The PRSA Lookout Chapter will once again recognize the achievements of communication professionals and organizations in our area through the 2025 Crown Awards. These awards will showcase the strategic, innovative leaders and communication campaigns happening in the greater southeast Tennessee and northwest Georgia area.
In 2020, the PRSA Lookout Chapter developed the Crown Awards, named after the connection of the word “corona” to the Latin word for crown. Our goal is to acknowledge the stellar work of practitioners, teams and/or organizations in 2025.
Small businesses, nonprofits, large corporations, student groups and individuals are welcome to submit their credentials and activities to be considered for an award. Newly created or existing communication programs, campaigns or projects either internal or external, and individual or company achievements will be considered. Project-based submissions will be judged based on four categories: innovation and creativity, planning, execution and impact.
The judging panel is made up of experienced communication and PR professionals from another regional PRSA Chapter.
The deadline to apply for the 2025 Crown Awards is Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
2025 CATEGORIES (4 Total)
Overall Campaign Winner (Evaluated on innovation and creativity, planning, execution and impact)
Candidates are encourages to submit whole campaigns, strategies or tactics that have been implemented and measured. Judges will evaluate the campaign and supporting materials on four categories: innovation and creativity, planning, execution and impact. An overall winner will be selected. An honorable mention(s) might also be named.
Recipient: Talking Trash with Shelby County Residents, submitted by Chelsea Nix
Mentions: HDR Engineering, Cherry & Company PR, Memphis & Shelby County Office of Sustainability & Resilience
Rising Star Award (0-10 years experience and contributions to community)
This award recognizes PRSA Lookout’s best and brightest early public relations professionals. Nominees must have less than 10 years of experience in the industry and demonstrate well-rounded leadership through accelerated professional accomplishments, service to PRSA Lookout and contributions to the community. Candidates can self nominate.
Recipient: Jasmine Render Padgal
Doris Fleischman Bernays Award (10+ years experience and contributions to community)
This award is named after Doris Fleischman Bernays, who was a writer, publicist and 61 year partner in the firm of Edward Bernays, known as the father of PR. They were partners in business and life. The award honors an individual with at least 10 years of experience who uses their professional talents for the benefit of the public relations profession. Nominees will be judged on contributions to PRSA, the profession and service to the community; quality, creativity and impact of their professional work; and the example set by their ethical practices. Candidates can self nominate.
Recipient: Kristyna Selph
Elevating the Profession Award (Company that supports the profession or firm/company that excels within the profession)
This award is for communications leadership and recognizes a company or firm who strives to implement sound communication practices in their organization and the community. Nominees could include companies or organizations who have a robust communications program and who support the team’s PR work within the company or organization. It could also include creative agencies or PR firms that excel within the industry and help advance the profession. Candidates can self nominate.
Recipient: Mace Carmichael
The Crown Awards will be presented during our December 2025 event!