Twenty Years of the Best in PR!
Posted on Dec. 27, 2022 / Subscribe 0
by Christine Chenevey, Vice President of Membership, PRSA
Twenty years in twenty minutes--that’s how the 20th Anniversary edition of the Cleveland Rocks Awards started December 6th at the Music Box Supper Club. Over 120 PRSA members, friends and clients were welcomed by Falls & Co. Chairman and CEO Rob Falls, Premiere Sponsor of the event for the past eight years. Rob’s reflections on the PR landscape and hopes for the future were highlighted by his tribute to Chris Lynch, Sr. V.P. at Falls, who begins a new chapter in 2023.
PRSA President Heidi Moderelli-Frank rounded out her last 15 days in office with many thanks to PRSA Board and Committees, and a fun look back at the last 20 years in the industry, including insights on the genesis of the Rocks Awards. “This event started in 2003 when a group of board members--Chris Lynch, Kelly McGlumphy, Jim Tabaczynski, Ed Stevens and Emily Vincent, had an idea to celebrate the work of our members while raising money for scholarships. Not only have we recognized a lot of smart, strategic and creative work, we’ve raised and distributed about $60,000 in scholarships.”
“I’m told that the first event had 40 entries and may or may not have included an Elvis impersonator. We’ve come a long way.”
Though President-Elect Sydney Stone was out of the continent, she joined us virtually to wish us well and thank Heidi, Rocks judging guru Jenn Elting, founding member Chris Lynch and Rocks Chair Christine Chenevey. You can see her remarks here.
A familiar voice in the NEO communications scene, emcee Joe Cali kept the awards moving fast and furiously fun, presenting all 66 awards in about an hour. Enthusiastic audience members who understood the effort expended, honored each recipient with cheers and heartfelt congrats. You can see all winners here.
Ever wonder how winners are chosen? This year, the Colorado Chapter of PRSA judged a record breaking 100 entries and choose the 66 award winners in 26 categories. Gold Rock winners are the highest scoring entry in a category, earning 90 or more points. Silver winners are the second highest with at least 80 points, and all Bronze awards earned at least 80 points.
The program ended with three extra special awards. Top Tactic went to Marcus Thomas, “MTTV: All the Social Media News You Need to Know”. The Judges Choice Award went to Fahlgren Mortine, Community Relations for a Cause, for “Columbia Gas of Ohio--Savings Week”. And the answer to the question, “Who takes home the guitar?” for Best of Show was Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission “Building a Solid Foundation at Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio”.
Our “Rock of Ages” themed buttons, t-shirts and signage added to the festive feel of the evening, with copious thanks going to the creative team at Falls & Co. for its designs and coordination of all, including commemorative posters awarded to gold winners. CSU Promotional Communications students assisted in all aspects of set-up and event activities, hopefully setting the stage for an enthusiastic group of future members. Extraordinary Silent Auction items and activities raised over $2,000 for our Scholarship Fund, bringing full circle the vision of our board 20 years ago.
Could they have imagined this event would still be so relevant, 20 years later? Soon-to-be past president Heidi Moderelli-Frank can… “And to the Cleveland Rocks committee of 2042, Godspeed!
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