Business awards

Rogers Local Public Relations Professionals Carolyn Rogers and Phyllis Ershowsky won an award of distinction for last year's Rock On Scramble & Jam event during the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association's 2008 Annual Image Awards competition.

The awards, which recognized the best public relations projects in the region, were presented at the annual awards ceremony held recently at Southwest Florida International Airport.

The Rock On Scramble & Jam was a fundraising rocking chair public art display, auction, rock legends concert and golf tournament held last year at Magnolia Landing, a Taylor Woodrow (now Taylor Morrison) golf course community in North Fort Myers. Rogers, Ershowsky and Taylor Woodrow garnered the award in the category of community relations programs.

The beneficiaries of the Rock On Scramble & Jam were the John Entwistle Foundation, Barbara's Friends Children's Cancer Fund, March of Dimes and Alliance for the Arts.

Ershowsky The Parr Media Group captured a coveted Charlie Award for Best Radio Commercial in the 4th District of the American Advertising Association during the 2008 ADDY Awards Gala held in St. Petersburg Florida.

The 4th District is composed of advertising and marketing firms in the state of Florida and the Caribbean.

The winning spot titled "Shrimp Herder" was created for Pinchers Crab Shacks, a locally owned seafood restaurant chain with six locations in Southwest Florida. A second radio spot for the chain dubbed "Bush Shrimp" also received a Gold District Award.

This is the second time Parr has won the award, receiving a Radio Charlie for its Harley Davidson "American Bike - Local Life" campaign in 2005.

Priority Marketing public relations and marketing account manager Kara Winton has been named Public Relations Professional of the Year by the Florida Public Relations Association. Each year FPRA honors an individual from the Southwest Florida Chapter who exemplifies the highest standards of the public relations profession.

Winton Winton has more than 13 years experience as a marketing and public relations professional. She has worked at Priority Marketing since 2004 and manages the accounts of numerous highly successful clients, including commercial developers, high technology manufacturers, government redevelopment and economic development agencies, banks, home builders and construction companies.

The Lee Building Industry Association recognized Priority Marketing with a Pinnacle Award in the category of Realtor Best Magazine Ad during the 18th Annual Pinnacle Awards gala. The winning project is an image advertisement promoting Trae Zipperer, an expert in residential Gulf-access waterfront real estate in Southwest Florida.

The Pinnacle Awards pay tribute to BIA members who have obtained an outstanding level of success and professionalism in new home sales and marketing in 2007. Competition is open to all members of the BIA, its advertising agencies and marketing consultants.

Established in 1992, Priority Marketing is a full-service marketing, advertising and public relations firm.

The American Chamber of Commerce Executives published the third quarter results for the Circle of Champions Sales Contest. Angela Schivinski of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce was ranked first for the total number of new members recruited and second for the total dollar value of new members.

The American Chamber of Commerce Executives is a national association uniquely serving individuals involved in the management of chambers of all sizes. ACCE's mission is to support and develop chamber professionals to lead businesses and their communities.

Marietta Mudgett, Executive Director of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce said "Angela's accomplishments can be attributed to her professional approach to potential members. She understands the business needs of this community and explains to them the ways in which their membership can benefit them in today's economy. Angela is a natural "listener" and helps new members find their best "fit" within the Chamber's many programs."

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Inc. has been serving Lee County and the surrounding areas since 1989.