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PRAL Central Awards

PRAL Central welcomes your nominations and applications for our association awards. Nominate a deserving professional or colleague for one of the individual awards listed below, or enter our annual strategic awards program, the Cypress Awards, to earn recognition for your work throughout the past year. 

You may make multiple nominations or applications. Deadlines to submit nominations by email is January 31. Please consider nominating a worthy colleague or submitting your application for one of our awards. Email your nominations or questions to [email protected].

Practitioner of the Year Award

PRAL Central’s Practitioner of the Year Award was created to recognize and honor public relations professionals who have distinguished themselves through the past year.

Criteria for nomination and selection:

  • Lives and works within the state of Louisiana
  • Has demonstrated professionalism and integrity in his/her work in the public relations field, either through recognition by awards, academic achievements, and community or civic involvement
  • Has demonstrated those skills, actions or achievements that are deserving of such special recognition during the current calendar year
  • May or may not be a member of PRAL

Member of the Year Award

PRAL Central established this award to recognize an association member who has gone above and beyond to contribute to the chapter through his or her time and talents.

Cypress Awards

Public Relations Association of Louisiana – Central Chapter recognizes its outstanding work in the public relations field through the annual Cypress Awards program. These awards highlight the exceptional work and dedication of public relations professionals in the Central Louisiana region. Each entry is evaluated by industry experts, showcasing creativity, innovation, and the impactful communication strategies that drive successful public relations campaigns.

Entries must be submitted by January 31.

 SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

  • Any submission from a PRAL Central member will be accepted; OR
  • Non-PRAL Central members must be headquartered in Central Louisiana, or submission must have an intended audience within Central Louisiana.
  • Each submission must have been used or produced between January – December 2024.

 No incomplete submissions will be reviewed.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Acknowledgement of receipt of entries will be made by e-mail.

Winners will be announced at PRAL Central’s March Luncheon. 

Submitted entries must be paid within fourteen (14) days of receipt to qualify for the awards program. A link will be provided to the submitted to pay for the entry.

All entries must fit into one of the many categories listed below:

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES

TIER 1: Long Term Programs and Campaigns (7 months or more)

  • 1.   Community Relations and Public Service - Programs seeking to improve relations with or win support of people or organizations in communities with an issue or need.
  • 2.    Crisis Communications - Programs implemented to deal with an unplanned event requiring immediate response.
  • 3.    Integrated Communications - Programs exhibiting effective PR strategies and tactics in a creative, integrated campaign.
  • 4.    Internal Communications - Programs targeted to internal publics such as employees, members, dealers, franchisees, investors.
  • 5.    Marketing - Programs developed to introduce new products/services or promote existing products/services.
  • 6.    Media Relations - Programs developed to build relationships with journalists and news organizations or secure ongoing media coverage.
  • 7.    Public Affairs - Programs developed to influence public policy or legislation.
  • 8.    Reputation, Issues and Brand Management - Programs designed to enhance the reputation, deal with issues affecting business strategy, or enhance the brand of an organization.
  • 9.    Special Events - Programs or events with special activities where public relations played an integral part.
  • 10.  Potpourri - Programs that do not fit criteria for other categories.

TIER 2: Short Term Programs and Campaigns (0-6 months)

  • 1.    Community Relations and Public Service - Programs seeking to improve relations with or win the support of people or organizations in communities with an issue or need.
  • 2.    Crisis Communications - Programs implemented to deal with an unplanned event requiring immediate response.3.    Integrated Communications - Programs exhibiting effective PR strategies and tactics in a creative, integrated campaign.
  • 4.    Internal Communications - Programs targeted to internal publics such as employees, members, dealers, franchisees, investors.
  • 5.    Marketing - Programs developed to introduce new products/services or promote existing products/services.
  • 6.    Media Relations - Programs developed to build relationships with journalists and news organizations or secure ongoing media coverage.
  • 7.    Public Affairs - Programs developed to influence public policy or legislation.
  • 8.    Reputation, Issues and Brand Management - Programs designed to enhance the reputation, deal with issues affecting business strategy, or enhance the brand of an organization.
  • 9.    Special Events - Programs or events with special activities where public relations played an integral part.
  • 10.  Potpourri - Programs that do not fit criteria for other categories.

TIER 3: Tactical Materials/Projects

  • 1.    Research and Measurement: reports, white papers, studies, evaluation, communication audits
  • 2.    Writing: online content (social, blog, web), writing for publications, feature stories, speeches, columns/op-eds, position papers
  • 3.    Advertising and Publications: One-time special publications, annual reports, magazines, newsletters, brochures, direct mail, e-materials, print advertising, billboards
  • 4.    Social media management: creative and results-oriented use of social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Snapchat, Pinterest
  • 5.    Media relations: media materials and activities, such as news releases, media-only events, media kits, online newsrooms, guidebooks, etc.
  • 6.    Graphics: logos, infographics, organizational identity, photography, signage, kiosks, exhibits, displays, graphic standards
  • 7.    Collateral Material: direct mail/e-mail, printed materials, brochures, letterhead packages, apparel, promotional items
  • 8.    Audio and Video: videos, commercials, presentations, podcasts
  • 9.   Digital: websites, intra-web, mobile applications
  • 10.  Potpourri 

STUDENT CATEGORIES:

  • 1.    Campaigns
  • 2.    Special Events
  • 3.    PR Plans and Proposals
  • 4.    Writing: online content (social, blog, web), writing for publications, feature stories, speeches, columns/op-eds, position papers
  • 5.    Advertising and Publications: One-time special publications, annual reports, magazines, newsletters, brochures, direct mail, e-materials, print advertising, billboards
  • 6.    Social media management: creative and results-oriented use of social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Snapchat, Pinterest
  • 7.    Media relations: media materials and activities, such as news releases, media kits, online newsrooms, guidebooks
  • 8.    Graphics: logos, infographics, organizational identity, photography, signage, kiosks, exhibits, displays, graphic standards
  • 9.    Collateral Material: direct mail/e-mail, printed materials, brochures, letterhead packages, apparel, promotional items
  • 10.  Audio and Video: videos, commercials, presentations, podcasts
  • 11.  Digital: websites, intra-web, mobile applications
  • 12.  Potpourri