SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The New Jersey Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America awarded two 2016 Pyramid Awards to Seton Hall University’s department of public relations and marketing at a special banquet on June 15 at the Basking Ridge Country Club.
The office of media relations received the top award in its category for “achieving the highest standards of excellence in the communications profession” for its media relations campaign on Pope Francis’ historic U.S. visit. The campaign included 18 Seton Hall papal experts who were interviewed in 31 media outlets around the world, resulting in more than 500 media placements, and an increase of 89.7 percent in media coverage during the same time period as compared to a year earlier.
“This statewide recognition of the excellence of our media relations campaign by a network of our industry peers is especially significant,” Union resident Laurie Pine, director of media relations at SHU, said in a press release. “We could not have achieved this result without the knowledge, dedication and participation of our outstanding faculty and clergy members who shared their expertise with the media during Pope Francis’ visit.”
The office of marketing received an honorable mention for the “I’m Ready 2015 Commencement Campaign” in the “public relations on a shoestring budget” category. The campaign featured Seton Hall seniors sharing what they were ready to achieve after graduation, including going to medical school, a career on Wall Street, entering the priesthood and serving in the military. The images were showcased on the university’s commencement Web page and promoted via social media.
“It was a great honor to be recognized by PRSA NJ for this project,” Maplewood resident Linda Karten, senior director of strategic marketing, said in the release. “Our talented team of student photographers and writers really brought to life the inspiring stories our seniors shared about their hopes, dreams and where they were heading after graduation.”
PRSA NJ established the Pyramid Awards in 1989 to recognize excellence in public relations and communications in New Jersey. The competition is open to all public relations professionals in the state who implemented or completed qualifying public relations campaigns or exceptional single items. The Pyramid Awards are judged by a panel of public relations peers. Entries are evaluated on research, planning, execution and demonstrated results, as well as the effective use of budgets and resources.
Photos Courtesy of Seton Hall University
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