Award Winners

2023 Pinnacle Awards and Special Awards Winners

2023 Pinnacle Awards

A Pinnacle Award is a prestigious communications award with a longstanding history of celebrating and rewarding the best public relations programs and projects. CPRS Hamilton is proud to recognize the exceptional talent of its members and those in the PR sector.

Silver Pinnacle Winner

“Bloody Generous: Keeping Canada’s Lifeline Strong Amid Pandemic Challenges”

Marketing Communications Campaign

Rebecca Kieswetter, Wilfrid Laurier University

Silver Pinnacle Winner

“Forever Golden: Laurier Campus Magazine Final Edition”

Communications Project, Publication

John Zronik, Wilfrid Laurier University

Accepted by Carleen Carrol

Silver Pinnacle Winner

“Mpox Vaccination Campaign – Community Partner Engagement”

Issues/Crisis Management Campaign

Andrew Korchuk, APR, Niagara Region Public Health

Accepted by the Niagara Region Public Health Team

Silver Pinnacles Winner

“What’s Up Welland?”

Issues/Crisis Management Campaign

Marc MacDonald and Paul Orlando, City of Welland

Gold Pinnacles Winner

“Stick it to COVID – Vaccinating Niagara’s Youth”

Issues/Crisis Management Campaign

Courtney Westerhof, Niagara Region Public Health

Pictured with the Niagara Region Public Health Team

Gold Pinnacles Winner

“The New Organizational Gatekeeper: Enhancing Reputation Management Through Data”

Communications Project, Research

Sabrina Lavi, Ontario Health Cyber Security and McMaster MCM Candidate

Gold Pinnacles Winner

“Inspired Research. REAL IMPACT.”

Integrated Marketing and Communications Campaign

Melissa McCauley, Seána Curley, George Bull, Nick Skinner, Charity Parr Vasquez, Lori Chalmers Morrison, Aonghus Kealy, Mallory O’Brien, Carleen Carroll, Tim Hutchison, Angela Gzowski, Corey Tucker, Memory Tree Productions; Wilfrid Laurier University

Gold Pinnacles Winner

“Smashing Conversion Goals with Content and Camping”

Marketing Communications Campaign

Alexandria Anderson, Alex&Co and Four Corners Algonquin

Gold Pinnacles Winner

“This is Our Time: Brant Community Healthcare System’s Campaign for New Hospital”

Government Relations Campaign

Linneah Tovstiga, Brant Community Healthcare System

2023 CPRS Hamilton Special Awards

Nominated by peers, these awards recognize exceptional leadership and action in the public relations profession. 

Bill Cockman Memorial Award for Excellence in PR

Kim Sweeney, MEd, MCM, APR

The Bill Cockman Memorial Award of Excellence in PR is given for distinguished and dedicated service to the Canadian Public Relations Society and/or to the advancement/betterment of the practice of public relations at large.

Dr. Louis J. Cahill Memorial Award for Distinguished Service

Josie Cassano Rizzuti, MCM, APR, CMP®

The Dr. Louis J. Cahill award is presented to a member who has demonstrated a commitment to CPRS Hamilton in an exemplary way over the course of his or her membership.

Heather J. Pullen Memorial Award

Caitlin Costello

The Heather J. Pullen Memorial Award is presented to a graduating student member of CPRS Hamilton who has demonstrated a commitment to lifelong learning through academic and professional pursuits.

Student Award of Excellence, Niagara College

Emily Zwart

Awarded to up to two students in a full-time public relations program the Student Award of Excellence is presented to students who have demonstrated a clear understanding of PR, actions and behaviour that reflect professionalism, leadership in personal and scholastic activities, and a commitment to the future of the PR profession.

Student Award of Excellence, Mohawk College

Rishita Seth

Awarded to up to two students in a full-time public relations program the Student Award of Excellence is presented to students who have demonstrated a clear understanding of PR, actions and behaviour that reflect professionalism, leadership in personal and scholastic activities, and a commitment to the future of the PR profession.