cprs toronto

Photos from the CPRS Toronto 2013 ACE Awards now available

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This year’s ACE Awards gala was, as promised, a night to remember! Well, now you can reminisce as much and as often as you like because the pictures are available through CPRSToronto’s flickr.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Wednesday, and congratulations again to all of this year’s winners.

[flickrslideshow acct_name=”CPRSToronto” id=”72157633353367492″]

Congratulations to the 2013 ACE Award Winners!

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The 2013 CPRS Toronto ACE Awards gala was an unforgettable celebration!  On April 24th, CPRS Toronto welcomed over 350 of Toronto’s PR elite to acknowledge and honour the best communications campaigns in the city.

ACE Awards are given to organizations and individuals who have positively influenced the Toronto PR industry, as determined by a judging panel of seasoned communications professionals. Winners left the gala with more than a trophy – being recognized with an ACE Award is a symbol of quality and mutual respect amongst Toronto’s PR community.

Congratulations to the 2013 ACE Award recipients!

Best PR Campaign

  • Argyle Communications and Free for All – 30% off Ontario Tuition

Best Creative PR Campaign 

  • Strategic Objectives and Mondelēz Canada – 100th Birthday of Oreo

Leadership Awards

  • Lois Marsh Award: John Muldoon, APR
  • PR Professional of the Year: Cathy Cowan, Cowan & Company Communications Inc.
  • Volunteer of the Year: Heather Agnew, RBC
  • CPRS Toronto Young PR Professional of the Year: Adrian Seeley, PRAXIS
  • CPRS Toronto Public Relations Student of the Year: Hannah Sunderani, Centennial College

Media Relations – Budget Over $50,000

Gold

  • Strategic Objectives and Mondelēz Canada –  100th Birthday of Oreo
  • Argyle Communications –  The Canadian Pain Summit

Silver 

  • Kraft Canada and Edelman –  MiO Trick Squirts
  • Revera Inc. and Environics Communications –  Thought Leadership – The Revera Reports
  • LOFT and Edelman –  LOFT Canada Launch
  • Novo Nordisk Canada and GCI Group Canada –  Igniting the VA Dialogue
  • NATIONAL Public Relations –  P.F. Chang’s Canadian Launch
  • NATIONAL Public Relations –  Capital One Credit Education Week
  • DDB Public Relations –  autoTRADER.ca: The Most Cars in One Place
  • Shaw Media and Edelman –  The Real Housewives of Vancouver Campaign
  • APEX Public Relations and George Brown College –  George Brown College Waterfront Campus

Bronze 

  • APEX Public Relations, Morin Public Relations and Walmart Canada –  Mom of the Year Award
  • APEX Public Relations and Kao Canada –  John Frieda Precision Foam Colour
  • Environics Communications –  The Talk
  • Citizen Optimum / Future Shop –  Future Shop Holiday 2012
  • eBay and Edelman –  eBay Canada 2012 Holiday program
  • Kraft Canada and Edelman –  Kraft Food for Families
  • NATIONAL Public Relations and Direct Impact –  Ford of Canada Power of Choice Campaign
  • Argyle Communications and PC Financial –  PC Canadian Family Finance Series

Media Relations – Budget under $50,000

Gold

  • APEX Public Relations and Nike Canada –  Sustainable Olympic Track Uniforms

Silver 

  • TD and Paradigm PR –  Credit Cards & You
  • energi PR –  MFPA: Canvassing the Country
  • APEX Public Relations and Nestlé Canada –  Nestlé Assorted Paints the Town Red
  • PRAXIS –  Lifesaving Society: Swim to Survive+
  • Argyle Communications and Staples Canada – Back to School with Staples
  • Fleishman-Hillard Toronto –  One Direction 1D World Toronto
  • SiriusXM and NATIONAL Public Relations – SiriusXM’s Siriusly Sexy Survey

Bronze 

  • APEX Public Relations and Kao Canada –  Summer Beauty with John Frieda and Jergens
  • Citizen Optimum –  ACE Bakery Canada’s Best Sandwich
  • TD and Paradigm PR –  TD Educates About Cyber Fraud

Best Use of Special Events.

Gold 

  • RONA Inc. and MSL Canada –  The Nature of Colour
  • DDB Public Relations –  Subaru’s BRZ Scorches the Competition

Silver 

  • Citizen Optimum / IKEA Canada –  IKEA Winnipeg Store Opening
  • PRAXIS –  CCMadMen Event

Bronze

  • APEX Public Relations and Kao Canada –  YWCA Facility gets a Makeover
  • PRAXIS –  Dean and Todd’s Banff Ice Party at Blue Mountain
  • PRAXIS –  CARSTAR Dirty Car Art Exhibit

New Product or Service Launch Campaign of the Year 

Gold 

  • Energizer Personal Care –  Launch of Schick Hydro Silk
  • McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Ltd.  –  Our Food. Your Questions.

Silver 

  • Shaw Media –  Continuum Series Launch Campaign
  • Kraft Canada and Edelman –  MiO Trick Squirts
  • Kaiser Lachance Communications –  Sears Canada LOOK! Report Launch
  • NATIONAL Public Relations –  P.F. Chang’s Canadian Launch
  • APEX Public Relations and Kao Canada –  Bioré Welcomes You (Back) to Your 20s

Bronze

  • APEX Public Relations and Nike Canada –  Measuring Movement to Make Life a Sport.
  • Ketchum PR Canada and Philips Canada – Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Launch

Employee Communications Campaign of the Year

Silver 

  • Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited –  Grow Your Mo’ for Movember Campaign
  • Bombardier – Employee Communications Campaign of the Year Bombardier Aerospace Toronto Site

Community Relations Campaign of the Year 

Gold 

  • Argyle Communications and Free For All  –  30% Off Ontario Tuition

Silver 

  • Citizen Optimum –  Hyundai Hockey Helpers
  • Argyle Communications –  The Crosstown and the Community

Bronze 

  • Ontario Tire Stewardship, OARA and Environics Communications –  Ontario Tire Stewardship and OARA: Annual Tire Take Back Events
  • PRAXIS –  The Courvoisier Collection
  • Environics Communications and Stewardship Ontario –  Make the Drop, Battery Recycling Program

Best Digital Communications Campaign of the Year 

Silver 

  • Energizer Personal Care and Paradigm PR –  Playtex Gentle Glide Communications
  • Unilever Canada and Edelman –  Salty’s Missing Again’s Digital Journey
  • Kraft Canada and Edelman –  Kraft Foods DessertCentre.ca Program

Best Use of Communication Tools (Internet, A/V, Research & Measurement, Print and Publications)

Gold

  • Environics Communications and Pfizer Consumer Healthcare –  Advil Nighttime Year II

Brand Development Campaign of the Year

Gold

  • McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Ltd.  –  Our Food. Your Questions.

Silver

  • Environics Communications – airmilesshops.ca Holiday Campaign
  • PRAXIS –  Canadian Club 2013 Brand Development

Bronze

  • Veritas Communications Inc. –  SUBWAY Restaurants Commit to Fit
  • Environics Communications –  Panasonic Cooking Canada Campaign
  • Randstad and MSL Canada –  Randstad: 2013 Public Relations Program
  • Ketchum PR Canada and Philips Canada –  Philips Consumer Lighting Campaign
  • Citizen Optimum –  ACE Bakery Canada’s Best Sandwich
  • NATIONAL Public Relations –  Hankook Tire Canada, The Road to the Top
  • PRAXIS –  Pepsi Ultimate Taste Challenge
  • Real Estate Council of Ontario –  RECO’s Consumer Awareness Campaign

Crisis or Issues Management Campaign of the Year 

Bronze 

  • MAVERICK–  Crisis at Toronto Eaton Centre

Best Student PR Campaign of the Year 

Gold

  • Talk is Cheap 5.0 Team, Centennial College –  Talk is Cheap 5.0

Silver

  • BraveArt Committee, Centennial College –  BraveArt
  • Cheryl, Hannah, Kassandra, Jessica & Brittany, Centennial College –  It’s Your Moment LGFB Fashion Show

One more week to get your ACE Award tickets!

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Don’t wait any longer before getting your tickets for the 2013 ACE Awards gala, which will be held one week from today! It’s the Oscars of PR – a chance to recognize and celebrate the excellence in public relations and communications. It will be a fabulous night of networking with colleagues, while enjoying a delicious three-course dinner. Tickets are selling fast, so make sure to reserve your spot at this prestigious event you don’t want to miss.

Our host for the night will be Global Toronto’s Sean O’Shea, award-winning investigative and consumer reporter who is regarded as one of the most tenacious reporters on local television.

Date:

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

  • 5:15 p.m. Registration and Cocktail Reception
  • 6 p.m. Dinner and Awards Ceremony

Location:

Arcadian Court
401 Bay Street
Simpson Tower, 8th floor
Toronto, ON
M5H 2Y4

Ticket costs:

  • Member: $130
  • Table of 10: $1,250
  • Non-member: $165
  • Student member: $70
  • Student non-member: $85

For more information, and to buy your ticket, visit the CPRS Toronto website.

 

Quick! Time is running out to get your CPRS Toronto 2013 ACE Awards Tickets!

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By: Barbara Loureiro

It’s that time of year again – the CPRS Toronto Achieving Communications Excellence (ACE) Awards are fast approaching!

On April 24th join Toronto’s top PR practitioners to celebrate the best of public relations and communications. Held at the Arcadian Court, the ACE awards will commence at 5:15 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and the award ceremony at 6 p.m. Hosted by Sean O’Shea, award-winning investigative and consumer reporter on GlobalTV Toronto, the 2013 ACE Awards is guaranteed to be a great time.

ACE has always been the hottest ticket in the Toronto PR industry, so don’t miss out. Tickets sell out every year, make sure you get yours now!

Ticket costs:

  • Member: $130
  • Table of 10: $1,250
  • Non-member: $165
  • Student member: $70
  • Student non-member: $85

For more information, and to buy your ticket, visit the CPRS Toronto website.

Storify: Building Media Relationships

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Missed our March 11, 2013 event? Here are some highlights from the panel discussion:


CPRS Toronto’s Building Media Relationships event

March 11, 2013

Storified by CPRS Toronto· Mon, Mar 11 2013 19:41:07

Can’t wait to hear from the panel tonight! @CPRSStudents #BuildingMediaRelationshipsCheryl Heisler
At #BuildingMediaRelationships! http://pic.twitter.com/wi5Z6zQVW6CPRSToronto Students
Our lovely panelists #BuildingMediaRelationships http://pic.twitter.com/DrZUV2wRNfCPRSToronto Students
Always tell media the truth even if you don’t like it. The truth will always find you. #WordsofWisdom #BuildingMediaRelationshipsCPRSToronto Students
@CPRSStudents great insight so far for relationships between journalists and PR practitioners #buildingmediarelationshipsKristina Karabassis
A quote should stand out. You only get one opportunity. Quotes are worth taking the time. #BuildingMediaRelationshipsNoah Gomberg
Sometimes a news release isn’t necessary for a pitch. A well-crafted message can be more beneficial #BuildingMediaRelationshipsCPRSToronto Students
"Own what you do know." – Tara Wood at @CPRSStudents #buildingmediarelationshipsNatalia Banoub
Anything after a third email is obnoxious. Avoid being a nuisance #HumberPR #BuildingMediaRelationshipsChristian Llano
"If it doesn’t sound like someone said it don’t use it." Quoting Huma Pabani on writing quotes. #BuildingMediaRelationshipsPeter Onate ツ
learned a ton about pitching and storytelling at @CPRSStudents’ #buildingmediarelationships panel tonight #humberprAlison Mowat
Thanks to @CPRSStudents for hosting #buildingmediarelationships. A very informative night with great panelists!Greg Fast

Social to-do: Top 5 moves for 2013

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By Julie Geller
@JulieGeller
VP Marketing
Cision Canada

 

Before we get too deep into 2013, here’s an all-important top 5 to-do list that will invigorate your plans for the year ahead.

  1. Review your metrics: Accurate research is everything. Review your key performance indicators annually, and confirm that your research and reporting are in line with the organization’s stated goals. If your reports aren’t illuminating useful trends, make adjustments that fit your strategy. Also, examine the forms and data-collection criteria you use to ensure you aren’t missing a chance for gathering new information from clients. Consider creating visually driven reports that will engage your team in meetings and give senior management at-a-glance analytics.
  2. Refresh your homepage and blog: This no-brainer easily falls off everyone’s list. It’s great if your site has been recently re-designed, but you have to keep it fresh for visitors. Stale homepages discourage regular traffic from exploring your content on a deeper level. Fresh visuals, automated slideshow functionality and “related content” widgets are among the ways you can engage people in your organization’s latest news. If you can meet the demands of delivering content on a regular basis, a weekly blog is a great hook for pulling in traffic.
  3. Think mobile, act local: Pay attention to your mobile stats. Remember the 2010 Morgan Stanley report that predicted mobile’s dominance over the desktop by 2015? Well, we’re getting close, and you need to be sure that your content and its delivery are optimized for this exploding audience. If your mobile stats are low, find out why you are lagging and fix it. Maybe it’s time for an app, which provides instant access to your message and is the go-to solution for reaching audiences on the move.
  4. Embrace marketing’s convergence with social: Communications today depends on social media. As social matures, we’re seeing that it’s more than a Web 2.0 technological novelty. We all still need media releases, press conferences and media contacts, but it’s also time to build serious strategy around social tools. Social is more than a delivery system — it’s a marketing platform with unlimited potential for engaging audiences. Take the time to develop creative solutions for sharing your PR message and implementing your marketing plan. Set aside budget to hire dedicated social personnel for your team. Use social media to build value with your audience.
  5. Understand new technologies: Four years ago, we were all scratching our heads about Facebook’s value to business. Now there’s LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, Vine and more. Many of them are indispensible PR tools. You may not find a need for every social platform today, but it is absolutely necessary that you know how the channels work. Marketing strategies morph with time, and you never know what social tool will be useful to your campaign in the future.

Originally posted in the Cision Canada Insights for Influencers blog. Also join CPRS Toronto sponsor @Cision_Canada at the Social Media Ref.

Open doors with a CPRS Toronto Leadership Award

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By Miranda Germani

A Beatles’ top award was accidentally used as a doorstop for 30 years* (intrigued? See footnote below), but in a not-so-literal sense, awards can truly open many doors to a young PR professional.

Matt Juniper, winner of the CPRS Toronto Young Public Relations Professional of the Year Award in 2012, realized the impact of the recognition almost immediately.

“Receiving my ACE Award was an extremely rewarding experience,” Matt said. “To be honoured for my work in front of some of the most successful public relations practitioners in Toronto was a memorable and rewarding experience.”

In just a year, the award has made a difference to Matt’s career.

“The award has been not only an excellent addition to my resume, it’s given me stronger name recognition in the Toronto public relations industry. I’ve been invited to multiple conferences as a panelist, I’m frequently asked to contribute as a guest writer on public relations blogs and my colleagues in the industry have greater awareness of who I am. In an industry where networking is so crucial, this added name recognition has been invaluable.”

Matt encourages all PR professionals to consider nominating a young PR professional that they know for this award. “Not only will the award open doors for that individual, nominators will be helping pay tribute to younger professionals in the field. In an industry that moves and changes so quickly, young public relations professionals are a valuable asset and I believe it is important to recognize them.”

Tempted to apply and not sure what to include?

Matt thinks a diverse submission made him stand out, giving these tips:

  • A successful award submission shows balance between work and other experience, like volunteering
  • Highlight many areas of experience – Matt has been involved in corporate, political and not-for-profit communications campaigns through his volunteer work
  • Staying informed and involved in industry trends like social media, and other emerging communications trends

But that’s just Matt’s experience – the judges are looking for you to put your personal stamp on your submission.

The CPRS Toronto Leadership Awards recognizes individuals who have achieved excellence in their careers or made significant contributions to the field of public relations. In addition to the CPRS Toronto Young Public Relations Professional of the Year Award, there are also award categories for Public Relations Student of the Year Leadership Award, Public Relations Professional of the Year, Mentor of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

More information is available on the CPRS Toronto Leadership Awards page.

The nominations deadline has been EXTENDED to Thursday, March 7, 2013. This is your last chance to nominate yourself or someone else.

The Leadership Awards will be presented at the ACE Awards Gala on Wednesday, April 24, 2013.

* The Beatles’ top gong, a prestigious Ivor Novello award, was given to them after Yellow Submarine sold 1.2 million copies. A woman found it in a derelict London office building in the early 1980s, took it home, and used it to prop open a door for three decades. The now-elderly woman apparently didn’t realize what she had found for 30 years, but found out and sold the award last year at auction.

ACE Awards submissions reminder!

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By Natasha Nitsopoulos

Awwh, the feeling of a fresh new year. It’s time to set your goals higher and reach for the stars! Why not improve your professional status with an ACE Award? It’s not too late to apply, though the deadline is fast approaching.

The annual ACE Awards recognize communications excellence in the public relations industry. Winning an Award is a great way to display your hard work in front of an audience of industry pros, give you and your company a competitive edge and strengthen your strategic planning skills. Not to mention it’s a fabulous social event with all your friends and colleagues.

Get started on your entry today and be sure to make that early bird deadline on January 9. Also, don’t forget to pencil April 24 into your busy agendas for this year’s gala!

More information on eligibility, submission requirements and campaign entry categories is available on the CPRS Toronto website.

Important Dates and Deadlines:

Early Bird Entry Deadline: enter at a discounted rate by January 9, 2013

Entry Deadline: January 23, 2013

Leadership Awards Deadline: February 24, 2013

Enter at www.cprstoronto.com!

Questions? Tweet #CPRSACE or e-mail ace@cprstoronto.com

Call for submissions for CPRS Toronto 2013 ACE Awards

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By: Natasha Nitsopoulos

ATTENTION PR mavens!

Would you like to be the star of the hottest PR event of the year, while gaining industry recognition, raising your organization’s profile and being noticed by Toronto’s top public relations gurus?

Well, this is your chance to ‘shine bright like a diamond’ (as Rihanna would say) with a 2013 CPRS ACE Award!

Every year, CPRS Toronto recognizes communications excellence in public relations with the ACE Awards. Winning an Award is a great way to give you and your company a competitive edge in the industry and strengthen your strategic planning skills. Not to mention, you’ll be able to celebrate your success with all of your peers and colleagues at the chicest PR event in Toronto!

More information on eligibility, submission requirements and campaign entry categories is available on the CPRS Toronto website. So if this sounds like the opportunity you have been waiting for, then get ready to submit your campaign!

Save the date! Make sure you clear your schedules for this premier event that you don’t want to miss. The Gala will be held on April 24. More details to come.

Important Dates and Deadlines:

Early Bird Entry Deadline: enter at a discounted rate by January 9, 2013

Entry Deadline: January 23, 2013

Leadership Awards Deadline: February 24, 2013

 

Enter at www.cprstoronto.com!

 

Questions? Tweet #CPRSACE or e-mail ace@cprstoronto.com

A new global mandate for the public relations profession

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At the recent World Public Relations Forum in Melbourne, Australia, public relations leaders from 29 countries identified three emerging areas of value for public relations and have issued a new ‘mandate’ for the profession.

The Melbourne Mandate speaks to the role of public relations in defining organizational character, building a culture of listening and engagement, and instilling responsibility in organizations and individuals.

Are you practising to the full scope of the mandate? Can the mandate be used to guide your professional development, enhance your practice, or inform your clients?

To help CPRS Toronto members grapple with these and other professional ideals, we’ll be bringing you the idea guy behind the Melbourne Mandate in the New Year.

Watch this space for details of our February professional development event with Daniel Tisch, APR, FCPRS, Chair of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management. You can also read Daniel’s reflections on the release of the mandate.

Is the Melbourne Mandate relevant to your practice?