High-Flyer Wins Young Practitioner Of The Year

Public Relations Institute of New Zealand
Media Release
23 May 2008

Industry High-Flyer Wins Young Practitioner Of The Year Award

A 25-year-old high-flyer was named Young Practitioner of the Year at the Public Relations Institute (PRINZ) awards last Friday evening.

Ziena Jalil, who is working in Hong Kong as Marketing and Communications Manager for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) in North Asia, returned to New Zealand especially for the presentation.

The Sally Logan-Milne Young Practitioner of the Year Award goes to a PRINZ member under the age of 25 who has already achieved success in his or her career and is held in high esteem in the industry.

In presenting the award, PRINZ Chief Judge and Life member Gordon Chesterman said that the judging panel selected a young practitioner who has already achieved spectacular success in her field and has consistently demonstrated leadership qualities.

At 18 Ziena was selected as a student ambassador for AUT University; at 21, she received a highly commended award at the Media Peace awards for a campaign for the Rotary Club of Auckland and she is currently responsible for managing communications for the New Zealand- China free trade agreement.

Judge and PRINZ President Fiona Cassidy said “this young woman is a star and doing an extremely impressive job for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise - absolutely outstanding.”

Mr Chesterman also added that this year’s award was important for PRINZ because for the first time the Young Practitioner Award was named after the late Sally Logan-Milne.

“Sally was a Wellington-based senior public relations consultant who passed away in 2004.
Before she died, she made a bequest to PRINZ to ensure that mentoring and professional development of young people working in public relations and communications could continue.”

Mr Chesterman added that “Sally was an extraordinary person who gladly gave of her time for the benefit of PRINZ as a speaker, an awards judge and as an employer of young talented people.”

“It is fitting that Ziena, who is truly an outstanding young practitioner, receives the award tonight.”

The PRINZ awards, which attracted a record 56 entries in eight categories, were held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Auckland on 23 May 2008.

ENDS

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