WASHINGTON – PR News, a leading industry publication, awarded ESPN Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications Chris LaPlaca with its Corporate PR Professional of the Year award at a ceremony held here Tuesday at the National Press Club. LaPlaca, a 35-year ESPN veteran, was selected from a list of public relations pros from across many industries.
“I am pleased to accept this recognition for two primary reasons – one: I believe it reflects the strength of the brand of the company I am privileged to work for, and that’s ESPN,” LaPlaca said in his acceptance speech. “And two: It also reflects the collective achievements of a whole bunch of supremely talented and amazingly dedicated people that comprise the ESPN Communications Department.”
The event also recognized Zenia Mucha, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company, with induction in the PR News Hall of Fame. LaPlaca accepted the award on behalf of Mucha, with whom he works closely on ESPN and Disney communications matters.
As was the case for ESPN as a whole, the company’s communications team had an extremely memorable and successful year. Highlights included communications efforts surrounding the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the opening of SportsCenter’s new studio (Digital Center 2) and the unprecedented, successful launch of the SEC Network.
In the end, for LaPlaca, who was joined by several staff colleagues at the annual event, it’s always about team achievements.
“I look forward to sharing this award with the team when I get back to the office,” he said.
