PR Society of America New Orleans Honors City's Communication, Emergency Preparedness Efforts

From the City of New Orleans:

January 30, 2021

Mayor LaToya Cantrell today issued the following statement on awards presented by the Public Relations Society of America New Orleans (PRSA NOLA) to representatives from the Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD) and the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP).

“One of the most important aspects of our work in responding to emergencies is keeping our residents as informed as possible to help them in their own response. Residents cannot take care of themselves in an emergency without accurate, timely and helpful information. That is why I am so proud to see our emergency communications professionals be recognized for their hard work,” said Mayor Cantrell.

“Congratulations to Laura Mellem, Public Engagement Manager for NOHSEP, and Marcus Creel, Public Engagement Manager of OPCD, for both being selected to win the PRSA NOLA 2020 PR Pandemic Pivot Hero Awards. I also want to congratulate Marcus Creel and OPCD Public Engagement Specialist Chelsea Porche for winning their awards and really putting in the work necessary to represent our city in a positive way,” Mayor Cantrell added. "So much of what all of these people do is behind the scenes, so we appreciate them getting the recognition they deserve from the PRSA NOLA Awards.”

Here is a complete list of the awards:

• External Relations – Corporation/Government
  • COVID-19 Public Education & Awareness Campaign – NOLA-311
    • Award of Excellence
• Internal Relations
  • Project Unity – Celebrating Diversity & Volunteerism Campaign – OPCD
    • Award of Excellence
• Crisis Communications – Corporation/Government
  • COVID-19 Crisis Communications Campaign – OPCD
    • Award of Excellence
• Outstanding Elements
  • Social Media
    • Online Video
      • Isaac Toups Feeds New Orleans – NOLA-311
        • Award of Excellence
      • Kermit Ruffins Gifts Food & Music During the Pandemic – NOLA-311
        • Award of Excellence
  • Print
    • Blog
      • Understanding Kari’s Law – OPCD
        • Award of Excellence
    • Online Newsroom
      • Emergency Communications Center Resources Webpage – OPCD
        • Award of Excellence
    • Other
      • Stay Home for NOLA Poster, featuring Kermit Ruffins – NOLA-311
        • Award of Excellence
      • Stay Home for NOLA Poster, featuring Isaac Toups – NOLA-311
        • Award of Merit
• Individual Achievement Award
  • Marcus Creel
    • PR Pandemic Pivot Hero Award
  • Laura Mellem
    • PR Pandemic Pivot Hero Award

This press release was produced by the City of New Orleans. The views expressed are the author's own.