2014 PRSA-NY BIG APPLE AWARDS
Public Relations Society of America - New York Chapter
Images by John Vecchiolla and Yaelyphotographer.com
The 2014 PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards Planning Committee Chairwoman invited The TAGS Group founder, Stacy Leistner, to present event concepts for consideration by the all-volunteer committee. Their direction: bring a fresh approach to this annual awards programs for public relations professionals in New York City and the metro-area. The theme Stacy proposed, "evolution," demonstrated how PR -- and the tools used by PR professionals -- has developed from the earliest days of the industry to this special evening where the 'best of the best' campaigns of the present day are being recognized.
About the 2014 Event
Guests arriving on May 22 at the Mandarin Oriental New York hotel were greeted by registration staff costumed in 'press' fedoras, manual typewriters adorning the welcome desk, and brightly lit movie marquee signage. A living statue dressed as a photographer from an earlier genre 'snapped photos' and posed with attendees as they entered the reception space. Guests mingled, ate, drank (and sampled whiskeys) among tables draped with newsprint linens and ornamented with silvery mercury glass vases and candleholders.
The awards ceremony space was styled with cabaret seating and included wine and beverage service throughout the evening. Dual stages focused the attention on both the category awards and also the special individual tribute awards that were presented throughout the evening. Lighted "on air" signs gave the audience cues that remarks were about to be delivered; introductory remarks (read from scripts on an iPad and featuring a real-time tweeted selfie) were amplified by vitange radio microphones. A very special feature of the evening was a musical performance by country and pop singer Leann Rimes.