News and Resources

Our Alabama PRSA chapter keeps industry professionals and students informed, engaged and inspired through our digital platforms. We encourage you to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube to learn more about industry news, upcoming events and professional development opportunities.

Alabama Chapter of PRSA celebrates 2023 member awards, announces 2024 Board of Directors

The Alabama Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announces its 2024 board of directors and the recipients of its 2023 professional awards for outstanding contributions to the communications profession.

The Alabama Chapter is comprised of nearly 200 members from across the state, serving in various roles in PR, marketing and strategic communications. Many members have also represented Alabama in regional and national PRSA committees.

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Wilbron's Brandon Wilson & Missy Burchart awarded Silver Anvil

Brandon Wilson, APR, and Missy Burchart, APR, recently received PRSA’s Silver Anvil for their work with Wilbron Institute and how their philosophy “for good” sets their work apart.

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ALABAMA PRSA CHAPTER ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR MENTORSHIP AWARD

Nominations are being accepted for the Ron Council Mentorship Award presented by the Alabama chapter of Public Relations Society of America.

To nominate an outstanding mentor for the award, send a 250-word nomination narrative to the selection committee at ppooleapr@gmail.com.

Criteria for the award includes: 

·        Nominees must be current, active members of the Alabama PRSA chapter.

·        Nominees must be accredited (APR).

·        Nominees must demonstrate a strong, ongoing commitment to mentorship of students and professionals, both within and outside the chapter.

·        Nominees should be well-known in the public relations community as a practicing professional and have provided pro bono service in the community.

·        Nominees should be committed to upholding PRSA’s Code of Ethics.

·        Special consideration will be given to nominees whose mentorship extends beyond the geographic footprint of the Alabama PRSA chapter.

Any current member of the Alabama PRSA chapter can nominate an individual for the award.

The Ron Council Mentorship Award was established in 2015 by the Alabama chapter to recognize members who demonstrate the commitment to professionalism and mentoring that Ron exemplified. Ron was an active member of the chapter at the time of his death in 2014. He had served as chapter president and in other leadership roles.

Ron was the consummate public relations master, advertising professional, serial entrepreneur and innovator. He believed in the importance of mentoring students and young professionals. Among his many professional endeavors over the decades, he founded and ran Advertising & Art Council, was the Director of the Office of Public Information for Birmingham-Southern College and retired as Director of Communications for the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. Ron and his family later founded Metro Monitor, a Birmingham-based media monitoring company.

Ron’s son, Bryan, continues as president of Metro Monitor and is an active member of the Alabama PRSA chapter.

Previous recipients of the award are Teri Henley, Michael Sznajderman, Betsy Emmons and Philip Poole

Questions about the award or nomination process should be directed to the committee via email at ppooleapr@gmail.com.

PRSA announces 2023 board of Directors slate

The Alabama Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has announced its 2023 board of directors slate. They are:

President LaShana Sorrell 

President-elect  Briana Bryant 

Treasurer Breann Murphy 

Secretary/Asst Treasurer Cristina Almanza, APR

Immediate Past President Betsy Emmons, APR

Accreditation Co-Chair Carla Jean Whitley, APR 

Accreditation Co-Chair Tyrenda Williams-Reed, APR

Communication Co-chair Abigail Jackson 

Communication Co-chair Robyn Tucker 

Communication Co-chair Christina Crowe

Communication Co-chair Eliza Heidlberg 

Ethics Co-Chair Jacqueline Allen 

Ethics Co-Chair Holly Lollar, APR

Membership Co-Chair Buffy Lockette, APR

Membership Co-Chair Allison Taylor 

Diversity Co-Chair Andrew Felts

Diversity Co-Chair L. Simone Byrd

Diversity Co-Chair Yvonne Taunton

Professional Development Co-Chair Tiffany Nabors 

Professional Development Co-Chair Dr. Jacquelyn Shaia 

Programs Co-Chair Josh Kincaid 

Programs Co-Chair Dina Young 

Programs Co-Chair Julie Clark McKinney, APR

Huntsville Kristina Hendrix

Mobile Brittany Fillmore, APR

Montgomery 1st year director-at-large Betsy Emmons, APR

2nd year director-at-large Meg Burton, APR

3rd year director-at-large Rachel Olis, APR

Assembly Delegate LaShana Sorrell 

Assembly Delegate Rachel Olis, APR

Alabama State Oakwood Angela Miller 

Alabama Sara Franklin, APR

Auburn Teri Henley, APR

Jacksonville Kassidy Nance

Mississippi State Abbi Kate Hancock 

UAB Emuni Sanderson 

USA

PRSSA Liaison Rachael Farr 

PRSSA Liaison Abby Basigner