Rawle Murdy has been selected as a 2009 national Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Silver Anvil Award finalist in two categories—Community Relations Campaigns and Issues Management for a Business. The Anvil competition annually recognizes the highest level of public relations performance in the industry.

To secure a finalist position, of which there are only three in each of 16 categories—Rawle Murdy beat out more than 900 entries from international firms like Ketchum, Fleishman-Hillard Inc. and Edelman.

“Silver Anvils are the Oscars of the PR industry,” said Melissa K. Flynn, APR, vice president and public relations director at Rawle Murdy. “To be chosen as a finalist for not one but two campaigns is thrilling and a testament to the strategic, results-driven public relations work we strive to produce every day.”

 Creating a mock presidential race between Spike the Dog and Biscuit the Cat to rebrand the Charleston Animal Society earned Rawle Murdy’s first Anvil Award consideration for Community Relations Campaigns. The second finalist spot for Issues Management for a Business was earned for Rawle Murdy’s extensive issues management work on MeadWestvaco’s East Edisto project.

The PRSA Silver Anvil Awards recognize the country’s most innovative and effective public relations campaigns. Rawle Murdy was also a Silver Anvil recipient in 2004.