NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) hosted the 2016 Fleurish Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Among several honors, Spears Group took home the coveted Silver Anvil, the industry's highest honor, which recognizes the best integrated public relations campaigns. Spears Group received the Silver Anvil for its work with the Urban League of Greater New Orleans and the National Urban League on the RISE: Katrina 10 Commemorative Conference, a three-day conference in remembrance of Hurricane Katrina.
Spears Group developed the conference brand, website, all collateral materials, ensured brand continuity across all online and offline mediums and led all paid, earned and owned media efforts. The public relations efforts yielded $1.9 million in publicity value and 110 story placements in outlets including Time Magazine, Huffington Post, FiveThirtyEight.com, The Associated Press, The Chicago Tribune, BBC Radio and Black Enterprise to name a few. Spears Group also increased social media engagement leading up to and throughout the conference by 5,000 percent helping to result in a sold-out conference.
"Countless amounts of time, research and planning went into the marketing of this three-day commemorative conference," said Malana Joseph Mitchell, director of public relations at Spears Group. "I am grateful that we were given the opportunity to work on such a meaningful project and thrilled with this recognition for our work."
Spears Group's Director of Operations, Ronald Evangelista received an Individual Award of Excellence for his contributions to the public relations industry through his leadership role at the Spears Group. Evangelista manages the firm's award-winning events portfolio as well as leads the firm's robust junior associate program, an internship program designed to mentor and nurture the next generation of PR professionals.
"Although this is an individual award, it represents Spears Group as a whole and the incredible work of our entire team," said Evangelista. "I am truly appreciative of this honor."
In addition to the Silver Anvil, Spears Group was awarded four Awards of Excellence; three in the print category for its creative and graphic design services, and one in the campaign category.
Also, Spears Group received an Award of Excellence in campaigns for the Millennial Awards, an awards show conceived and produced by Spears Group celebrating individuals in the millennial generation making an impact in their community and professional industry.
"I am extremely proud of my team," said Cleveland Spears III, President and CEO of Spears Group. "Contributions from individual team members, our clients entrusting us with their brand make it possible to achieve collective success and these accolades."
Submissions for the 2016 PRSA Fleurish Awards were judged by a Minnesota-based PRSA chapter.
