The 57th Annual Bell Ringer Awards, hosted by the PR Club, gathered over 200 public relations and communications professionals at the Museum of Science in Boston, marking a return to pre-pandemic attendance levels. Emmy-nominated journalist Emily Schario hosted the event, which celebrated the region's most impactful PR campaigns and the individuals behind them. PR Club President Kaitlynn Cooney emphasized the significance of holding the awards at the Museum of Science for the first time, reflecting the industry's ongoing evolution and creativity.
The awards honored excellence across various communications efforts, from single-tactic executions to comprehensive, multi-channel campaigns. Leading agencies such as Duffy & Shanley, RDW Group, and 360PR+ were among the top winners, with 360PR+ receiving the prestigious Platinum Super Bell Award for their outstanding campaign for CarGurus. This recognition underscores the importance of innovative strategies in today's competitive communications landscape.
Individual achievements were also highlighted, with Amy Shanler receiving the John J. Molloy Crystal Bell Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of service to the PR community. Erin Fennell of V2 Communications earned the Striker Award for early-career achievement, while Julianna Sheridan of Matter Communications was honored with the Ringer Award for mid-career excellence. A new award, the Carillonneur Professional Award, was introduced to celebrate outstanding workplace culture, with V2 Communications as the inaugural recipient, as detailed on https://www.prclub.org/awards.
Beyond professional recognition, the event continued the PR Club's tradition of community support by raising over $1,000 for CommonWealth Kitchen, a nonprofit that assists food entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities. This philanthropic effort, supported by event sponsors, demonstrates the industry's broader role in fostering social impact and collaboration. The awards not only showcase the best in public relations but also reinforce the field's capacity to drive meaningful change and shape narratives, as highlighted in resources like https://www.prnewsonline.com/industry-trends.
As the PR Club looks ahead to future events, the 57th Annual Bell Ringer Awards stand as a testament to innovation, resilience, and excellence in communications. The gathering at the Museum of Science, with its focus on both achievement and community, serves as a reminder of the industry's vital contributions to business and society, encouraging continued growth and engagement among professionals.
