Welcome to the inaugural Diversity Distinction in PR Awards supported by the Council of Public Relations Firms in association with PRWeek. These awards honor excellence in promoting ethnic diversity within the PR sector. They support and inspire professionals of diverse backgrounds and those who strive to encourage and strengthen diversity across the public relations workforce.
Categories and Requirements
The Diversity Distinction in PR Awards are open to US-based communications firms of all sizes and their employees. Nominations are accepted from both in-house communications professionals and firms themselves. There is no cost to enter.
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY October 17, 2011, at 2pm EST.
Please read over the three categories before selecting which to participate in. You may apply for multiple categories, but be aware that a separate entry form is required. Email us with any questions.
Best Public Relations Firm Diversity Initiative
This award honors a communications firm’s initiative to improve diversity and inclusion so they permeate all levels and divisions of the organization. It recognizes a firm’s commitment to a diverse and equitable workplace, where diversity is sought after and inclusion is developed through training and advancement opportunities for PR practitioners with a variety of ethnic backgrounds. The initiative should demonstrate best practices in recruitment, retention, and maintaining an inclusive environment.
Entries will be judged on their creativity, scope, and impact. Initiatives must have been put in place no more than three years prior to the entry deadline.
Best Community Initiative
Entries should relate to a communications firm’s leadership or support of a community service project or organization that works to promote careers in public relations, encourage diversity, fight discrimination, or toward the empowerment of a local neighborhood or group. Examples might include a pro-bono PR project or a reoccurring community service effort by the firm in its local community.
Candidates should demonstrate how engagement in the project impacted the firm’s long-term commitment to diversity through promoting a progressive, respectful, and inclusive workplace and community.
Initiatives must have been put in place no more than three years prior to the entry deadline.
Diversity Champion
Celebrating an exceptional individual – from a communications firm, an in-house PR team, or academia – who promotes careers in public relations and is a role model and champion of diversity in the industry through his or her actions, including the mentorship of others and the individual’s own career achievements. This seasoned PR professional should also personify the best of the communications industry in terms of the development of strategic communications programs and contributions to business objectives.
Judging of Awards
The panel of judges for the Diversity Distinction in PR Awards will comprise a diverse group of respected professionals working in the fields of communications and diversity and inclusion, chaired by the editor-in-chief of PRWeek.
Judging will take place at the offices of PRWeek in New York City on or around Wednesday, October 26, 2011.
The winning entries will be written up in a feature in the December 2011 issue of PRWeek and featured on PRWeekUS.com.