Join us for an evening of celebration as we honour excellence in communications!
The Manitoba Communicator of the Year (MCOY) Awards, presented by CPRS Manitoba, recognize outstanding leadership and innovation in communications. This annual event brings together industry professionals to celebrate achievements, connect with peers, and engage in critical discussions about the evolving role of communication in shaping public perception.
📅 Date: April 23, 2025
📍 Location: Qualico Family Centre, Assiniboine Park
🎟️ Tickets: $55 (members), $65 (non-members), $35 (students)
Featured Panel Discussion: “Shaping the Narrative – Who Controls Public Perception?”
Featured Panel Discussion: “Shaping the Narrative – Who Controls Public Perception?”
In today’s complex communications landscape, who really shapes public perception? This thought-provoking discussion will examine the power dynamics between PR professionals, journalists, and political communicators, as well as the ethical responsibilities communicators must navigate in an era of increasing scrutiny.
Key Discussion Points:
The evolving influence of PR, journalism, and political messaging The role of communicators in an era of declining public trust Ethical challenges in strategic messaging and media framing The impact of misinformation and the responsibility to serve the public interest.
Moderator:
Mary Agnes Welch is a principal with Probe Research. She joined the firm in 2016 following a career as an award-winning politics and public policy journalist at the Winnipeg Free Press. A graduate of Columbia University’s journalism program, Mary Agnes builds on her rich experience covering public policy to capture and communicate the underlying research story, focusing on the insights that matter most. Clients benefit tremendously from Mary Agnes’ engaging approach and her significant skills as a focus group moderator and facilitator, as she uncovers what citizens really think about complex issues.
Panelists:
Cecil Rosner is an award-winning Canadian journalist with over 40 years of experience, specializing in investigative reporting. He spent 31 years at CBC, including roles as managing editor of CBC Manitoba and executive producer of The Fifth Estate. He is the author of Behind the Headlines: A History of Investigative Journalism in Canada and co-author of When Justice Fails: The David Milgaard Story. Rosner has taught investigative journalism for over two decades, including at the University of Winnipeg since 2005. His work has earned Michener and Gemini Awards, and in 2019 he received a lifetime achievement award from RTDNA Canada. He holds degrees from the University of Manitoba and Western University and continues to champion journalism’s role in democracy and accountability.
Eleanor works with the Office of the Vice President (External) at the University of Manitoba (UM). She collaborates with faculties, units, departments, and senior administrators across the university to promote and build its reputation and profile locally and on the global stage. Before joining UM, Eleanor provided strategic communications and media relations support for economic development agencies in Saint John, NB., and Winnipeg where she worked to amplify the success stories of business, investment, and tourism in both cities. For more than 16 years she was a television news producer, reporter, anchor, and host covering everything from politics and business to consumer trends.
Lindsay is a communications strategist and educator with a background in journalism and public sector experience management. She previously led audience engagement initiatives at CBC, where she developed strategies to deepen public trust and expand community-driven storytelling. Now on sabbatical from her role at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, she focuses on service design and digital transformation to improve stakeholder experience in healthcare. At Red River College Polytechnic, she teaches strategy and business for communicators and is leading the redesign of the Communications Management post-graduate diploma. A published researcher and past presenter at international conferences, she is now preparing for doctoral studies that explore how service delivery performance and stakeholder feedback shape public trust, organizational accountability, and the public interest.
Why Attend?
Celebrate Excellence – Recognize Manitoba’s top communicators Gain Insights – Engage in a dynamic panel discussion on media and messaging Network with Industry Leaders – Connect with top PR, media, and public affairs professionals Be Inspired – Learn from this year’s award recipients and expert panelists
