Impactful Inland Empire PR Campaigns Lauded at 2023 PRSA-IE Polaris Awards
Posted by SEC2021 on Nov. 10, 2023 / Subscribe 0
The Public Relations Society of America Inland Empire Chapter (PRSA-IE) honored top area public relations professionals at its annual Polaris Awards Gala held on Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Jessie Turner Community Center in Fontana.
Costino Public Outreach Group (CPOG), a strategic communications and community outreach firm, was awarded Best in Show for its work with Caltrans District 12 on “Branding for the I-5 Managed Lane Project” (Tactics/Branding). CPOG developed project branding and implemented the public outreach for the environmental phase of the I-5 Managed Lanes Project, which sought to improve the overall movement of people and goods along a 15-mile stretch of freeway within Orange County, California. CPOG’s work on a cohesive branding approach to strategically enhance project visibility and engagement bolstered public awareness, achieving remarkable online traffic and social media engagement, and solicited comments that surpassed initial goals.
The Polaris Awards represent the best in the industry within the Inland Empire. A record number—63 entries—were judged this year by the PRSA Michigan Chapter, who selected the top projects that successfully incorporate sound research, planning, implementation and evaluation. Based on final scoring, an entry may receive a Polaris Award (score of 90 or higher), a Capella Award (score of 75-89 points) or the coveted Best in Show award (highest score of all entries).
Inland Empire PR and communications professionals, representing the following organizations, received 36 Polaris awards and 15 Capella awards: Loma Linda University Health, Westbound Communications, Harvey Mudd College, California Baptist University, OPR Communications, SBCERA, Office of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Eastern Municipal Water District, Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, Loma Linda University Health and the university's School of Medicine, East Valley Water District, Riverside County District Attorney's Office, Cal Poly Pomona Communication Department, Scatena Daniels Communications, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District and Inland Empire Community Foundation.
Two Aaron Norris Spirit of PR Awards were presented. PRSA-IE past president Marisa Kutansky received the award for her “dedication to the PRSA-IE Chapter and the public relations profession.” Kutansky has spent her career in the food industry and has worked as a PR and marketing professional for Stater Bros. and Cardenas Markets. She has been recognized as a Top Woman in Grocery by Progressive Grocer and served as chair of the 2023 Inland Empire American Heart Association Go Red for Women. She has served on the PRSA-IE board for many years, most recently as Western District Assembly Delegate.
Another Aaron Norris Spirit of PR Award went to California Baptist University and its Public Relations Student Society Association (PRSSA). The PRSSA chapter is advised by current PRSA-IE board member Mary Ann Pearson, Ed.D., APR, and department chair Victoria Brodie, Ed.D., Cal Baptist professors and advisors to CBU’s Lancer Media Group, an award-winning collegiate media group that develops PR and communications professionals.
Supporting the 2023 Polaris Awards were Platinum Sponsors Westbound Communications and Inland Empire Community Foundation; Table Sponsors CAPIO and Cardenas Markets; and Friend of PRSA Sponsors Degrave Communications and Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, APR.
The Public Relations Society of America (www.prsa.org), headquartered in New York City, is the world's largest professional organization for public relations professionals. With nearly 20,000 members, organized into 117 chapters nationwide, members represent business and industry, counseling firms, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. The PRSA Inland Empire Chapter, founded in 1965, is the premier public relations organization for Riverside and San Bernardino counties and serves more than 100 members across the region by providing professional development and networking opportunities.
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