2023 Gold Medallion Winners

MSPRA’s Gold Medallion Award recognizes outstanding programs or projects that advance education through responsible communication. The entries are judged on the clarity of concept, good writing, and evidence of using the four-step Public Relations process known as RPIE: Research, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. The following two programs exceeded the judge’s criteria for Gold Medallion recognition. We look forward to celebrating these efforts at MSPRA’s Annual Conference in March.

Eaton RESA Aviation Careers Institute Marketing Campaign
(produced by Ingham ISD's communication team)

The Eaton RESA Aviation Careers Institute emerged as a solution to address a looming pilot shortage. Thorough research and analysis guided the program's development, aiming to provide students with a streamlined path to pilot certification. A multifaceted marketing strategy that included numerous communications tactics and strategies resulted in 51 enrolled students for the fall of 2023, exceeding expectations. This achievement highlights the power of effective communication and the skill of the Ingham ISD communications team. Congratulations to Ingham ISD and Eaton RESA!

Troy School District - Troy Bond 2022: Preparing for Tomorrow

The goal of this communications project was to inform the community of a $555 million bond campaign for capital improvement projects with a 2 mill increase over the current tax rate. A comprehensive bond communications plan utilized multiple strategies and tactics, with hundreds of hours of community engagement sessions, videos, podcasts, print publications, brochures, social media, a direct mail campaign, and student-produced videos, forming the largest and most extensive bond campaign in Troy School District history. The team tailored key messages for each identified audience and implemented geographic targeting. The ballot proposal passed with 59% of voters in support. Congratulations Troy School District.