Thoth Awards Recognize Area's Best Public Relations Programs

FAIRFAX, VA ‑ The best and brightest in public relations were recognized by the National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) tonight at its annual Thoth Awards at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. 

From 141 entries in 17 categories this year, 17 Thoth Awards and 16 Certificates of Excellence were presented to representatives of public relations agencies, corporations, government agencies, and trade and professional associations. The Thoth Awards (pronounced "Tot") are named for the Egyptian god of information and communication.

Honored as this year's prestigious Best of Show and recognized with a Thoth Award were the Georgetown University Hospital's Karen Alcorn, Marianne Worley, and Paula Faria for developing and executing a plan that managed public attention on the family who had septuplets. Their work got this amazing story out as it developed while respecting the patients' privacy and preserving the hospital's reputation for medical expertise. The judges praised the program for its "...superb planning and execution and said Georgetown University Hospital delivered in more ways than one!" The Thoth Award was presented in the competition's crisis communication category.

"It's been an incredible year of change for public relations and it is demonstrated by the incredible diversity of this year's Thoth Awards," said Steven Grant, PRSA-NCC president. "Thoth winners really do show that the Washington area is producing some outstanding public relations work in all sectors."

The Thoth Award presentations concluded an afternoon program that explored Excellence in Public Relations. Bob Woodward of The Washington Post was the keynote speaker followed by a panel of experts who discussed the challenges facing the growing field of public relations.

Thoth Awards and Certificates of Excellence presented in the 17 categories are:

Newsletter Category

- Thoth Award - Carolyn Quatrano, Washington Hospital Center, for the newsletter  ACenterScope.@

- Certificate of Excellence - John Marzano for  MedStar Health=s newsletter, AThe Corridor.@

- Certificate of Excellence - Annamarie DeCarlo for the Washington Hospital Center=s newsletter, AWashington Hospital Center Physician.@

Magazine Category

- Thoth Award - Rabil & Bates Design Company for the Naval Media Center=s magazine, AAll Hands.@

- Certificate of Excellence - Brian Gray for the National Catholic Educational Association=s magazine, AMomentum.@

Annual Reports Category

- Thoth Award - the United Nations Foundation=s annual report, AResults 2000 - A Journey Toward a Better World.@

- Certificate of Excellence - Wes Pedersen for the Public Affairs Council=s annual report, APublic Affairs Review.@

Brochure Category

- Thoth Award - White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, with Fleishman-Hillard, for the brochure, AKeeping Your Kids Drug Free: A How-To Guide for Parents and Caregivers.@

- Certificate of Excellence - Eisner Petrou and Associates for the Metal Roofing Alliance brochure, AThe Adventures of B.B. Wolf and the Three Little Pigs.@

Media Kits Category

- Thoth Award - Erich Parker, Eileen Secrest, and Jeff Lofton of M&R Strategic Services for their Oceana media kit, AEmpty Oceans, Empty Nets.@

- Certificate of Excellence - Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide for YMCA of the USA=s media kit, AYMCA Teen Action Agenda: A Super Vision for America=s Teens.@

Television Public Service Announcement Category

- Thoth Award - Rozanne Weissman for the Alliance to Save Energy and DDB=s public service announcement, AStatic Electricity House.@

- Certificate of Excellence - Crosby Marketing Communications for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development=s public service announcement, APoverty, USA.@

Radio Public Service Announcement Category

- Thoth Award - Bill Brier for the Edison Electric Institute=s public service announcement, AGet Passionate - Save Electricity.@

- Certificate of Excellence - Crosby Marketing Communications for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development=s public service announcement, APoverty, USA.@

- Certificate of Excellence - Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide for the Epilepsy Foundation=s public service announcement, AEntitled to Respect.@

Speech Category

- Thoth Award - Biotechnology Industry Organization for the speech, AKeeping the Faith.@

- Certificate of Excellence - Harry Phillips for the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation=s speech, AThe Noble and Sacred Day for While It Was Intended.@

Feature Story Category

- Thoth Award - Hager Sharp for the National Cancer Institute=s feature story, ASample the Spectrum.@

- Certificate of Excellence - Rachel Decker of the Pentagon Renovation Program for the feature story, APentagon Renovation and Terrorist Destruction Highlight Lessons Learned.@

Video Category

- Thoth Award - EFX Company for an informative video, AWIC Overseas@ developed for Axiom/Women, Infants and Children Programs.

- Certificate of Excellence - Eisner Petrou and Associates for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation video news release, AColonial Williamsburg July 4 History Survey.@

- Certificate of Excellence - PFI with Compaq Computers for the video, ACompaq ZLE.@

Interactive Communications Category

- Thoth Award - Biotechnology Industry Organization for its website redesign.

Community Relations Category

- Thoth Award - Inova Alexandria Hospital for its community relations program, ACampaign to Expand Inova Alexandria Hospital.@

- Certificate of Excellence - Stanton Communications for Connectiv=s community relations program, ARestoring Customer Satisfaction.@

Special Events Category

- Thoth Award - Richmond Branding Partners and RightMinds for their program, ARichmond Region Branding Event.@

Public Service Category

- Thoth Award - Infotech Strategies for the National Council on the Aging=s program, AFinding the Gold in the Golden Years.@

- Certificate of Excellence - Stanton Communications for the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education=s program, AHigh School Achievement Counts.@

Public Affairs Category

- Thoth Award - Emily Phaup of Carter Ryley Thomas for the Old Dominion Electric Cooperative=s program, AMarsh Run Generation Station Siting Work.@

Consumer Marketing Category

- Thoth Award - Eisner Petrou and Associates for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation=s program, AColonial Williamsburg July 4 History Survey.@

- Certificate of Excellence - GRTC Transit System and RightMinds for their program, ALaunch of the Chesterfield LINK.@

Crisis Communication Category

Thoth Award (and Best of Show) - Karen Alcorn, Marianne Worley, and Paula Faria for the Georgetown University Hospital program, ASeptuplets.@

The National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is the largest PRSA chapter in the country, with more than 1,000 members.  The NCC represents public relations professionals from the major business sectors in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, including associations, agencies, corporations, universities, non-profits, government, and independent practitioners.  Visit us on the Web at www.prsa-ncc.org.