Hawks' McDonough wins executive honors

His working in helping to turn around the Chicago Blackhawks franchise has earned team president John McDonough "Chicago Executive of the Year" honors from a local public relations group.

The Chicago chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) chose McDonough for its annual award, which recognizes a local individual outside of the public relations profession who uses PR effectively to further the organization's goals.

"From holding fan events for Blackhawks legends to putting home games on TV, McDonough tapped PR and marketing tactics to re-energize a franchise and generate new fan support throughout Chicagoland," the PRSA said in a statement.

The PRSA will present McDonough with his award at its Skyline dinner and ceremony on May 21 along with fellow 2008 winners Cathy Calhoun (co-president, Global Consumer Marketing; regional president, Weber Shandwick) and Jack Wleizen (account executive, Public Communications Inc.). Calhoun will be recognized as the Chicago Public Relations Professional of the Year while Wleizen will accept the PRSA Chicago Young Professional award.

"I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire Chicago Blackhawks organization," said McDonough. "We made tremendous strides this past season and look forward to even more success as we embark on a new era of Blackhawks hockey."