The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix Chapter presented nearly 80 awards during its annual Copper Anvil Awards, a program that recognizes outstanding public relations tactics and campaigns, reflecting the highest standards of performance.

During the event held at the Irish Cultural Center in Downtown Phoenix on Oct. 7 additional awards of recognition were distributed, including Up and Comer, Agency of the Year, Communications Team of the Year and the coveted Judge’s Award.

The Phoenix Chapter awarded Marina Renneke, corporate communications director for Blue Yonder, with the Percy Award. The award honors a professional who has demonstrated excellence in the practice of public relations, is an active supporter of PRSA Phoenix and has made positive contributions to the Phoenix community. Since 1960, only 40 Valley public relations practitioners have received this this prestigious award.

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Rachel Eroh, junior account executive at Serendipit Consulting, was awarded the annual Up and Comer award. Banner Health earned the Communications Team of the Year and Aker Ink PR & marketing earned Agency of the Year. The coveted Judge’s Award, which is presented to the campaign or tactic that the reciprocating judging chapter felt best defined public relations excellence, was presented to the City of Tempe for its COVID-19 Update.

Diane Smith, Immediate Past President and Chair of the 2021 Copper Anvils, was also recognized with the inaugural PRSA Phoenix Board Service Award for her nine consecutive years of service to the chapter and the greater public relations industry.

“Not only did Diane lead us through a pandemic and kept us on the rails organizationally and programmatically, her heart, compassion and dedication to PRSA and our Phoenix Chapter is unmatched,” said Krista Hinz, President of PRSA Phoenix. “On behalf of the entire PRSA Phoenix Board of Directors, we salute all that Diane has done for our chapter.”

There were nearly 80 Copper Anvil and Awards of Merit given out during the event. While both awards recognize excellence in public relations, the Copper Anvil Award is the highest honor bestowed by PRSA Phoenix, followed by the Award of Merit. The final point score given by the reciprocal judging chapter determined finalists and award type. PRSA’s Wisconsin chapter judged this year’s awards.

Copper Anvils and Awards of Merit were awarded to the following entries:

TACTICS:

• City of Mesa Water Resources Water Quality Digital Report

• HMA Public Relations Yacqui Times Publicity and Promotion

• HMA Public Relations Cultivating a Giving Spirit in Children

• HMA Public Relations Early Voting Site Pascua Yaqui Tribe Op Ed

• HMA Public Relations Pascua Yacqui Tribe Annual Report

• HMA Public Relations Girl Scout Cookie Season News Release

• HMA Public Relations Pitching In

• HMA Public Relations REALTORS Op Ed

• KB Woods 40 under 40 awards

• KB Woods Drive for the Ride: Desert Ford Dealers

• KB Woods Max from Camp Geronimo Grand Canyon Council Publications

• KB Woods Operation Agent Touch Feature Story

• KB Woods Phoenix Business Journal Online Video Ad

• KB Woods Rideout Law Group Feature Story

• KB Woods 40 under 40 awards

• KB Woods Phoenix Business Journal Virtual Awards

• KB Woods Women’s Hall of Fame Induction

• Serendipit Consulting Bailey Strategic Innovation Group Op Ed

• Serendipit Consulting Bianchi & Brandt Feature Story

CAMPAIGNS:

• 10 to 1 Public Relations Family Promise

• 10 to 1 Public Relations Worzalla

• 10 to 1 Public Relations Runbeck Election Services

• 10 to 1 Public Relations Ambulnz

• 10 to 1 Public Relations Simply Noted

• 10 to 1 Public Relations #VetDayPledge

• Aker Ink PR & Marketing Position David Ahead of Goliath

• Aker Ink PR & Marketing Take Charge America

• Arizona Humane Society WeAreAHS Vaccinated

• Avnet COVID-19 Communications

• Banner Health COVID-19 Response

• City of Mesa Mesa CARES

• Esperanca Esperanca’s 50th Anniversary

• Gordon C. James Public Relations Vitalyst COVID-19 Roundtable Podcast

• Greater Phoenix Economic Council #AZFreeToBe

• KB Woods The Big Picture, Pollack Tempe Cinemas

• KB Woods The Brown Minute, Brown Homes

• KB Woods Dishing Out Social Media

• KB Woods Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame 2020 Awards Show

• Mahogany Xan Communications Brothers for Brothers Giving Campaign, Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation

• OH Partners Arizona Lottery-Gives Back

• OH Partners Gila River Hotels & Casinos-Play for Good

• OH Partners Arizona Lottery-Holiday Livestream

• OH Partners Gila River Hotels & Casinos – Week of Giving

• Serendipit Consulting Amerisave Mortgage

• Serendipit Consulting Dream City Church PR Campaign

• Serendipit Consulting Midland University Flag Football Campaign

• Serendipit Consulting Estrella PR Campaign

• Serendipit Consulting P.B. Bell PR Campaign

• Serendipit Consulting Robbins Brothers Virtual Lab Grown Diamond Event

• Serendipit Consulting Rainbow Edu Consulting PR Campaign

• Serendipit Consulting Roadmaster Group COVID-19 Campaign

• Serendipit Consulting SS Global PR Campaign

• Sundt Construction El Paso PR Campaign

• Sundt Construction COVID-19 Communications Integrated Communications

• Town of Queen Creek Hay QC

• Town of Queen Creek Law Enforcement Study

• Zion & Zion Hospital Donations, Casino Del Sol Corporate Social Responsibility

• Zion & Zion COVID Research

• Zion & Zion Research Studies Series

• Zion & Zion Doran Barro Holiday Hunger Fight, Barro’s Pizza

• Zion & Zion Hiring in Arizona

• Zion & Zion Merry Moments at Candy Cane Corner, Arizona Center

• Zion & Zion KD Ultra Launch, Arthur Andrew Medical

• Zion & Zion Open Call, Walmart

• Zion & Zion Social Rebrand, The Tail Haven

Annual chapter sponsors, APS and News Exposure, in addition to event sponsors Mark Skalny Photography and Sundt Construction made the event possible.

For information about PRSA Phoenix or to become a member go to phoenixprsa.org.