At the annual PRSA Cincinnati banquet at the Phoenix, the communications team at Cincinnati Public Schools found themselves on the receiving end of well-deserved recognition. Their dedication and innovation in the field of public relations earned them not just one, but three prestigious awards from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Cincinnati chapter. The highlight of the evening was receiving the Blacksmith Award in the Best Use of Social Platform category for Parker’s Playground, symbolizing excellence in social media and communications. The team's creative, heartfelt work to highlight and celebrate its greatest asset - students - impressed the judges, showcasing the power of effective communication in fostering meaningful connections.
Adding to their accolades, the District communications team secured two Awards of Excellence for their outstanding achievements in the Integrated Communications campaign (Be Present!) and Video Tactic (Your Purpose. Our Legacy.) The first award celebrated their overall campaign strategy for Be Present!, which not only elevated the District's presence in the community post-pandemic but also fostered a sense of community among students, parents, staff and community members. The second Award of Excellence recognized the team's creative and impactful use of video to honor the legacy of CPS while recruiting more educators with backgrounds representing the student population. Through individual interviews and roundtable conversations, they effectively communicated the need for Black male educators and ELL educators in the Cincinnati community, leaving a lasting impression on both the judges and the wider community.
The awards not only affirmed the professionalism and talent of the communications team but also highlighted the positive impact their work has on the district's reputation and community relationships. As they celebrate their success, the team looks forward to continuing their innovative approach to communication, inspiring other Cincinnati institutions to embrace the power of effective public relations.
Additional Recognition
2023 has been a solid year for the CPS Office of Marketing and Communications team in terms of hard work and recognition. CPS was the only district in Ohio to receive two NSPRA Golden Achievement Awards. The first award was presented in recognition of the innovative Be Present! initiative, CPS Moves. The second Golden Achievement Award was for outstanding work on the CPS Black History campaign.CPS also also received two NSPRA Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards for the creation and engagement of Alphabet Soup and for Parker's Playground.
