PRSA Memphis Announces VOX And PR Star Award Winners
Posted on Oct. 17, 2025 / Subscribe 0
PRSA Memphis highlights award-winning campaigns and tactics in public relations and communications.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Memphis Chapter celebrated outstanding achievements in public relations and communications at the 2025 VOX Awards.
The event, held at the Memphis Museum of Science and History, recognized the Mid-South’s best public relations, communications, and integrated marketing campaigns from the past year. The organization also announced the area’s top public relations professionals, including Cameron Spann, 2025 PR Executive of the Year, and honored their innovative contributions to the communications field and the Memphis community.
With more than 125 entries across multiple categories, this year’s awards represented excellence in strategy, creativity, and impact. Hemline Theory, The Carter Malone Group, Wilson Public Relations, and KQ Communications emerged as standout winners. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital took home the most honors, totaling 8 VOX Awards and 1 Gold Award.
"The 2025 PRSA Memphis VOX Awards was an evening to honor the best work done by PR professionals in the Mid-South and celebrate our profession," said PRSA Memphis president Elizabeth Whittington. "Congratulations to the winners and thank you to Michele Ehrhart for sharing her experience and insights with us."
Baptist Hospital’s campaign “Heart to Heart” won the Best in Show, as well as VOX Awards in Events and Observances and in Public Service.
KQ Communications won Best Large Agency, and The Carter Malone Group won Best Small Agency (fewer than 20 employees).
Innovative projects from organizations such as DCA, Memphis in May, and Youth Villages received honors in additional categories, such as non-traditional tactics, integrated communications, and most effective campaign with a budget of less than $5,000.
Cameron Spann, chief branding officer at Pickler Wealth Advisors, received the PR Executive of the Year award, which is awarded to the highest-ranking member of a PR department or division of a Mid-South firm, organization, or institution that has produced exceptional work under the nominee’s leadership and have made a notable contribution as a member of a professional organization or through his or her community service. Spann was recently named a 40 Under 40 by the Memphis Business Journal and has made significant contributions to the Mid-South’s business and nonprofit sectors, including leading a leading role for APEF, Pickler Wealth Advisors’ not-for-profit.
Jennifer Sharp, public relations director of The Carter Malone Group, was awarded the PR Star Award. The honor goes to a current PR practitioner with more than three years of experience, whose work has been exceptional and who is active in professional organizations or community service. Judges highlighted Sharp’s role. “What distinguishes Jennifer is her unique ability to get things done—not just efficiently, but spectacularly. She approaches every project with dedication, professionalism, and a relentless focus on exceeding expectations,” wrote one nominator.
Tomia Lane, social media and PR coordinator at Hemline Theory, received the Rising PR Star award. Her nomination emphasized her curiosity, tenacity and professional involvement in elevating the industry within the Mid-South.
The VOX and Star Awards are judged annually by external PRSA chapters, ensuring impartiality and recognizing excellence in the public relations profession. This year, practitioners in Colorado judged the 128 entries. The evening was sponsored by the University of Memphis Journalism and Strategic Media, AMF Catering and Phillips Media Agency. More details and photos from the event are available at www.prsamemphis.org.
VOX & PR Star 2025 Winners
Memphis PRSA Star Awards > PR Executive of the Year
● Cameron Spann, Pickler Wealth Advisors
Memphis PRSA Star Awards > PR Star
● Jennifer Sharp, The Carter Malone Group
Memphis PRSA Star Awards > Rising PR Star
● Tomia Lane, Hemline Theory
Memphis PRSA Star Awards > Best In-House PR Team
● VOX: Internal Communications Team, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
● GOLD: Cameron Spann and Nicole Ellis, Pickler Wealth Advisors
Organizational Awards > Best Small Agency (fewer than 15 employees)
● The Carter Malone Group
Organizational Awards > Best Large Agency (more than 15 employees)
● KQ Communications
Strategic Campaigns > Best in Show
Strategic Campaigns > Community Relations > Associations | Nonprofit Organizations
● VOX: Talking Trash with Shelby County Residents - Cherry PR
● GOLD: When Bentonville Moves, Everyone Wins - Hemline Theory
Strategic Campaigns > Change Management
● VOX: When Bentonville Moves, Everyone Wins, Hemline Theory
● GOLD: Bridging the Gap, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Strategic Campaigns > Events & Observances > 7 or fewer days > Associations | Government | Nonprofit Organizations
● VOX: Heart to Heart, Baptist Memorial Health Care
● GOLD: Agape Fest, The Carter Malone Group
● VOX: The Art of Appreciation, KQ Communications
● GOLD: The Return of Best in Black, The Carter Malone Group
● GOLD: 41st Annual Vesta Home Show, Wilson Public Relations
Strategic Campaigns > Influencer Marketing > Micro-influencers
● GOLD: Dining and Posting By the Mississippi: Mahogany River Terrance, KQ Communications
Strategic Campaigns > Content Marketing > Associations | Nonprofit Organizations | Government
● VOX: When Bentonville Moves, Everyone wins, Hemline Theory
● VOX: The Ultimate Food Experience, Memphis In May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
● GOLD: Agape Fest, The Carter Malone Group
● VOX: Live for the Possible, Hemline Theory
● GOLD: Roundabout Oxford RV & Water Resort, Red Window Communications
● VOX: Total Compensation Statement, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
● GOLD: Introducing Flyway to Memphis, Wilson Public Relations
● VOX: Live for the Possible, Hemline Theory
● GOLD: How to Survive a Bear Market Attack, Pickler Wealth Advisors
● VOX: Elevating voices: A media relations-driven advocacy campaign for youth aging out of Oregon state care, Youth Villages
● VOX: Oppose the Removal of DA Mulroy, Carpenter Civic Strategies
● VOX: Memphis-Shelby County Schools Leadership Transition, The Carter Malone Group
● VOX: Heart & Soul: A Men’s Wellness Collective, Baptist Memorial Health Care
● GOLD: Brake It Down: Reckless Driving PSA Campaign, Trust Marketing & Communications
● VOX: Translating Science Into Survival 2025, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
● GOLD: Realizing our Vision: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center 2024-25 Annual Report, THSC
● VOX: Progress, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
● VOX: Plan in Progress: Delivering Doses of Hope One Country at a Time, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
● GOLD: Bridging Mental Health and HIV Care, Wilson Public Relations
● VOX: H5N1 Influenza Coverage, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
● GOLD: Jaw in a Day, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
● GOLD: MUS Capital Campaign Announcement, DCA
Tactics > Data and Insights
● VOX: St. Jude Internal Communication Data Insights, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
● GOLD: From takeoff to landing: Airline passenger insights, KQ Communications
● VOX: James R. Downing, MD, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
● VOX: Wiseacre Sky Dog Digital Advertising, Hemline Theory
● GOLD: Brake It Down: Reckless Driving Campaign, Trust Marketing & Communications
● VOX: The Rust Report, KQ Communications
● GOLD: City Thread AMP Grant E-newsletter Campaign, Hemline Theory
Tactics > Non-traditional Tactics
● VOX: Narrating Medicine: Experiences of HIV treatment and prevention, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
● GOLD: MoSH Giant Astronaut, DCA
Tactics > Podcasts
● VOX: BullCast the Podcast, Pickler Wealth Advisors
Tactics > Social Media > Multichannel Use
● VOX: Social Media That Takes Flight, KQ Communications
● GOLD: Ballots & Beyond: Empowering Shelby County Voters, KQ Communications
Tactics > Social Media > Single Channel Use
● VOX: Books & Bow Ties: Social Media Series, KQ Communications
● GOLD: Game Day with Dad, The Carter Malone Group
Tactics > Video
● VOX: Heart to Heart, Baptist Memorial Health Care
● GOLD: Brake It Down: Reckless Driving Campaign, Trust Marketing & Communications
Tactics > Websites
● VOX: Building a Stronger West Tennessee ABC Website, Wilson Public Relations
● GOLD: Engaged Philanthropy, Pickler Wealth Advisors
For all media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
About PRSA Memphis
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Memphis Chapter is a network of Mid-South public relations, communications, strategy, media, and ethics and compliance professionals. Founded in 1952, the chapter is dedicated to advancing the public relations profession and supporting its members through education, networking, and recognition opportunities. To learn more about PRSA Memphis, please visit www.prsamemphis.org.
0 Comments