PRism Awards Recap Series
PRSA-LA this week announced its Call For Entries for the 2013 PRism Awards, which honor the best of the best in public relations campaigns and tactics in the Greater Los Angeles Area.

We asked Keisha N. Brown, Senior Vice President/Chief Creative & Innovative Officer, at LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS about the agency's experience as an award recipient at the 2012 Prism Award Show.

LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS earned the Prism Award in the Multicultural Communications Program, Corporate/Brand, category for "It's a Family Affair," a program developed and executed for Verizon Wireless West Region and in conjunction with Blackberry, to encourage African Americans in California to answer three questions about their family connections. The winning family received an all-expense paid family reunion from Verizon. LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS also won an Award of Excellence for its "Stay Healthy, Vaccinate" campaign in the Multicultural Communications Program, Associations/Government/Non-Profit Organizations category.

Why did LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS enter the PRism Awards?

KB: Our team entered the PRism Awards because we thought we had two great programs targeting multicultural audiences that delivered results for our clients. Multicultural budgets tend to be smaller, and we wanted to demonstrate the creative, results-oriented programs our team can execute.

What does winning a PRism mean to LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS?

KB: Winning a PRism Award is an opportunity to be recognized by peers for the work that we do targeting multicultural consumers. It is gratifying to be acknowledged for the hard work and long hours that we in this industry tend to put in.

How did you leverage your win to enhance your firm's reputation?

KB: Our team celebrated by using the Award as a communications tool to further highlight the work and results that we generate at LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS. We shared the win with our clients and external database of colleagues, added the recognition to our email signature, announced it via our social media platforms on Twitter and Facebook and acknowledged the members that worked on the accounts.

Memorial Day Membership Offer

PRSA National is offering a limited-time Memorial Day offer for new members.

Non-members who sign up for PRSA membership from Thursday, May 23 at noon through Friday, May 31, will qualify for free chapter membership (a $90 value).

Tell your colleagues about this offer, and be sure to have them reference promotion code MD13 during registration.

PRSA-LA Young Professionals  Did you know that PRSA-LA offers young professionals a dedicated development section of their own?

The Young Professionals of PRSA-LA is housed under PRSA Los Angeles as a specific group targeted to young professionals in the first five years of their careers.

Through various member services and professional outreach programs, YP members learn about the industry's latest developments and form relationships with peers, as well as with experienced, respected industry professionals.

One of the things YP does is connect organizations with highly motivated interns. Are you looking for interns? If so, please send a description of the internship position and compensation to yp@prsala.org.

Member Education Benefits       

 

Complimentary Online Learning Opportunities Available in May and June   

PRSA National offers all members a very special member benefit: FREE access to its entire catalog of online learning opportunities (section-specific material excluded). 

Here is a rundown of some of your upcoming options. For more information or to register for these opportunities, click on the link associated with each: 

• Social Media and PR: Shift From a Tactical to a Strategic Approach
  
  Today's practitioners are shifting from being communication handlers and facilitators to strategic influencers and champions. Find out how public relations professionals can expand their skill sets and PR practices with social media and technology. Date: May 30, 2013. Presenter: Deirdre Breakenridge. REGISTER 

• 25 Amazing Online Newsrooms: A Step-By-Step Guide on How Companies Are Doing It Right
  
  This webinar will walk you through 25 online newsrooms and give a point-by-point assessment of how smart companies are doing it right. Get ready for a wealth of actionable advice to help you in the day-to-day management of your organization's newsroom. Date: June 6, 2013. Presenter: Steve Momorella. REGISTER 

• How to Make Your Brand Relevant: Connect Relevance to Growth and Performance
  
  Why do consumers seem to prefer one store brand more than another when both sell the same stuff? It's relevance. In this webinar, you'll learn how to develop a relevant brand strategy that appeals more strongly to your market. Date: June 13, 2013. Presenter: Andrea Coville. REGISTER 

• Make Your Copy More Creative: Paint Pictures in Your Readers' Minds
  
  In this webinar, you'll learn how to bring your messages to life with storytelling, wordplay and metaphor. Discover online tools that virtually twist phrases for you, and a four-step process for coming up with a creative metaphor. Date: June 18, 2013. Presenter: Ann Wylie. REGISTER