Every time a Bell rings...

Hollywood has the Oscars, Broadway the Tonys, but 300 of New England’s top PR pros gathered together on Monday night could only mean one thing…the 41st Annual Bell Ringer Awards.

With Billy Costa behind the mic, the evening got off to a familiar start, but change was in the air for this year’s Bells.

Taking a play from the Olympics, 2010 marked the introduction of the Gold, Silver and Bronze Bells – one of several changes implemented for this year’s event.

With so many great campaigns honored, this blog is far too short to do such great work justice. Check out our press release to see a full list of this year’s winners.

Top honors for the night came in the form of the Super Bell award, presented to the organization executing the best communications campaign of the year. Bishoff Communications of Boston took the prize for the management of the Melrose YMCA crisis of a basketball coach raping two young team members.

The Crystal Bell, honoring a lifetime of achievement in the industry, was awarded to Larry Weber, Chairman of Racepoint Group.

This year’s silent auction raised $3,000 in donations to benefit the Judge Baker Children’s Center in Boston. Judge Baker Children's Center promotes the best possible mental health of children through the integration of research, intervention, training and advocacy. Thank you to all for your generous contributions in support of this year’s non-profit partner.

On behalf of the 2009-10 Board of Directors, a special thanks to Kelly Woodsum, who was honored at last night’s Bell Ringers for her 12 years of service to the Publicity Club of New England. As Kelly steps down from her role as Co-Executive Director, a big thanks goes out to her for helping make the Bell Ringers the event it is today.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and we look forward to seeing you for the 42nd Annual Bell Ringer Awards!