Shreveport-Bossier City, La. – Three Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) – Northwest Chapter members were recognized for their outstanding work on campaigns and events in the public relations field at the PRAL State Conference Torche’ Awards held in Alexandria, Louisiana and the Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) conference Lantern Awards held n Biloxi, Mississippi. PRAL Northwest Members earned the following honors:
Emerie Eck Holtzclaw
Owner, Lagniappe P.R.I.M.E., LLC.
PRAL State Torche’ Awards: Award of Excellence
Tier Two: Short Term/Special Events
Beads & Brushes benefiting Highland Jazz and Blues Festival
Southern Public Relations Federation Lantern Awards: Award of Merit
Tier Two: Short Term Strategic Programs/Special Events
Beads & Brushes benefiting Highland Jazz and Blues Festival
Michelle Marcotte
Communications Consult, Sr., Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO)
PRAL State Torche Awards: Award of Excellence
Tier One: Long Term Strategic Programs/Community Relations and Public Service
Shaping Tomorrow’s Energy: Understanding Smart Meters with SWEPCO
Southern Public Relations Federation Lantern Awards: Award of Excellence
Tier One: Long Term Strategic Programs/Community Relations and Public Service
Shaping Tomorrow’s Energy: Understanding Smart Meters with SWEPCO
Paige Melton
Associate Director of Communications, United Way of Northwest Louisiana
PRAL State Torche’ Awards: Torche’ Award
Tier Two: Short Term Strategic Programs/Community Relations and Public Service
The United Way Book Club
PRAL State Torche’ Awards: Best of Show Award
Tier Two: Short Term Strategic Programs/Community Relations and Public Service
The United Way Book Club
Professional and student entries are judged and scored by PR practitioners on the individual merit based on adherence and successful utilization of the four-step RPIE process. There are 30 categories and subcategories consisting of long-term strategic programs, short-term strategic programs, and tactical materials. Award-winning entries demonstrating excellence in process and results earned Awards of Merit, Awards of Excellence, and top projects earning Torche’ or Lantern Awards at the respective awards ceremony. The Best of Tier winners were selected from winning entries in each tier, with the Best of Show Award chosen from the three Best of Tier winners.
The PRAL State Conference and Torche’ Awards are held annually in June in Alexandria, Louisiana. The Southern Public Relations Federation Conference and Lantern Awards are held annually in October at rotating locations within the region. The 2025 Southern Public Relations Federation Conference and Lantern Awards will be held October 19th – 21st in Bossier City, Louisiana.
To learn more visit www.pralstate.org/About_PRAL_Northwest, find PRAL Northwest on Facebook @PRALNorthwest, or email us at [email protected].
PRAL is an affiliate of the Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a 501(c) (6) not-for-profit, tax-exempt, commercially oriented business league, and consists of a network of public relations professionals from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Florida.