(San Diego, CA, June 9, 2008) – Southwest Strategies, a leading San Diego public affairs firm, was recently awarded a Silver Anvil Award of Excellence from the National Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Southwest Strategies Partner Chris Wahl accepted the award on Thursday, June 5, at the PRSA Silver Anvil awards gala at the Equitable Tower in New York City. The annual event salutes the practice of public relations and the finalists in this year's Silver Anvil competition. Southwest Strategies was recognized in the category of Public Affairs.
“Southwest Strategies is extremely honored to be the recipient of such a prestigious award,” said Chris Wahl, Vice President/Partner. “Together with our client, San Diego Gas and Electric, the public affairs program that we developed led to the unanimous approval of the project by the California Public Utilities Commission.”
Southwest Strategies’ team of Chris Wahl, Jon Heller, Stephanie Dell and Rebecca DeBreau worked with SDG&E to developed and implement a communications program to build support for the installation of new electronic “Smart Meters” that will replace current customers’ traditional, 100-year-old, “spinning disk” meters. The new technology will ultimately help customers conserve energy by allowing them to view their electricity usage at any time on the internet instead of waiting for their month-end bill. Southwest Strategies and SDG&E helped to implement successful field tests, hosted community events notifying the public of the change and developed a comprehensive media campaign which highlighted the technology’s many benefits. The program garnered national media coverage, a unanimous approval from the California Public Utilities Commission and an overwhelmingly positive response from customers.
Southwest Strategies offers a full range of communications and strategic services for a diverse client list. The firm’s services include public affairs, community relations, crisis communications, public relations, media relations and government affairs. Alan Ziegaus, Chris Wahl and Bernie Rhinerson formed Southwest Strategies in April 2000.
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