Shreveport/Bossier City, LA – The Public Relations Association of Louisiana’s (PRAL) Northwest Chapter recently hosted its 2nd Annual Beacon Awards ceremony and luncheon, recognizing three outstanding public relations and communications professionals for their exceptional work on campaigns and special events.
The awards ceremony, held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, celebrated the achievements of professionals who are active members of PRAL Northwest and whose entry submissions reflected work conducted in the calendar year of 2023. Entries were evaluated by esteemed public relations professionals from the Southeast region of the United States, with judging criteria based on Research, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.
Introduced to the local public relations award landscape in 2022, the Beacon Awards serve as a precursor to the statewide “Torché Awards,” presented annually at the PRAL State Conference in June.
This year’s Beacon Award winners include:
Emerie Eck Holtzclaw, Owner, Lagniappe P.R.I.M.E., LLC
- Award: Merit
- Category: Tier Two: Short Term Strategic Programs: Special Events
- Project: Beads & Brushes benefiting Highland Jazz & Blues Festival
- Description: The event, held in 2023, saw Lagniappe P.R.I.M.E., LLC collaborating with the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival board of directors to organize an art-focused fundraiser post-Mardi Gras season. Attendees participated in creating artwork from upcycled beads, fostering community engagement and supporting the festival’s fundraising efforts.
Michelle Marcotte, Communications Consult, Sr., Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO)
- Award: Merit
- Category: Tier One: Long Term Strategic Programs: Community Relations and Public Service
- Project: Shaping Tomorrow’s Energy: Understanding Smart Meters
- Description: SWEPCO’s strategic customer outreach campaign, initiated in 2023, aimed to inform customers about the deployment of smart meters across its Louisiana footprint. The campaign addressed customer concerns regarding safety, costs, and data confidentiality, providing valuable insights and preparing customers for the transition.
Paige Melton, Associate Director of Communications, United Way of Northwest Louisiana
- Award: Excellence
- Category: Tier Two: Short Term Strategic Programs: Community Relations & Public Service
- Project: United Way Book Club
- Description: United Way of Northwest Louisiana’s end-of-year Giving Tuesday campaign in 2023 successfully enrolled 2,000 children in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. The campaign, which raised over $70,000, highlighted the importance of early childhood literacy and community engagement.
Winners from the Beacon Awards will advance to compete in the statewide PRAL Torché Awards.
The PRAL Northwest Chapter applauds its members’ dedication to the industry and congratulates them on their well-deserved recognition.
For more information, visit www.pralstate.org/About_PRAL_Northwest, find PRAL Northwest on Facebook @PRALNorthwest, or email [email protected].
