• Communicator of the Year: Memphis Mayor Paul Young
• Legacy Achievement Award: Howard Robertson, Jr., president and CEO of TRUST Marketing & Communications
• Student Communicator of the Year: Ro Lane, University of Memphis student 

“The Communicator of the Year Awards celebrate the power of communication in the Mid-South community,” said Tiffany Derrick, Awards Chair for PRSA Memphis. “This year’s honorees have shown exceptional leadership, creativity, and commitment to fostering dialogue and connection in Memphis. From Mayor Young’s approach to city leadership to Mr. Robertson’s pioneering legacy and Ro’s leadership in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), each embodies the true spirit of this recognition.”

Mayor Young has prioritized inclusive communications and transparency, fostering trust and collaboration among Memphians, from his weekly "Building Together" updates to his "One Memphis Tour.” His messaging on critical issues like public transportation and violence reduction reflects his dedication to uniting Memphis during challenging times. By leveraging social media and public forums, he has made city governance more accessible and has encouraged active participation in shaping Memphis’s future.

The Legacy Achievement Award honors a communications or media professional who has made a lasting impact on Memphis or a local civic or philanthropic organization. This year’s recipient, Howard Robertson, Jr., has left a lasting legacy in the Memphis community through a career in marketing and public relations that spans nearly 50 years, from his start as a publicist/copywriter at Memphis-based Stax Records to roles as an account executive and sales manager in radio and television and founding TRUST Marketing & Communications in 1991. Today, TRUST, now the parent company of Spotset Radio Network and Ode Audio, is one of the oldest, still-operating, Black-owned marketing/public relations firms in the South.

Ro Lane, a senior University of Memphis student, is named the Student Communicator of the Year, an award recognizing a local student’s exemplary advocacy and community involvement in the Mid-South. In 2024, Ro managed the PRSSA’s official podcast and blog site, coordinating with students and professionals to create content that serves more than 7,500 students, while also working as a game-night communications staffer for the Memphis Grizzlies.

The three honorees will be recognized at a luncheon on January 23, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the University Club of Memphis.

“We’re thrilled we can honor Mayor Young, Howard and Ro for their exceptional service, and we look forward to highlighting their leadership and impactful public communication efforts with the broader public relations industry and Mid-South community,” says PRSA Memphis President Elizabeth Whittington, APR.

For more than 45 years, PRSA Memphis has presented its Communicator of the Year Award to honor individuals for their outstanding ability to engage the public, achieve high visibility, and make significant community contributions. Awardees are not limited to public relations professionals. The selection committee evaluates the challenges faced in achieving a goal and the impact on the community. Notable honorees include Ted Townsend, Dr. James R. Downing, Penny Hardaway, Joe Birch, Cecil Humphreys, Allie Prescott, Linn Sitler, D'Army Bailey, Mayor W.W. Herenton, John Calipari, Dr. Scott Morris, Fred Jones, Beverly Robertson, Molly Meisenheimer, and Otis Sanford.

Nominations were submitted by public relations professionals and the Memphis community in November 2024, and winners were determined by the PRSA board of directors in December 2024.

Register to attend.

To help support this event, review 2025 sponsorship opportunities and contact [email protected].