The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) recognizes outstanding work in the field of public relations through its annual Lantern Awards program. Awards, including Certificates of Merit, Awards of Excellence and Lantern Awards, are given in 25 categories. From those, the judges also select the Best of Show Award and two Judges’ Choice Awards.

The deadline for entries in the 2012 Lantern Awards program is July 2, and the extended deadline is July 13. Entry fees are $55 per entry (May 1-July 2) and go up to $65 per entry (July 3-13). There will be no additional extended deadline after July 13. For more information or to submit your entries, visit the entry website. Winners will be announced during the SPRF conference Oct. 7-9, 2012, in Destin, Fla.

SPRF Senior Practitioner Nominations are due June 8th!

The senior practitioner designation was established to honor SPRF members who are recognized by their peers as veteran public relations professionals with high ethical standing. Nomination and selection is made by local chapter based on criteria set by the Federation. To receive the designation “senior practitioner,” a recipient must qualify in three of the following four criteria:

• 15 years of full-time public relations experience
• Accreditation by a UAB member organization
• Officer or board member at chapter, state or SPRF level
• Recognition of professionalism as evidenced by such awards as Practitioner of the Year, Lantern Award or similar honor

Please complete the following form and return it to NAPRCA VP Projects Sarah Collison, sarah.collison@crestwoodmedcenter.com. The deadline is Friday, June 8, 2012.

Sr-4.-Practitioner-Guidelines-Submission

Speaker: Karla Redditte

No matter your role, effective communication demands that you check every angle before you proceed.  We’re all trying to find the best intersection:  one where the right message meets the right target audience.   How can you develop messages that engage your target, attract an audience, and don’t get lost in traffic?

Join us as Karla Redditte, News Anchor and Reporter, shares strategies from her experience as a Public Information Officer and from her seat behind the news desk.

Karla Redditte joined WAFF as a reporter/anchor in April 2010. Karla comes to the “Rocket City” from Savannah, GA, where she most recently served as the public information manager for the Savannah Chatham County Public School System. She’ll share insight on how she evaluates local story pitches and translates them into engaging news stories. And, she’ll share her approach to pitching her own stories to regional and national media outlets.

BIRMINGHAM – The Birmingham Public Library has a need for a Communications / Public Relations Head.  This is a supervisory position requiring five years’ experience in communications and/or public relations.  The Communications/PR Head provides the primary staff leadership for the communications, public relations and marketing efforts of the Birmingham Public Library (BPL); builds and maintains favorable public awareness of BPL’s services, programs and special exhibitions locally, nationally, and internationally;  builds and maintains a positive relationship with newspapers, radio, television stations and other print and electronic media.  The Communications/PR Head establishes and maintains community relations in promotion of the Library and its image.  You can find more information about this PR position with the library here.

 2012 Overall Sponsor

2012 Gold Sponsors

2012 Social Sponsor

YOU CAN BE A SPONSOR, TOO

Our PR conference attendees are influencers and decision makers throughout Alabama. They represent nonprofits, higher education, energy, government agencies and corporate brands.

As a sponsor of PRCA’s annual conference, you will have the opportunity to interact with some of the state’s leading PR professionals, as well as local small business owners. PRCA members regularly work with vendors for a variety of public relations-related needs such as agency services, research, writing, photography, video, graphic design, printing, event planning and media tracking.

For sponsorship opportunities, email conference@prcaonline.com for a prompt response.

HUNTSVILLE – The WHNT NEWS 19 Media Network (WHNT, WHNT2, WHNT.com, and mobile) is looking for a Graphic Artist. If you understand the importance of brand identity, like web design and work well with deadlines than we have the job for you. WHNT NEWS 19 is located in Huntsville, Alabama. It has been voted one of the best places to live in the south. The added bonus to all that is you get to work with an aggressive creative team that likes to produce attention grabbing, quality work.  You can find specific requirements for WHNT ‘s graphic artist position on the website.

DECATUR – Red Sage Communications is seeking a business-minded Marketing Strategist. The Marketing Strategist develops research-based marketing strategy, guides the related message development, and plans and implements marketing activities that align with business development objectives for Red Sage and its customers.  Find out more with this PDF about the position with Red Sage.

HUNTSVILLE - Sci-Quest is seeking an entry level graphic designer/marketing specialist to assist the marketing manager. Graphic duties include creation of print and website materials. Examples include: fliers, banners, signs, print advertisements in high resolution quality, bill boards, business cards, photo editing, signage, brochures, website images, programs, promotional items, logos, etc. Marketing duties include assisting marketing manager with various office duties. Find more information about skills needed for this Graphics/Marketing position on Sci-Quest’s website.

Guest Speaker: Karla Redditte, Anchor & Reporter, WAFF  Greg Screws, Anchor and Executive Producer, WHNT News 19

[ NOTE:  WHNT's Screws was a last minute substitute for Karla due to illness.  We wish her a speedy recovery.]

As marketing and communications professionals, we’re all trying to tell a story. Do you have what it takes to let your voice be heard? 

How can you develop stories that engage, attract attract an audience, and garner the attention of the media? How can you build relationships with journalists that add value to your organization and the media outlets?  Join us as Karla Redditte, News Anchor and Reporter, shares strategies and a journalist’s perspective from her seat behind the news desk.

Karla Redditte joined WAFF as a reporter/anchor in April 2010. Karla comes to the “Rocket City” from Savannah, GA, where she most recently served as the public information manager for the Savannah Chatham County Public School System.  She’ll share insight on how she evaluates local story pitches and translates them into engaging news stories.   And, she’ll share her approach to pitching her own stories to regional and national media outlets.

Click here to view Redditte’s recent story on the national lifestyle program “America Now,” which is hosted by Leeza Gibbons and Bill Rancic.

Click here to access Karla Redditte’s professional biography.

Date: Thursday, March 15, 2012

Time: 11:45am

Costs: Members-$15, Guests-$17, and Students-$12

ATHENS – Athens State University is seeking a Director of Development. The Director of Development reports directly to the Vice President for University Advancement. The Director is responsible for the comprehensive fundraising activities and strategies for the University. The Director will be a key leader in the direction, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of all gifts and will be responsible for the development and achievement of fundraising goals.  A complete Director of Development job description and application process is available on their website.