The Sierra Nevada Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) honored six individuals, 12 Silver Spike Awards, and several other accolades during its 2024 Silver Spike event on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Wilbur D. May Museum in Reno, Nev.
The Silver Spike Awards ceremony celebrates excellence in the local public relations and communications industry. Public relations and marketing professionals, teams, and firms submit their work for evaluation by an out-of-market PRSA chapter. Submissions are judged on a 100-point scale, with top scores earning a Silver Spike, Bronze Spike, or Award of Excellence.
In 2024, the Sierra Nevada Chapter of PRSA received 43 submissions. Of these, 28 were recognized for their outstanding research, well-defined goals and objectives, effective execution, and measurable results.
In addition to recognizing professional projects, the Sierra Nevada Chapter also honors individuals based on community nominations. A selection committee, comprised of public relations professionals and community leaders, reviews nominations and finalizes award recipients.
“The Silver Spike Awards provide a unique opportunity to honor the exceptional talent and achievements within our local public relations community,” said Jamii Uboldi, APR, 2024 PRSA Sierra Nevada Chapter president. “I am thrilled to see such outstanding work recognized this year. On behalf of our 2024 Board, I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported and contributed to our local PR community, and congratulations to all of this year’s award winners!”
Below is the complete list of awards presented at the 2024 Silver Spike Awards ceremony:
Individual Award Winners
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Lifetime Posthumous Award: Guy Clifton
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Public Relations Hall of Fame: Don Butterfield from Reno Behavioral Healthcare Hospital
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Gold Spike Community Excellence: Yeraldin Deavila from Northern Nevada Public Health
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Mark Twain Community Service: Marie Baxter, CFRE from Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada
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Mark Curtis Sr., Chapter Member of the Year: Jen Eastwood from Good Giant
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Outstanding New Practitioner: Olive Giner from KPS3
Best of Show
This is the highest-scoring entry.
Good Giant
Strategies & Tactics: Media Relations – Earned: Online, Print, Expert Positioning
2023 Reno Rodeo
Student’s Choice Award
This is the highest-scoring entry judged by students of the local PRSSA chapter at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Good Giant
Strategies & Tactics: Media Relations – Earned: Online, Print, Expert Positioning
2023 Reno Rodeo
Silver Spike Award Recipients
These recipients received a score of 90+.
Good Giant
Strategies & Tactics: Media Relations – Earned: Online, Print, Expert Positioning
GSR Arena Press Conference
Good Giant
Strategies & Tactics: Media Relations – Earned: Online, Print, Expert Positioning
2023 Reno Rodeo
Washoe County
Strategies & Tactics: Audio, Video, Webcasts, etc.
Weather Podcasts
The Abbi Agency
Strategies & Tactics: Media Relations – Owned: Social Media
Explore Murrieta – Superbloom
KPS3
Strategies & Tactics: Media Relations – Owned: Social Media
Santa Maria Valley Influencer Strategy
East Public Relations & IC Media Strategies
Programs: Community Relations
Nevada Child Care Fund
Washoe County
Programs: Community Relations
Nurturing Next-Gen Leaders: How the WCLA is Fueling Board Succession
In Plain Sight Marketing
Programs: Special Events & Observances, 1 or 2 days
Wedding Venue Open House – Park Home Ranch
Washoe County
Programs: Special Events & Observances, 1 or 2 days
Washoe County Courthouse Sesquicentennial
KPS3
Programs: Overall Campaign
Greater Nevada Credit Union 2023 Public Relations Campaign
The Decker/Royal Agency
Programs: Overall Campaign
Visit Reno Tahoe National Plan for Vacation Day
Renown Health
Programs: Overall Campaign
Share the Love with a Career at Renown Health
Bronze Spike Award Recipients
These recipients received a score between 84-89.
The Abbi Agency
Strategies & Tactics: Media Relations – Earned: Online, Print, Expert Positioning
American Forests Tree Equity
The Decker/Royal Agency
Strategies & Tactics: Media Relations – Earned: Online, Print, Expert Positioning
Visit Reno Tahoe Mercury News Feature
Renown Health
Strategies & Tactics: Audio, Video, Webcasts, etc.
Now Hiring: Wolf Pack Fans Like You
KPS3
Strategies & Tactics: Media Relations – Owned: Social Media
Visit Morgan Hill Social Media Strategy
KPS3
Strategies & Tactics: Media Relations – Owned: Social Media
MPOX Influencer Campaign
Renown Health
Strategies & Tactics: Media Relations – Owned: Social Media
Empowering Health in Northern Nevada Through Engaging Content
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Programs: Emergency or Crisis Programs
Rapid and Comprehensive Response to Aquatic Invasive Species Discovery in Lake Tahoe
KPS3
Programs: Special Events & Observances, 3 or more days
Donor Network West Home Run for Life, 2023
Renown Health
Programs: Special Events & Observances, 1 or 2 days
Renown Children’s Hospital NICU & PICU Ribbon Cutting & Open House Events
Renown Health
Programs: Special Events & Observances, 1 or 2 days
Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit Ribbon Cutting & Open House
Argentum Partners
Programs: Overall Campaign
The Final Flag of the National Championship Air Races
Award of Excellence Recipients
These recipients received a score between 78-83.
Argentum Partners
Strategies & Tactics: Media Relations – Earned: Online, Print, Expert Positioning
The Final Flag of the National Championship Air Races
KPS3
Strategies & Tactics: Media Relations – Earned: Online, Print, Expert Positioning
Linea Energy Launch
Argentum Partners
Strategies & Tactics: Content Marketing
Baseball Cards for A+ Jobs
Renown Health
Strategies & Tactics: Audio, Video, Webcasts, etc.
Now Hiring: People Like You
Argentum Partners
Programs: Emergency or Crisis Programs
The Final Flag of the National Championship Air Races
Event photos can be viewed on Facebook here. Connect with the Sierra Nevada PRSA chapter on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X. For more information, visit prsasierra.org.
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The Sierra Nevada Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) consists of public relations practitioners from Northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area. The Chapter is active in professional development for its members and community-service service programs for organizations without formal public relations departments. It maintains a close working relationship with the Theodore E. Conover Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at the University of Nevada, Reno, helping the student organization toward a number of regional and national awards, including the prestigious Bateman Case Study championship.
The 2024 Silver Spike Awards ceremony was made possible with generous support from: Argentum Partners, About Town Deb, Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada, East Public Relations, Flanz Media, Good Giant, In Plain Sight Marketing, KPS3, Northern Nevada Health System, Reno Type, Renown Health, The Abbi Agency, The Ferraro Group, Travel Nevada, and Washoe County.
