Bianchi PR Executives Earn Accreditation in Public Relations

Posted Jul. 14th 2004

TROY, Mich., July 14, 2004 – Two Bianchi Public Relations, Inc. employees – Richard J. Donley, APR, vice president and partner, and Jessica A. Killenberg, APR, senior account supervisor – have earned the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

To receive the distinguished APR status, Donley and Killenberg successfully completed a comprehensive program which included a portfolio presentation before three Accredited public relations professionals and a written examination. This voluntary certification program is governed by the Universal Accreditation Board and administered by PRSA. It measures a candidate’s knowledge, skills and abilities in the practice of public relations and signifies a high professional level of experience and competence.

“We are very proud to have exceptionally talented professionals like Rich and Jessica on staff,” said James A. Bianchi, APR, president of Bianchi Public Relations. “This achievement signifies Rich and Jessica’s dedication to the public relations profession, their focus on personal development and commitment to our clients.”

With more than 15 years of experience in public relations, journalism and marketing communications, Donley oversees several of the firm’s accounts and leads the agency’s non-automotive new business initiatives. He joined the agency in 1994 as an account executive. He is actively involved in the PRSA-Detroit Chapter – serving as a board member and chair of the organization’s Membership Services Committee.

With eight years of public relations experience, Killenberg supervises several of the agency’s accounts. She joined Bianchi Public Relations in 1996 as an account coordinator and was promoted to her current position in 2003. Killenberg also serves as co-chair of PRSA-Detroit’s Student Development and Internship Committee and is a member of the Annual Dinner Committee.

Both Donley and Killenberg graduated with distinction from Wayne State University in Detroit. Donley earned a bachelor of arts degree, majoring in both journalism and radio/TV. Killenberg earned a bachelor of arts degree in public relations and a master of arts degree in organizational communications and public relations.

PRSA-Detroit, one of the largest chapters of the 20,000-member national association of professional communicators, has more than 500 members. PRSA started the Accreditation program in 1964. In 1998, the Universal Accreditation Board was formed to oversee the Accreditation process.

A full-service PR agency based in Troy, Mich. and founded in 1992, Bianchi Public Relations is the fifth largest PR firm in Michigan, according to PRWeek magazine’s 2004 rankings of top public relations agencies. The firm’s client experience includes the aftermarket, association, automotive, construction, consulting, design, e-business, education, engineering, financial services, high-tech, industrial, manufacturing, not-for-profit, professional services and real estate sectors.

Contact:
Jim Bianchi
248-269-1122
jbianchi@bianchipr.com

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