FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 28, 2006

Pioneer Strategies wins award at Raleigh PR Society’s Sir Walter Raleigh Awards Banquet

RALEIGH – Pioneer Strategies received a Silver award at Tuesday’s Sir Walter Raleigh Awards banquet, sponsored by the Raleigh Public Relations Society (RPRS).  Pioneer was recognized in the open publications category for State Auditor Les Merritt’s 2005 Christmas Card.  The four-color card’s cover featured a Christmas photo of the Merritt family, while the inside included a Bible verse and a message from Auditor Merritt and his family. 

“We are honored that our work has been recognized by our peers in the Public Relations profession,” says Frank Williams, president of Pioneer Strategies.  “The fact that we were recognized for Auditor Merritt’s Christmas card lends credence to the idea that organizations can gain tremendous Public Relations value from a wide range of obvious, simple tools.  We strive to help our clients identify and take advantage of such opportunities -- opportunities which are often right under their nose.”

The Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Excellence in Communication banquet is held annually to showcase exemplary work by Public Relations and communications professionals throughout North Carolina.  All awards were judged by an out-of-state association to ensure independent, unbiased evaluations and winner selection.  The Sir Walter Raleigh Awards competition is sponsored by the Raleigh Public Relations Society (RPRS), which was formed in 1959.  Visit www.rprs.org for more information about the Raleigh Public Relations Society. 

Pioneer Strategies is a Raleigh-based Public Relations agency that provides small and mid-sized businesses and non-profit organizations with strategic Public Relations counsel and cost-effective communication services.  Pioneer's services and expertise include strategic communication planning, media relations, campaign planning, executive Public Relations counsel, community relations, special event planning, copywriting and speechwriting.  For more information call 919-833-4345 or visit www.pioneerstrategies.com. 

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