Chip Culpepper, left, principal at MHP/Team SI, presents the PRSA Diamond Award to Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Senior Editor Rex Nelson.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette senior editor Rex Nelson was honored along with Arkansas’ top public relations professionals Sept. 22 as the Arkansas chapter of the Public Relations Society of America gathered in person for the first time in three years for its annual Prism Awards event.
Nelson, an Arkadelphia native who has been a sportswriter, Washington correspondent, biographer and chronicler of Arkansas, its places, its culture and especially its food, accepted the PRSA Diamond Award. The distinction recognizes people outside the PR industry who have made significant contributions to improving Arkansas’ image.
Other prizes went to PR practitioners, companies and organizations for excellent work in 2021, from 45 entries in categories ranging from public affairs to websites. Ohio PRSA members judged the work, and Fox 16 anchor Ashlei King was the event emcee. Sponsors of the ceremony were Mitchell Williams Law Firm, MHP/Team SI, The Peacock Group and Talk Business & Politics. The Communications Group and MHP/Team SI, both of Little Rock, were among the night’s big winners.
The Communications Group took the Bob Sells Best of Show Award for its Women in Industry podcast. Markham Howe, a longtime PRSA member, professional and instructor, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He died earlier this year, and his widow, Gail Howe, accepted in his place.
A 1961 graduate of Arkansas State University, Howe taught journalism and public relations at his alma mater before becoming its director of university relations and later executive director of public relations. His public relations career included stints with Little Rock PR company Mangan Holcomb and Partners (now MHP/Team SI) and Entergy-Arkansas, then called AP&L.
Nelson’s long career has included government and public affairs stops at Simmons First National Corp, the Arkansas Independent Colleges & Universities and The Communications Group, as well as a stint with former Gov. Mike Huckabee’s senior management team and an appointed position leading the Delta Regional Authority.
“After the challenges of the past two and half years, it was wonderful to gather together and recognize the leaders in our field,” Arkansas PRSA President Heather Haywood said in a statement. “Arkansas communicators found innovating and exciting ways to meet those challenges and elevate their clients and the public relations field.”
The winners:
Public Service: Winner, MHP/Team SI – Arkansas PBS Rise and Shine; finalist, Peacock Group – Erasing and Doing Away with Debt in Arkansas
Public Affairs: Winner, MHP/Team SI – EVT Arkansas; finalist, Peacock Group – Erasing and Doing Away with Debt in Arkansas
Public Relations on a Shoestring Budget: Winner, The Communications Group – Women in Industry; finalist, Peacock Group – The Women’s Project: A Digital History
Special Events & Observances, Less Than 7 Days: Winner, MHP/Team SI – Keep Arkansas Beautiful Otto’s Birthday Party; finalist, North Little Rock School District – Night of Honors: Celebrating NLRSD Teachers & Classified Employees
Reputation & Brand Management: Winner, MHP/Team SI – UACCB Summer Brand Management; finalist: The Communications Group – Bridging the Digital Divide
Community Relations: Winner, MHP/Team SI – Keep Arkansas Beautiful Community Clean-ups
Institutional Programs: Winner, MHP/Team SI – Building Cybersecurity Standards with Intelligent Buildings
Content Marketing: Winner, The Communications Group – Baldor Content Marketing Center
Crisis Communications: Winner, MHP/Team SI – Monette Manor Disaster Response
Marketing Communications: Winner, MHP/Team SI – Flying Duck Migration Celebration
Other Public Relations: Winner, MHP/Team SI – Au’Diese Toney NIL Partnership
Special Events & Observances, More Than 7 Days: Winner, The Communications Group – Arkansas Soybean Month
Multicultural Public Relations: Winner, MHP/Team SI – UACCB Multicultural Grassroots Outreach
Advertising Support: Winner, The Bridgeway – Mental Health in the Workplace; finalist: MHP/Team SI – Arkansas Urology March Madness
Creative Tactics: Winner, MHP/Team SI – Keep Arkansas Beautiful mural; winner (tie), The Communications Group – Arkansas Boll Weevil Eradication grower tools
Feature/News Writing: Winner, MHP/Team SI – UALR Community Influencer commentary; finalist, The BridgeWay – Covid and Mental Health: How to Reach Your Patients
Media Relations: Winner, MHP/Team SI – EVT Arkansas; finalist: The Communications Group – Bridging the Digital Divide
Multimedia: Winner, MHP/Team SI – Au’Diese Toney NIL Partnership; finalist, The Communications Group – Women in Industry
Promotional Printed Pieces: Winner, The Communications Group – Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board research; finalist, MHP/Team SI – Arkansas Lighthouse Academies charter campaign
Social Media & Influencers: Winner, The Communications Group – Women in Industry; finalist: MHP/Team SI – Flyway Brewing Migration Celebration
Websites: Winner: The Communications Group – Arkansas Boll Weevil Eradication site abwep.org; finalist: Peacock Group – The Women’s Project: A Digital History
PSA: Winner, MHP/Team SI – Middleton Heating & Air Angelic Product
Periodicals: Winner, The Communications Group – Better Beginnings Buzz newsletter
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