Sarah George, APR, Senior PR Strategist with Marketing Strategies, Inc. has achieved the professional accreditation status in Public Relations (APR). She joins an elite group of public relations practitioners throughout the United States and abroad who share this designation; and becomes one of only 48 PR professionals in the State of South Carolina who are accredited.

Accreditation in Public Relations is a voluntary certification program for public relations professionals, administered by the Universal Accreditation Board. The purpose is to unify and advance the profession by identifying those who have demonstrated broad knowledge, experience and professional judgment in the field. The designation, Accredited in Public Relations (APR), signifies a high level of professional experience and competence and is awarded after a candidate successfully passes comprehensive written and oral examinations.

The exam is organized around ten key competencies which include: Researching, Planning, Implementing & Evaluating Programs; Ethics and Law; Communication Models and Theories; Business Literacy; Management Skills and Issues; Crisis Communication Management; Media Relations; Information Technology and its Usage; History and Current Issues in Public Relations, and Advanced Communication Skills.
The Accreditation program’s exam and subsequent APR designation have been likened to the testing process and title of CPA awarded to professional accountants.

"Earning the APR is one of my most meaningful professional and personal accomplishments to date. By taking a step back and examining the theory and structure of public relations, I am able to practice strategic communications with consistency. The “four-part communication process”, which includes setting goals, quantifying objectives, and evaluating progress at every step, is applicable to every facet of my life," said George.

A native of Charleston, West Virginia, George joined Marketing Strategies, Inc. in 2004 as a Marketing Assistant. A graduate of Marshall University’s School of Journalism in Huntington, West Virginia, George holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising. While attending Marshall, she was active in several student organizations and served on the staff of The Parthenon, Marshall’s student newspaper.

She maintains professional affiliations in the Public Relations Society of America the South Carolina Chapter of PRSA, the American Advertising Federation, and the American Marketing Association.

“I’m extremely proud of Sarah,” said Denise Blackburn, APR, President of Marketing Strategies. “The APR is a symbol of professionalism. It demonstrates that individuals have the knowledge, ethics and experience that set them apart. It also demonstrates that they care about their own profession and that they are dedicated to enhancing their own personal abilities.”

Marketing Strategies, Inc. is a full-service Advertising/Public Relations agency with offices in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway, South Carolina. The firm has been recognized nationwide for its award-winning ad campaigns and PR activities. Earlier this year, Marketing Strategies was named one of the Southeast’s “Ten Most Dependable Web Design Firms” by independent researcher, Goldline Research.