The PR People Awards, PR News' annual showcase of the top talent in public relations, single out innovative professionals making communications matter in the
marketplace. This year's finalists, listed below, set the benchmark for PR in the past year; whether they are brand marketers or nonprofit professionals, agency executives or
spokespeople, these individuals turn the challenges presented by the modern business environment into opportunities for themselves, their organizations and their profession.
The winners of the PR News PR People Awards will be profiled in the
All-Stars Special Issue, and all finalists will be honored at an awards luncheon
on Nov. 6 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. In addition to the
finalists and Hall of Fame inductees listed here, the special issue and luncheon
will celebrate the "15 to Watch"--15 of the most promising rising PR stars under
30 years of age. For more information, or to register for the event, visit http://www.prnewsonline.com.
Account Executive of the Year
- Allison Greco, Coyne Public Relations
- Michael Sacks, MWW Group
- Jennifer Seelin, Makovsky + Company
- Brian Wachur, Widmeyer
Agency Executive of the Year
- Ed James, Cornerstone
- John Hellerman, Hellerman Baretz Communications
- Maggie O'Neill, Peppercom
- Christine Perkett, PerkettPR
- Liya Sharif, JHG
Brand Marketer of the Year
- Huma Gruaz, Alpaytac Inc.
- Gail Heimann, Weber Shandwick
- Saurabh Wahi, MWW Group
Corporate Social Responsibility Leader
- Brendan May, Weber Shandwick
- James Wright MCIPR, Trimedia International
Educator/Research Experts of the Year
- David Bartlett, Levick Strategic Communications
- Craig Carroll, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Elizabeth Dougall, University of North Carolina ?at Chapel Hill
- Leslie Gaines Ross, Weber Shandwick
- Liam Leduc Clarke, APCO Worldwide
- David Ritchey, School of Communication, ?University of Akron
Investor Relations Professional of the Year
- Nancy Christal, CVS Caremark
- Claire A. Koeneman, Financial Relations Board
- Richard Ramlall, RCN Corp.
Media Relations Professional of the Year
- Joann Donnellan, JD MEDIA
- Sean Dougherty, MWW Group Inc.
- Billee Howard, Weber Shandwick
PR Professional of the Year: Academic Institution
- Brian Woodland, Peel School Board
- Denise Keyes, Georgetown University
PR Professional of the Year: Corporate
- Stacie Bright, Unilever
- Barbara Crystal, CDW Corp.
- Jon Harris, Sara Lee Corp.
- Laura Kane, Aflac
- Deirdre Latour, GE
- Pam Slay, Hallmark Channel
PR Professional of the Year: Nonprofit/Association
- Michelle Alvarez, AARP
- Emily Callahan, Susan G. Komen ?for the Cure
- Jonathan Collegio, National Association ?of Broadcasters
PR Team Leader
- Pete Campisi, Weber Shandwick
- Kelly Hershkowitz, Biosector 2 New York
- Emily Kooistra, Clear!Blue Communications
- Kristie Kuhl, Makovsky + Company
- Tina Martineau, E*TRADE FINANCIAL
- Frank X. Shaw, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
Public Affairs Executive of the Year
- Amiee Goforth, Ochsner Health System
- Julie Ice, Humana Military Healthcare Services
- Richard Ramlall, RCN Corp.
- Michael W. Robinson, Levick Strategic ?Communications
Publicist or Spokesperson of the Year
- Jules Andres, Mattel Inc.
- Sam Singer, Singer Associates
- Ken Capps, DFW International Airport
Hall of Fame
- Ron Culp, Partner, Managing Director, Ketchum
- Harris Diamond, Worldwide CEO, ?Weber Shandwick, and CEO, ?Constituency Management Group, ?Interpublic Group
- Matt Gonring, Consultant, Gagen MacDonald
- Laura Kane, Second VP, External Relations, Aflac
- Linda Rutherford, VP, ?Communications/Strategic Outreach, ?Southwest Airlines