Chris Perez, APR Receives PRSA-IE Aaron Norris Spirit of PR Award
Posted by SEC2021 on Oct. 20, 2022 / Subscribe 0
Marketing and public relations professional Chris Perez, APR received the 2022 Aaron Norris Spirit of PR Award at the Public Relations Society of America Inland Empire Chapter Polaris Awards Oct. 20 at Edwards Mansion in Riverside.
Perez was honored for his “"dedication to the PRSA-IE chapter and the public relations profession." In remarks to those attending the chapter's Polaris Awards and Dinner Oct. 20, Perez said, "I really am humbled and honored to receive this award, especially in the year that we are honoring Aaron as well. I know he's up there looking down saying, 'Great job, man.'"
As a partner of multicultural firm Westbound Communications, Perez has helped over 120 businesses and organizations with brand marketing public relations and spokesperson training. He is an adjunct professor, most recently in the Annenberg School of Communications at his alma mater, USC. He has also taught at Chapman University, California Baptist University and University of California, Riverside extension. Perez has worked at three of the world's most prestigious PR agencies, Euro RSCG, Fleishman-Hillard and Golin Harris, and, in the 1990s, founded his own firm that was eventually acquired by Havas Group. Organizations he has counseled during his career include San Bernardino County, Toyota Motor Sports, Caltrans, Sam Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Experian, Riverside Art Museum, Anheuser-Busch and the American Cancer Society, where he also served on the board of directors for the California District. He is a former journalist and a frequent speaker for industry groups and trade associations.
For PRSA, he has served on the board or committee positions with three PRSA chapters: Los Angeles, Orange County and Inland Empire, where he served as president in 1996. He was chair of the PRSA Western District and was on the Nominating Committee for National PRSA. He has led presentations for PRSA, CAPIO, the American Advertising Federation and other industry associations. Perez says his personal mission is to help communication professionals grow and succeed in this profession.
The award was named for Aaron Michael Norris, APR, who passed away on July 1, 2022. Norris was an inspirational leader and beloved friend to many and was a past president of PRSA-IE, as well as past chair of the PRSA Western District. He had a passion for philanthropy and giving back to organizations and causes that help make life better for others. The Aaron Norris Creative Fund helps support arts programs in the Inland Empire. In a tribute to Norris, Perez wrote, “Aaron accomplished in 45 years what would take several lifetimes for most, and he has inspired and was loved by more people than he ever acknowledged.”
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