Katherine Mason has earned her Accredited in Public Relations (APR) certification, it was announced today by the Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (www.prsageorgia.org).
Mason is an Account Manager at Atlanta public relations agency Jackson Spalding, where she is a key member of the Primrose Schools® Franchise PR team. She has also led national campaigns at Jackson Spalding for Chick-fil-A®. Her career includes counseling clients across diverse industries through media relations, strategic planning and project management support. Her experience also includes working in community relations, service and leadership for Leadership DeKalb.
“Pursuing accreditation was an important goal for me in continuing my professional growth, credibility and expertise in public relations,” Mason said. “As the PR profession continues to adapt to a changing business and media landscape, keeping skills current affirms my commitment to the professionalism of the PR profession and enables me to be a better counselor to my clients.”
Mason is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations.
Created in 1964, Accredited in Public Relations (APR) is the voluntary certification program for public relations professionals established to unify and advance the profession by identifying those who have demonstrated mastery of a body of knowledge as well as recognition of experience and professional judgment in the public relations field. The international certification process is governed by the Universal Accreditation Board, of which PRSA is a lead participant.
To employers and clients, the APR designation, which is used after the member’s name, signals the benchmark of excellence for the practice of public relations and the candidate’s dedication to ethics and professionalism.
Preparation for the exam requires six to 12 months of rigorous study spanning 60 topics requiring noted expertise in 10 categories. PRSA|GA offers a comprehensive study system, designed to prepare the candidate for the 90-minute oral readiness review presentation covering 16 of the knowledge, skills and ability topics and the three-hour computer-based exam, which tests the other 44 skill
areas. As a result of this program and the Chapter’s promotion efforts, the Chapter has risen to the Top 10 ranks in the country for preparing public relations practitioners with this distinction.
PRSA’s Georgia Chapter (www.prsageorgia.org), the second-largest local chapter in the national society, consists of some 850 professionals throughout Georgia. Its mission is to enhance the profession, provide continuing education and offer networking opportunities for its members.
The Chapter has monthly meetings as well as eight Special Interest Groups (Corporate & Employee Communications, Healthcare, Independent Counselors, Leader Board, Nonprofit, Technology, Travel & Tourism, and Young Professionals) that meet at various times.
The Chapter supports nine PRSSA (student society) groups at the following colleges: Berry College (Rome), Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta), Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville), Georgia State University (Atlanta), Georgia Southern University (Statesboro), Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw), Savannah State University (Savannah), University of Georgia (Athens) and University of West Georgia (Carrollton).