RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – The winners of the sixth annual Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award were honored this week at the Spring Conference of the Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC) held in Dearborn, MI. The awards are the only of their kind that are dedicated to recognizing excellence in automotive public relations.

The Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award identifies public relations programs that have successfully addressed an automotive-related public relations issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. The award honors complete public relations programs that incorporate sound planning, execution and evaluation.

“In today’s complex automotive industry, effective communication is more important than ever to attract business and maintain positive reputations among customers, employees, shareholders, media and other key stakeholders,” said APRC Director Margaret Beck. “This year’s awards honor those companies and communicators whose work in the public relations arena exemplified the best in effective communications in 2006.”

Winners of the 2006 Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award included:

Outstanding Achievement in Media Relations – Consumer

Gold – AutoCom Associates, SoyFoam

Silver – Saleen and John Bailey & Associates Inc. Public Relations, Saleen S7 Launch

Outstanding Achievement in Press Events

Gold – Robert Bosch LLC, Automotive Aftermarket Division, and Target Communications Inc., “What’s Behind Bosch? … What’s Ahead for Bosch?”

Silver – ArvinMeritor, “ArvinMeritor at 2006 Mid-America Trucking Show”

Outstanding Achievement in Media Relations – Trade

Gold – ZF Group North American Operations, “Trucks 101”

Silver – AutoCom Associates, Electronic Parking Assistance Demonstration

Outstanding Achievement in Crisis Communications

Gold – PCGCampbell, Bankruptcy Emergence

Silver – ZF Group North American Operations, ZF Tuscaloosa/UAW Negotiations

Outstanding Achievement in Advertising

Gold – OTC Genisys and DRB Partners Advertising, Design & Public Relations, “OTC Genisys Productivity”

Silver – The Timken Company, “Original Equipment Is Always Better”

Outstanding Achievement in New Product Launch

Gold – Saleen and John Bailey & Associates Inc. Public Relations, Saleen S7 Launch

Silver – CarMD.com Corp., CarMD Launch

Outstanding Achievement in Special Events

Gold – ArvinMeritor, 2006 HDAW Marketing Activities

Silver (tie) – PCGCampbell, “Groove Detroit … Art in Motion”

Silver (tie) – Coyne Public Relations, “Name the Blimp” Contest

Outstanding Achievement in Communications Campaign

Gold – Eisbrenner Public Relations, Dana Corp. European Communications

Silver – BorgWarner TorqTransfer Systems, “The Winning Solution for Driveline Systems Integration”

For more information on the award or to become an APRC member, contact Emily McConnell at [email protected] or 919-406-8811.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC — The winners of the fourth annual Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award were honored April 28 at the Spring Conference of the Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC) held in Dearborn, Mich.

The only award of its kind, the Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award identifies public relations programs that have successfully addressed an automotive-related public relations issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. The annual award honors complete public relations programs that incorporate sound planning, execution and evaluation.

“There are many outstanding PR professionals in our industry whose work stands out from the pack. We’re in a complex industry where effective communications can make a dramatic impact on securing business and increasing the bottom line,” said APRC Director Neal Zipser.

Winners of the 2004 Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award included:

Outstanding Achievement in Consumer Media Relations

* Gold: PPG Industries – 2004 Color Show: Ethos 2 (agency: Bianchi Public Relations)

* Silver: Delphi – Delphi XM MyFi Satellite Radio

* Bronze: R.L. Polk & Company – Hybrid Sales Study (agency: John Bailey & Associates)

* Honorable Mention: Car Care Council – Be Car Care Aware Campaign

Outstanding Achievement in Trade Media Relations

* Gold: Continental Teves North America – Active Safety Ride and Drive, N. America (agency: John Bailey & Associates)

* Gold: Harris Interactive – AutoTechCast Study (agency: John Bailey & Associates)

* Silver: ASC Incorporated – The Re-Emergence of ASC (agency: John Bailey & Associates)

* Silver: ZF Group NAO – 2004 North American Press Tour

* Silver: ASC Incorporated – ASC Halo Effect Findings (agency: John Bailey & Associates)

* Bronze: Delphi – Delphi Smart Service System

* Honorable Mention: Continental Teves North America – SAE 2004 World Congress Media Campaign (agency: John Bailey & Associates)

Outstanding Achievement in New Product Launch

* Gold: DaimlerChrysler Corp. – Jeep Adventure Africa

* Silver: Michelin North America – Michelin PAX System

* Silver: Ford Motor Co. – Ford Mustang Tour (agency: Campbell and Company)

* Silver: Philips Automotive Lighting NA – VisionPlus Headlamp Bulb (agency: Barolin & Spencer)

* Bronze: Delphi – Delphi XM Roady2 Satellite Radio

* Honorable Mention: OSRAM SYLVANIA – Unveiling New LED Bulb (agency: John Bailey & Associates)

* Honorable Mention: WIX Filters – WIX Filter CO2 Filtration in NASCAR

Outstanding Achievement in Internal Communications

* Silver: Delphi – Delphi Excellence Week

Outstanding Achievement in Public Affairs

* Silver: MEMA – Combating Steel Tariffs

Outstanding Achievement in Special Events/Observances

* Gold: Dana Corp. – Dana Centennial Celebration

* Silver: Clevite Engine Parts – Clevite Engine Builder Showroom

* Bronze: Delphi – Brickyard 400 Promotion

* Honorable Mention: Hyundai Motor Company – Hyundai Triple Crown Tuner Challenge (agency: John Bailey & Associates)

* Honorable Mention: Society of Plastics Engineers – 2004 Plastics Innovation Awards (agency: AutoPr) Outstanding Achievement in Media Event

* Gold: AutoCom Associates – AutoCom Tech Crawl (agency: AutoCom Associates)

* Silver: Solutia Automotive – Advancing the Art of Auto Glass (agency: Franco Public Relations Group)

* Silver: UPS – Fuel Cell Launch Event

* Bronze: Robert Bosch Corp. – Driving Oxygen Sensor Technology (agency: Target Communications)

* Bronze: Continental Teves North America – Active Safety Ride and Drive, Europe (agency: John Bailey & Associates)

* Honorable Mention: Hyundai Motor Company – Hyundai Breaks Ground in Michigan (agency: John Bailey & Associates)

APRC is a professional organization for public relations practitioners in all segments of the automotive industry, and is part of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). For more information on the award or to become an APRC member, contact Jobie Dowd at [email protected] or 919-406-8834.

_______________________________________

Click here to view the rest of today’s headlines.