MPRC Honors Three at Annual Meeting
Anthony Payne, Kim Block and Michael Bourque, APR, are recognized for their contributions to the communications field. - 1/7/2004
PORTLAND, Maine ? The Maine Public Relations Council (MPRC) honored three professionals - including OneBeacon's Anthony Payne and WGME's Kim Block - for their contributions to the communications industry during the organization's Annual Conference in November, 2003.MPRC presented the 2003 Edward L. Bernays Award to Anthony M. Payne for lifetime achievements in the field of public relations. Payne is the Regional Vice President of Communications at OneBeacon Insurance, based in South Portland. He has 25 years of experience in the communications field. Prior to joining OneBeacon, Payne served as Vice President of Underwriting & Marketing at Maine Employers' Mutual, where he created MEMIC's Partnership for Workplace Safety campaign that helped to raise awareness and lower the incidence of on-the-job injuries. Additionally, he helped to create Post Office Park in Portland's Old Port, "Oakie" the Oakhurst Acorn and the television series "Economics is Kids' Stuff."
He currently is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Maine Chamber of Commerce, PCA Great Performances and Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence. Payne lives in Falmouth with his wife, Grace, and their three children.
The Bernays Award, established in 1983, is named in honor of the man considered to be the founder of modern public relations.
In addition to the Bernays Award, MPRC presented the Lightship Award to Kim Block, WGME anchor, while Michael Bourque, APR, received the President's Award for service to MPRC.
Block received the third Annual Lightship Award, which is presented to an individual outside of the public relations industry who represents the ideals of what makes an outstanding public relations professional. Block joins the ranks of Charlie Eschbach, president of the Portland Sea Dogs and former Governor Angus King, both previous Lightship Award recipients.
"For 20 years, Kim has been active in numerous community-service projects, using her wonderful communications skills to build awareness or to raise funds for a particular need," commented Jon Paradise, president of MPRC. "Though not a native, she has been embraced by the state of Maine because of her willingness to interact and to assist the public or state as a whole."
Bourque, Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications for Maine Employers? Mutual Insurance Company (MEMIC), has served in nearly every capacity on the MPRC Board, including as president, treasurer, accreditation chairperson and professional development chairperson. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Rebuilding Together ? Greater Portland, the Greater Portland Chamber Health Alliance and is a member of the communications advisory committees for the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce and the University of Southern Maine?s Corporate Partners. He has served for two years as a member of the Universal Accreditation Board, a national organization which oversees the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) program. Bourque is a graduate of the University of Maine and earned APR accreditation in 1999. He lives in Portland with his wife, Melissa, and their two children.
The Maine Public Relations Council is Maine's largest professional organization dedicated to the advancement of the public relations field. Founded in 1975, MPRC has more than 250 members statewide.