Orange County’s Top Public Relations Professionals Honored at 35th Annual PROTOS Awards Ceremony

Orange County Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America Recognizes PR Campaigns and Industry Leaders

Irvine, Calif. June 28, 2010 - Hosted by the Orange County Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (OC/PRSA), the 35th Annual PROTOS Awards honored top Orange County public relations professionals and organizations for exemplary public relations campaigns and achievements.

On Friday, June 25, 180 elite PR professionals gathered for the "Art of PR" themed awards event at the Surf & Sand Resort in Laguna Beach, Calif. Serving as Guest Emcee for the awards ceremony, ABC7 Eyewitness News Consumer Specialist and Reporter Ric Romero announced more than 50 winning programs from across Orange County and beyond.

"It was amazing to see so many gather to celebrate the art of public relations," said Katie Coates Ageson, APR, 2010 OC/PRSA president. "In today's economic climate, it's heartening to see the many entries from the Orange County public relations community. I'm truly honored to witness some of the most strategic and creative campaigns and individuals in the industry."

Orange County's public relations professionals submitted entries in close to 40 different categories, ranging from community outreach and media relations to collateral development and multicultural programs. Approximately 100 submissions were reviewed by judges from a PRSA chapter in a different region of the country. Newport Beach-based firm, Integrated MarketingWorks accepted the highest honor of the year, earning the "Best in Show" total PR program award for its entry titled, "APEAM Trade Marketing Communications Program."

Bock Communications took home the most awards for the third consecutive year with a total of seven awards-four PROTOS and three Awards of Excellence. PainePR of Irvine earned four PROTOS and two Awards of Excellence, followed by Orange-based Westbound Communications, who took home three PROTOS and two Awards of Excellence. In all, 22 companies walked away with PROTOS statues, Awards of Excellence and one Best in Show honor.

OC/PRSA also presented its annual Distinguished Service Awards, the Chapter's highest honors for an individual and an organization. This year's Distinguished Service Award for Individual honored John van Barneveld, APR, for his long-term commitment to the public relations profession.

Van Barneveld's agency, Public Communications Worldwide, was also recognized, receiving the Chapter's Distinguished Service honors for an Organization. Over its 50 years in business, PC/W has grown to become Orange County's oldest independent firm, acquiring five small firms and surviving some 10 recessions over the years.

OC/PRSA also presented its annual "Shining Star" Scholarships to the local university student chapters of PRSSA. Students from Biola University; California State University, Fullerton; California State University, Long Beach and Chapman University received the scholarship grant, which will be used to send PRSSA students to the International PRSA Conference.

Sponsors of the 35th Annual PROTOS Awards include: Presenting Sponsor Bock Communications; Pre-Party Sponsor CALTROP Corporation; After-Party Sponsor Agave Underground; Diamond Sponsor Global Results Communications; Platinum Sponsor GolinHarris; Valet Sponsor Business Wire; Gold Sponsor PainePR; Silver Sponsor Marketwire; Beverage Sponsors Global Results Communications, The Market Connection, RipeOrange, and Westbound Communications; Asher Entertainment, BTB Event Productions, MiMedia, Michael-Frazier.com, Taylor Digital and Taylored Photo Memories.

A complete list of PROTOS winners can be downloaded here. Event photos will be available shortly. High resolution photos are available to media upon request.

ABOUT OC/PRSA
Chartered in 1963, OC/PRSA serves and educates public relations practitioners of Orange County, Calif. The PROTOS awards began in 1975 to serve as the chapter's annual gala and to honor top members of the Orange County public relations community and their work. Monthly lunch meetings provide members an opportunity to exchange ideas with other public relations professionals and hear speakers on a wide variety of topics related to the communications field. For more information, visit www.ocprsa.org.

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