Three letters – APR – offer an important measure of a public relations practitioner’s professional credentials.
APR stands for Accreditation in Public Relations. If APR follows the name of a public relations practitioner, it means he or she has demonstrated superior proficiency in the key practice areas and skillsets that define a true professional communicator.
We are proud to announce that two more Martin Waymire team members recently earned their APR through the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA): Vice President Andie Poole and Senior Account Executive Elizabeth Battiste.
According to PRSA, the four-step certification process is intended to unify and advance the profession by identifying those who have demonstrated broad knowledge, experience and professional judgment in the field.
“Receiving my Accreditation in Public Relations has been a great way to hone my skills and expertise through a more structured lens,” Elizabeth said. “I look forward to playing an active role in encouraging more young professionals to go through the process to continue to build a deep, diverse bench of PR practitioners in Michigan and across the country.”
Public relations professionals must have at least five years of experience in the field before becoming eligible to take the written and oral examinations. Accredited members are required to renew their status every three years through continuing education, demonstrated professionalism and public service.
“Not only was becoming an APR a commitment to lifelong learning—one of Martin Waymire’s core values—it was a commitment to professional ethics and best practices in public relations,” Andie said. “It has helped ensure that all plans that I create are anchored in measurable objectives, strategies and tactics and improved my confidence as a practitioner.”
After presenting in October to panels of other PR practitioners who have earned their APR, Andie and Elizabeth both became newly-minted APRs in November, after passing the computer-based examination.
“Andie and Elizabeth are both phenomenal PR professionals, having both led respective accounts to win Silver Anvil recognitions—the ‘Oscars’ of public relations and one PRs most prestigious awards,” said MW Partner Roger Martin, APR. “Achieving the APR designation is an invaluable investment for both Andie and Elizabeth’s respective careers and for the firm as a whole.”
Andie and Elizabeth join fellow Martin Waymire Senior Account Executive Angela Minicucci and Martin in their accreditation. Please join us in congratulating them!
