Posts By :

Admin

  • Admin
  • No Comments

Do you ever question the value of your membership?
150 150 Admin

If you’re like most members of voluntary professional associations, you question the value of your membership when you get your annual renewal notice. You also take some measure of value every time you interact with the association.

This is all well and good since the volunteer leaders of CPRS Toronto are accountable to the members for responding to your expressed needs and interests, delivering relevant programs and services, and advancing the profession of public relations.

Another fundamental fact about associations is that members derive more value by getting involved than they do by being passive.

Our member surveys show time and again that individuals who take advantage of networking, professional development programs, awards, accreditation, volunteer opportunities, etc. are much more satisfied with the value of their association than those who do not.

This fact will come as no surprise to public relations practitioners who communicate daily with active and latent publics. This widely-cited article describes the multiple stages of latency, Inactive Publics: The Forgotten Publics in Public Relations, finding among other things that there is a direct correlation between an individual’s perception of an organization’s relevance and their degree of personal involvement.

If you are not involved or you need a reason to re-engage, here are a few ideas to get you started:

New professionals

Intermediate practitioners

Senior practitioners

  • Help us to shore up the public relations brand by bringing slander to our attention – both CPRS Toronto and CPRS National are engaging media and other stakeholders who make inappropriate references to public relations practice.
  • Lead the way by volunteering for local, national or international initiatives.
  • Share your experience and knowledge as a guest lecturer at a public relations degree-granting institution in the GTA.
All members
  • Consume every free professional development program that we offer and attend in person those PD events that are relevant to your practice.
  • Read the annual report to the members and exercise your member vote.
  • Come out to our celebrations. Never miss a free event!

Please also give us feedback. Be specific about what’s working and what’s not. Contact any of your volunteer board members directly or write to our helpful staff.

  • Admin
  • No Comments

2012 AGM highlights & pictures
150 150 Admin

2012-2013 CPRS Toronto Board of Directors [CONTACT INFO]

President – Vincent Power, APR
1st Vice President/Education/Marketing & Promotions – Maryjane Martin, APR
2nd Vice President/ Internet/Member Communications – Diane Bégin, APR
Treasurer – Gerald Crowell
Secretary – Christine Edwardson
Past President/CEO Liaison Committee – Martin Waxman, APR

Natalie Bovair, APR
Kathleen Garrett, APR
AJ Goodman
Amanda Laird
Laurie Smith
Christina Stefanski

Doris Whiteside Award winners for academic excellence

Richia Bissoondath – Centennial College
Morgan Cadenhead – Durham College
Sal Hosny – Seneca College
Matthew Ventura – Humber College

Life members

Life Members are honoured with Life Membership for their contribution both to public relations and the Society and being a member for 30 years.

Lydia Boyko Ph.D., APR
Carol Panasiuk, APR

  • Admin
  • No Comments

Attention all APRs – Invigilator needed
150 150 Admin

Can you spare a few hours on October 19 to support this year’s accreditation candidates?

An invigilator (proctor) is needed for this year’s accreditation exam. We need an accredited practitioner who can be available between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (approximately) at a college campus in Toronto.

Can you volunteer your morning of October 19 for the 2012 accreditation group? It would be greatly appreciated by the candidates and the committee.

If you are available or would like more information, please contact Kathleen Garrett, Accreditation Chair, at kathleen.m.garrett@gmail.com.

  • Admin
  • No Comments

Toronto Hydro presentation makes sense of community involvement
150 150 Admin

Community members are active participants in Toronto Hydro's Light the Night events.

If you missed the CPRS Toronto professional development (PD) program on May 24, you’ll want to see and hear the presentation by Toronto Hydro Communications & Public Affairs staff Gillian Earle, Advisor, and Karen Evans, Manager, now available to members online. 

You’ll learn how the communications staff at Toronto Hydro engaged community members with their brand and produced meaningful and measured results.

For example, in addition to actively engaging community members with the Toronto Hydro brand at three staged events and earning an impressive 83% MR2P™ score for earned media coverage, Earle shares some astonishing data about the lasting effects of the Light the Night™ program in at-risk neighborhoods. The reduction in assaults and robberies is truly inspiring.

You’ll also hear about the evolution of Toronto Hydro’s community involvement strategy. Evans shares information about the strategic focus of past events and defines the corporation’s current emphasis on community activities that are relevant to the business and key stakeholders.

It’s easy to see why the Toronto Hydro communications team won a CPRS Toronto ACE Award for this program – the case reads like a virtual roadmap for brand- and community-building.

  • Admin
  • No Comments

Academics vs. Practitioners: Can Public Relations truly be in the public interest?
150 150 Admin

By Sana Ansari @sanaansariTo

The PRSA discussion around the definition of public relations has sparked debate well beyond the American borders. In Canada, the definition is unique in its mention of the “public interest,” and it was to this end that a panel of five prominent PR practitioners and academics came together on May 10 to debate the much talked about question: Can public relations truly be in the public interest?

The participants

The debate was moderated by one of the authors of the Canadian definition: Dr. Terry Flynn APR, FCPRS of McMaster University. Industry practitioners included Andrew Berthoff, APR, Senior VP at Environics Communications; and Diane Bégin, APR, Senior Consultant at Thornley Fallis. Among the academics present were Barry Waite, Professor and Program Coordinator, Corporate Communications & Public Relations at The Centre for Creative Communications, Centennial College; and Roger Clowater, Public Relations Professor at Seneca College.

Reclaiming PR

According to Diane Bégin, the definition of public relations needs to be reclaimed. As suggested by Barry Waite, people have been given a negative perception of PR because of political and celebrity scandals, perpetuating a “spin mentality,” and the stereotype that public relations involves just crisis communications or media relations. To change this requires extensive education not only for practitioners within the field but also the public so they can call out unethical practice through the adequate channels. The ecology of education in Toronto needs to develop as it has in other parts of Canada to create more awareness about what the PR industry really encompasses.

PR as a corporate tool

Dr. Terry Flynn posed the question: Is serving in the public interest an ethical obligation (for an organization) or is it because it makes good business sense? According to Roger Clowater, an organization that maintains transparency and an open dialogue would reduce the chances of a crisis arising, and therefore make good business sense. A responsible PR professional will always advise executive management to be socially responsible and transparent, especially about issues that are in the public interest. Andrew Berthoff quoted Mark Twain saying “When in doubt tell the truth.”

Effective public relations start with good employee relations

When all employees are on board with the organization’s goals and standards, they are more likely to provide customers with a level of service in line with the organization’s mission statement. It is the role of the communicator to organize how a message is to be communicated, and cite mutual interests between an organization and its various stakeholders – all while maintaining transparency and an open dialogue.

Social media as a double-edged sword

With the rise of social media it has become easier than ever for the PR professional to establish an ongoing dialogue and keep management informed about issues that are of interest to the public and the organization itself. However, with the emergence of two-way communications, it has become challenging for an organization to control its message.  If a good PR strategy is in place, the feedback from various platforms can be used by the organization to better serve its stakeholders and customers.

Conclusion: Licensing is key

The panel agreed that the role of public relations professionals as a collective is to maintain an ethical sensitivity in all their dealings, and strive to implement a code of ethics in order to best serve the public interest.  Dr. Flynn quoted Dr. Edward Bernays, who is also known as the father of public relations saying: “the only way this profession is going to serve the public interest is if it is a licensed profession.” Andrew Berthoff further suggested that “accreditation and licensing need to go hand in hand.” According to Diane Bégin the role of PR professionals is, “…to set the bar high and to become the role models.” Licensing the profession would help create more awareness about and adherence to ethics and standards in the public relations industry.

Stay tuned!

The debate has set the ball rolling for further discussions about Public Relations education, ethics and standards. Stay tuned for upcoming events from the CPRS Marketing, Communications and Education Committee!

Twitter: @CPRSToronto #EDtalks

Sana Ansari is a member of the CPRS Toronto Marketing, Communications and Education Committee and an Intern at Smitten Creative Boutique.

  • Admin
  • No Comments

Congratulations 2012 CPRS Toronto ACE Awards Winners!
150 150 Admin

Ace Awards 2012 LogoWhat a night it was at the 2012 CPRS Toronto ACE Awards Gala! Toronto’s Top PR pros gathered together on Thursday, April 26 to honour the best and brightest campaigns of the year, and there was no shortage of celebration.

CPRS Toronto welcomed over 300 communications professionals at the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon to congratulate each other on their amazing successes.

While the room was filled with feelings of pride an accomplishment, it’s easy to say that the benefits of collecting a sparkling ACE trophy extend far beyond this evening’s ceremony. The evening’s winners achieved merit, credibility, peer recognition and a quality reputation along with their awards.

Congratulations to all of the 2012 ACE Award recipients, and be sure to check back for more gala highlights next week.

PR Campaign of the Year

Best Creative PR Campaign

Leadership Awards

Best Use of Media Relations – Budget Over $50,000

Gold

Silver

  • APEX Public Relations – Rimmel’s Spring Summer Media Relations Launch
  • Broad Reach Communications – Broad Reach Communications (Deloitte Canada)
  • Edelman Canada – Make Your Face a Maynards
  • EdelmanCanada– Breaking News for the Caramilk Key to the Secret
  • Environics Communications – Coca-Cola Ltd.’s Arctic Home Campaign
  • Environics Communications – Advil Nighttime Launch
  • GolinHarris – McHappy Day 2011
  • GolinHarris – McCafe
  • Paradigm Public Relations – TD Leads  with Mortgage Advice
  • Polaris Public Relations Inc. –S. Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Canadian Regional Competition
  • PRAXIS – Launch of the Environmentally-Friendly 7Up EcoGreen Bottle
  • PRAXIS – 2011 Quaker Unlock Amazing PR Launch Campaign
  • Strategic Objectives – The WhiteCashmereCollection 2011: Fashion with Compassion
  • Strategic Objectives – Magnum Ice Cream Bars Canadian Launch
  • Temple Scott Associates – Clif Bar & Company Media Relations

Bronze

  • Argyle Communications – Schneiders Country Naturals: Just the Good Stuff
  • Citizen Optimum L.P. – Future ShopHoliday 2011
  • EdelmanCanada–Holiday& Mom: The Chief Gift Buyer
  • EdelmanCanada– ArthritisAllianceofCanadaNational Media Launch
  • Shaw Media & UNIT:PR – Top Chef Canada
  • Strategic Objectives – TOPSHOP TOPMAN Takeover
  • Thornley Fallis Communications – ElectionsOntarioMakes Voting Easy
  • Thornley Fallis Communications – Taking Action Against Distracted Driving

Best Use of Media Relations – Budget Under $50,000

Gold

Silver

  • APEX Public Relations – “Get Going to Keep Going” Guide
  • APEX Public Relations/UPSCanada – Maintaining the Momentum:UPSCanada™’s Summer Survey Campaign
  • Fleishman-Hillard Toronto – The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation
  • Paradigm Public Relations – Molson Canadian Introduces the Red Leaf Project
  • Paradigm Public Relations – Tenderflake Declares 2011 the Year of the Pie
  • Polaris Public Relations Inc. – The Lost Wallet Program

Bronze

  • Argyle Communications –MarkhamStouffvilleHospitalFoundation: The Climb to Conquer
  • Edelman Canada – Alexander Keith’s Green Initiative “Show Your Plaid”
  • Environics Communications – Protecting First Responders:CSA Standards CBRN Launch
  • G Adventures – G Adventures Career Break Campaign
  • MAVERICK Public Relations – People for Good
  • Paradigm Public Relations – If I Had a Million Dollars: It’s Within Reach for Savers Who Start Early
  • Paradigm Public Relations – TD Brings E-Recycling to Local Communities
  • Paradigm Public Relations – Renter’s Insurance 101
  • PRAXIS –Alberta Premium 30 Year Old: The Unveiling of a Rare and Affordable Canadian Whisky
  • Temple Scott Associates – Motorcyclists Hall of Fame 2011

Best Use of Special Events

Gold

Silver

Bronze

New Product or Service Launch Campaign of the Year

Silver

  • dvCommunications – Martha Stewart Clean Makes Green Homekeeping Easy: Introducing Martha Stewart’s  New Line of Natural Household Cleaners
  • NATIONAL Public Relations – Smart Shopping is in the Palm of Your Hand
  • Paradigm Public Relations – TIMEX Opens its Archives: The Launch of TIMEX Originals
  • PRAXIS – Launch of the Environmentally-Friendly 7UP EcoGreen Bottle

Bronze

Employee Communications Campaign of the Year

Gold

Silver

  • Meridian Credit Union –MeridianCredit Union

Bronze

  • TVO – myTVO 2.0

Community Relations Campaign of the Year

Gold

Silver

  • Faye Clack Communications –Ontario Apple Growers’ Winter Apple Ball
  • PRAXIS – The Courvoisier Collective: Artist Collective To Foster Community, Access to Space and Exposure for Bright Talent
  • Strategic Objectives – The Creation of Koodonation:Canada’s First-Ever Microvolunteering Community
  • Strategic Objectives – The Body Shop “Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People” Petition

Bronze

Public Affairs / Government Campaign of the Year

Bronze

Best Digital Communications Campaign of the Year

Gold

Silver

  • Argyle Communications – New Transit forToronto: The Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown
  • RBC – Royal Bank ofCanada (Canadian Banking) – The Sales Experience Social Media Initiative

Bronze

Best Use of Communication Tools

Gold

Silver

Brand Development Campaign of the Year

Gold

Silver

  • GCI Group – Barbie and Ken’s Reunion in Celebration of Ken’s 50th
  • Narrative – Let the Saving Begin

Bronze

Crisis or Issues Management Campaign of the Year

Gold

Silver

Student PR Campaign of the Year

Gold

  • Cora Timofte – TelLaurentide Communications Plan

Silver

Bronze

  • CentennialCollege– UglyHolidaySweater Party
  • Admin
  • No Comments

2012 CPRS ACE Awards Honour the Best of the Best in Public Relations
150 150 Admin

TORONTO- April 26, 2012 – The Canadian Public Relations Society Toronto (CPRS Toronto) congratulated the PR industry’s elite this evening at the annual Achieving Communications Excellence (ACE) Awards gala. Held at Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, the ceremony commemorated an ever-growing and evolving community of PR professionals for its outstanding success in the last year.

“It’s an absolute thrill to honour this industry’s growth, innovation and commitment to success,” says Vincent Power, President, CPRS Toronto. “The winning campaigns this year are of the highest calibre, and after passing through a highly competitive judging process, we truly feel that this year’s ACE Award winners reflect the best of the best in public relations.”

The 2012 ACE Awards gala was filled with celebration for winning campaigns and praise for peers in the communications field. The top prize of the evening, PR Campaign of the Year, went to GolinHarris for its McHappy Day 2011 campaign. NATIONAL Public Relations took home the title of Best Creative PR Campaign for Harlequin Office for the Preservation of the Kiss. Both programs endured three comprehensive ACE judging sessions before they were selected as Best of Show.

“An ACE trophy is a symbol of merit and credibility in the PR community.” says Laurie Smith, ACE Awards Chair, CPRS Toronto. “Peer-issued awards have lasting benefits beyond the immediate joy of the winners. They are helpful in establishing an organization’s reputation for quality, which can lead to new business, enhanced employee engagement and client satisfaction.”

Congratulations to the 2012 ACE Award recipients:

 

PR Campaign of the Year

  • GolinHarris – McHappy Day 2011

Best Creative PR Campaign

  • NATIONAL Public Relations – Harlequin Office for the Preservation of the Kiss

Leadership Awards

  • PR Professional of the Year: Maryjane Martin, APR, MJ Martin & Company
  • Young PR Professional of the Year: Matt Juniper, PRAXIS
  • Student of the Year: Robin Smith, Seneca College
  • Volunteer of the Year: Amanda Laird, Mansfield Communications
  • Lois Marsh Award: Blair Peberdy, Toronto Hydro

Best Use of Media Relations – Budget Over $50,000

Gold

  • Argyle Communications – Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada Launch
  • Faye Clack Communications – USA Rice’s Brown Rice Campaign Breaks Records
  • NATIONAL Public Relations – Harlequin Office for the Preservation of the Kiss
  • Strategic Objectives – Transat Holidays Vacationer for a Year
  • Thornley Fallis Communications – Allstate Canada’s 2011 Communications Program

Silver

  • APEX Public Relations – Rimmel’s Spring Summer Media Relations Launch
  • Broad Reach Communications – Broad Reach Communications (Deloitte Canada)
  • Edelman Canada – Make Your Face a Maynards
  • Edelman Canada – Breaking News for the Caramilk Key to the Secret
  • Environics Communications – Coca-Cola Ltd.’s Arctic Home Campaign
  • Environics Communications – Advil Nighttime Launch
  • GolinHarris – McHappy Day 2011
  • GolinHarris – McCafe
  • Paradigm Public Relations – TD Leads  with Mortgage Advice
  • Polaris Public Relations Inc. – S. Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Canadian Regional Competition
  • PRAXIS – Launch of the Environmentally-Friendly 7Up EcoGreen Bottle
  • PRAXIS – 2011 Quaker Unlock Amazing PR Launch Campaign
  • Strategic Objectives – The White Cashmere Collection 2011: Fashion with Compassion
  • Strategic Objectives – Magnum Ice Cream Bars Canadian Launch
  • Temple Scott Associates – Clif Bar & Company Media Relations

Bronze

  • Argyle Communications – Schneiders Country Naturals: Just the Good Stuff
  • Citizen Optimum L.P. – Future Shop Holiday 2011
  • Edelman Canada – Holiday & Mom: The Chief Gift Buyer
  • Edelman Canada – Arthritis Alliance of Canada National Media Launch
  • Shaw Media & UNIT:PR – Top Chef Canada
  • Strategic Objectives – TOPSHOP TOPMAN Takeover
  • Thornley Fallis Communications – Elections Ontario Makes Voting Easy
  • Thornley Fallis Communications – Taking Action Against Distracted Driving

Best Use of Media Relations – Budget Under $50,000

Gold

  • APEX Public Relations/ UPS Canada – UPS Canada™’s Peak Season
  • Argyle Communications – Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. Investment Forum: Capitalize on a Changing World
  • NATIONAL Public Relations – Smart Shopping is in the Palm of Your Hand
  • Strategic Objectives – Grimbergen Launch

Silver

  • APEX Public Relations – “Get Going to Keep Going” Guide
  • APEX Public Relations/UPS Canada – Maintaining the Momentum: UPS Canada™’s Summer Survey Campaign
  • Fleishman-Hillard Toronto – The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation
  • Paradigm Public Relations – Molson Canadian Introduces the Red Leaf Project
  • Paradigm Public Relations – Tenderflake Declares 2011 the Year of the Pie
  • Polaris Public Relations Inc. – The Lost Wallet Program

Bronze

  • Argyle Communications – Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation: The Climb to Conquer
  • Edelman Canada – Alexander Keith’s Green Initiative “Show Your Plaid”
  • Environics Communications – Protecting First Responders: CSA Standards CBRN Launch
  • G Adventures – G Adventures Career Break Campaign
  • MAVERICK Public Relations – People for Good
  • Paradigm Public Relations – If I Had a Million Dollars: It’s Within Reach for Savers Who Start Early
  • Paradigm Public Relations – TD Brings E-Recycling to Local Communities
  • Paradigm Public Relations – Renter’s Insurance 101
  • PRAXIS – Alberta Premium 30 Year Old: The Unveiling of a Rare and Affordable Canadian Whisky
  • Temple Scott Associates – Motorcyclists Hall of Fame 2011

Best Use of Special Events

Gold

  • Women’s College Hospital – 100 years of Women’s Health

Silver

  • Argyle Communications – Ground Breaking Launch for Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
  • Citizen Optimum L.P. – Cellular Speed Dating
  • MAVERICK Public Relations – Norton Cyber Safety Expo
  • PRAXIS – #PepsiThrowback Retro Tweet-Up

Bronze

  • APEX Public Relations – Rimmel™’s Bird’s Eye View of London
  • Faye Clack Communications – Ontario Apple Growers’ Winter Apple Ball
  • Paradigm Public Relations – TIMEX Opens its Archives: The Launch of TIMEX Originals
  • PRAXIS – The Canadian Club Boardwalk Empire Speakeasy

New Product or Service Launch Campaign of the Year

Silver

  • dvCommunications – Martha Stewart Clean Makes Green Homekeeping Easy: Introducing Martha Stewart’s  New Line of Natural Household Cleaners
  • NATIONAL Public Relations – Smart Shopping is in the Palm of Your Hand
  • Paradigm Public Relations – TIMEX Opens its Archives: The Launch of TIMEX Originals
  • PRAXIS – Launch of the Environmentally-Friendly 7UP EcoGreen Bottle

Bronze

  • Edelman Canada – Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons Launch: #CuteasaButton Moments
  • GolinHarris – McCafé
  • Strategic Objectives – Grimbergen Launch
  • Strategic Objectives – Magnum Ice Cream Bars Canadian Launch

Employee Communications Campaign of the Year

Gold

  • Meridian Credit Union – Meridian Announces Amalgamation with Desjardins Credit Union

Silver

  • Meridian Credit Union – Meridian Credit Union

Bronze

  • TVO – myTVO 2.0

Community Relations Campaign of the Year

Gold

  • GolinHarris – McHappy Day 2011

Silver

  • Faye Clack Communications – Ontario Apple Growers’ Winter Apple Ball
  • PRAXIS – The Courvoisier Collective: Artist Collective To Foster Community, Access to Space and Exposure for Bright Talent
  • Strategic Objectives – The Creation of Koodonation: Canada’s First-Ever Microvolunteering Community
  • Strategic Objectives – The Body Shop “Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People” Petition

Bronze

  • Environics Communications/Ontario Tire Stewardship – OARA Community Used Tire Events
  • Paradigm Public Relations – TD Brings E-Recycling to Local Communities
  • PRAXIS – The Pepsi Refresh Project: Creating Positive Change in Canadian Communities

Public Affairs / Government Campaign of the Year

Bronze

  • Environics Communications/Kidney Cancer Canada – Kidney Cancer Canada Atlantic Campaign

Best Digital Communications Campaign of the Year

Gold

  • NATIONAL Public Relations – The Vaughn Mills New Media Challenge: The Thrill of the Find

Silver

  • Argyle Communications – New Transit for Toronto: The Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown
  • RBC – Royal Bank of Canada (Canadian Banking) – The Sales Experience Social Media Initiative

Bronze

  • Edelman Canada – Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons Launch: #CuteasaButton Moments
  • High Road Communications – Brighter Life
  • Strategic Objectives – Transat Holidays Vacationer for a Year

Best Use of Communication Tools

Gold

  • Argyle Communications – WSPA Canada: Collars Not Cruelty

Silver

  • Thornley Fallis Communications – Ontario Real Estate Association Image Campaign 2011

Brand Development Campaign of the Year

Gold

  • DDB Public Relations – 2010/2011 APCOR ‘Real Cork Floors’ Campaign
  • Temple Scott Associates – Clif Bar & Company Brand Building

Silver

  • GCI Group – Barbie and Ken’s Reunion in Celebration of Ken’s 50th
  •  Narrative – Let the Saving Begin

Bronze

  • Citizen Optimum L.P. – Back-to-School Program
  • Narrative – Best Conversation Ever

Crisis or Issues Management Campaign of the Year

Gold

  • Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan – Responsible Investing

Silver

  • De Beers Canada – Defending De Beers Canada

Student PR Campaign of the Year

Gold

  • Cora Timofte – TelLaurentide Communications Plan

Silver

  • Centennial College – Talk is Cheap 4.0
  • Humber College BA Public Relations Class of 2015

Bronze

  • Centennial College – Ugly Holiday Sweater Party

 

About the Canadian Public Relations Society Toronto

The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is a national organization that represents the profession of public relations through the establishment and maintenance of high professional, educational and ethical standards. CPRS Toronto was formed in 1948 and is one of the largest of 16 local member societies within the national Canadian Public Relations Society. The Toronto society represents more than 335 public relations professionals from agencies, corporations, government, non-profit groups and other Toronto-based organizations, and nearly 250 students from colleges and universities. Visit www.cprstoronto.com for more information.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

cprs.ace.awards@gmail.com

GolinHarris wins CPRS Toronto ACE Awards Best PR Campaign of the Year

National Public Relations celebrates Best Creative PR Campaign win at the 2012 CPRS Toronto ACE Awards

  • Admin
  • No Comments

Thank you to our ACE Awards Sponsors!
150 150 Admin

Ace Awards 2012 LogoBy Sybil Eastman

With the CPRS Toronto ACE Awards sold out and only days away, we are putting the finishing touches on the soon-to-be spectacular evening. As always, this celebration of communications excellence could not take place without the dedication and help of many.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our sponsors for their generosity and support both throughout the year and for this evening in particular. They have helped the gala become a great success and to grow larger every year.

So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to:

AVW Tel-AV, a full-service audio visual resource rental company for corporate events, exhibit programs, trade shows and conventions of all sizes.

Business Wire, a global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.

Canadian Press, Canada’s trusted news leader, multimedia news agency and creator of our favourite book: CP Style.

Cision, a leader in public relations planning, media monitoring, reporting and communications analysis.

CNW Group, Canada’s leading newswire service specializing in media monitoring, photography and video services, translation, webcasting, conference call services, regulatory filling and measurement.

Infomart, Canada’s largest provider of news and broadcast media monitoring, financial and corporate data.

Leger Marketing, the largest Canadian-owned polling, research and strategic marketing firm, with offices across Canada and the United States.

Marketwire, which provides customized communications solutions, targeted coverage across all media and measurement services.

News Canada, a leading provider of ready-to-use, timely, credible, newsworthy and copyright-free news content for editors, broadcasters, web and video content providers.

See you on Thursday night! And remember, are you tweeting about the gala? Use the hashtag #CPRSACE!

  • Admin
  • No Comments

Brace yourself for more brand competition on the World Wide Web
150 150 Admin

Think you have the tools to protect your brand in cyberspace?  Spend an hour with lawyer Ashlee Froese @brandfashionlaw from Gilbert’s LLP and you’ll be convinced otherwise.


CPRS Toronto hosted a professional development program on March 29 with Ashlee Froese, a branding lawyer from Gilbert’s LLP whose practice encompasses trade-marks, branding and domain name laws.
For example, did you know that you can use the trade-mark symbol on your company’s trade-marks immediately, even before applying for registration, as soon as you start to use a new brand image, tagline or even a distinctive sound?  Froese strongly recommends that you do, “By adding the ™-symbol to your trade-marks, you’re sending a strong message to the public that your company owns the creative and is serious about protecting its brand assets.”  Of course, obtaining a trade-mark registration is the most prudent course of action to asserting your company’s branding rights.

Similarly, always add the copyright symbol to your written work and ideas.  To be complete, Froese advises that the copyright statement include the ©-symbol, name of the owner (individual/corporate entity), and publication year.  Footnote your website, social media sites and all new print materials in this manner.

If you think you’ve got these covered, do you also maintain your trade-mark registration and copyright portfolios as current on an ongoing basis?  If so, great, but are you ready for the exponential growth of the World Wide Web that will soon see the addition of web
domain names in a number of foreign languages and a virtual explosion of generic Top Level Domains?  Froese cautions, “It’s more important than ever to be proactive in owning the rights to your brand names online.”

You might also be surprised to hear how quickly you can get action against brand infringement online via domain name dispute resolution tribunals. Don’t be afraid to throw your weight around by responding to brand look-a-likes in cyberspace.  “There’s a common misconception that the online world is an unenforceable space.  It’s not the Wild West.  Dispute resolution forums have been created to assist brand owners,” says Froese.

For more information or to connect with Ashlee Froese, contact our PD program chair Natalie Bovair.

  • Admin
  • No Comments

CPRS Toronto Leadership Awards – Deadline Extended!
150 150 Admin

The deadline to submit nominations for the CPRS Toronto Leadership Awards has been extended! You now have until March 23, 2012 at 5:00 pm to submit nominations.

The CPRS Toronto Leadership Awards recognizes individuals who have achieved excellence in their careers or made significant contributions to the field of public relations. Nominate a student, your boss, a colleague or CPRS Toronto volunteer today!

Please submit Leadership Award nominations to ace@cprstoronto.com.

The Leadership Awards will be presented at the ACE Awards Gala on Thursday, April 26, 2012. Winners will be notified in advance.

Leadership Award Categories

CPRS Toronto Public Relations Student of the Year

Individuals may enter themselves, or be nominated by others. This award will be presented to a CPRS Toronto full or part-time student graduating this year who has a solid academic record and has demonstrated interest in professional development. The award is designed to attract, encourage and reward future talent. The winning entrant will be awarded one-year student membership as well as entry into five selected CPRS Toronto professional development and networking events.

Entry requirements:

  • Résumé (maximum two pages)
  • A one-page endorsement from a nominator (faculty, fellow student or mentor)

CPRS Toronto Young Public Relations Professional of the Year (Under 30 years of age)

An individual may enter themselves, or be nominated by others. This award is open to a public relations professional (under 30 years on March 23, 2012) who has been in the industry for less than three years (i.e., since March 23, 2009) who has made significant achievements in his or her career.

Entry requirements:

  • Nomination from employer(s) detailing nominee’s career history and professional qualifications (maximum 2 pages)
  • A 250-word statement from the nominator outlining why this individual should be awarded this special recognition. Judges will look for evidence of outstanding achievement in supporting clients and/or senior-level staff, development of public relations strategy, business savvy, creativity, knowledge of public relations tactics, and contributions to business objectives and to the overall profession of public relations

CPRS Toronto Public Relations Professional of the Year

An individual may enter themselves, or be nominated by others. The award recognizes outstanding personal achievement within the public relations industry over their career, with particular focus on their successes over the past year.

Entry requirements:

  • Résumé (maximum two pages)
  • A 250-word statement from the nominator outlining why this individual should be awarded this special recognition
  • Two reference letters from past or present clients or employers

CPRS Toronto Mentor of the Year Award

Candidates must be nominated by someone other than themselves for the award. The award recognizes a volunteer who has served as a mentor to public relations professionals or students in the year of 2011/2012.

Entry requirements:

  • A brief description (maximum one page) that outlines the nominee’s volunteer involvement as a mentor within and outside CPRS (Toronto) and explains why this nominee should be honoured with this special recognition
  • Names and testimonials from individuals mentored by the volunteer
  • Résumé (maximum two pages)

CPRS Toronto Volunteer of the Year Award

Candidates must be nominated by someone other than themselves for the award. The award recognizes a volunteer within CPRS Toronto during the previous year (2011/2012) year.

Entry requirements:

  • A brief, one-page outline of the nominee’s volunteer/committee involvement in CPRS Toronto that explains why this nominee should be honoured with this award
  • List of the CPRS Toronto committees for which this volunteer provided assistance
  • Résumé (maximum two pages)

Please submit Leadership Award nominations to ace@cprstoronto.com.

Questions? Contact the ACE Awards team at cprs.ace.awards@gmail.com or tweet to us @CPRSToronto.

Start Typing