ABOUT US
The Public Relations Society of America Blue Ridge chapter is a professional association serving Central and Southwest Virginia public relations practitioners. Founded in 1992, the chapter strives to bring together professionals to enhance the practice, provide an exchange of experiences and ideals, and promote professional development.
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Learn about current committees and board members
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Explore ways to get involved on our leadership team
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Check out tips for planning a successful media event
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Check back soon for upcoming events!
Ready to connect with members of our BRPRSA Board?
Just click on their names to drop them an email.
President: Hannah Shinault Deuyour (PRSSA Liaison)
President-elect: Brittany Madonna
Secretary: Shayne Dwyer
Treasurer: Chuck Lionberger (Accreditation Chair)
Director-at-Large: Tiffany Bradbury (Communication Chair)
Director-at-Large: Alla Daniel (Sponsorship Chair)
Director-at-Large: Allison Moore (Membership Chair)
Director-at-Large: Stephanie Smith (Program Chair)
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Want to get involved? We have opportunities for you to serve on committees! Reach out to Hannah for more information!
MEMBERSHIP
Joining PRSA National and PRSA Blue Ridge represents one of the best investments communication professionals can make in their careers. Membership in a recognized professional association can strengthen your resume, sharpen your skills, expand your contacts and enhance your standing with management or clients. Join now! http://www.prsa.org/joinus/howtojoin
Workshops for continuing
professional skills development
Annual award recognitions
Sharing ideas with your peers
Exclusive online resources
for members
Monthly socials and
networking events
Membership Chair:
Allison Moore - allison.moore@ialr.org
On February 8, 2024, winners of the 2023 PRSA Summit Awards were recognized!
Winners of these prestigious awards are:
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CAMPAIGNS DIVISION:
Community Partnerships:
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Gold: Student Registered Apprentice Showcase - Roanoke County Public Schools with Roanoke City Public Schools
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Silver: Roanoke College R House – Roanoke College
Internal Communication:
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Gold: Va. Tech SCOM Internship Program – Va. Tech School of Communication
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Silver: Carter Machinery Employee Opinion Survey - LeadPoint Digital
Marketing Products or Services:
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Gold: Student Registered Apprenticeship Program – Roanoke County Public Schools
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Silver: Visit SoSi – Eddy Alexander
Public Relations Campaign:
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Gold: Safety Ambassador Series – Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office
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Silver (tie): Cardinal Bicycle PR Campaign - LeadPoint Digital
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Silver (tie): Good Samaritan Hospice PR Campaign – 5Points Creative
Special Event (Two days or shorter):
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Gold: Valley Metro Grand Opening – 5Points Creative
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Silver: RBTC TechNite – LeadPoint Digital
Special Event (Longer than two days):
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Gold: NRV Senior Games – Montgomery County
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Silver: 25th Anniversary of Women at VMI – VMI Alumni Agencies
BEST IN SHOW (campaigns): Va. Tech SCOM Internship Program – Va. Tech School of Communication
TACTICS DIVISION:
Annual Report:
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Gold (tie): Illuminating Progress – Carilion Clinic
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Gold (tie): 2021-2022 Annual Report – Institute for Advanced Learning & Research
Earned Media - Media Relations:
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Gold: Student Registered Apprenticeship Program - Roanoke County Public Schools
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Silver: BioTech Media Relations – LeadPoint Digital
Earned Media – Feature Stories:
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Gold: Toby’s Dream Foundation – Va. Tech School of Communication
Paid Media:
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Gold: FloTrace Digital Ads – LeadPoint Digital
Publications (Multipage):
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Gold: 2021-2022 Annual Report – Institute for Advanced Learning & Research
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Silver: Pipe Material Education Program – Western Virginia Water Authority
Publications (magazines & newsletters):
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Gold: Alumni Review – VMI Alumni Agencies
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Silver: View Magazine – Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Public Service Announcement:
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Gold: T-Rex Trail PSA – RVTV
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Silver: Buzz4Good – LeadPoint Digital
Shared Media – Social Media (written):
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Gold: Byrider Roanoke Customer Appreciation – LeadPoint Digital
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Silver: 25th Anniversary of Women at VMI – VMI Alumni Agencies
Shared Media – Social Media (video):
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Gold: 638 Days, An Adoption Story – Montgomery County
Video (two minutes or less):
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Gold: Safety Starts With You – RVTV
Video (longer than two minutes):
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Gold: 25th Anniversary of Women at VMI – VMI Alumni Agencies
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Silver: 52 Weeks of Reading – RVTV
Website:
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Gold: Franklin County Economic Development Website – LeadPoint Digital
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Silver: Roanoke College Website – Roanoke College
Writing:
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Gold: Speaking the Language of Hope – Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
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Silver: 2021-2022 Annual Report – Institute for Advance Learning & Research
BEST IN SHOW (tactics): Franklin County Economic Development Website – LeadPoint Digital
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Again this year, the Chapter honored the memories of Alison Parker and Adam Ward who were tragically lost in August 2015 with the Adam & Alison Award for Media Excellence. Chapter members nominated members of the media who exemplified excellence in media reporting. The winner of the 8th annual Adam & Alison Award for Media Excellence is Patsy Montesinos from WDBJ-7.
Additionally, chapter members were invited to nominate a member for the Shooting Star Award, recognizing the individual who had made the greatest contribution to the advancement of the chapter and the public relations profession over the past year. The Shooting Star Award was presented to Dr. Stephanie Smith from the Va. Tech School of Communication.
In a continuing tradition, the Blue Ridge Chapter presented a special award in honor of Lin Chaff, a founding member of the Blue Ridge Chapter who was widely respected in the public relations profession. This award recognizes overall creativity in a tactic or campaign. All entries were considered for this award. The winner of the 2023 Lin Chaff Award for Creativity was presented to Roanoke Valley Television (RVTV) for their video entry, Safety Starts With You.
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CONTACT US
ADDRESS: PO Box 804, Roanoke, VA 24004
Current president: Hannah Shinault Deuyour | TEL: (276) 920-1552 | hshinault@vt.edu