The 2004 Annual Conference
Maine Public Relations Council Honors Three at its Annual Conference - 11/17/2004
Maine Public Relations Council (MPRC) honored three professionals for their contributions to the public-relations field at its annual conference on October 29. Michael P. Bourque, APR, won the Edward L. Bernays Award; John Lamb, APR, took home the President's Award; Joan Benoit Samuelson accepted the Lightship Award.EDWARD L. BERNAYS AWARD?MICHAEL P. BOURQUE, APR
The Bernays Award is presented annually to an MPRC member for outstanding contributions to the public-relations profession. The award is named in honor of Edward L. Bernays, considered the father of modern public relations.
Michael Bourque, APR, is vice president of corporate marketing and communications at Maine Employers? Mutual Insurance Company (MEMIC). Before his work with MEMIC, Bourque was senior editor for the American Association of Community Colleges, based in Washington, D.C. Bourque spent five years as a reporter, working for daily newspapers in Maine and Alaska. He won writing awards from the Maine Press Association during his stint at the Journal Tribune in Biddeford. He has a bachelor?s degree in journalism from the University of Maine. Bourque is a past treasurer, vice president and president of the Maine Public Relations Council, and currently serves on its Board of Directors as co-chair of the conference committee.
PRESIDENT'S AWARD?JOHN LAMB, APR
The President's Award is presented each year to an MPRC member who has made great contributions to public relations and MPRC. This year's recipient, John Lamb, APR, also serves as the council's vice president. Lamb is a communications designer at L.L. Bean. His previous positions include vice president of public affairs at KeyCorp, manager of public relations at Burgess Advertising, and sports anchor/reporter at WGME-TV. Lamb earned a degree in communications at the University of Southern Maine and an M.A. in mass communications/media management at Emerson College. He has served on the MPRC board since 2000.
LIGHTSHIP AWARD?JOAN BENOIT SAMUELSON
Joan Benoit Samuelson received the Lightship Award, presented yearly to an individual outside the public-relations field. Recipients are recognized for their ability to interact and successfully communicate with the public and the media.
Joan Benoit Samuelson won the first women's Olympic marathon in 1984. She was inducted into the Maine Women's Hall of Fame in 2000. Benoit Samuelson, while maintaining a rigorous training schedule, works with many non-profits and local schools. She founded the Beach to Beacon Road Race in 1998, a Maine race that receives national attention and attracts top runners from around the world. She holds the title of master gardener and has been an advocate for natural resources through her involvement with Friends of Casco Bay, Maine's Bayscaping program, and Wolfe's Neck Farm.
The Maine Public Relations Council is a professional association of Maine public-relations practitioners. MPRC is dedicated to the professional development of its members and a greater awareness of the role of public relations in the world today. www.meprcouncil.org.