RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – The submission deadline for the seventh annual "Excellence in Automotive PR Awards" has been extended to Friday, March 28.

Sponsored by the Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC), the Excellence Awards honor communications professionals who have approached an automotive-related PR issue with exemplary skill, creativity and resourcefulness. The annual award also recognizes complete PR programs that incorporate sound research, planning, execution and evaluation.

APRC is a professional peer group of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association.

The Excellence awards recognize outstanding achievement in these categories:

• Advertising (open to auto/truck suppliers only)

• Communications Campaign (PR program that was an on-going campaign)

• Crisis Communications

• Internal Communications

• Media Relations (Consumer)

• Media Relations (Trade)

• New Product Launch

• Press Events

• Special Events/Observances

All entries must be received at APRC headquarters by Friday, March 28.

Information about the "Excellence in Automotive PR Awards" and APRC membership is available online at the Council website, www.autopr.org, or by contacting Emily McConnell at 919-406-8811 or emcconnell@mema.org.