PRSA´s Atlas Award for Lifetime Achievement in International Public Relations 2022 goes to Jean Valin, APR, Fellow CPRS, Honorary Fellow CIPR

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announced Jean Valin, APR, Fellow CPRS, Honorary Fellow CIPR as the winner of Atlas Award for Lifetime Achievement in International Public Relations 2022. The award will be presented during ICON 2022, being held Nov. 13-15 in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

This award recognizes a public relations practitioner who has made extraordinary contributions to the practice and profession of public relations in an international environment over the span of their career.

Valin founded Valin Strategic Communications after a 30-year career as a senior communication executive, and has advised senior officials, CEOs and ministers of the Government of Canada on many communication matters throughout his career. He is one of the founders of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, which he chaired for two years (2004-2005) and a leading force behind the development and adoption of global standards of practice in public relations.

Valin worked on several high-profile national issues such as a gun control program, anti-terrorism and organized crime legislation, same sex marriage legislation, the launch of Service Canada (Canada’s one-stop for all government services), as well as transportation policy for air, road, and marine safety and for security issues.

He is co-editor of the two-volume book, “Case Studies in Public Relations From Around the World.” In 2018, he led research on the impact of artificial intelligence on public relations, and, in 2020, he co-authored an ethics guide to AI in public relations.

Valin is active in his professional association, the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS). He served as national president of CPRS in 1996-97 and has received several national public relations awards throughout his career.

His many awards include receiving PRSA’s 2013 David Ferguson Award, and in 2008 he received the President’s Medal from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations in the United Kingdom. He also received the Award of Attainment from the CPRS in both 2010 and 2013.

“I am always impressed but never surprised by the magnitude of talent, accomplishment and inspiration among PRSA members and other professionals within the communications community,” said Dr. Felicia Blow, APR, 2022 PRSA Chair. “This year’s Individual Awards honor those who have truly dedicated themselves to setting their sights high and making a positive impact in everything they do.”

“Global Alliance congratulates Jean Valin for this well deserved Atlas Awards and his commitment to the Public Relations profession. Jean has played a major role in building many bridges among multiple PR associations. He continues to play a key role in advocating for ethical practices and standards for our profession globally” said Justin Green, Global Alliance´s President & CEO.