Download PDF: Frank Ovaitt Receives Page Society Distinguished Service Award
Download PDF: Frank Ovaitt DSA Acceptance Remarks
CHICAGO, IL – September 29, 2015 – Frank Ovaitt has received the Arthur W. Page Society’s 2015 Distinguished Service Award, which is given to an individual who has helped strengthen the role of public relations in business and society. The most recent recipients of this honor include John Onoda of FleishmanHillard, Maril MacDonald of Gagen MacDonald and Kim Hunter of Lagrant Communications.
“Throughout my career I have been guided by the knowledge that communications is a fundamental aspect of enterprise success, and as leaders in its practice we are obliged to demonstrate just how important and impactful it is,” said Ovaitt. “Doing so advances the Page mission of strengthening the leadership role of the CCO, which is of greater necessity in today’s world than ever before. I am truly honored to receive this recognition of my contributions to our great profession.”
Ovaitt, who recently concluded a highly successful second tenure as President and CEO of the Institute for Public Relations, has helped redefine and evolve the meaning of public relations as a research-based social science. His leadership was a key factor in establishing the Coalition for Public Relations Research Standards. Also known for his expertise in international public relations, he co-chaired the Public Relations World Congress in 2000, attracting more than 3,000 participants from more than 30 countries. Ovaitt also taught applied public relations research at The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management and guest lectured at top universities in the U.S. and around the world.
Gary Sheffer, Vice President of Strategic Communications for General Electric and Chairman of the Page Society, said, “Frank has been a successful public relations innovator for more than two decades. He thrived in several corporate and strategic communications roles and was a strong leader of the Institute for Public Relations, where he furthered our understanding of ‘the science beneath the art of public relations.’ We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his considerable contributions to our profession.”
Throughout his extensive career in communications, Ovaitt has held leadership roles with Monsanto, AT&T and MCI. During his tenure with IPR, Ovaitt forged a strong alliance between IPR’s research mission and the Page Society’s endeavor to strengthen the enterprise leadership role of CCOs.
Ovaitt accepted the award last night at the Page Society’s 32nd Annual Conference, held in Chicago. Please see here for a copy of the acceptance remarks delivered by Ovaitt during the awards ceremony.
About the Page Society Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award honors an individual who has strengthened the role of public relations in business and society through service, writing, research, speaking or teaching. Recipients have devoted themselves to services that help build and nurture the profession, advance the understanding, practice or teaching of public relations and corporate communications and strengthen the role of public relations in our society.
About the Arthur W. Page Society
The Arthur W. Page Society is a professional association for senior public relations and corporate communications executives who seek to enrich and strengthen their profession. Membership consists primarily of chief communications officers of Fortune 500 corporations, the CEOs of the world’s largest public relations agencies, and leading academics from the nation’s top business and communications schools. With 600 members in 18 countries, the Page Society enables members to develop professional relationships with the most knowledgeable, influential and innovative global leaders in enterprise communications. Members also participate in producing thought leadership that is shaping the understanding of the value and role of corporate communications, and are able to take advantage of professional development opportunities for their staff. The Page Society is dedicated to strengthening the enterprise leadership role of chief communications officers. For more information please visit www.awpagesociety.com.
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Contact:
Sarah Jackson
PR Associate, Institute for Public Relations
sarah@instituteforpr.org
352-294-1633
