Top PR campaigns win recognition

Top work by public relations professionals in the region has been recognized by the Sierra Nevada Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Accepting the organization's Silver Spike Awards were:

* Betsy McDonald of Bauserman Group for its work with the Boys & Girls Club Annual Cioppino Feed event.

* Dawn Fournier of International Game Technology for a marketing communications program to launch Ghostbusters at the G2E conference.

* Dan Davis of Renown Health for its crisis communications work following the Reno Air Races crash in 2011.

* Irene Payne of Washoe County School District for its Internet-based program titled Countdown to Graduation.

* Abbi Whitaker of Abbi PR for its media relations campaign for Campo Restaurant.

Award of Excellence winners included:

* Weidinger PR for its work on the Divine 9 Media Tour, the North American Snowsports Journalist Association and the American Century Championship -Tahoe Celebrity Golf Tournament.

* Education Alliance of Washoe County for its Principal for a Day community relations program.

* Nevada Department of Wildlife for its Nevada Dream Tag program.

* Bauserman Group for its campaign for Dolan Automative Group School Upgrade Challenge.

*IGT for its 2012 Product Guide publication.

Renown Health also received a Judges' Choice Award for their emergency communications efforts following the Reno Air Races crash. Tara Trovato of R & R Partners was recognized with the New Practitioner Award.

More than 30 entries in 13 award categories were submitted. Judging was conducted by the Maine Public Relations Council.