PRSA: Names 2005 Alchemy Awards Winners

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Cindy Tomlinson

Office: 608.662.7546

Cell: 608.206.4646

Cindytomlinson2004@yahoo.com

Stephan & Brady Receives Best in Show Award; Scholarship Award Presented

[MADISON, Wis.] – October 19, 2005 – The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Madison Chapter, announced the 2005 Alchemy Awards winners, Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Overture Center for the Arts. Winners at the fourth annual awards program were recognized for their excellence in public relations and strategic communications.

Stephan & Brady was awarded the Best in Show award for “WMMB Foodservice Media Relations.” The campaign, for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, exceeded expectations and objectives to promote Wisconsin cheese. Overall, more than 120 editorial placements were recorded during a one-year period, a 39-percent increase.

The $1,000 PRSA Madison Chapter Scholarship was awarded to Traci Swartz, a University of Wisconsin – Madison senior majoring in journalism with an emphasis in strategic communications. Members of the PRSSA chapters based at UW-Madison, UW-Stevens Point and for the first time, UW-LaCrosse, are invited to apply for this scholarship. Swartz was selected, as the 2005 recipient, based on her strong academic performance and professional experience in communications and public relations. Currently interning with Basketball Australia, Swartz is originally from Brookfield, Wis.

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk served as keynote speaker, sharing insight into communications and its role in conveying vital information to both internal and external audiences.

Alchemy Award winners, categories and recognition levels:

Best in Show award presented to:

· Stephan & Brady for “WMMB Foodservice Media Relations”

Awards of Excellence were presented to:

· UW LaCrosse Academic Advising Center – Category: Consumer Campaign Development/Launch “Advising Center Opening”

· Stephan & Brady (2 excellence awards):

Category: Exceptional Execution of Communication Tactics “WMMB Holiday Butter Promotion”

Category: Media Relations “WMMB Foodservice Media Relations”

Awards of Merit were presented to:

· Stephan & Brady – Category: Business Campaign Development/Launch “FC Wisconsin Identity Launch”

· Wisconsin Public Television – Category: Crisis Communications “CPB Funding Support”

· St. Mary’s Hospital (3 merit awards):

Category: Internal Relationship Building “Frankly Speaking”

Category: Special Events “We’re Having a Blast Groundbreaking”

Category: Exceptional Execution of Communication Tactics “Link to Wellness”

· General Casualty – Category: Annual Report “General Casualty Focused Forward”

· The Hiebing Group – Category: Exceptional Execution of Communication Tactics “Manure to Methane”

· RTI Donor Services – Category: Newsletters with three or more colors “Weaving Lives Together”

The Public Relations Society of America seeks to advance the standards of the public relations profession and to provide members with professional development opportunities through continuing education programs, information exchange forums and research projects conducted on the national and local levels. For more information about PRSA, visit www.prsamadison.org or contact Paula Symons at (608)231-9050 or psymons@rtix.com.