PRAM

The Mississippi Beach Chapter of PRAM is planning a member social on May 20th at Salute Italian Restaurant in Gulfport from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. It’s a lovely location overlooking the beach, and the food is excellent. They also have an impressive martini list, if you’re so inclined.

All members of the chapter are invited, and if you know someone who might be interested in joining PRAM be sure to bring them along.  The more the merrier. The evening will be fairly casual, with door prizes, and mingling.

This is a great opportunity for members to socialize, catch up, and do what we do best - network!

It’s that time again to show us your PR smarts, styles, and skills! 

What are the PRism Awards?  The PRism Awards began in 2003 as a way to honor and recognize exemplary work in the field of public relations specifically for professionals within the state of Mississippi.  Public relations professionals outside of the Southern Public Relations Federation region (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana) judge the PRism entries.  The highest award honor goes to the PRism Award winners followed by Awards of Excellence and Certificates of Achievement.  A Best of Show is awarded as well as a Judge’s Choice Award.  Students may also enter the awards program.  PRism AwardPRism Award is the highest award in each category. 

Award of ExcellenceAwards of Excellence represent excellent use of research, planning, implementation, and evaluation incorporating the creative principles of public relations.

Certificates of AchievementCertificates of Achievement are given to entries the judges felt deserved respectable recognition.

Best of ShowThe Best of Show is the highest honor.  The Best of Show is selected from the PRism Award winners.  Only one Best of Show is honored each year. 

Judge’s Choice AwardThis award honors work the judges deemed outstanding.  No more than two Judges’ Awards may be given per year. 

Best of Student EntriesThis award is the best of show among student entries. 

What are the qualifications to enter the PRism Awards Program?  You must be an active member of PRAM to qualify for the PRism Awards Program.  Be sure your membership is up to date with your local chapter.  Your entries must have appeared (published, printed, presented, etc.) between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009.

Entry fees are $45 for each entry and $40 each for three or more.  Student entry fees are $20 for each entry.  Make checks payable to PRAM PRism Awards.  Entry fees will not be billed or refunded.  All entries received without accompanying fees will be ineligible for judging.

What is the deadline to submit my entry?  Entries MUST be physically received by Meagan Coughlin by February 25 by 5 p.m.  See the hand out on “Steps for Entering” for shipping and mailing location. 

How do I get started?  To get started, visit http://www.pramprisms.org.  

Who do I contact for questions?  Please contact Meagan Coughlin at pramprisms@gmail.com  or 662.327.0807. 

The awards will be given at the PRAM State Conference taking place on April 8 & 9 at the Natchez Eola Hotel in Natchez, Miss.  Please see attached for steps for entering and tips from the judges.

 BILOXI, Miss., October 23, 2009 - The Mississippi Beach chapter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM) recently awarded a $750 scholarship to a University of Southern Mississippi student majoring in public relations.Amber Peterson, recipient of the chapter’s Thomas V. Fredian Memorial Scholarship, is a student working toward a bachelor’s degree in public relations with minors in marketing and Spanish. Peterson, a Gulfport resident, has served in public relations internships with the GodwinGroup and The University of Southern Mississippi. She is currently the public relations coordinator and political campaign director for Palazzo & Company, CPAs. She is also the founder of the Gifted Hands Charity Art Auction, a charity art auction that raised more than $5,000 to grant the wish of a Make-A-Wish Foundation child. She currently serves on the Mississippi Coast Chamber of Commerce Tapestry Committee and is a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, the Public Relations Student Society of America and the Student Government Association. The PRAM Mississippi Beach chapter has awarded scholarships to Southern Miss students since 2001 and established a second scholarship for students attending Mississippi universities and residing in Hancock or Harrison counties in 2006. The chapter established the USM scholarship in memory of Thomas V. Fredian, a founding member, senior practitioner and chapter president who died in 1999.More than 75 area public relations professionals are members of the Mississippi Beach Chapter of PRAM. The group offers numerous networking and professional development opportunities for employees of the public relations and communications industry. For more information, contact Melissa Bryant,PRAM Mississippi Beach president, at 228-363-7257 or melissabryant@coastepa.com.

BILOXI, Miss., October 23, 2009 – The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) presented Public Relations Association of Mississippi-Mississippi Beach Chapter member Kristie Aylett, APR, with its highest honor—the Professional Achievement Award—at an awards luncheon Oct. 6 in Tunica during the annual SPRF conference.

More than 75 area public relations professionals are members of the Mississippi Beach Chapter of PRAM. The group offers numerous networking and professional development opportunities for employees of the public relations and communications industry. For more information, contact Melissa Bryant, PRAM Mississippi Beach president, at 228-363-7257 or melissabryant@coastepa.com

BILOXI, Miss., October 21, 2009 – The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) recognized Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM)-Mississippi Beach Chapter member Susan Lepoma Perkins, APR, as a Senior Practitioner during its annual conference held Oct. 4-6 in Tunica.

Perkins, a staff officer with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Office of Coastal Management and Planning, coordinates the annual Coastal Development Strategies Conference and manages public relations for the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area. Prior to her current position, Perkins worked eight years in the DMR Public Affairs Bureau. She has held board positions with PRAM-Mississippi Beach Chapter, has won numerous public relations awards and earned her Accreditation in Public Relations in 2007. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in public relations from the University of Southern Mississippi.

SPRF members who are designated as Senior Practitioners are recognized as veteran public relations professionals with high ethical standing. Based on criteria set by SPRF, each local chapter nominates and selects senior practitioners. Each nominee must meet three of the following four criteria: 1) the nominee has 15 years of public relations experience; 2) accreditation was received by the Universal Accreditation Board; 3) the nominee served as an officer or board member at the chapter, state or SPRF level; 4) the nominee has received a peer-reviewed, public relations-related award such as a SPRF Lantern award or similar honor.

Founded in 1972, SPRF is a regional network of more than 1,300 public relations professionals from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and north Florida who share a common interest in the public relations profession. SPRF is the umbrella organization for the Public Relations Association of Mississippi, Public Relations Council of Alabama, the Public Relations Association of Louisiana and the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization.

More than 60 area public relations professionals are members of the Mississippi Beach Chapter of PRAM. The group offers numerous networking and professional development opportunities for employees of the public relations and communications industry. For more information, contact Melissa Bryant, PRAM Mississippi Beach president, at 228-363-7257 or melissabryant@coastepa.com.

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BILOXI, Miss., October 21, 2009 – The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) recognized outstanding work in the field of public relations during the Lantern Awards ceremony held Oct. 6 in Tunica. The Lantern Awards competition recognizes public relations projects, programs, and productions across the Gulf South that display outstanding strategy, creativity, and production skills with certificates of merit, awards of excellence and the Lantern Award, the highest award given.

Local award recipients included:

Lantern Award

• Coast Electric Power Association for Investing in Tomorrow, Annual Report
• Coast Electric Power Association for Hotlines, Internal Newsletter
• Coast Electric Power Association for Our Energy, Our Future, Special PR Program Long Term
• Coast Electric Power Association for Co-Op Connections, Special PR Program Long Term

Award of Excellence

• The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast for Discoveries: Southern Miss Performance Series, Promotional Brochure/Folder
• The KARD Group for Bloys Camp meeting and Brite Divinity School, Feature Story

Judges Awards were given to Coast Electric Power Association for their internal newsletter, Hotlines, and for their PR program entry, Our Energy, Our Future.

Founded in 1972, SPRF is a regional network of more than 1,300 public relations professionals from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and north Florida who share a common interest in the public relations profession. SPRF is the umbrella organization for the Public Relations Association of Mississippi, Public Relations Council of Alabama, the Public Relations Association of Louisiana and the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization.

More than 60 area public relations professionals are members of the Mississippi Beach Chapter of PRAM. The group offers numerous networking and professional development opportunities for employees of the public relations and communications industry. For more information, contact Melissa Bryant, PRAM Mississippi Beach president, at 228-363-7257 or melissabryant@coastepa.com.

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BILOXI, Miss., October 22, 2009 – The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) honored the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM)-Mississippi Beach Chapter with six Chapter of Distinction Awards at the annual SPRF conference held Oct. 4-6 in Tunica.

Through the Chapter of Distinction Awards, SPRF promotes continuous improvement in the function, outreach and benefits to members and communities stemming from the activities of its 20 chapter members. Chapters across the region competed in areas of programs (educational value), membership recruitment, retention and participation, promotion of public relations internally and externally, projects, community involvement and other special events, and Accreditation and professional development.

PRAM-Mississippi Beach won the following awards:

• Accreditation – 2nd place
• Education – 2nd place
• Programs – 3rd place
• Communication – 3rd place
• Management – 3rd place
• Community Service – 3rd place

Founded in 1972, SPRF is a regional network of more than 1,300 public relations professionals from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and north Florida who share a common interest in the public relations profession. SPRF is the umbrella organization for the Public Relations Association of Mississippi, Public Relations Council of Alabama, the Public Relations Association of Louisiana and the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization.

More than 60 area public relations professionals are members of the Mississippi Beach Chapter of PRAM. The group offers numerous networking and professional development opportunities for employees of the public relations and communications industry. For more information, contact Melissa Bryant, PRAM Mississippi Beach president, at 228-363-7257 or melissabryant@coastepa.com.

PHOTO CAPTION:

(L-R: Keith Guillot, Eley Guild Hardy Architects; April Lollar, APR, Coast Electric Power Association; Penny Bishop, RPM Pizza; Kristie Aylett, APR, The KARD Group; Melissa Bryant, Coast Electric Power Association; Sonja Gillis, RPM Pizza; Kathy Kosturock, RPM Pizza; Ron Barnes, APR, Coast Electric Power Association; and Mary Cracchiolo-Spain, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino.) The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) honored the Public Relations Association of Mississippi-Mississippi Beach Chapter with six Chapter of Distinction Awards at the annual SPRF conference held Oct. 4-6 in Tunica.

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Looking for a break from all the work, well the fun is almost here!  PRAM Mississippi Beach will hold its annual membership social on Wednesday, May 27 at the Institute for Marine and Mammal Studies’ Center for Marine Education and Research in Gulfport, Miss. 

This year’s social will be held from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and will feature a tour of the IMMS marine-life museum, a video on dolphin rescue following Hurricane Katrina and a hands-on exhibit with real marine life animals.  Museum staff will be on hand to answer any questions and the museum’s bookstore will also be opened for that perfect souvenir.

In addition to marine life activities, there will also be fabulous door prizes, an APR table with a special binder review opportunity from current APR’s and food and drinks for all.  Each PRAM member is encouraged to attend and bring a friend.  This membership social serves as the perfect opportunity to invite fellow co-workers or friends who are part of the communications and public relations profession that may be interested in joining PRAM.

This year’s social will give our membership the opportunity to get a first-hand look at the newest educational center to open on the Gulf Coast.  The Center for Marine Education and Research is currently only open to school groups and is planning to open in 2010 to the general public.

The Institute of Marine and Mammal Studies (IMMS) is a non-profit organization established in 1984 for the purposes of public education, conservation and research of marine mammals in the wild and under human care.  The Center for Marine Education and Research provides a place for IMMS to fulfill its mission and share its work with the public.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network, catch up with old friends and make new ones too!

Please contact April Jordan, PRAM MS Beach membership chair, with any questions or to RSVP today.  The center is located at 10801 Dolphin Lane in Gulfport and can be found on the web at www.IMMS.org. 

The Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM) has installed its 2009 Board of Directors, including two members of the Mississippi Beach chapter.

Serving as president of the association is Pete Smith, director of communications at the Mississippi Department of Education. Other officers are Caron Blanton, APR, vice president of Programs; Kelly Scrivner, vice president of Awards; Kristie Aylett, APR, vice president of Communications; Meagan Coughlin, secretary; Keith Guillot, treasurer; and Celeste Cade, member-at-large (scholarships); and Jarrod Ravencraft, immediate past president.  

Aylett and Guillot are also members  of PRAM’s Mississippi Beach chapter.

Accreditation coordinators for each region of the state are Kim Collins, APR, North; Lisa Shoemaker, APR, Central; and Kurt Brautigam, APR, South.

John Forde, PhD, APR, and Pam Swain will join Smith, Ravencraft and Aylett to represent Mississippi on the board of the Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF).

The installation ceremony took place Jan. 23 during the board’s first meeting of 2009. Ravencraft, in his role as the president-elect of the Southern Public Relations Federation, conducted the installation.

PRAM consists of approximately 600 public relations professionals from advertising and public relations agencies, corporations, non-profit organizations, government, education, industries and others throughout the state of Mississippi. PRAM is a source of expertise and inspiration, and a forum for networking with public relations practitioners throughout the state and the region. The association is composed of 11 local chapters geographically located throughout the state’s major population centers. Membership in PRAM includes membership in SPRF, which brings Mississippi public relations practitioner together with others in Alabama, Louisiana, and the Emerald Coast of the Florida Panhandle. For more information about the organization, visit http://pramonline.org.

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April Lollar, communications specialist with Coast Electric Power Association, recently earned the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) designation. She joins 10 other members of the Mississippi Beach Chapter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM) who are Accredited.

To receive the APR credential, Lollar completed a comprehensive program that included a portfolio presentation before three Accredited public relations professionals and a computer-based examination—both assessing the knowledge, skills and abilities of the public relations profession.

APR, administered nationally by the Universal Accreditation Board, is a mark of distinction for public relations professionals who demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice. The designation is earned based on broad knowledge, strategic perspective and sound professional judgment. Nationwide, approximately 6,000 public relations professionals have achieved Accreditation since the program began in 1964. Among the membership of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi, there are approximately 35 Accredited professionals statewide.

“April is an exemplary professional who has demonstrated a mastery of the knowledge, skills and abilities required for Accreditation,” said Susan Lepoma Perkins, APR, 2008 Accreditation Chair, PRAM-Mississippi Beach Chapter. “As the 2009 Accreditation chair of the PRAM Mississippi Beach Chapter, April will take the lead in mentoring others through the Accreditation process.”

April Lollar has served Coast Electric Power Association and its members as a Communications Specialist since 2005. Prior to her career at Coast Electric, April worked as an Information Services Specialist for InDyne Inc. at Stennis Space Center and was the Associate Editor of Coast Magazine and Coast Business Journal. April received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi in 2000 where she majored in journalism with an emphasis in magazine service.