The Public Relations Society of America's 2009 Communicator of the Year for Northwest Arkansas is Kathy Deck, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Arkansas. Deck's selection was announced April 29 during the PRSA chapter's annual Apex Awards ceremonies at Ruth's Chris Steak House in Rogers.

Kathy Deck (left) accepts the Communicator of the Year award from Jami Lamontagne, president of the Northwest Arkansas chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Cydnee Cochran, an account manager at Mitchell Communications Group in Fayetteville, was named the 2009 PR Professional of the Year. She holds an accreditation in public relations from PRSA. Cochran has been a member of PRSA since 1989 and has been a member of the Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas chapters. She has recently served in several capacities with the Northwest Arkansas chapter, including board member, treasurer and chair of the Apex awards.

Deck described her work as an economist for a university agency that specializes in communicating its answers to the public's questions about economic trends affecting Arkansas. Her department's analyses have included the economic impact of the Fayetteville Shale Play natural gas development and regional housing trends. Government agencies and news media frequently seek her analysis.

Cydnee Cochran (left) accepts the PR Professional of the Year award from Jami Lamontagne, president of the Northwest Arkansas chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

“Good information is the key piece to good decision making,” Deck said.

The Apex awards, now in their seventh year, were presented for examples of outstanding work in several categories as follows:

Public relations campaigns
This category recognizes public relations campaigns that demonstrate excellent use of the four components of the public relations planning process.

Clarus Communications for YourEncore: Innovation & Retiree Awareness Campaign

Special events and observances
This category includes programs, events, anniversaries, commemorations or celebrations.

University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business for “Decade of Dreams” - Arkansas Business Hall of Fame

Creative tactics
This category recognizes the best unconventional, creative tactic or approach used as part of a public relations program.

Sells Agency for Sister Anita Illustration

Web sites
This category recognizes excellence in conveying an organization's purpose, information and culture by way of a Web site.

Walmart for Walmartstores.com

Social media
Entries in this category include any use of social media to achieve an objective.

Tyson Foods with Mitchell Communications Group for the Tyson Foods 2008 Social
Media Hunger Challenge

Blogs
This category includes blogs on company Web sites or blogging Web sites and recognizes the purpose of the blog and its effectiveness in reaching the organization's goals.

Arvest Bank for the Arvest Bank Blog

Press conferences
Entries in this category included audio or visual copy of the press conference, along with prepared statements.

Tyson Foods with Mitchell Communications Group for the Tyson Foods 1 Million Pound Donation Kick-Off Media Event

Printed materials
This category encompasses a number of subcategories for printed materials (including electronic and online versions) used for public relations purposes.

Feature story: Southwestern Energy with Mitchell Communications Group for “Finding Resources in the Rain”

Newsletter: Sells Agency for the Fayetteville eNewsletter

Brochure: Ozark Guidance for Get to Know the Facts about Ozark Guidance

Press Kit/Media Kit: Sells Agency for Move to Mercy media kit

Magazine: University of Arkansas University Relations for Arkansas Magazine

Publication: Beaver Water District for Beaver Lake Watershed Maps

Annual Report: Ozark Guidance for Ozark Guidance Focus on 2008

Winners of Apex awards at the 2009 awards luncheon.