Many congratulations to the following honorees and winners of the 54th Annual PRSA Los Angeles PRism Awards!
2018 Public Relations Professional of the Year
Brian O’Connor
Princess Cruises
2018 Public Relations Team of the Year
NETFLIX
2018 Joseph Roos Community Service Award
Los Angeles Dodgers
2018 President’s Award for Most Award Wins
Victoria Lelash
Quality Times with PR Minds
2018 Best in Show
Fiona Hutton & Associates
Southern California Water Coalition’s WaterNext Campaign
The 54th Annual PRSA Los Angeles PRism Awards
More than 200 of the Los Angeles region’s top communications professionals gathered on Wednesday, October 17 for the 54th Annual PRSA Los Angeles PRism Awards, to honor the best public relations campaigns and tactics introduced in the region during the last year. This year’s PRism Awards dinner and show took place at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, where the chapter bestowed 64 PRism Awards and 32 Awards of Excellence on deserving individuals and companies, in addition to four special awards for exceptional accomplishments in PR. HLN’s Michaela Pereira and KTLA’s Sam Rubin co-hosted the evening program.
A number of special awards were announced during the show. The chapter named past PRSA-LA president Brian O’Connor of Princess Cruises its 2018 Public Relations Professional of the Year. The communications team from NETFLIX was recognized as the 2018 Public Relations Team of the Year. Former player Dennis Powell accepted the Joseph Roos Community Service Award on behalf of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The President’s Award was bestowed on independent practitioner Victoria Lelash, celebrating 15 years of giving back to community nonprofits by organizing PRSA-LA’s Quality Time with PR Minds program.
The night’s most-honored companies and agencies included Fiona Hutton & Associates, which took home the Best in Show Award for its work on the Southern California Water Coalition’s WaterNext Campaign. Rogers & Cowan and Princess Cruises tied for the most PRism wins of the night capturing five category-leading trophies each. Other prolific PRism winners included Idea Hall, Fiona Hutton & Associates, and Visit Anaheim, with four PRism wins apiece. In all, forty individuals and companies were honored in the campaigns and tactics categories.
“Most people have no idea what an ethical and effective PR pro really does, as most of our work takes place out of the public eye,” observed 2018 PRSA-LA president Diane Rhodes Bergman, APR. “We help other people and organizations build their reputation, communication and relationships, sometimes neglecting ourselves in the process. The PRism Awards provide a way to recognize a behind-the-scenes job well done. We are all very proud of tonight’s winners.”
2018 Competition Winners
Awards are conferred based on review of each entry by a pool of expert judges from PRSA Houston Chapter. Awards are presented here in alphabetical order by category, not the order in which they were conferred.
| Category | Company Name | Entry Name | Award Given |
| 2018 Best Campaign on a Shoestring Budget | Klick Communications | Sign for the Shore at Shore Hotel | PRism |
| 2018 Best Campaign on a Shoestring Budget | University of La Verne | Public Mission of Private Universities | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Branded Content | California State University, Los Angeles | California State University, Los Angeles Soar in 4 Summer Session Campaign | PRism |
| 2018 Branded Content | Princess Cruises | Cruising with the Holderness Family | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Community Relations Campaign, Associations/Education | Idea Hall | Setting the Irvine Standard | PRism |
| 2018 Community Relations Campaign, Associations/Education | Visit Anaheim | Visit Anaheim Shows Heart: Multi-Year PR Program Aims to Save Anaheim Lives | PRism |
| 2018 Community Relations Campaign, Associations/Education | University of La Verne | Public Mission of Private Universities | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Community Relations Campaign, B2B | The Hoyt Organization | Retail Design Collaborative & Studio One Eleven: “Architecture at Work: Reinvigorating a Desolate Downtown to a Creatively Thriving Workplace & Community Hub” | PRism |
| 2018 Community Relations Campaign, Government | Idea Hall | Making Every Source a Resource: Idea Hall with East Valley Water District | PRism |
| 2018 Community Relations Campaign, Government | Olmstead Williams Communications | Snap a Selfie: Creating a Safer Tax Return | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Community Relations Campaign, Not-for-Profit | Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center | New Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Medical Office Improves Community Health | PRism |
| 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign, Not-for-Profit | Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center | Kaiser Permanente Opens Much Needed Medical Facility in Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Creative Tactics, Teaser or Other Collateral | City of West Hollywood | Drag Queen Story Hour Fans | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Crisis Communication Campaign, Associations/Education | Fiona Hutton & Associates | Rocklin Academy: Deescalating a Crisis | PRism |
| 2018 Diversity Communications Campaign, Consumer Products | Golin | LUNA Bar Unleashes Power of Negotiation to Help Fight Gender Pay Gap | PRism |
| 2018 Diversity Communications Campaign, Not-for-Profit | Sheri Lunn | The Out Agenda KPFK LGBTQ Pride Day Special Programming | PRism |
| 2018 Diversity Communications Campaign, Sports & Entertainment | H+M Communications | With Zumba Fitness to Captivate Trendsetting Hispanic Females, Despicable Me 3 Dances to the Top of the Global Box Office | PRism |
| 2018 Earned Media, Editorials & Op-Eds | Farmers Insurance | Farmers Insurance Contributed Bylines Program | PRism |
| 2018 Earned Media, Feature Stories | Idea Hall | H. Hendy Associates Inc. Feature Article Series | PRism |
| 2018 Earned Media, Feature Stories | The Hoyt Organization | Well Deserved Recognition for Kennedy Wilson’s Ed Sachse | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Earned Media, Press Kit / Media Kit | Porter Novelli | The Buzz Around The National Honey Board’s Hive-To-Table Media Kit | PRism |
| 2018 Events & Observances, B2B | Padilla | Helping Designers See the Forests Behind the Woods | PRism |
| 2018 Events & Observances, Consumer Products | Citizen Relations | Duracell Daylight Saving Time | PRism |
| 2018 Events & Observances, Consumer Products | Rogers & Cowan | McDonald’s – International Women’s Day | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Events & Observances, Consumer Services | Miller PR | Bringing Bumble to life with the “Bumble Hive LA” | PRism |
| 2018 Events & Observances, Government | Golin | California Smokers’ Helpline Celebrates 25 Years of Supporting Smoke-Free Living | PRism |
| 2018 Events & Observances, Government | HWDS and Associates, Inc. | Metrolink 25th Anniversary Report | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Events & Observances, Not-for-Profit | Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center | Events Promoting the Opening of Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Medical Offices | PRism |
| 2018 Events & Observances, Not-for-Profit | AbilityFirst | AbilityFirst Camp Paivika Celebrates 70 Years! | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Events & Observances, Sports & Entertainment | Rogers & Cowan | KING TUT: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh | PRism |
| 2018 Events & Observances, Sports & Entertainment | Rogers & Cowan | Elton John: Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Events & Observances, Technology | Miller PR | Bringing Bumble to life with the “Bumble Hive LA” | PRism |
| 2018 Events & Observances, Technology | Olmstead Williams Communications | Digital Humans – A Siren’s Song | PRism |
| 2018 Events & Observances, Travel, Tourism & Hospitality | Cunard and MGA Media Group | The Greatest Showman Premiere on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 | PRism |
| 2018 Events & Observances, Travel, Tourism & Hospitality | Visit Anaheim | Constructing the Anaheim Convention Center Expansion’s Grand Opening | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Global Communications Campaign | Visit Anaheim | Visit Anaheim and Tourism Vancouver Share the Love in Cross-Promotion Video Partnership | PRism |
| 2018 Influencer Marketing | Princess Cruises | Taking Influencers North to Alaska | PRism |
| 2018 Integrated Communications, Associations/Education | Visit Anaheim | Visit Anaheim Bites into Year Two of a Successful Video Series Showcasing Drool-Worthy Culinary Hot Spots and Hidden Gems | PRism |
| 2018 Integrated Communications, Consumer Products | Rogers & Cowan | Show ’Em What’s Underneath, Show ’Em Your Jockey | PRism |
| 2018 Integrated Communications, Consumer Services | Farmers Insurance | Farmers Insurance Integrated Communications Response to 2017 Hurricanes | PRism |
| 2018 Integrated Communications, Government | City of Malibu | Malibu Plastic Straw Ban | PRism |
| 2018 Integrated Communications, Healthcare | Merryman Communications | New Relief for Knee Pain: A Clinical Trial Recruitment Campaign | PRism |
| 2018 Integrated Communications, Not-for-Profit | Rogers & Cowan | AARP Studios Dinner with Don | PRism |
| 2018 Integrated Communications, Not-for-Profit | Idea Hall | Cystinosis Research Foundation | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Integrated Communications, Sports & Entertainment | H+M Communications | With Zumba Fitness to Captivate Trendsetting Hispanic Females, Despicable Me 3 Dances to the Top of the Global Box Office | PRism |
| 2018 Integrated Communications, Sports & Entertainment | Fender Musical Instruments Corporation | Play Something Different: Fender Changes Acoustic Guitar Perceptions with California Series | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Integrated Communications, Travel, Tourism, Hospitality | Tourism Australia | Dundee Tourism Campaign | PRism |
| 2018 Integrated Communications, Travel, Tourism, Hospitality | Princess Cruises | Winter-Chilled Princess Cruisers “Flee the Freeze” to Balmy Caribbean | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Issues Management, Consumer Products | Juris Productions | Exploding Nutribullet: Warning Consumers on the Risks | PRism |
| 2018 Issues Management, Consumer Services | Farmers Insurance | Farmers Insurance Integrated Communications Response to 2017 Hurricanes | PRism |
| 2018 Marketing Campaign, Consumer Products | Zapwater Communications | CIM GROUP SEARCHES FOR THE NEXT GREAT POP-UP | PRism |
| 2018 Marketing Campaign, Government | City of West Hollywood | Social Media Connect @WeHoCity | PRism |
| 2018 Marketing Campaign, Sports & Entertainment | H+M Communications | With Zumba Fitness to Captivate Trendsetting Hispanic Females, Despicable Me 3 Dances to the Top of the Global Box Office | PRism |
| 2018 Marketing Campaign, Sports & Entertainment | Rogers & Cowan | KING TUT: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Media Relations, Associations/Education | University of La Verne | Public Mission of Private Universities | PRism |
| 2018 Media Relations, Associations/Education | University of La Verne | Los Angeles Times front page | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Media Relations, B2B | Idea Hall | Cementing R.D. Olson Construction as the Region’s Premier Builder | PRism |
| 2018 Media Relations, Consumer Products | imre | Raising Awareness of Kwikset’s Improved SmartKey Security Among Consumers | PRism |
| 2018 Media Relations, Healthcare | Abbott & GCI Health | FreeStyle Libre | PRism |
| 2018 Media Relations, Healthcare | GCI Health | Abbott’s Masters Pediatric Heart Valve | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Media Relations, Not-for-Profit | Rogers & Cowan | AARP Studios Dinner with Don | PRism |
| 2018 Media Relations, Not-for-Profit | The Hoyt Organization | Rainbow Housing: Creating a High Quality of Life Through Affordable Housing and Tenant Services | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Media Relations, Sports & Entertainment | Auto Club Speedway | 2018 NASCAR Auto Club 400 Victory Tour | PRism |
| 2018 Media Relations, Sustainability/Environmental | Klick Communications | The Modern Honolulu Goes Strawless | PRism |
| 2018 Media Relations, Sustainability/Environmental | Fiona Hutton & Associates | Yes on Prop 68: Encouraging CA Voters to Invest in Parks and Water | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Media Relations, Travel, Tourism & Hospitality | 360viewPR | Putting Buellton, CA on the map | PRism |
| 2018 Media Relations, Travel, Tourism & Hospitality | McCue Communications | Cocktail Influencer Press Trip : “The Best Drink Ever Visits Ventura County Coast” | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Pro Bono Campaign | Visit Anaheim | NBC’s TODAY Show Puts National Spotlight on Local Anaheim Hero | PRism |
| 2018 Pro Bono Campaign | Cerrell Associates | Dreamers’ DACA Lawsuit | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Public Affairs, Corporate/Business | Fiona Hutton & Associates | “SB 17: California’s Landmark Prescription Drug Price Legislation” California Association of Health Plans’ (CAHP) RunawayRx Campaign | PRism |
| 2018 Public Affairs, Not-for-Profit | Fiona Hutton & Associates | “Driving CA WaterFix Across the Finish Line” Southern California Water Coalition’s (SCWC) WaterNext Campaign | PRism |
| 2018 Public Service Announcements | City of West Hollywood | PSA: Linus and the Meaning of Pride | PRism |
| 2018 Public Service, Corporate/Business | Citizen Relations | Duracell Daylight Saving Time | PRism |
| 2018 Public Service, Government | T&T Public Relations & City of Glendale | Be Street Smart Glendale – Pedestrian Safety Education Initiative | PRism |
| 2018 Public Service, Not-for-Profit | MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger | This Is Hunger | PRism |
| 2018 Public Service, Not-for-Profit | Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center | Video Series to Promote Health and Wellbeing in Santa Monica | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Publications, Annual Reports | Sugerman Communications Group | Pacific Maritime Association Annual Report | PRism |
| 2018 Publications, Brochures | Fiona Hutton & Associates | “Cleaner Today. Power Tomorrow.” Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) Fact Book | PRism |
| 2018 Publications, Newsletters | Princess Cruises | Princess Cruises Circle Magazine Defines Moments that Change You | PRism |
| 2018 Publications, Newsletters | Beach Cities Health District | LiveWell Magazine | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Publications, Newsletters | California State University, Los Angeles | California State University, Los Angeles College of Professional and Global Education PaGE One Employee Newsletter | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Reputation/Brand Management, Corporate/Business | Rogers & Cowan | McDonald’s – International Women’s Day | PRism |
| 2018 Reputation/Brand Management, Corporate/Business | The Hoyt Organization | Hoefer Wysocki: Hoefer Wysocki is on the Map | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Social Media, Facebook Engagement | Princess Cruises | Inspiring Facebook Users to Set Sail | PRism |
| 2018 Social Media, Facebook Engagement | McCue Communications | Ventura County Coast Social Media | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Social Media, Twitter Engagement | Princess Cruises | From Tweet to Fleet: Driving Cruise Intent through Twitter | PRism |
| 2018 Sponsorship Activation | Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center | Kaiser Permanente Partnership with Conqur Endurance Group for Santa Monica Classic 5K/10K | PRism |
| 2018 Sponsorship Activation | Princess Cruises | Giving Influencers a Taste of Princess Cruises | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Streaming Media, Livestream | City of West Hollywood | #ResistMarch Livestream | PRism |
| 2018 Streaming Media, Livestream | Cunard and MGA Media Group | The Greatest Showman Premiere on Queen Mary 2: Livestream | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Video Programs, Consumer Products | Porter Novelli | National Honey Board Takes Flight With “Be The Bee” Virtual Reality Video | PRism |
| 2018 Video Programs, Government | City of West Hollywood | Getting to Zero | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Video Programs, Government | City of West Hollywood | WeHo City Budget Animated Video | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Video Programs, Healthcare | Beach Cities Health District | Spirit of Wellness Honoree Videos | Award of Excellence |
| 2018 Video Programs, Sports & Entertainment | LACMTA (LA Metro) | Go Metro to Banc of California Stadium | PRism |
| 2018 Video Programs, Travel, Tourism & Hospitality | Princess Cruises | Cruising with the Holderness Family | PRism |
List of Past Special Awards Winners
Click here for a list of past Public Relations Professional of the Year Honorees.
Click here for a list of past Public Relations Team of the Year Honorees.
Click here for a list of past Corporate Citizen of the Year Honorees.
Prior Competitions
53rd Annual PRism Awards (2017)
2017 PRism Award Winners & Finalists
52nd Annual PRism Awards (2016)
2016 PRism Award Winners & Finalists
51st Annual PRism Awards (2015)
2015 PRism Award Winners
2015 Event Wrapup – Photos and More
50th Annual PRism Awards (2014)
2014 PRism Award Winners
2014 Event Wrapup – Photos and More