Red River College grad Scott Brown (Creative Communications, 1998), has been named Manitoba Communicator of the Year by the provincial chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society.

Brown, Senior Director of Corporate Communications for True North Sports & Entertainment, will receive the award at a special luncheon on March 27, 2012, at the Hotel Fort Garry.

Though he’s been with True North since 2004, Brown recently found himself at the centre of the biggest local news story of 2011 — the triumphant return of the Winnipeg Jets. He and his communications team (which includes fellow CreComm grads Kalen Qually and Christina Caligiuri) played a crucial role in both the high-profile announcement and the ensuing strategic rollout, which covered everything from the new logo to uniforms, team name to ticket purchases.

“There’s no question that a great deal of rehearsal, planning, strategizing and thought had to happen behind the scenes,” said Siobhan Kari, president of CPRS Manitoba. “The media attention on the return of the Jets was enormous — locally, nationally and internationally — and the pressures to meet all requests must have been daunting. Yet it was all handled professionally.”

CPRS Manitoba received two separate nominations to acknowledge Brown with the award, which honours individuals or organizations that have demonstrated excellence in public communications.

“It was indeed a tremendous challenge to bring the NHL back to Manitoba’s passionate hockey fans, not only on the communications front, but in all areas,” Brown said. “We have been overwhelmed by the public’s support of the team and the organization, from the ‘Drive to 13,000’ to the unveiling of the logo and jersey, to the vocal presence at not only every home game, but games away from the MTS Centre, as well. The return of the NHL has truly been a community success.”