Presenting Image Awards in the time of Coronavirus required some creativity and perseverance, but as we all expected, Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC, Chapter President, and Elise Ramer, APR, Director of Image Awards, came through with extraordinary grace and aplomb.
At 8:30 a.m. on April 15, they began a Facebook Live broadcast with the glam Image Awards promo video produced by Elise’s husband, Jim Ramer. Next up was our host Kim, who went all out and looked fabulous in black sequins. She thanked Image Award sponsor Premier Sotheby’s International Realty and our year-long sponsor Achieva Credit Union for their support and promised a fab party to come when we can all celebrate in person.
Kim introduced Elise, CWC-FPRA’s rock star four-time Image director and thanked her for all the efforts she’s put in to ensure a smooth Image Award entry process, help the entrants with preparing their submissions, oversee judging, and prepare for this broadcast.
Elise came on looking glam, too, in a classic black and white collared ensemble – these ladies clearly put aside the social distance sweatpants and pulled out all the stops to bring pomp and circumstance to the occasion.
Elise gave a shout-out to the chapter members who volunteered to judge awards. To ensure impartiality, chapters swap entries with another chapter for judging. Due to a record number of entries and a new judging process, it was a rewarding challenge this year!
Elise reminded us of the prestige Image Awards carry. Conducted annually, the Image Awards competition recognizes excellence in the planning, implementation and results of marketing, communications and public relations tools. Membership in FPRA is not required to enter – the competition is open to all local businesses and industries – but it does require a deep understanding of good PR practices.
As many past winners will tell you, the key to having a strong entry is to make sure your project incorporates sound research and planning and meets the highest standard of production, execution and evaluation of results and budget.
With rising anticipation and 47 viewers tuned in to the live broadcast, it was time to announce the winners:
Division A – Public Relations Programs
A6 – Award of Distinction – Stephannie Kettle, Mote Marine Laboratories – Communications Training at Mote Marine Laboratories
A6 – Judges Award and Award of Distinction – Lynn Hobeck Bates, APR, CPRC, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens – Selby Gardens Member Benefits Restructure
A8 – Judges Award – Andrea Knies and Jim Shirley, Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County – Division of Cultural Affairs 50th Anniversary Celebration
A8 – Image Award – Anand Pallegar and Nicole Miskovic, ATLARGE – THE BAY
A9 – Award of Distinction – Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Marketing Department – Small Town, Big Roar
A9 – Image Award and Judges Award – KSC, Inc and NGS Films & Graphics – Texas School Safety Grant Campaign
Division B – Printed Tools of Public Relations
B8 – Award of Distinction – Mischa Kirby, APR and Hunter Carpenter, Community Foundation of Sarasota County – Community Foundation of Sarasota County Philosophy Gatefold
Division C – Digital Tools of Public Relations
C1 – Award of Distinction – Anand Pallegar and Nicole Miskovic, ATLARGE – Ask The Bay
C1 – Image Award – Elise Ramer, APR & Premier Sotheby’s International Realty – Share a Story Sunday
C2 – Award of Distinction – Heather McLain, Marianne Sibille, Brianne Taber, On Ideas – ClosetMaid Media Kit
Grand All Image Winner Anand Pallegar and Nicole Miskovic, ATLARGE – THE BAY
Kudos to all the winners! With congratulatory comments popping up as each winner was named, you could almost feel the applause that would have been heard at a live event.
And for those that didn’t win an award, take heart. Anyone who completed the process and submitted an entry has much to be proud of – and a second chance. All entrants will soon receive a summary of the judges’ comments on their entry so they can make adjustments. Polish up those entries – or create a new one – and submit them for the state-level Golden Image Awards by May 18.
That’s a wrap on CWC-FPRA’s Facebook Live presentation of the 2020 Image Awards! Congratulations again to all the winners, and a big thank you to hosts Kim and Elise for a glam Facebook Live broadcast.
Want to peak backstage? Check these out!
