Local PR practitioners earn statewide recognition

Practitioners from the Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) made a strong showing in the FPRA's Golden Image Awards, with recognition taking place during the 83rd Annual Conference in Orlando earlier this month. CWC-FPRA members Sharon Kunkel, APR and Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC took top honors in two of the three professional divisions in addition to other awards earned by chapter members.

Earning top honors in Division B - Collateral Tools of Public Relations was Sharon Kunkel, APR, Wordslinger Marketing & PR, whose "Adult Adoption Story" received the Grand Golden Image Award. She was also recognized with the Golden Image Award in the "Press Release or Pitch" category as well as a Judges' Award for an outstanding entry that achieves maximum return on investment.

Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC, Hamlet's Eatery's "To Meat or Not to Meat" entry took top honors in Division C - Digital Tools of Public Relations, earning the Grand Golden Image Award. Livengood also earned the Golden Image Award in the "Online Audience Engagement" category as well as a Judges' Award for an outstanding entry that achieves maximum return on investment.

Other award winners from CWC-FPRA were:

• KSC, Inc. and Sarasota Orchestra’s 2022 Sarasota Music Festival “Fellow Recruitment Campaign”: Golden Image Award and Judges' Award
• North Port Parks & Recreation’s “Experience Vintage Florida” Warm Mineral Springs Park Campaign: Award of Distinction and Judges' Award
• Barancik Foundation's "2021 Year in Review" Annual Report: Award of Distinction

In addition, another Central West Coast Chapter member, Elise Ramer, MBA, APR, CPRC, served on the FPRA Executive Committee this year as VP of Golden Image and emceed the event.

”One of the things we really love to do in FPRA is celebrate each other’s successes, and it was exciting this year to see Central West Coast chapter members bring home 11 awards, including two Grands!” said Reda. “This is not an easy competition. The entry process includes a two-page strategic summary of the project as well as supporting materials, and the competition is fierce. The winners and their organizations should be very proud of these awards and PR successes.”

The Golden Image Awards competition is conducted annually by the Florida Public Relations Association to recognize outstanding public relations programs in Florida and to encourage and promote the development of public relations in our state. The Golden Image Awards have become a standard of excellence in the state of Florida. Winners demonstrate the very best examples of innovation, planning and design.

The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association meets monthly for professional development luncheons and networking. Visit cwcfpra.com for further information.

About CWC-FPRA
The Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) is a network of public relations, marketing and communications professionals from Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties who come together for professional development and to build a network of peers. An active part of the oldest statewide public relations organization in our country, CWC-FPRA takes pride in its 50-plus year history of stimulating programs and the professional growth of its members. The mission of the Florida Public Relations Association is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. For more about CWC-FPRA, go to cwcfpra.com.