KETCHUM Earns PRSA-LA 2009 President's Award for Most Wins at 45th Annual PRism Awards Homeboy Industries' Father Greg Boyle Honored as Citizen of the Year and PainePR CEO, Daryl McCullough Honored as PR Professional of the Year

LOS ANGELES, Oct 29, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Public Relations Society of America's Los Angeles Area Chapter (PRSA-LA) presented its 45th Annual PRism Awards on Oct. 22 at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel to honor excellence in public relations. Ketchum Los Angeles earned the President's Award for winning nine PRism Awards and six Awards of Excellence. The Pittsburgh Chapter of PRSA, which judged the 250 entries, awarded Ketchum with the Best of Show award for the agency's work with Mattel on "Barbie Celebrates 50 Fabulous Years" campaign.

Mattel also took home the coveted PR Team of the Year Award for the same campaign.

PRSA-LA's president-elect Eric Moses presented Los Angeles-based Homeboy Industries founder and Executive Director Father Greg Boyle with the Citizen of the Year Award for his work in creating the largest and most successful gang intervention program in the country.

PainePR Chief Executive Officer Daryl McCullough was honored as the chapter's Public Relations Professional of the Year for his active leadership contribution to PRSA over the past decade and award-winning career spanning nearly 25 years.

"Daryl is one of the most respected professionals in our industry serving as a role model for both senior and junior PR executives," said Rita Tateel, PRSA-LA president.

KTLA's Kurt "The Cyber Guy" Knutsson served as host and while emphasizing the ever-evolving impact of the social media revolution that is upon us, he awarded iTunes(R) Gifts Cards from the podium to attendees sending Twitter "tweets" to his hand-held device.

The non-profit Grandparents as Parents of Canoga Park was awarded the $10,000 Don Perkins Community Service Grant. Constance Farrell, Communications Coordinator for the Los Angeles Conservancy, and Matt Meeks, Director at Bender/Helper Impact, were named winners of the Trevett Award, which honors young public relations professionals from the greater Los Angeles area.

The PRSA-LA PRism Awards recognize public relations excellence in 65 categories & subcategories of Program Campaigns ranging from new product launches, multicultural communications, environmental and healthcare programs to Tactical Programs that include social media, public service announcements and media writing. This year, public relations agencies, corporations, non-profits, foundations, and government organizations submitted a record 250 entries.

All 2009 PRSA-LA PRism Award Winners can be viewed online. Follow PRSA-LA on Facebook and Twitter.

About PRSA LA The Los Angeles Area Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is comprised of over 600 public relations professionals, representing many of Southern California's corporations, public relations agencies, independent practitioners, education and health institutions. The chapter's diverse membership benefits from the educational and networking opportunities as well as from the services provided which include job listings, referral programs, internship opportunities, chapter meetings, and other resources.

SOURCE: PRSA LA CONTACT: PRSA LA Rita Tateel, 323-651-3300 [e-mail] Copyright Business Wire 2009 -0- KEYWORD: United States

North America

California INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Other Consumer

Social Media

Philanthropy

Professional Services

Other Professional Services

Communications

Advertising

Marketing

Public Relations/Investor Relations

Other Philanthropy

Consumer SUBJECT CODE: Award

Event