get left out - send your meeting dates (i.e., PRCA-Birmingham typically meets the first Thursday of each month) to Kristie Aylett, APR so you can get your meetings promoted across the region.
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State Association and Chapter News
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You just got lucky!
The 2011 PRAM State Conference will be March 17 and 18 at the beautiful and fun Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi. We will take you beyond luck with this year's theme - Beyond Luck: Taking the Chance out of PR. True professionals know public relations is more than just the luck of the draw - it takes a lot of preparation to make our practice successful! All SPRF members can attend at the member rate of only $125, if registered by March 4.
Speakers include Greg Bensel, VP/communications for the New Orleans Saints, and Mark Dvorak, APR, senior VP at GolinHarris in Atlanta. Sessions will focus on reputation management, PR measurement and evaluation (from a CEO's perspective), crisis communications and social media trends. A special off-site session will be held at the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art. More information and online registration is available at the PRAM website.
Don't push your luck! Plan to attend the PRAM 2011 conference today!
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Writing for news media. Writing for the Web. Speechwriting. Visual communications. Telling your story. Telling your company's story. In public relations, it's all about the words. When the Public Relations Council of Alabama hosts "In A Word" in Birmingham on April 3-5, you'll get practical tips and useful advice for a variety of writing styles we all encounter in our public relations work.
Register today for "In A Word," the 2011 state conference of the Public Relations Council of Alabama.
You now have until Friday, March 18, to sign up for "In A Word" for just $275! So there's no excuse to miss this conference - register today!
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ECPRO News
ECPRO Names 2011 Board
The 2011 ECPRO Officers arePresident Lill Jennings, Secretary Eppi Azzaretto, Vice President Maddalena Ostrowski and Treasurer Scott Noble. Completing the ECPRO Board are: Publicity Toni Richardson; SPRF Representative Ken Hair; SPRF Representative Ardelle Bush; Accreditation Chair Sherry Harlow, APR; Programs Toni Richardson; Membership Co-chair/Recruitment Marcia Wright Reynolds; Student Competition Tiffany Rivera and Maddalena Ostrowski; and Members-at-Large Jean Dutton, Joe Purka and L.A. Woodall.
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ECPRO members joined Advertising Federation and Florida Public Relations Association members in a joint Holiday Party. Guests were asked to bring a toy for the Toys for Tots program, which is sponsored by the Marine Corps. SSgt David Meyer (USMC), representing the Corps at the party, is shown with the gifts the attendees brought.
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ECPRO Revamps
Student Campaign Competition The mission of the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization (ECPRO) Student Campaign Competition is to promote the development of skills, knowledge and interest in the public relations field among Okaloosa and Walton County, Fla., high and middle school students. The recently revamped competition is designed to encourage awareness and understanding of the convergence of multimedia in the public relations/advertising industry and to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge and creativity in formulating a public service/advertising campaign strategy. The competition is made up of three categories: Public Service Campaign Competition The Public Service Campaign Competition grants high school students an opportunity to develop a comprehensive public service campaign for the student body. Yearbook Advertising Competition The Yearbook Advertising Campaign competition grants middle and high school students an opportunity develop a multimedia campaign to promote and advertise their school's yearbook. Senior Portfolio Competition The Senior Portfolio competition is a sub-component of the high school competitions. Participating seniors can enter their portfolios for judging. The entrance categories are print, broadcast and integrated marketing communication. Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. ECPRO is proud to sponsor the competition and is eager to review the creative work submitted by our budding communication professionals. Winners will be announced April 2011.
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PRAL News
PRAL-BR Inducts New Officers, Board Members
The 2011 officers for PRAL-Baton Rouge are: Chris Trahan, director of Communications/Community Engagement for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System -- president; Sadie Wilks, APR, director of Public Affairs for the Louisiana State Medical Society -- vice-president of Programs; Venessa Lewis, APR, owner/president of Lewis Graphic Design -- vice-president of Membership; Les Landon, APR, communications representative for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers -- treasurer; Sonya T. Gordon, APR, public information officer of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System -- secretary; and Amy Nolan, APR, owner of Nolan Communications -- immediate past president.
At-large members of the Board are: Shelly Dupre, owner/president of 410 Communications; Jesse Hoggard, APR, director of Communications for the Louisiana Technology Park; Whitney Breaux, Social Media specialist with Wright Feigley Communications; Michelle Clement, APR, director of Communications/Public Relations for the Louisiana Hospital Association; Elizabeth Tadie Canfield, LSU Mass Communications graduate student; and Michael S. Johnson, senior Communications specialist with the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation. Glen Duncan, APR, serves as the Chapter's Southern Public Relations Federation representative and is the 2011 president for the Federation.
PRAL-BR Celebrates Local PR Award Winners
Overton, Johannesen, Williams and Dupre honored
The Public Relations Association of Louisiana - Baton Rouge (PRAL-BR) Chapter is proud to announce the winners of the 2011 chapter awards for Communicator of the Year, Practitioner of the Year and Member of the Year, along with the First Circle Award. The winners were recognized by the chapter at an awards ceremony, held January 25 at Juban's Restaurant.
Communicator of the Year-Edward B. Overton, PhD
Dr. Edward Overton is a professor emeritus in the Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast and Environment at Louisiana State University (LSU). He has been active in understanding the fate and effects of petroleum hydrocarbons in marine environments from oil spills since the 1978 well blowout at the U.S. Department of Energy Strategic Petroleum Reserve West Hackberry Site, followed by the Amoco Cadiz Tanker wreck and the IXTOC 1 blowout in 1979, the Exxon Valdez wreck in 1989 and, most currently, the Deepwater Horizon fire and blowout in 2010.
Practitioner of the Year-Bob Johannesen, eQHealth Solutions
Bob Johannessen, a graduate of LSU, has more than 25 years of experience in public relations and marketing. He joined eQHealth Solutions as corporate director of Communications in 2008. Prior to joining eQHealth, Johannesen served as director of Communications and as a confidential assistant for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.
First Circle Award-Kristi Williams, Baton Rouge Recreation Commission
Kristi Williams joined BREC as its Community Relations manager in 2000. She had no budget and no staff. She realized BREC, a public entity, could not continue its successes if it held onto its low-key marketing and communications strategy. She led the creation of BREC's Communication Department, lobbied for funding to support her vision and hired her first employee. As a tribute to Williams' persistence, BREC's Communications Department managed 881 public information campaigns last year. She is an LSU Political Science graduate. Currently, Williams is studying under the master's program in Public Affairs at the LSU Manship School.
2010 PRAL Member of the Year-Shelly Dupré, Four10 Communications
Shelly Dupré is owner and principal of Four10 Communications, an issues advocacy, public relations and marketing communications firm. Prior to establishing Four10 Communications, Dupré served as director of Public Relations for Object 9. She holds a bachelor's degree from LSU and a Masters of Public Communications from American University. Dupré recently chaired the 2010 Southern Public Relations Federation regional conference in Baton Rouge on behalf of PRAL-BR.
PRAL Recognizes Students with Annual Scholarship Awards
Reimsnyder, Williams named scholarship recipients
Louisiana State University (LSU) student Emily Reimsnyder and Dillard University student Tess Williams were honored with the 2011 Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) scholarship awards at the Baton Rouge chapter's annual meeting January 25 at Juban's Restaurant.
Reimsnyder, a senior majoring in Mass Communication at LSU, received the William H. Michelet Honorary Award and a scholarship check for $1,000. The Michelet Award, named for PRAL founder Bill Michelet, is awarded to an outstanding public relations student from LSU or Southern University who has demonstrated a commitment to his or her community. Throughout her college career, Reimsnyder has been involved in a variety of community projects. Some of her activities include volunteering for the Baton Rouge Battered Women's Shelter, numerous sorority and fraternity fundraisers at LSU and educational events like WBRZ's Stuff the Bus.
In addition to the Michelet Award, PRAL presented the Jack H. Sanders Memorial Award to Tess Williams, a junior majoring in Mass Communication at Dillard University in New Orleans. Williams is the first Dillard University student to win the Sanders Award, which is presented annually to a college junior in Louisiana who demonstrates excellence in and commitment to the field of public relations or journalism. Williams has been involved in several student-driven campaigns for companies like the McIlhenny Company and causes like the Dillard Theatre Department. Williams, who first became interested in mass communication while watching her cousin work as a journalist, plans to obtain a master's degree after her baccalaureate in 2012.
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PRAM News
PRAM State News
PRAM has added two new positions to its state board -- VP/Accreditation and VP/Student Services. The addition required changing the association's Constitution, and more than two-thirds of the regular membership voted to approve the revision. The VP/Accreditation consolidates the duties formerly handled by three regional APR coordinators. VP/Accreditation Kurt Brautigam, APR, of the Pine Belt chapter in Hattiesburg, will work directly with chapters to encourage members to become accredited. The VP/Student Services position represents an expansion of PRAM's scholarship program into the Student of the Year awards program. Chantel Lott, from the Central chapter in Jackson, will oversee the Student of the Year program and develop other activities to support PRAM's growing student membership. A full list of the 2011 PRAM state board is on the PRAM website.
PRAM Chapter News
The Starkville/MSU Chapter presented its annual $250 scholarship in January. This year's recipient is Anna Grace Ward of Meridian. Anna Grace is a senior at Mississippi State University. Her major is communication with a concentration in public relations and her minor is marketing. Anna Grace has a 4.0 grade point average and plans to graduate in December 2011. She is a student member of the Starkville/MSU Chapter of PRAM, the president of the PRSSA chapter at Mississippi State and a communication intern for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership. 2011 is the fourth year the Starkville/MSU Chapter has awarded a scholarship to an MSU student majoring or minoring in a communication-oriented field.
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PRCA News PRCA Chapter News
Mobile Hosts Student Event March 30
PRCA Mobile will hold a student networking social on Wednesday, March 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. Students should bring an updated resume and dress for the position desired. PRCA members, please plan on volunteering that evening to help. For more information, please contact Jen Ekman at 251.460.6360 or jekman@usouthal.edu.
North Alabama Launches New Website, Honors Members and More
The North Alabama Chapter of PRCA is making great strides in 2011! The launch of our renovated website, www.naprca.org, has given an updated and fresh look to the chapter's online presence. Members are able to stay connected to what is happening in the world of public relations. An Accreditation study group is active, meeting twice a month preparing for the Readiness Review and computer-based examination. The chapter has hosted two successful programs so far covering the changes affecting the Department of Army's Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville and how to obtain an internship or hire an intern for our student and professional members. The chapter also congratulates two members- Dr. Beth Garfrerick, Educator of the Year, and Lori Miller, Professional Achievement Award recipient, for their accomplishments at the chapter level.
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About SPRF
Founded in 1972, SPRF is a regional network of nearly 1,500 public relations professionals from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and north Florida who share a common interest in the public relations profession.SPRF exists to further the professional and networking interests of today's public relations and communication professionals in private, public and nonprofit businesses and organizations. Along with networking, SPRF serves to advocate on behalf of and assist its members through ongoing professional development and defining ethical behavior.
SPRF, along with eight other regional and national public relations organizations, is a participating member of the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), the national body which administers the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) mark. Members certified as APRs have successfully demonstrated competency in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice public relations effectively in today's business arena.
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