RoundupReads Johnson External Relations Office earns PRSA Houston Grand Excalibur Award

Johnson External Relations Office earns PRSA Houston Grand Excalibur Award

2018-07-02
In the photo, left to right, Deborah Denton-Misfeldt, Ralph Grau, John Stoll, Jenny Knotts, Deborah Acosta Conder, Brandi Dean, Isidro Reyna, Gary Jordan, Hayley Fick and Joel Walker.
From left to right: Deborah Denton-Misfeldt, Ralph Grau, John Stoll, Jenny Knotts, Deborah Acosta Conder, Brandi Dean, Isidro Reyna, Gary Jordan, Hayley Fick and Joel Walker. Image Credit: NASA

NASA Johnson Space Center’s External Relations Office was recognized with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Houston Chapter’s highest honor, the Grand Excalibur Award, for its integrated communications campaign #SpaceBowl during the 33rd Annual Excalibur Awards on June 21. 
 
The communications team was also recognized with five additional awards for the development and execution of comprehensive public relations campaigns and individual tactics.
 
“These awards reflect the hard work of not only our own communications team, but all of our dedicated employees at Johnson Space Center who work each day to inform, educate and engage all generations to advance human space exploration,” said Deborah Acosta Conder, director of Johnson’s External Relations Office. “The goal of our #SpaceBowl campaign was to ensure Houston was seen as synonymous with space by showcasing the city’s finest accomplishments on and off the planet in one of the most competitive media environments of the year – Super Bowl LI. I’d like to thank PRSA Houston for recognizing NASA with this wonderful honor.”
 
The team was recognized in the following categories by one of the nation's largest and most active chapters for public relations professionals: 
 
  • Gold Excalibur Award and Best in Show, integrated communications – #SpaceBowl: Communicating Human Space Exploration at Space City’s Super Bowl. 
  • Gold Excalibur Award, internal communications – Enduring Hurricane Harvey: NASA Stands Houston Strong. This campaign was also nominated for the Grand Excalibur Award.
  • Gold Excalibur Award, events and observances – #NewAstronauts: Introducing America’s Next Class of Explorers. 
  • Gold Excalibur Award, social media – Using Social Media to Launch NASA’s Video Strategy into the Space Age. 
  • Silver Excalibur Award, podcasts – “Houston, We Have a Podcast.”  
NASA Johnson Space Center's External Relations Office was recognized with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Houston Chapter's highest honor, the Grand Excalibur Award, as well as five additional awards for the development and execution of comprehensive public relations campaigns and individual tactics. Image Credit: NASA
“The Excalibur Awards honor the best communications work in the greater Houston area and recognize organizations and individuals for tackling communications goals with creativity, resourcefulness and skill,” said NASA public affairs officer and president-elect of the Houston Chapter Isidro Reyna, APR. “Houston has a very competitive market. Gold, silver and bronze awards are given out to those who demonstrate the direct impact public relations programs and tactics have on each respective organization.”
 
The Excalibur Awards are open to any communications department within the greater Houston area. Entry submissions represent academia, governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, private industries, public relations and public affairs firms. This year’s entries were reviewed by the PRSA Los Angeles Chapter with judges rating each campaign and tactic on research, planning, implementation and evaluation. All entries must adhere to strong ethical standards.
 
Click here to read more about Johnson’s award-winning campaigns and tactics and to view a complete list of winners.