AmeriPride’s Saukko Earns PR Recognition

Ben Saukko, director of communications for AmeriPride Services Inc., Minnetonka, MN, recently completed all requirements to qualify for an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) designation, according to a news release.

“Earning the APR reflects a mastery of knowledge, skills and abilities needed to succeed in our increasingly complex profession,” said Elizabeth S. McMillan, APR and chair of the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), which oversees this professional development program along with the Public Relations Society of America. “Practitioners who receive this designation are not only demonstrating their commitment to our profession, but also to a strong code of ethics and the betterment of their organization and clients.”

Achieving the APR designation requires public relations professionals to demonstrate their skills and knowledge through an extensive written application, a portfolio presentation, an interview with a panel of APR professionals and a computer-based examination. This test includes questions about pr planning and execution, ethics and law, issues management, crisis communications models and theory and more.

Saukko has more than 20 years’ experience in corporate communications, including five years with AmeriPride. He previously worked for corporations and agencies in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, including Weber Shandwick Worldwide. He has an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a BA in mass communications from the University of Minnesota. Click here for details.