An Ocala public relations professional was the top award winner at the Florida Public Relations Association’s Golden Image Awards online banquet.
Ocala chapter member Heather Danenhower, who works for Duke Energy, took home the Dick Pope All Florida Golden Image Award – the top prize given during the Thursday banquet.
“The Golden Image Awards have become a standard of public relations excellence in the state of Florida,” said Katie Hunnicutt, president of the Ocala chapter. “Winners demonstrate the very best examples of innovation, planning and design.”
To qualify for judging, an entry must incorporate sound public relations research and planning. Entries also must meet the highest standards of production, execution and evaluation of results and budget.
In addition to the top award, Danenhower received the Golden Image Award (best in category) and Judges Award (maximum results with a minimum amount of money) for the Crystal River Nuclear Plant Stakeholder Engagement Plan.
Duke Energy’s decision to retire the Crystal River Nuclear Plant caused community discord and audiences weren’t satisfied with the company’s communications. To address the problem, the agency’s corporate communications office designed a stakeholder engagement plan that increased satisfaction with communications by 233 percent and rebuilt trust and satisfaction among audiences.
During the recognition ceremony, FPRA State Association President Alyson Lundell awarded the Ocala Chapter with the Community Involvement President Award. FPRA Ocala Chapter member Savannah Silliman, with the Reilly Arts Center, also was recognized as the Ocala chapter’s Joe Curley Rising Leader.
FPRA is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who enhance the public relations profession in Florida through ethical and standardized practices. FPRA comprises 15 professional and 12 student chapters throughout the state, providing professional development, networking and professional recognition opportunities.
The Ocala FPRA Chapter, www.fpraocala.org, was established in 1980. Members and guests typically meet the third Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the College of Central Florida. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the chapter has been meeting virtually.