Madisen’s Match online event serving up more than tennis May 10-14
All Posts
Next Post ››Southwest Florida Public Relations Professionals Win Image Awards
FORT MYERS, FLA., April 19, 2021– Susan Bennett. APR, CPRC, was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), Southwest Florida Chapter, during the chapter’s annual Image Awards ceremony April 15.
Bennett was selected by the chapter’s leadership based on her accomplishments within the public relations industry, her dedication to helping area non-profits, and her longevity in journalism and public relations.
The award is only rarely given when the chapter leadership believes it has a recipient that meets the criteria.
“I am very humbled to accept this honor from the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. As I look around and see so many young and accomplished professionals, I know that the public relations profession will be well-served for many years to come.”
Bennett, an accredited and certified public relations professional with more than 50 years’ experience in media, founded the Fort Myers-based company that carries her name in 1991. Since that time, Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, has become one of the most respected marketing firms in Florida with more than 200 awards from the Florida Public Relations Association, including the organization’s highest honor, the Dick Pope All-Florida Golden Image Award, for the best public relations campaign in the state.
Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C., is now celebrating its 30th anniversary with the announcement that it has now donated $2.5 million in in-kind professional services and cash contributions to area not-for-profit organizations and helped raise more than $70 million for fund-raising and capital campaigns during her career.
Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C. has represented hundreds of businesses and non-profit organizations ranging from medical, banking, restaurants, and higher education to commercial enterprises, non-profit organizations and large public service events.
She is the founder of the “Grande Dames Tea” for the PACE Center for Girls, “Laughter Is the Best Medicine Comedy Night” for SalusCare, Inc., and the Founders’ Society of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, among many others.
Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C., is a full-service public relations and marketing firm offering innovative marketing and public relations campaigns, media relations, results-driven marketing analyses and plans, digital strategies, website and video development, and social media management.
Prior to opening her company, Bennett was a Gannett Co. executive, member of the launch team of USA TODAY and former marketing director, editor and reporter at The News-Press.
During her tenure at The News-Press, she chaired the Gannett Foundation grants committee and oversaw more than $1 million in grants. Her department also spearheaded the nation’s largest grass roots fund-raising campaign to restore the Statue of Liberty in the 1980s.
Bennett brought more national attention to Fort Myers in 1981 when she and former News-Press Publisher Paul Flynn launched a national newspaper campaign to free 52 American hostages held in Iran, earning her special recognition from former U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter.
Philanthropy has always been an important part of her work. She is a past chairman of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation Board of Trustees, where she served for 28 years and is now trustee emeritus.
She is a high honors graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and a Master of Arts degree in mass communications.
For more information, call 239-277-5255 or email [email protected].