Hailey Laycraft Announced as 2013 winner of the Susan Francis Prize in Public Relations

TORONTO, Nov. 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Hailey Laycraft, Calgary, is the 2013 winner of the $1,000 Susan Francis Prize in Public Relations, awarded annually to a public relations student in his/her final year of a public relations/communications program at Mount Royal University, University of Calgary or SAIT Polytechnic. 

The Prize was established by the Francis family and Canadian Public Relations Society (Calgary) to honour the memory of the late Susan Francis, APR, who dedicated her life and career to implementing communications programs for causes about which she was passionate.

With a focus on communications planning, candidates submit a project proposal that would make the world a better place and reflect issues such as gender equality, the environment, political action, and crisis communications.

Laycraft is a fourth year student at Mount Royal University in the Bachelor of Public Relations program. She submitted a communications plan focused on the Because I Am A Girl Campaign (BGC) that proposed the implementation of a run and walk event.  BGC raises awareness about gender equality and rights empowering girls around the globe to change the world for everyone around them.

From 2011-2013, Laycraft has been a Dean's Honour Student and in 2012 she was the recipient of the CPRS (Calgary) Legacy Scholarship.

"Hailey's commitment to the professional practice of public relations is clear both inside and outside the classroom," said Jeremy Berry, APR, Associate Professor, Public Relations at Mount Royal University. "She also finds time to volunteer extensively in the community - a commitment that reflects the essence of Susan Francis' passion for societal issues."

In addition to her studies Laycraft recently completed a co-op placement at Nexen Energy ULC in the health, safety and environment social department focusing on the Responsibility Care® initiative where she wrote a communications plan related to sustainability for the business unit and developed a standard for community investment initiatives.

She has also served as a communication advisor for Keith Chevrolet Buick GMC where she monitored stakeholder relations through surveys to track customer satisfaction and created web content that increased user activity.

The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is a uniquely Canadian association of public relations professionals. For over 50 years, CPRS Calgary has had some of the most talented communications professionals in Canada's energy capital in its membership.

The Susan Francis Prize in Public Relations is managed by the Communications + Public Relations Foundation. The Foundation promotes the advancement of communications and public relations as vital functions in society, is dedicated to the public interest, and is committed to increasing public knowledge and awareness of the role of communications and public relations in daily life. The Foundation accepts individual and corporate contributions towards research and educational initiatives nationwide.

For more information about the Foundation and its public relations educational initiatives, contact Barbara Sheffield, Executive Director, Communications + Public Relations Foundation, Suite 1515, 73 Widdicombe Hill Blvd., Toronto, Ontario, M9R 4B3, or phone [phone], or e-mail [email protected].

SOURCE: Communications + Public Relations Foundation

Media contacts:

Janice Robertson, President, CPRS (Calgary)
[phone]
[email protected]

or

Barbara Sheffield, APR, FCPRS, Executive Director
Communications + Public Relations Foundation
[phone]
[email protected]