For Immediate Release
Tuesday, June 18, 2002

Barks Lends Expertise to PRSA's D.C. Chapter; Serves as Judge for Annual Awards

The panel of judges that determined the winners of Washington, D.C.'s top public relations prizes included Barks Communications President Edward J. Barks. The Thoth Awards are sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America's National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC).

"I rely on my local PRSA chapter here in Washington for professional development and networking opportunities," Barks noted. "It feels good to be able to give something back to the society and, more importantly, to my fellow members."

Barks was one of a select group of senior public relations experts hand picked to judge the annual Thoth Awards, the highest honors bestowed by PRSA-NCC.

"I considered it a high privilege when I was asked to help judge the Thoth awards," he continued. "It was an honor to review the campaigns organized by public relations agencies, businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental bodies. Our D.C. public relations community can learn a lot from these entries."

Barks' panel determined the winners in such categories as web sites and video production. He also put his radio experience to work by judging the radio public service announcement (PSA) category.

Barks has been a PRSA member since 1996. The following year he founded Barks Communications, where he serves as President. He has been practicing public relations in the Washington, D.C., area since 1986.

Barks Communications specializes in media, presentation skills, and legislative and regulatory testimony training for business, association, government, and non-profit leaders. In addition, company President Ed Barks offers action-oriented team seminars for groups seeking to enhance their communications efforts. The firm also operates Barkscomm.com, the Internet's Communications Training Resource, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.barkscomm.com.