Terry Flynn, director of the Master of Communication Management (MCM) program in the Faculty of Humanities, is the first recipient of the newly named Heather Pullen Memorial Award for Ethical Public Relations from the Canadian Public Relations Society.

The award, which was created to recognize outstanding commitment to ethical public relations, is named for Heather Pullen, an MCM graduate who later became one of the program’s instructors. Pullen passed away in September 2020.

Kim Blanchette, past president of the CPRS, presented the award to Flynn and explained how his work, passion for teaching and commitment to ethical PR makes him a deserving candidate for this award.

“Terry is a leading figure in public relations education and research, an advocate for the profession and an active CPRS Fellow. He is a past National President and one of the architects of the Pathways to the Profession, in addition to having led the work to draft the official definition of public relations adopted by CPRS in 2008.

“His work with the MCM program at McMaster University has motivated hundreds to pursue and complete their masters and achieve academic success and recognition,” said Blanchette.

As a member of the National Task Force on Ethical Public Relations, Flynn has been a long-time advocate for ethical PR and led the effort to create the CPRS’s first-ever major award for ethical public relations, nominating Heather Pullen as the first recipient in 2020.

In endorsing Flynn’s nomination, Alex Sévigny, former MCM director, wrote, “I cannot think of a more deserving or more worthy candidate for the Pullen Award than Terry Flynn. He embodies the values of service, mentorship, leadership, success and ethics. He has changed the lives of thousands of practitioners and learners from across Canada through his practice, CPRS service, academic leadership and groundbreaking research. He is a model businessman, gentleman, teacher and scholar.”

At the award ceremony, Flynn thanked his colleagues and shared his story on knowing and being inspired by Pullen, who he says was a dear friend.

“Throughout her journey the ethical practice of public relations was always front and centre for her. Every week we had a call before she died and every week she asked me, ‘What are you doing to make things better?’” he says.

“Ethical behaviour was her north star and she worked hard with her employers and her clients to ensure that they too had their own individual and collective north star, ethical touchpoints.

“I accept this honour in recognition of Heather and to pledge to continue to promote her vision of ethical public relations leadership in Canada.”

Established in 2020, to honour the life and career of Heather Pullen, MCM, APR, FCPRS, the Heather Pullen Memorial Award for Ethical Public Relations was created to recognize an accredited Canadian public relations professional who has demonstrated a commitment to upholding and advancing the values outlined in the CPRS Code of Professional Standards. This person has practiced public relations to the highest professional standards of honesty, accuracy, integrity and truth, and in alignment with the public interest and dignity of the individual.