James Toccacelli CPRS Novikoff Award Recipient for 2005

CALGARY, AB, June 21, 2005 - James Toccacelli, APR, of EDS Canada received this year's Philip A. Novikoff Memorial Award, during the recent Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Annual Conference in Calgary, Alberta. "The Novikoff Award is presented to an accredited member of the Society who has furthered the standing of the public relations profession in Canada over time, through professional and public relations practice, service to CPRS and the community at large," said Karen Dalton, APR, Executive Director, CPRS National.

Toccacelli's contributions to the public relations profession have spanned more than 20 years. He's been active in CPRS since 1982 and received his Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation in 1994. He has spearheaded numerous award-winning campaigns and innovated practices for countless clients and companies. He has evolved at an industry authority on the practice of corporate reputation.

"On a given day, no matter where James happens to be working in the world, colleagues, clients and his family are on his radar. He's one of the most intelligent, down-to-earth, and helpful practitioners I know," says Christina Marshall, APR, President of CPRS (Toronto).

Toccacelli currently leads marketing and communications with EDS Canada. Prior to his work with EDS, Toccacelli served as Vice President of Public Affairs with Corporate Communications Limited in Atlantic Canada, Levi Strauss & Co. in Toronto, Singapore and San Francisco, Wardair/Canadian Airlines International and Global Television News. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism (Honors) degree and has been published in leading academic journals on the issue of Corporate Reputation management.

In addition to his professional responsibilities with EDS, Toccacelli sits on the Board of the Hincks Dellcrest Centre in Toronto, the governance board of the Toronto Preschool Speech and Language Services and volunteers with the Canadian Paraolympic Committee. He has won numerous professional awards from the International Association of Business Communicators, Public Relations Society of America, Canadian Public Relations Society and International Masters Communications Awards. Toccacelli was awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.

Established in 1989 in memory of public relations professional Philip A. Novikoff, the Award has been given to 11 recipients to date. Other recipients include Louis J. Cahill, APR, Fellow CPRS, Dean Miller, APR, David W. Annesley, APR, Steven Parker, APR, Fellow CPRS, Ruth F. Hammond, APR, Fellow CPRS, Luc Beauregard, APR, Fellow CPRS, Jim Osborne, APR, Honorary Fellow CPRS, Jean Freeman, APR, Fellow CPRS, Barbara Sheffield, APR, Fellow CPRS and David Eisenstadt, APR Fellow PRSA, CPRS.

The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is the only Canadian professional association representing more than 1,700 public relations practitioners in 17 Member Societies across Canada who commit to following a Code of Professional Standards. The Society offers a program of professional accreditation in public relations (APR), professional development and education programs affiliated with various colleges and universities, a job registry, networking opportunities, annual national conference, a directory of all members and a forum for information sharing.

Contact:

Karen Dalton, APR
Executive Director, Canadian Public Relations Society
346 - 4195 Dundas Street West, Toronto M8X 1Y4
(416) 239-7034
kdalton@cprs.ca