Join PRSA Memphis as we honor the 2023 Communicators of the Year on Thursday, Feb. 1, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Shelby Farms FedEx Event Center.

Greater Memphis Chamber President & CEO Ted Townsend is the Chapter’s 2023 Communicator of the Year, and University of Memphis student Oakley Weddle is the Student Communicator of the Year. The Chapter’s newest honor - the Legacy Achievement Award - will posthumously honor longtime Memphis food writer Jennifer Biggs.

Ted Townsend, President & CEO, Greater Memphis Chamber

The Communicator of the Year award recognizes Townsend’s significant contributions as a spokesperson and representative for Memphis, positively impacting the city’s economy, workforce, and business environment. Under Townsend’s leadership, the Greater Memphis Chamber launched the “Prosper Memphis 2030” initiative to create 50,000 jobs, with 50% designated to minorities, introduce 700 new firms in advanced industries, and increase STEM graduates to 20,000 annually, with 45% being Black students. The Chamber's Economic Research Group reported in October 2023 that local employment had increased by 7,000 jobs under Townsend's guidance.

Townsend's leadership and strategic communication, coupled with the Chamber's initiatives and partnerships, have been instrumental in accelerating Memphis's growth and realizing its vision.

Oakley Weddle, University of Memphis

The Student Communicator of the Year award recognizes Weddle’s ongoing contributions to the University of Memphis and the city of Memphis. An up-and-coming leader in the city of Memphis, Weddle was recognized as a 2023 Memphis 20<30 by the Memphis Flyer; was featured in the We Are Memphis “My City, My Soul” campaign; founded his PR firm, Jubilant Communications; works at ProTech Services Group, Inc.; and co-founded a nonprofit in honor of his late brother that engages in service work and awards scholarships to attend the University of Memphis for those involved in their community. He is the immediate past president of the Memphis PRSSA Chapter, serves on the national PRSSA board, and was the conference coordinator of the 2023 PRSSA International Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jennifer Biggs, Food editor, The Daily Memphian (posthumous award)

The Chapter’s inaugural Legacy Achievement Award honors Biggs’ bigger-than-life legacy in Memphis. As a longtime food writer for the Daily Memphian and Commercial Appeal, her stories, columns, podcasts, radio segments and social media posts shared her love of Memphis and the Memphis restaurant scene for over 20 years. But her legacy is so much more than the words she wrote. Her legacy is who she was - a communicator who cared about connecting people, sharing her passion for food and all the joy it brings to life, and celebrating the city she called home. 

This year marks the 45th anniversary of PRSA Memphis presenting its Communicator of the Year Award, honoring individuals for their outstanding ability to engage the public, achieve high visibility, and make significant community contributions. Awardees are not limited to PR professionals. The selection committee evaluates the challenges faced in achieving a goal and the impact on the community. Notable honorees include Penny Hardaway, 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.

The Student Communicator of the Year Award was established in 2021 to recognize an undergraduate or graduate student’s exemplary advocacy and community involvement in the Mid-South. Additionally, this year PRSA Memphis is awarding its Legacy Achievement Award. Established this year, 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 special event is open to members, friends of the honorees, and the general public.