pakowitz

Continuing with what has been a busy year for off-the-field honors, the New Orleans Saints organization has been awarded "Honorable Mention" by the prestigious 2004 PRISM Awards (Professionalism Results and Innovation in Sports Management). The Saints were the only NFL team to earn Honorable Mention in the PRISM Awards, which are given annually to professional sport franchises that demonstrate industry-leading excellence and innovation in sport franchise management. A special emphasis is placed on the franchises positive impact on local consumers and the community.

"Being recognized as a PRISM Awards Honorable Mention honoree is a tremendous accomplishment for our organization," said Saints Executive Vice President of Administration Arnold D. Fielkow. "The lifeblood of any sports franchise is its fans, and as such, we would like to thank our loyal supporters for everything they have done for us - both in recent years, as well as historically. We are also very proud of the team we have put together in our front office, as it is a staff that is truly unparalleled in its vision and dedication to success."

The PRISM Awards are sponsored by the Sports Business Daily - a national publication produced by the Street & Smith's Sports Group - and coordinated by the University of Massachusetts department of sport management, which recognizes professional sports franchises demonstrating industry-leading excellence and innovation in sport franchise management. Judges include the university program's faculty and a "blue-ribbon" panel of former sports franchise executives.

Two PRISM Awards are presently annually - one to a major league team and one to a minor league team that best exemplify the PRISM ideals across five criteria:

Strategic Planning
Innovative Marketing
Community Relations
Customer Service
Employee Relations

The overall winner for the 2004 PRISM Awards at the Major League level was the NHL's Minnesota Wild. The Major League team category includes the MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL and WNBA leagues. Past Major League PRISM winners include: the Houston Texans (2002-03), Washington Capitals (2001) and Orlando Magic (2000). Other Major League clubs that earned 2004 Honorable Mention included the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies.

The Saints have won numerous awards in 2004 for their off-field success in the front office. In early June, the club and advertising agency Peter A. Mayer Advertising were awarded a Gold EFFIE for national excellence in sports advertising by the New York American Marketing Association. The club's ad campaign was also awarded the No. 1 ranking in all of sports in at the National Sports Forum's ADchievement Awards in January.


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