New York, NY – The Institute for Public Relations (IPR) is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2023 IPR Lifetime Achievement Awards: The IPR Lifetime Achievement Award, IPR Pathfinder Award, and the IPR Jack Felton Medal for Lifetime Achievement. Each award will be presented at the 61st Annual IPR Distinguished Lecture and Awards Dinner on November 30, 2023, at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City.
2023 Honorees:
- IPR Lifetime Achievement Award: Margi Booth, M Booth
- IPR Pathfinder Award: Dr. Juan Meng, University of Georgia
- IPR Jack Felton Medal for Lifetime Achievement: Stacey Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA of Jackson Jackson & Wagner
IPR Lifetime Achievement Award: Margi Booth
Margi Booth, Active Working Chairman of M Booth, will receive the 2023 IPR Lifetime Achievement Award for her unparalleled contributions to the field of public relations and commitment to the power of research. Her consistent dedication to exceptional leadership, marked by integrity, humility, and stewardship, embodies the spirit of the award.
The IPR Lifetime Achievement Award is IPR’s highest honor given to an individual who has made major contributions to the practice of public relations, including effective use of research. It honors the person whose character exemplifies leadership through demonstrating the power of effective use of public relations and research while living the values of integrity, humility, and stewardship.
“In addition to building a superb PR firm, Margi has contributed countless hours to advancing the profession and personifying the ‘servant leader’ mindset at all times,” said Steve Cody, IPR Trustee and Co-founder and CEO of Peppercomm. “Margi has also been a mentor, colleague and friend who has always been there for me when I needed expert advice from one of the true experts in our field.”
Margi founded M Booth, a communications firm, in 1985 that grew to one of the most successful mid-sized agencies in the communications industry. M Booth has won industry honors including agency of the year, best place to work, creative agency of the year, and a top firm in the consumer sector. In 2009, she sold her agency to Next Fifteen Communications Group. Margi was one of six trailblazers inducted into PRWeek’s Hall of Fame in 2016, an honor bestowed on inspiring leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the communications industry. Her firm is a Cannes Lion winner for their work on American Express; she is a New York Women in Communications Matrix recipient and received the New York Public Relations Society’s prestigious John W. Hill Award for her leadership.
IPR Pathfinder Award: Dr. Juan Meng
Dr. Juan Meng, Georgia Athletic Association Endowed Professor of Public Relations and Head of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia (UGA), will receive the 2023 IPR Pathfinder Award for her significant and sustained contributions to the field of public relations through research, education, and leadership.
The IPR Pathfinder Award is presented annually to an individual whose published work bridges the profession and research community. The IPR Pathfinder Award Committee comprises the IPR Board of Trustees, past winners, and academic leaders in the field, recognized Dr. Meng’s noteworthy achievements and outstanding research.
“Dr. Meng’s dedication to the study of corporate communications and leadership in public relations has not only shaped the profession but also inspired others to follow in her footsteps,” said Dr. Tina McCorkindale, APR, IPR President and CEO. “Her remarkable achievements and leadership in our industry will continue to inspire future generations of public relations practitioners and academics.”
Dr. Meng is an inaugural member of IPR ELEVATE, a diverse and select membership community of high-performing innovators and catalysts for growth, change, and advancement who support the mission and insights-focused work of IPR.
Dr. Meng is an eminent scholar in public relations and has been recognized at the national and international levels. Her research specialization consistently focuses on public relations leadership, leadership development, gender and leadership in public relations, diversity and inclusion in talent management, and global communication. She has published more than 75 referred journal articles, scholarly book chapters, and research reports on leadership. She is the co-editor or co-author of four scholarly books on public relations leadership and strategic communication.
The IPR Jack Felton Medal for Lifetime Achievement: Stacey Smith, APR, Jackson Jackson & Wagner
Stacey Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA, Senior Counsel & Partner at Jackson Jackson & Wagner will receive the 2023 IPR Jack Felton Medal for Lifetime Achievement for her outstanding contributions to advancing the vital role of research, measurement, and evaluation in the practice of public relations and corporate communication.
The IPR Jack Felton Medal for Lifetime Achievement is presented annually to an individual whose career reflects Jack Felton’s “give back” beliefs, and those who have developed other leaders, serving as mentors and advisors in inspiring IPR’s mission of building sustainable measurement competencies and leadership across the professional practice of public relations.
“Throughout her career, Stacey has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to measuring behavioral change and outcomes in her public relations work and counsel,” said Dr. Julie O’Neil, Professor & Associate Dean Graduate Studies & Administration at Texas Christian University. “Stacey has also devoted significant time to giving back to the public relations field, as evidenced by her speaking at professional organizations, supporting public relations researchers, helping to develop standards for public relations curriculum, and serving and leading professional organizations.”
Stacey Smith has over 40 years of experience working with an extensive range of clients from Fortune 50 multinational operations to small not-for-profits. She specializes in assisting organizations communicate effectively with key stakeholder groups to build more strategic and solid relationships that influence organizational success. A counselor with JJ&W since 1981, Stacey has counseled senior management in government, corporations, schools, universities, hospitals and more on how to communicate in ways that builds long-term relationships with stakeholders.
Stacey was co-founder and senior research counsel at Dudley Research, 1984 – 2002, where she designed, administered, and analyzed behavioral research studies for a wide range of clients.
As a co-author of the 7th and 8th Edition of Public Relations Practices, Managerial Case Studies and Problems, (Pearson), she has worked to keep the vision of the earlier authors, Alan Center and Patrick Jackson, front and center for pr students around the world. She is also co-author of “The Public Relations Firm” (Business Expert Press) with Robert Pritchard, for those wanting to learn how to work with public relations firms.
All of the award winners will be honored at the 61st Annual IPR Distinguished Lecture and Awards Dinner on November 30, 2023, at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City.
Reserve your Seat(s) to the 61st Annual IPR Distinguished Lecture & Awards Dinner
Tables of 10 are available for $ and individual tickets are $500 for the awards dinner. The price includes a networking cocktail, the awards dinner, and Distinguished Lecture. Visit https://bit.ly/2023Lecture to learn more about the 61st IPR Annual Distinguished Lecture and Awards Dinner.
About the Institute for Public Relations
The Institute for Public Relations is an independent, non-profit research foundation dedicated to fostering greater use of research and research-based knowledge in corporate communication and the public relations practice. IPR is dedicated to the science beneath the art of public relations. IPR provides timely insights and applied intelligence that professionals can put to immediate use. All research, including a weekly research letter, is available for free at instituteforpr.org/.
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Contact:
Brittany Higginbotham
Communications & Digital Specialist
brittany@instituteforpr.org
