ABOUT IABC/TORONTO

Welcome to the IABC/Toronto chapter Web site.

As the largest chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, we provide access to products, services, activities and networking opportunities in Toronto and around the world. We help people and organizations achieve excellence in corporate communications, public relations, employee communication, marketing communication, public affairs and other forms of communication.

Awards of Distinction - Presented at the OVATION Awards Gala

1. IABC/Toronto’s MAVERICK PR Student of the Year Award!

IABC/Toronto recognizes student members each year who exhibit leadership and excellence in communication. The student award recipients possess creativity, strong writing skills and passion in both their academic and volunteer projects.

Established in 2004, the IABC/Toronto MAVERICK Student of the Year Award winner will receive $500 cash prize and will be recognized at the IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards Gala.

“MAVERICK is about trailblazing with imaginative and revolutionary programs and campaigns. We want aspiring communicators to become mavericks in their own right. These practitioners are our future and we're committed to encouraging the next generation to give their best,”
Julie Rusciolelli, President, MAVERICK Public Relations. The award has been generously established by MAVERICK Public Relations. MAVERICK Public Relations, founded in May 1999, is considered one of Canada’s leading independent PR Agencies.

It is FREE to enter IABC/Toronto's MAVERICK PR Student of the Year Award. Only IABC/Toronto Student Members can enter the Student of the Year Award. You can join IABC by downloading and submitting an IABC student application. Please submit your IABC student application PRIOR to entering the Student of the Year Award. IABC Student memberships are only $50.60 for a one year membership.

The following required items must be submitted to enter the MAVERICK PR Student of the Year Award:

  1. Completed entry form
  2. A news release of no more than two pages on how you plan to make an impact on the practice of public relations/communications in the future (to be submitted on 8.5" x 11" letterhead, no smaller than 10 point font and 1/2" margins)
  3. One writing sample (can be from school work and can include a news release, speech, communications plan, etc.)
  4. An up-to-date resume

IABC members can view the 2007, 2008 and 2009 MAVERICK Student of the Year winning entries by downloading the OVATION Winning Entries Booklet.

Winner Recognition:

IABC/Toronto's MAVERICK PR Student of the Year will be honoured at the OVATION Awards Gala and will receive the following:

  • Cash prize of $500
  • IABC/Toronto MAVERICK PR Student of the Year Award certificate
  • Work featured in the OVATION Award Winning Entries Booklet
  • Winning announcement in IABC/Toronto's newsletter Communicator,website and news releases

Judging:

All entries will be judged by a panel consisting of two members of the IABC/Toronto Board of Directors and up to two individuals from MAVERICK Public Relations. Entries will be judged on creativity, clarity, conciseness, total impact, and most importantly, how well they meet the stated objectives.

Entry Information:

  • 2009 entry deadline has passed.

Previous winners of the IABC/Toronto Student of the Year Award:

  • 2009: Jess Bennett - Seneca College
  • 2008: Maricel Dicion - Centennial College
  • 2007: Scott MacDonald - Humber College
  • 2006: Annette Robertson (Yuen) - Humber College
  • 2005: Kathryn McMullan - Humber College

The award has been generously established by MAVERICK Public Relations. MAVERICK Public Relations, founded in May 1999, is considered one of Canada’s leading independent PR agencies.

2. Third Annual Bobbie Resnick Philanthropy Award – Recognizing Outstanding Community Commitment

Roberta (Bobbie) Resnick, ABC, APR, MC and IABC Fellow, is a public relations pioneer who was one of the founders of the Toronto chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Resnick boasts a successful track record of more than fifty years as a communicator, volunteer, award winner, consultant, entrepreneur, educator and mentor.

This philanthropy award in her name recognizes outstanding leadership, contribution to the profession and service to the community and/or not-for-profit sector.

Award Requirements:

Open to any team or individual* who has demonstrated outstanding achievement by contributing to the betterment of the community through designing an in-house program or serving as a volunteer to an existing cause. There is no charge to enter. All submissions are kept in strict confidence. The 2009 entry deadline has now passed!

The award winner will be selected by a committee consisting of Bobbie Resnick, ABC, APR, MC, Fellow and IABC/Toronto Executive Board members. All entrants of the Bobbie Resnick Philanthropy Award will be notified whether they have won at least two weeks prior to the OVATION Awards Gala. The winner will be formally announced at the OVATION Awards Gala.

*This Award is only open to IABC/Toronto members or companies/organizations whose project had an IABC/Toronto member on the team.

Support Material:

IABC/Toronto members may submit a one-inch binder and must include, but not necessarily be limited to:

A 100-word summary statement – why the candidate or team deserves the Philanthropy Award
Executive summary of communication plans, campaigns or projects in which your nominee demonstrates their leadership ability. Submission should include evaluation and results
Other awards and recognition (local, regional, international)
Recent media coverage, if applicable

Winner Recognition:

IABC/Toronto’s Bobbie Resnick Philanthropy Award winner will be honoured at the OVATION Awards Gala and will receive the following:

  • Large award with winning details engraved onto it. This award is rotated on a yearly basis to each winner. A smaller keeper award is also provided;
  • Recognition in the OVATION Winning Entries Book;
  • Recognition on future Bobbie Resnick Philanthropy Award call for entries;
  • Winning announcement in IABC/Toronto’s newsletter Communicator, website and news releases.

Previous Bobbie Resnick Philanthropy Award Winners

  • 2009 - Presented to APEX Public Relations for its On Your Bike Program
  • 2008 – Presented to Deloitte & Touche for IMPACT DAY 2007
  • 2007 – Presented to Meridian Credit Union for its Good Neighbour Program

3. Corporate Communications Department of the Year, Agency of the Year, Independent or Small Agency of the Year

IABC/Toronto handed out three new awards at the 2009 OVATION Awards Gala. These awards were based on the number of winning OVATION entries and a point system.

The 2009 award winners are:

  1. 2009 Corporate Communications Department of the Year - Barrick Gold Corporation
  2. 2009 Agency of the Year (10 or more employees) - Strategic Objectives Inc.
  3. 2009 Independent or Small Agency of the Year (Nine or less employees) - Diana Robinson & Associates

How it is decided:

Each OVATION Award of Excellence will earn three points and each Award of Merit will earn one point. Companies in each category with the highest point total will win.  In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the medium of score of the Excellence awards.   

Contact Us

Please direct questions and comments to IABC/Toronto's office at toronto-info@iabc.com.