PCC News

PCC honors Sherman Health, Kathy Schaeffer & Associates at Golden Trumpet Awards for year’s best PR

Attention winners: Order your duplicate Trumpet Awards here! Deadline extended to June 21!

CHICAGO (May 10, 2010) – For maximizing the rare opportunity to debut a new hospital with a multifaceted communications campaign of events, media relations and internal and external outreach, Sherman Health and Kathy Schaeffer and Associates, Inc. (KSA) took home the Publicity Club of Chicago’s top honors today at the 51st Annual Golden Trumpet Awards.

The Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC), Chicago’s premier communications industry trade association, awarded Sherman and KSA the club’s Platinum Award for the year’s best overall public relations program at its annual ceremony at Chicago’s Palmer House Hilton.

PCC’s other top awards for 2009’s best work in the industry as judged by leading Chicago-area public relations executives were:

  • The Brand Builder Award for the program most significantly enhancing and promoting a brand for an organization, product or service, presented to the Chicago Botanic Garden for “More Than a Pretty Garden.”
  • The Elynore Dolkart Meserow Creativity Award for exceptional creativity in a public relations program, presented to Edelman Worldwide for “AXE Dark Temptation: As Irresistible as Chocolate.”
  • The Edwin J. Shaughnessy Quality of Life Award for the year’s foremost contribution to improving quality of life in society through public relations, presented to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights for “Rigo Padilla:  Outstanding College Student, Deportation Halted.”

Chicago broadcast journalist Nancy Loo and CBS 2 Weekend Evening News co-anchor Jim Williams joined PCC to also present 55 Golden Trumpet Awards and 93 Silver Trumpets honoring the past year’s most distinguished achievements in public relations and communications practice.

At the event, PCC honored Chicago PR pioneers Aaron Cushman and Margie Korshak with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their achievements in the field. In her acceptance remarks, Korshak told of getting into PR in the 1960s after being told she had “the gift of gab.” Cushman called PR “the most misunderstood but most exciting business in the world.”

From community relations and special events to crisis PR and new media, the PCC Golden Trumpet Awards annually recognize excellence in planning, creativity and execution in 22 categories from among hundreds of programs submitted from across the Midwest. In each category, Golden Trumpet Awards are awarded for outstanding achievement; Silver Trumpet Awards for distinguished achievement.

Co-chairs for the 2010 Golden Trumpets Awards were D. Michelle Flowers, President & CEO, Flowers Communications Group, and Kim McCullough, Executive Director for Communications, Concordia University Chicago.

The Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC), founded in 1941, is the nation’s largest independent public relations membership organization, providing education and networking opportunities to Chicago’s public relations practitioners. Through monthly luncheons, professional development seminars, a premier awards program and other events, PCC provides tools, technology and tactics for Chicago-area professional communicators to implement high-quality programs and excel in public relations.

For more information, visit www.publicity.org or contact PCC at office@publicity.org or 773-463-5560.

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Media Contact:
Kim McCullough, Concordia University Chicago
708-209-3122 or kmccullough@cuchicago.edu

Editors, note: Photos and program descriptions with contacts available upon request.

Publicity Club of Chicago to Honor the “Best of the Best” at 51st Annual Golden Trumpet Awards

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Kim McCullough, Concordia University Chicago
708-209-3122 or kmccullough@cuchicago.edu

CHICAGO (April 26, 2010) – The Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC) – the premier communications industry trade association in Chicago – announces the year’s “best of the best” in Chicago and Midwest public relations at the 51st Annual Golden Trumpet Awards, May 7 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.

Nancy Loo, Chicago broadcast journalist and blogger, and Jim Williams, CBS 2 Weekend Evening News co-anchor, will join PCC to present awards honoring the year’s most distinguished achievements in public relations and communications practice.

From community relations and special events to crisis PR and new media, Golden Trumpets recognize excellence in planning, creativity and execution in 22 categories. The competition also presents four top honors from among hundreds of programs submitted from across the Midwest:

  • The Brand Builder Award for the program that has significantly enhanced and promoted a brand for an organization, product or service.
  • The Quality of Life Award for the program whose foremost contribution was to improve the quality of life in our society through public relations.
  • The Creativity Award for exceptional creativity in a public relations program.
  • The Platinum Award for the year’s best overall public relations program.

PCC also will honor Aaron Cushman and Margie Korshak with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their pioneering achievements in public relations.

Aaron Cushman

Cushman founded Cushman/Amberg Communications in Chicago in 1952 as Aaron D. Cushman and Associates. Today, Cushman/Amberg is an independent, full-service communications agency headquartered in Chicago with an office in St. Louis and global reach through its long-time partnership in Public Relations Organisation International (PROI).

From early days working as an entertainment publicist—promoting the Three Stooges, Jane Russell, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, among others—Cushman moved to handling public relations for small, local accounts and later Fortune 500 clients. Among its accomplishments, the agency opened more than 65 Marriott Hotels & Resorts worldwide; introduced Softbatch Cookies for Keebler; and helped McDonald’s establish the All American High School Basketball Team.

The agency additionally developed a specialty in travel and tourism, with such clients including Mexico, the Cayman Islands, and Canada, and worked with Singapore in restoring its image as a tourist destination after the caning of an American caused international outcry. Cushman’s storied career also encompasses PR in the world of professional sports, including more than a decade as co-owner and PR director for the Chicago White Sox under Bill Veeck.

Margie Korshak

Korshak is chairman of Margie Korshak, Inc., one of Chicago’s 10 largest public relations/events firms. She began her career in 1967 with the PR department of the American Furniture Mart and founded her agency at age 29, specializing in public relations and advertising for the entertainment, retail and restaurant industries, and later, corporate business.

Korshak, press representative for Broadway in Chicago, has been vital to Chicago’s theatre scene including the reopening or opening of downtown theatres and publicity for Chicago’s major theatrical productions. She also helped shape the face of Chicago’s retail industry, providing counsel to Sears, Bloomingdale’s, Crate & Barrel, Plaza Escada, Gap and Old Navy, as well as Water Tower Place, The Shops of 900 N. Michigan, Chicago Place and The Shops at North Bridge.

Her commitment to community through fundraising and PR has benefited charities including Gilda’s Club, The James Jordan Boys & Girls Club, The National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, The Les Turner ALS Foundation, Starlight Children’s Foundation, the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation and the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Co-chairing the 2010 Golden Trumpets Awards are D. Michelle Flowers, President & CEO, Flowers Communications Group, and Kim McCullough, Executive Director for Communications, Concordia University Chicago.

Annually drawing hundreds of Midwest public relations and communications professionals and their clients, the Publicity Club of Chicago Golden Trumpets Awards takes place 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 7 in the Grand Ballroom at the Palmer House, 17 East Monroe St.

Tickets are $90 for PCC members, $100 for non-members or $900 for a table of 10.   To order tickets or for more information on Vendor Showcase opportunities for the 2010 Golden Trumpets, click here or contact PCC at office@publicity.org or 773-463-5560.

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Publicity Club of Chicago Launches New Look, Web Site

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Sue Markgraf, GreenMark Public Relations, Inc.
Office 847-970-9160 or Blackberry 847-917-9654
smarkgraf@greenmarkpr.com

CHICAGO (March 1, 2010) – The Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC) – the premier communications industry trade association in Chicago – launches a new brand look and expanded, redesigned Web site in March at www.publicity.org.

The site is targeted to the organization’s members and to non-members whose expertise and training is in media relations, public relations and integrated communications including marketing. It offers a host of fresh, creative features in addition to a new logo and a sleek, contemporary brand design.

Member favorites, such as the online industry newsletter Dateline and the career resource Jobs in PR, remain highlights of the site and are more prominently displayed.

Other features include:

  • simpler navigation and content aggregation
  • community insight and industry leadership expertise shared through the organization’s “PCC Insider” blog
  • increased opportunity for member online interaction through social networking outlets
  • more frequent updates on key member events including the education series and monthly luncheons as well as the organization’s premier annual awards, the Golden Trumpets
  • video updates on organizational activities
  • increased advertising opportunities

“The redesigned Web site better reflects the prestigious leadership position the Publicity Club of Chicago plays in the Chicago PR and communications industry,” said David Bosch, PCC president.

“The site provides members and non-members alike with valuable information about upcoming programs, connects colleagues through social networking outlets and offers community insights and expertise of specialized interest to Chicago PR professionals.”

The site is the work of PCC members and industry professionals. It features creative design work and Web site development by The Gammon Group, Joliet, Ill.

PCC, founded in 1941, is the nation’s largest independent public relations membership organization, providing education and networking opportunities to Chicago’s elite public relations practitioners. Through monthly luncheons, professional development seminars, a premier awards program and other events, PCC is the practical resource for providing the tools, technology and tactics Chicago-area professional communicators need to implement high-quality programs and excel in public relations.

For information about the Publicity Club of Chicago, including membership, advertising opportunities and a complete schedule of events, please visit the Web site at www.publicity.org, or contact Suzanne Woolford, PCC administrator, at office@publicity.org.

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Editors, please note: For a business story on PCC, including interviews with its board and membership, please contact Sue Markgraf, PCC first vice president, at the number above.

Survey: PR Pros Give PCC High Marks for Association Value

For Imme­di­ate Release

Media Con­tact:
Bethany Sirt, Pub­lic­ity Club of Chicago
bethanysirt@hotmail.com or 312/415‑0161

CHICAGO (Dec. 14, 2009) – How do Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC) members grade the organization’s programs and services?

The Club should figuratively make the Dean’s List, based on the findings of a recent survey of members. Nearly nine of 10 members – 88 percent – ranked PCC either excellent or good when asked to rate it as a professional association that provides value. And, a similar percentage, 89 percent, said they will continue their membership for three years or more.

One of PCC’s signature programs – the monthly luncheons that feature panels of experts addressing key industry issues – earned high marks as well. Eighty-nine percent of those polled rate the programs as very valuable or valuable, and 94 percent strongly agree or gree that program topics are relevant and presenters knowledgeable.

Other PCC activities that scored high in terms of value included the annual four-week education series (63 percent) as well as the media guide (66 percent), which is provided at no charge to members.

“The purpose of the survey was two fold,” said David Bosch, PCC president. “We wanted to ensure current programs meet members’ needs and desires, and we sought to uncover areas viewed as shortcomings and respond accordingly.”

For example, Bosch cited one finding that one-quarter of membership does not believe PCC provides enough opportunities to network. “We have established a new networking committee to address the issue and already introduced a ‘speed networking’ component at the luncheons,” he said.

Membership also strongly preferred receiving the monthly Dateline newsletter in an electronic version only rather than as mailed printed copy; this delivery method is now implemented.

Members gave an average score to the value of the PCC Web site. The Club moved quickly to revamp the site that will be unveiled in early 2010 with a new design and enhanced features.

“The Board took quite seriously members’ input, which is extremely valuable as we continue to refine our programs,” Bosch said. “We thank those members who participated in the survey.”

The Web-based survey e-mailed to members was conducted in June. One hundred and fifteen responded, approximately 45 percent of Club membership.

The Publicity Club of Chicago is a network of hundreds of corporate and individual members representing PR and communications practice at boutique to worldwide firms, corporate offices and businesses, associations, non-profit organizations and independent consultancies throughout the metropolitan region.

Among its programs are its popular monthly luncheon series, Executive Roundtable Series, Education Series and the annual Golden Trumpet Awards, the Midwest’s most prestigious awards program honoring distinguished achievement in public relations and communications.

For more information, visit www.publicity.org. Follow Publicity Club of Chicago at twitter.com/PCC_Chicago and facebook.com/PublicityClubChicago.

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Publicity Club of Chicago Welcomes New Board Members

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Bethany Sirt, Publicity Club of Chicago
bethanysirt@hotmail.com or 312/415-0161

CHICAGO (Sept. 16, 2009) – The Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC), the nation’s largest independent public relations membership organization, announces that six new members have been named to its Board of Directors. Named to the board are:

  • Juli Barcelona, vice president, Barcelona Creative Group. Barcelona is an active speaker and has led website development, public relations and social media enabling Barcelona Creative Group to greatly expand its Internet marketing and public relations services to clients. Barcelona is active in PCC’s social media outreach and co-chairs the association’s 2010 Education Series, a month-long series in February featuring weekly professional development seminars for practitioners at all levels
  • Queta Rodriguez Bauer, president, Cultural Communications, LLC. As director of media and client relations Cultural Communications, an international consulting firm, she has worked with clients including Bank of America. She has provided PR services for the Mexican Coffee Institute in New York and Petroleos Mexicanos in Paris, and is a longtime volunteer and spokesperson for Amnesty International. Bauer co-chairs PCC’s membership committee, coordinating membership recruitment and retention outreach at PCC programs and throughout the year.
  • Michelle Flowers Welch, president and CEO, Flowers Communications Group. Welch founded Flowers Communications in 1991; the agency is a top-rated Chicago-based PR firm specializing in award-winning multicultural integrated marketing communications and national, regional and local programs in the nation’s top 20 urban markets. Welch co-chair PCC’s 2010 Golden Trumpet Awards, the Midwest’s most prestigious awards program honoring distinguished achievement in public relations and communications as judged by Chicago’s top practitioners.
  • Scott Meis, senior project and social media director, Carolyn Grisko & Associates. Meis has provided award-winning campaign management, client and media relations, social media and marketing expertise, advertising creative, event coordination, video and Web site support for a range of marketing and nonprofit clients. As co-chair for PCC’s communications committee, Meis leads the association’s online and social media strategies and outreach, including its redesigned website to launch in early 2010.
  • David M. Zapata, president, Zapwater Communications, Inc. Zapata is an award-winning public affairs and public relations specialist with diverse government, political and agency experience. Now entering its fifth year, Zapwater Communications has won industry accolade including gold Adrian Awards for public relations excellence from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association. Zapata co-chairs the PCC Monthly Luncheon Series, featuring panel discussions with top practitioners, journalists and other experts on hot-button communications issues, trends and challenges.
  • Also joining the Publicity Club of Chicago board as its first student member is Amanda Kautzer, senior in public relations/advertising and communication studies at DePaul University. Active with the university’s Public Relations Student Society of America chapter and the DePaul Communication Organization, among other organizations, Kautzer currently works on awareness campaigns and promotions for the Chicago Department of Transportation as a marketing intern. Her previous experience includes internships with Today’s Chicago Woman, Willems Marketing, Inc. and Press Play Promotions. Kautzer also serves on PCC’s Education Series committee.

Executive officers for the 2009-10 PCC Board of Directors are:

  • President Dave Bosch, communications director, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network.
  • First vice president Sue Markgraf, president and co-founder, GreenMark Public Relations.
  • Secretary Jann Ingmire, director of media relations, JAMA – The Journal of the American Medical Association.
  • Treasurer David Smolensky, chief operating officer, Resolute Consulting LLC.

The Publicity Club of Chicago is a network of hundreds of corporate and individual members representing PR and communications practice at boutique to worldwide firms, corporate offices and businesses, associations, non-profit organizations and independent consultancies throughout the metropolitan region.

Among its programs are its popular monthly luncheon series, Executive Roundtable Series, Education Series and the annual Golden Trumpet Awards, the Midwest’s most prestigious awards program honoring distinguished achievement in public relations and communications.

For more information, visit www.publicity.org. Follow Publicity Club of Chicago at twitter.com/PCC_Chicago and facebook.com/PublicityClubChicago.

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