Chicago, IL — September 11, 2024 — The Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC) proudly announces the creation of its Media Impact Award to recognize Chicago-area media professionals whose bodies of work exemplifies the positive outcomes of collaboration between journalists, publicists and the public at large. The inaugural Media Impact Award honoree will be Chicago journalist Mary Mitchell. Mitchell will receive the award at PCC’s 66th Golden Trumpet Awards ceremony taking place on the evening of Wednesday, October 16 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago.
“The Publicity Club of Chicago has been a connector between the communications, marketing and public relations communities and the journalism and media communities since PCC’s founding in 1941,” says PCC Vice-President Anne Marie Mitchell. “The Media Impact Award will allow us to shine a spotlight on the journalists and storytellers who have made notable contributions throughout their career to inform and engage our communities while upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity. I can’t think of a more fitting first honoree than Mary Mitchell.”
Mary Mitchell’s career has been one of a trailblazer in multiple industries and in multiple ways. Mitchell recently announced her retirement at the Chicago Sun-Times where her 34 years were dedicated to being an accessible voice for the underdog, an advocate for the voiceless. Mitchell was never one to shy away from taking on issues that others wished she did not explore.
“When the selection committee was discussing the Media Impact Award, Mary Mitchell was a unanimous honoree for the inaugural award,” says PCC Treasurer Kimberley Rudd. “Mary is someone whom I have always admired -- courageous, feisty and maybe even a little bossy if that’s what it took to get the story. Most of all, she has always been a writer for the people, for telling truths and for inspiring our city to be better for everyone.”
"It is indeed an honor to receive the Publicity Club of Chicago's inaugural Media Impact Award as I pass the torch to the next generation of crusading journalists,” says Mary Mitchell. “I am especially grateful to this legacy organization for its recognition of the critical role journalists play in helping to create a more equitable society."
About the PCC Media Impact Award
PCC’s Media Impact Award will be an annual honor bestowed upon a distinguished journalist or team within a news organization that has made a significant and lasting contribution to the media profession. This award will recognize work that has demonstrated excellence in reporting, storytelling, ethical journalism, and had an impact that has resonated beyond the newsroom to shape public discourse and influence the broader media landscape.
Award recipients will have shown an unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth, amplifying diverse voices, and upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Any recipients will have informed and engaged the public while also inspiring positive change.
Through the Media Impact Award, the Publicity Club of Chicago will celebrate those who have made an indelible mark on the field of journalism, honoring their dedication to the craft and collaborating with publicists and the public at large.
About the Publicity Club of Chicago and the Golden Trumpet Awards
Since its establishment in 1941, the Publicity Club of Chicago has been the professional home for individuals in the communications, marketing, and public relations domains. Over the span of 66 years, PCC has been at the forefront of acknowledging outstanding achievements within these industries through the prestigious Golden Trumpet Awards, which stand as a hallmark of distinction in the Midwest and beyond. More information about the Publicity Club of Chicago and tickets for the 66th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards Ceremony taking place on Wednesday, October 16, can be found at publicity.org.