NEW ORLEANS—PR News (www.prnewsonline.com) honored John Deveney, ABC, APR, as the winner of PR News’ “Agency Executive of the Year.” More than 200 PR professionals gathered to celebrate the year’s most outstanding PR achievements and to salute the industry’s leading communications professionals. Deveney was the only public relations practioner in the Gulf Coast area recognized by PR News, and is the first ever to earn the honor of “Agency Executive of the Year” in the region.
“This year’s PR People finalists reflect the changing nature of the PR discipline.” said Diane Schwartz, vice president of PR News. “The judges selected those people who understand that, for PR to succeed, they must take an integrated approach to communications and take on initiatives that are both measurable and memorable.” The PR News awards attracted a record number of nominations from corporations, agencies, and nonprofit organizations large and small. The highly competitive program showcases the chosen few with the right combination of dedication, passion, creativity and proven success.
“Of course, we always knew Deveney would rise to greatness,” says PR News’ Peggy Cope. He was among the very first group of young upstart PR practioners we named to our “15 to Watch” list seven years ago.” Deveney is featured with other finalists were including representatives from Fleishman Hillard, Entergy, Dairy Queen and the United Nations in the November PR News All-Stars Special Issue in November. The PR News’ PR People Awards competition serves as an opportunity to showcase the top talent who day in, day out are making communications matter in the marketplace. As the award-winner, Deveney sets the standard for public relations and stood apart for his leadership, creativity and result-driven activities during the past year.
Deveney and his employees had a whirlwind year in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. With many of their clients and employees dispersed around the country, Deveney Communication’s efficient and well-organized crisis response allowed the rest of the separated team to work from across the country without missing a day of work.
Deveney and three other staff members returned to the city only 20 days after the storm struck New Orleans. The group established the first media center in New Orleans, which they ran twelve hours a day, seven days a week in the weeks following Katrina to help promote positive images and messages about New Orleans in the days following the storm.
Deveney is a board member of the Public Relations Society of America. He traveled around the country to cities like Savannah, Baton Rouge, Albuquerque, Nashville, Oklahoma City as well as internationally to Vancouver, Canada and Melbourne, Australia discussing, “Katrina: Lessons Learned” for other communications practitioners.
About Deveney Communication
Leading communication expert John Deveney, ABC, APR, founded the award-winning public relations firm (www.deveney.com) in 1996. Deveney Communication is an internationally recognized public relations firm that uses integrated marketing to make their international, national and local clients more successful. The firm has been recognized worldwide by the industry for excellence in developing and implementing strategies using media relations, Internet marketing, community relations and crisis management for nonprofit, public, corporate and dot.com leaders.
About PR News
The PR News family of products includes PR News, the Platinum PR Awards, PR People Awards, Nonprofit PR Awards, CSR Awards, The 100 Best Case Studies Book, Guidebook to Best Practices in CSR; Guidebook to Best Practices in Measurement and the upcoming Crisis Management and Media Training Guidebooks and PR News Webinars. For more information, go to www.prnewsonline.com.
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