Arkansas PRSA

09/18/2026

Congratulations to Arkansas PRSA's 2026 Prism Award recipients!

Arkansas PRSA is proud to recognize the outstanding agencies, organizations and communications professionals whose work earned top honors at this year's Prism Awards. These award-winning campaigns represent the best in strategic communications, creativity and measurable results across Arkansas.

The celebration also included recognition of our distinguished individual award recipients: Heather Haywood, APR, recipient of the Crystal Award, and Roby Brock and Christina Littlejohn, recipients of the Diamond Award. Their leadership and contributions have made a lasting impact on the communications profession and our state.

View the full list of 2026 Prism recipients: https://www.arkprsa.org/blog-and-press/arkansas-prsa-announces-2026-prism-recipients-pd9zw

All photos from the event linked here: https://kcl.smugmug.com/Business/PRSA-Prisms-2026

09/10/2026

Join PRSA Arkansas for a timely conversation examining the full lifecycle of crisis communications through the lens of the June 21, 2024, shooting at the Mad Butcher in Fordyce.

Panelists will share perspectives from public safety and community leadership, exploring the communications demands of the first hours of a crisis, the challenge of managing information and misinformation, and the longer-term work of supporting recovery and rebuilding trust.

Panelists include:
·Cindy Murphy, Communications Director, Arkansas State Police
·Nick Genty, Deputy Communications Director, Arkansas State Police
·Jessica Hughes Ford, CEO, Community Foundation of Arkansas

Moderator
· Carson Horn, APR, PRSA Arkansas Ethics Officer

APRs who attend this ethics-focused meeting are eligible to receive renewal credit. 

Sign up here: https://www.arkprsa.org/meetings-and-events

07/27/2026

Did you catch our own Heide Harrell, M.A., APR, on Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)'s today?

As the 2026 National Board Chair, Heide served as host for Drew Higham of The Harris Poll, who shared valuable insights into public attitudes about the economy and artificial intelligence, along with the findings from the 2026 Axios Harris Poll 100.

We're proud to see Arkansas represented on the national PRSA stage. Way to go, Heide!

07/21/2026

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our July Member Mixer at Southern Tail Brewing! 🍻

It was a wonderful evening of reconnecting with colleagues, meeting new faces, and strengthening connections within Arkansas' public relations community.

A special thank you to Southern Tail Brewing for hosting us and to co-owner Brent Cryder for the warm welcome and behind-the-scenes brewery tour. We also appreciate our chapter leaders for sharing updates and helping make the evening a success.

Building relationships is one of the best parts of PRSA, and events like these remind us how valuable it is to connect with fellow communications professionals.

If you joined us, share your favorite moment or photo from the evening in the comments!

07/06/2026

Member Mixer at Southern Tail Brewing
Take a break from deadlines, media lists and inbox overload and join Arkansas PRSA for our July Member Mixer.

We will gather at Southern Tail Brewing on July 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. for an easygoing evening of conversation, connection and midsummer networking with the people who understand the public relations life best.

RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/yc57xun5

Come catch up with familiar faces, meet new members and enjoy a relaxed evening with your communications community.

Summer interns are also welcome to attend, connect and network.

Bring a friend who might be interested in PRSA!

06/28/2026

Another reason to be proud of Arkansas' communications community! 🎉

Congratulations to Carrie Phillips, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a valued PRSA Arkansas member, on being recognized as one of the "10 Higher Ed Marketers You Should Follow" by the Social Media Strategies Summit.

The list celebrates higher education marketing leaders who are helping shape the profession by sharing practical insights, leadership advice and innovative communications strategies.

The article praised Carrie's concise, actionable content and her refreshingly human approach to leadership, noting that following her "feels like listening to a wise friend."

We're proud to see one of our own recognized as a national thought leader. Congratulations, Carrie, on this well-deserved honor!

👏 Join us in celebrating Carrie in the comments!

06/24/2026

DEADLINE FRIDAY! This is your last chance to submit an entry for the 2026 Prism Awards.

More information at: www.arkprsa.org/arcom-awards

06/22/2026

👏 Arkansas continues to shine on the national stage!

Congratulations to Ghidotti Communications and The Peacock Group for earning multiple 2026 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Awards of Excellence at this year's Silver Anvil Awards in New York City.

Pictured are Natalie Ghidotti, President & CEO of Ghidotti Communications; Heide Harrell, Director of Communications for Central Arkansas Water and 2026 National PRSA Chair; and Denver Peacock, Founder & Principal of The Peacock Group.

Together, these award-winning campaigns showcase the incredible talent, creativity and strategic thinking coming out of Arkansas. From public affairs and health care to events and consumer marketing, this work is making an impact both here at home and across the country.

Congratulations to both agencies, their clients and every team member who helped bring these award-winning campaigns to life! 🎉

06/17/2026

Don't forget! The on-time deadline to submit a Prism entry is THIS FRIDAY!

🌟 More information at www.arkprsa.org/arcom-awards

06/16/2026

PRSA Arkansas Chapter presents two awards, selected by the Past Presidents Council, to celebrate individuals who demonstrate excellence in public relations. They are reviewed and recipients are selected during a special meeting of the PRSA Arkansas Chapter’s PPC to be held immediately following the July chapter meeting.

Diamond Award: An external award presented to an individual who, in the opinion of the PPC, has
made significant contributions resulting in the enhancement of the image of Arkansas, and who has
performed outstanding service to the State in which the principles of public relations have played a major
part.

Crystal Award: An internal award presented to a member of the Arkansas Chapter of PRSA who, in the
opinion of the PPC, has made significant and continuous contributions to the public relations profession
over a period of years and/or career with special consideration to the nominee’s specific contributions to PRSA and to the Arkansas PRSA Chapter.

Find nomination form https://www.arkprsa.org/diamond-award-and-crystal-award.

Nomination/s deadline is July 1, 2026. Email nomination to: Stella Prather, APR ([email protected])

Diamond Award & Crystal Award PRSA Arkansas Chapter presents two awards, selected by the Past Presidents Council, to celebrate individuals who demonstrate excellence in public relations. They are reviewed and recipients are selected during a special meeting of the PRSA Arkansas Chapter’s PPC to be...