Know someone who's received dubious recognition in the PR business? Well, here's your chance to give them their due. We are pleased to announce a call for nominees for the first annual PR Douche-Bag Award.

Inspired by industry notables such as Rick French, CEO of French|West|Vaughn, Ronn Torossian, CEO of 5WPR, Joe Thornley, CEO of Thorney Fallus, and, of course, Steve Rubel, SVP of Edelman PR... the PR Douche-Bag Award (PRDBA) will be given out annually to that special someone who has significantly contributed to the present perception of the public relations profession by "participating in the promotion of issues that meet the special informational and educational needs of almost no one globally."

Judging Criteria: Like the business of PR itself, judging this award will be more art than science. Technically speaking, "douche bag" is used colloquially as a lightly critical term to describe someone who is less premeditated than an asshole. It connotes someone who is generally inappropriate, a little slow and has at least an unconscious predisposition for sleazy.

Regrettably, as there is no barrier to entry to the PR business, almost any gomes can be nominated. However, we are going to try to limit this to PR's truly extraordinary DBs. We are looking for those select small, self important, arrogant, head-up-their-ass individuals who are so much of a douche bag as to take it to another level altogether, i.e. we're looking for the super huge douche bag more commonly referred to today as "d-bag squared."

Nomination Procedures: Any individual in the PR business may nominate a candidate. Each nomination must include a letter summarizing the candidate's qualifications, no longer than two typed pages that address the judging criteria. Two letters that second the nomination must accompany each nomination. The letters need to substantively address the criteria for the award. One of the seconding letters must come from a non PRSA member.

And if that's way too much trouble, just email me their names anonymously at chapel@strumpette.com.

Deadline: The deadline for nominations is August 31, 2007.

Judging Procedures: Based on the number of nominations, we will select the top ten PR industry douche bags. We will then post a poll on Strumpette and allow for open voting.

Award Gala: The DB Award Gala will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on September 20 from 7:00 - 10 p.m. Hosted by the National Capital Chapter of Strumpettes, we are expecting the event to sell out attracting the best and brightest from top communications agencies, corporations, government organizations, associations and non-profits from throughout the Capital region.

See you there. Good luck douche bags.