MINNEAPOLIS – AmeriPride Services announced that Ben Saukko, Director of Communications, has successfully completed all requirements for Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) by the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) and Public Relations Society of America. This certification recognizes industry professionals who have proven their knowledge and expertise in the field and exhibited competence and mastery of the PR profession through an extensive written application, a portfolio presentation and interview with a panel of APR professionals, and a computer-based examination.
“Earning the APR reflects a mastery of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to succeed in our increasingly complex profession,” said Elizabeth S. McMillan, APR and 2016 Chair of the UAB. “Practitioners who achieve this designation are not only demonstrating their commitment to our profession, but also to a strong code of ethics and the betterment of their organizations and clients.”
The computer-based examination for APR certification assesses a professional’s competency in PR planning and execution, ethics and law, issues management and crisis communications, communication models and theory, leading the PR function and general business knowledge. APRs must maintain their credentials through continuing professional development, providing leadership to the profession and serving their local communities.
Saukko has been working in the corporate communications and marketing for more than 20 years and has served as AmeriPride’s Director of Communications for the last five. Prior to his current position, he worked for various corporations and agencies in the Twin Cities area, including Weber Shandwick Worldwide. He has a bachelors’ degree in Mass Communications from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas.
