Reaching the pinnacle: Communications accolades for Memorial

June 3, 2014
Memorial featured prominently in the recent Pinnacle Awards celebration in St. John’s.
 
The university won two awards of merit for digital communications tools; Paula DyPaula Dyke, acting director of public affairs, received the Award of Excellence for Communications Professional at the recent IABC Pinnacle Awardske, acting director of public affairs, received the Award of Excellence for Communications Professional; and Earl Ludlow, president and CEO of Newfoundland Power and a Memorial alumnus, received the Award of Excellence for Organization Leader.
 
The awards are presented by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Newfoundland and Labrador chapter, in recognition of excellence in business communications. 

Memorial was recognized for both Face Forward, the 2013 President’s Report, and Into the Deep, the 2013 Research Report.
 
Face Forward is an online publication, created and managed by the Division of Marketing and Communications for the Office of the President, which provides an overview of the university’s accomplishments across the span of teaching and learning, research and public engagement, as well as the work undertaken in administrative support and infrastructure development.
 
Into the Deep is an online annual report that uses photos, text and video to tell the story of research at Memorial in a whole new way. Perfect Day Design Studio, the Office of the Vice-President (Research) and the Division of Marketing and Communications worked closely during the creation of Into the Deep. The judges credited the site as being very well designed, with innovative use of video and interactive elements. 
 
“In 2013, we put a greater focus on digital tools as opposed to print publications,” explained Victoria Collins, executive director of the Division of Marketing and Communications. “This approach aligns with the university’s focus on sustainability while allowing us to expand the reach of our communications activities through social media. Both projects involved extensive collaboration and teamwork and I’m delighted with our success in the Pinnacle Awards competition.”
 
This year, Face Forward is evolving into a thematic periodical, regularly sharing current events and stories representing the people and work taking place at Memorial University. A compilation of those features will form the basis of the 2014 President’s Report. To view the current issue, visit www.mun.ca/faceforward.
During the awards ceremony, Lana Collins, event host and accredited business communicator, introduced Paula Dyke as the recipient of the Award of Excellence for Communications Professional.
 
“Paula’s wealth of experience as a professional communicator, starting as a journalist and moving to the public relations world, makes her one of our province’s leaders in strategic communications.”
Ms. Dyke, a native of Greenspond, N.L., has been an active member of Memorial’s marketing and communications team since May 2012. She is an accredited business communicator whose career has spanned the public and private sector. Prior to working at Memorial, Ms. Dyke led Atlantic Lottery’s communications department and served as a communications director for the provincial government. Ms. Dyke recently earned her certification in reputation management and has won Gold Quill and Silver Leaf awards for her work.
 
Earl Ludlow received the Pinnacle Award of Excellence for Organization Leaders. Mr. Ludlow received his MBA from Memorial in 1994 and he has remained an active member of the Memorial community. He served on the Board of Regents for six years, the Faculty of Business Administration Advisory Board for two three-year terms and served as co-chair of Memorial’s havin’ a time: Reunion 2012, with his wife, Valerie.
 
“Earl has been an important member of our alumni community for many years and his contributions to the business faculty as a member of our advisory board have been invaluable,” said Dr. Wilfred Zerbe, dean of the Faculty of Business Administration. “We're pleased to congratulate him on this Pinnacle Award and wish him continued success in the future.”
 
The awards were handed out at the Pinnacle Awards Gala on May 22.

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