Public Relations Society Announces Annual IMPACT Awards Winners
Top honors awarded to University of Arizona VP Lisa Romero
and UA Institute for Computation and ICDI
PRSA Southern Arizona Announces 2024 IMPACT Awards Winners
Tuesday, October 29, 2024

TUCSON, ARIZONA (OCTOBER 29, 2024): The Southern Arizona chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has announced the winners for this year’s IMPACT Awards for Excellence in Public Relations, which recognize the outstanding efforts of public relations and communications projects and professionals across the region. The 2024 IMPACT Awards ceremony took place October 22 at Pima County Historical Courthouse, and honored 15 organizations with a total of 31 awards.
The year’s top individual honor went to Lisa Romero, Associate Vice President for Research, Communications and Marketing for University of Arizona’s Office of Research, Innovation & Impact, who was granted the chapter’s Career Impact Award. Other individual honors went to retired KVOA-TV reporter Lupita Murillo and Arizona Daily Star higher education reporter Ellie Wolfe, who shared recognition as the 2024 Media Person of the Year. Mandy Betz, Account Coordinator for Caliber Group, was named PR Rookie of the Year, and the 2024 PR Professional of the Year award winner was Jessa B. Turner, Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Tech Parks Arizona.
Lisa Romero, Associate Vice President for Research, Communications and Marketing for University of Arizona’s Office of Research, Innovation & Impact, was granted the Career Impact Award, the top individual honor awarded by PRSA Southern Arizona Chapter. (Credit: A.E. Araiza)
The UA Institute for Computation and ICDI (Institute for Computation and Data-Enabled Insight) received this year’s Best in Show Award, with the highest scoring submission for its AI Update newsletter and overall efforts to help the University of Arizona community to navigate the challenges of artificial intelligence.
A U of A team led by the Institute for Computation and Data-Enabled Insight (ICDI) won Best In Show for the AI Update, a newsletter highlighting artificial intelligence across campus. L to R: Stephanie Doster, senior director of ICDI marketing, communications and engagement; Michael Dorland, senior implementation analyst, Campus IT Partnerships; Arthur “Barney” Maccabe, ICDI executive director; Amelia Herb, senior lecturer, English Department, Writing Program; and Rakshit Gade, graduate student in the Management Information Systems program. (Credit: A.E. Araiza)
IMPACT Award honorees represent the highest standards in programs and projects that successfully incorporate the four key elements of public relations: research, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This year’s submissions were judged and scored by the PRSA Charlotte, NC chapter. Winners receive either an IMPACT Award of Excellence in Public Relations, the highest scoring category, or an IMPACT Certificate of Excellence. Entries are judged on their own merits.
This year’s IMPACT Award winners are:
IMPACT Awards for Excellence in Public Relations:
Annual Report:
- University of Arizona Health Sciences, Health Sciences Impact
General Marketing Campaign:
- NϋPOINT Marketing, Long Realty Smart Move Campaign
- ICDI (Institute for Computation and Data-Enabled Insight) and RII (Office of Research, Innovation and Impact) at University of Arizona, Data Connects Us
- University of Arizona Health Sciences Office of Communications, TEDx Talks
- Sundt Construction, Phoenix Brand Awareness
- University of Arizona Marketing & Communications, OSIRIS-REx
- UA Office of Research, Innovation & Impact: University of Arizona Women of Impact and Young Women of Impact
- United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, Find Your Purpose
- Family Life Radio, Launch of Detroit 93.1 FM
Government/Public Affairs Campaign:
- Pima Association of Governments, PAG 2025 RMAP Survey
- NϋPOINT Marketing, Sahuarita General Obligation Bond Initiative
Internal Communications:
- NϋPOINT Marketing, IMPACT Initiative
Social Media Communications:
- University of Arizona BIO5 Institute, KEYS Research Internship Societal Impact Campaign
Creative Collateral:
- Gordley Group, Gordley Group Holiday Card 2023
- ICDI and RII at University of Arizona, Data Connects Us Magazine
- NϋPOINT Marketing, “Smart Move” Behind-the-Scenes Video
Media Placement:
- University of Arizona Communications, OSIRIS-REx
News/Media Release:
- University of Arizona Communications, Veterans and Service Dogs
Community Relations:
- UA institute for Computation and ICDI, AI at Arizona
- Gordley Group, Town of Oro Valley’s Path Forward Brand and Engagement Strategy
Special Events or Observances:
- Sundt Construction, 2024 Constructing You Symposium
Newsletter:
- UA Institute for Computation and ICDI, AI Update
- University of Arizona Health Sciences, Health Sciences Connect
Website:
- Pima Association of Governments, PAG Website Redesign
- Sundt Construction, Stop the STCKY Website
IMPACT Certificates of Excellence in Public Relations:
General Marketing Campaign:
- Gordley Group, Town of Fountain Hills Awareness Campaign
- Gordley Group, Pima Community College ‘I Will Be’ Campaign
- TMC Health, Hello Campaign
Multicultural Communications:
- United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, Gabe Mendoza Opportunity Youth Campaign
Media Placement:
- University of Arizona, University Communications, OSIRIS-REx
Media Release / Public Service Announcement:
- Pima County Attorney’s Office, Make the Call PSA
Crisis Communications:
- Caliber Group, Humane Society of Southern Arizona Crisis Communications
Best in Show: UA Institute for Computation and ICDI, AI Update - Newsletter
Practitioner Awards:
Career Impact Award:
Lisa Romero - Associate Vice President for Research, Communications and Marketing University of Arizona Office of Research, Innovation and Impact
PR Rookie of the Year:
Mandy Betz - Account Coordinator
Caliber Group
PR Professional of the Year:
Jessa B. Turner - Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Tech Parks Arizona
Media Person(s) of the Year:
Ellie Wolfe - Higher Education Reporter, Arizona Daily Star/Tucson.com
Lupita Murillo - Crime Reporter (retired), KVOA-TV
PRSA Southern Arizona Chapter offers professional development to public relations, marketing and communications professionals through events, awards, continuing education and accreditation, and a vibrant network of local practitioners.
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FOR ADDITIONAL IMAGES, CONTACT:
Media Contact
Elise Brown
Communications Chair, PRSA Southern Arizona
elise@elisebrownpr.com, phone (215) 990-6955
About PRSA Southern Arizona Chapter
PRSA Southern Arizona Chapter is the region's leading professional organization serving the communications community. As advocates for industry excellence and ethical conduct, it provides members with learning opportunities and resources to enhance professional connections and support them throughout their career. To learn more about becoming a member, and the chapter’s monthly programs, networking mixers, annual events and more, visit prsatucson.org.
MEDIA CONTACT | COMMS@PRSATUCSON.ORG