The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Central Pennsylvania Chapter has presented PRworks with three awards for initiatives completed in 2022-23. The firm has earned 14 awards from the chapter over the past five years.
PRworks earned a Keystone Award for developing and leading a public relations program for the Municipal Emergency Services Authority of Lancaster County, a Silver Keystone Award for a brand audit and developing a new brand identity for Women’s Resources of Monroe County (now Safe Monroe), and a Silver Keystone Award for leading strategic communications in support of advocacy for the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.
The awards recognize initiatives that comprised the four-step public relations process (research, planning, implementation and evaluation) and achieved measurable success.
Partnering with Municipal Leaders to Solving an EMS Crisis
Municipalities in the northwest portion of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, found themselves at a crossroads with local emergency medical services at risk. Northwest EMS, a non-profit agency that provides basic and advanced life support in the region, was in a state of crisis. Like so many EMS agencies in Pennsylvania and across the country, the agency was facing insolvency due to insufficient revenue and rising costs.
A committee of municipal leaders resolved to pursue a bold solution to continue to meet their municipalities’ statutory obligation to provide EMS services and engaged PRworks to lead a public relations program to achieve success. Over a period of several months, the project involved public meetings, public education initiatives and a public hearing on the proposed authority.
On February 7, 2023 the new Municipal Emergency Services Authority of Lancaster County was incorporated by six founding municipalities, becoming the first rate-setting municipal emergency services authority in Pennsylvania.
Read more: Partnering with Municipal Leaders to Solve an EMS Crisis
Crystallizing a New Brand That is a Safe Haven for All
Women’s Resources of Monroe County, a non-profit sexual assault crisis center and domestic violence shelter, had been struggling with its brand identity for many years – mainly because its name did not reflect what the organization does and everyone it serves. Women’s Resources of Monroe County engaged PRworks to provide counsel and lead a branding process to remedy the organization’s concerns.
The process – which involved a review of the identities of over 100 other domestic violence and sexual abuse centers in Pennsylvania; name exploration; logo design; and touchpoints to obtain additional stakeholder feedback along the way – led to a decision by the board and leadership of Women’s Resource of Monroe County to rebrand the organization as Safe Monroe with the tagline “Where Abuse Ends and Hope Begins.”
“Working with PRworks as we underwent a full brand audit and transition to our new brand and name was an exceptional experience for our agency. Their team demonstrated a profound understanding of our vision and goals, seamlessly guiding us through a successful branding transition. Their strategic approach, creative insights and unwavering commitment to excellence elevated our brand as they worked with us through each step of the process. The professionalism, dedication and innovative strategies showcased by PRworks undoubtedly made them an invaluable partner in our journey towards success.”
— Lauren Peterson, MPA, Executive Director, Safe Monroe
Read more: Crystallizing a New Brand That’s a Safe Haven for All
Advocating for Pennsylvania’s Community Colleges
The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, a nonprofit association and the primary advocate for Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges, sought to raise awareness among policymakers of the colleges’ impact and the need for more state investment.
PRworks collaborated with the commission to plan a strategic communications initiative with the centerpiece being a special event at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Community College Day, April 24, 2023. The event raised awareness among state policymakers and earned statewide media attention on the impact of the colleges and the need for more state funding.
Read more: Advocating for Pennsylvania’s Community Colleges
About PRSA Central PA’s Keystone Awards
Entries for the Keystone Awards are evaluated by public relations professionals affiliated with the Public Relations Society of America.
PRSA is the nation’s largest professional organization serving the communications community with a mission to “make communications professionals smarter, better prepared and more connected through all stages of their career.”
The PRSA Central Pennsylvania Chapter was formed in 1959 and is one of the oldest chapters in the country. Its membership represents a diverse group of public relations professionals at all stages of their careers with a common desire for professional public relations practice and professional development.
Related Articles:
Preparing Librarians for Media Interview Success
