CALGARY, June 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Kathleen Smiley was awarded the 2017 $1,000 Susan Francis Prize in Public Relations today at a special ceremony. Awarded to a public relations student in his/her final year of a public relations/communications program at Mount Royal University, University of Calgary or SAIT Polytechnic, the Prize was established by the Francis family and Canadian Public Relations Society (Calgary) to honour the memory of the late Susan Francis, APR, who dedicated her life and career to implementing communications programs for causes about which she was passionate.
With a focus on communications planning, candidates submit a communications plan that would make the world a better place and reflect issues such as gender equality, the environment, political action, and crisis communications.
Smiley, a fourth-year student at Mount Royal University in the Bachelor of Public Relations program, submitted a communications plan to implement strategies for Calgary-based Local Laundry to continue to build on the company's success and awareness with a goal to expand into cities across Canada, such as Edmonton, Vancouver and Toronto.
Local Laundry, an apparel company focused on selling hats, shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies with Calgary's famous airport code as the main design, supports Calgary communities and local charities. Each month 10 per cent of Local Laundry's profits are donated to a charity of consumer's choice. Recent donations have been made to Kids Cancer Care, Calgary Drop-In Centre, The Calgary Food Bank, The Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter and the list continues to grow.
"Kathleen's commitment to dedicate her efforts to tackle issues much larger than herself have been demonstrated time after time in her volunteer effort with us and the charities that we have worked with," said Connor Curran, CEO of Local Laundry, Inc. "With these talents, Kathleen has helped us grow our company and connect with the community at large, allowing us to donate over $10,000 back to local charities across Alberta," said Curran.
"Kathleen's award submission revealed a young person dedicated to her field of study and to her community," said Patrick Hammond, APR, member of the Communications + Public Relations Foundation's Board of Directors. "It is a pleasure to encourage this kind of dedication, especially given the legacy of Susan Francis, a woman who exemplified professional excellence and humanitarian service."
Smiley currently works for Oliver & Spence, SWAY Marketing and Local Laundry. With a knack for writing and creating beautiful imagery, she specializes in social media, content creation and strategic communications. Throughout her degree, she enjoyed learning about information design, strategic communication and public relations management.
The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is a uniquely Canadian association of public relations professionals. For over 50 years, CPRS Calgary has had some of the most talented communications professionals in Canada's energy capital in its membership.
The Susan Francis Prize in Public Relations is managed by the Communications + Public Relations Foundation. The Foundation promotes the advancement of communications and public relations as vital functions in society, is dedicated to the public interest, and is committed to increasing public knowledge and awareness of the role of communications and public relations in daily life. The Foundation accepts individual and corporate contributions towards research and educational initiatives nationwide.
For more information about the Foundation and its public relations educational initiatives, contact Karen Dalton APR, FCPRS(H) CAE, Executive Director, Communications + Public Relations Foundation, Suite 346, 4195 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M8X 1Y4 or phone 416 239-7546, or e-mail [email protected]
SOURCE Communications and Public Relations Foundation
Media contacts: Melanie Simmons, President, CPRS (Calgary), 403-816-4191 or Karen Dalton APR, FCPRS(H), CAE, Executive Director, Communications + Public Relations Foundation, (416) 239-7546, [email protected]
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