The local public relations industry has honored the best PR work of this past year.

The 2018 PRoof Awards by the West Michigan chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, or WMPRSA, recognized practitioners who successfully used creativity, skill and resourcefulness at address communication challenges.

The event was held this week in Grand Rapids at The Venue at The Highlands.

PRoof Awards winners:

PR Professional of the Year 

Rick Jensen

PR Newcomer of the Year

Stephanie Kotschevar

Communicator of the Year

Kristen Myers-Chatman 

Student of the Year

Bri Olson, GVSU 

Media Person of the Year

Lauren Stanton 

Reputation/Brand Management

Gold – SeyferthPR

Silver – Truscott Rossman

Public Service

Gold – SeyferthPR

Sliver – Lambert, Edwards & Associates

Most Effective Campaign on a Shoestring Budget ($5,000 or less)

Gold – 8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications

Silver – BISSELL Pet Foundation

Silver – Heart of West Michigan United Way

Internal Communication

Gold – Sabo PR

Integrated Communications

Gold – Priority Health

Gold – SeyferthPR

Silver – 8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications

Events and Observances

Gold – SeyferthPR

Silver – BISSELL Pet Foundation

Silver – Truscott Rossman

Corporate Social Responsibility

Gold – SeyferthPR

Crisis Communication

Gold – Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Community Relations

Gold – BISSELL Pet Foundation

Gold – Diocese of Grand Rapids

Silver – Sabo PR

Silver – Truscott Rossman

Magazines

Gold – Diocese of Grand Rapids

Silver – Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Silver – GVSU University Communications

Silver – Western Michigan University College of Arts and Sciences

Online Videos

Gold – Grand Valley State University

Silver – Mel Trotter Ministries

Single Issue Publications

Gold – Diocese of Grand Rapids

Silver – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hosptial

Silver – SeyferthPR

Digital Publications (Periodicals)

Gold – Priority Health

Silver – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation

Blogs

Gold – Experience Grand Rapids

Annual Reports

Gold – Diocese of Grand Rapids

Silver – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hosptial

Silver – Sabo PR

Creative Tactics

Gold – Priority Health

Gold – Spectrum Health

Silver – 8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications

Best in Show

Gold – Spectrum Health’s Health Beat website

New Digital Program

Gold  – 8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications

Podcast

Gold – SeyferthPR

Website

Gold – Spectrum Health

Silver – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

Silver – Sabo PR

Best Use of Social Media Stories

Gold – Lake Michigan Credit Union

Silver – SeyferthPR

Social Media Tactics

Gold – Lambert, Edwards & Associates

Silver – Grand Valley State University

Media/Press Kit

Gold – 8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications

Editorial/Op-Ed

Gold – Grand Valley State University

Silver – 8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications

Feature Articles

Gold – Western Michigan University College of Arts and Sciences

Silver – GVSU University Communications

Media Relations

Gold – Priority Health

Silver – BISSELL Pet Foundation