Thoroughbred Awards – Things You Need to Know

For more than 20 years, the PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter has offered an awards program that recognizes the outstanding work done by public relations and communications professionals in central Kentucky.

This year the individual awards program is on hold so that we can continue to recruit additional help and make updates to the program.
However, we are still accepting nominations for the Communicator of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.
The deadline for these nominations is March 3, 2023, at 5 p.m.

Communicator of the Year

Each year the Thoroughbred chapter awards a Communicator of the Year award.  This is the 24th year in which our chapter honors a person or persons who during the last calendar year have done an excellent job of communicating his or her passion, but does not work as a PR professional.

The deadline for entries is Friday March 3, 2023, at 5 p.m.

Communicator of the Year nomination form

Lifetime Achievement/Hall of Fame

The Thoroughbred chapter periodically awards one of our chapter members a Lifetime Achievement Award.  One of the requirements, among others, is the recipient must have at least a 20-year career in public relations.  It is not presented every year… just at times when the chapter board feels it should be presented.  The last two recipients were Cliff Feltham and Mary Hemlepp.

The deadline for entries is also Friday, March 3, at 5 p.m.

Lifetime Achievement-Hall of Fame nomination form

Questions?  Contact Cliff Feltham by email at cjfeltham27@gmail.com.
It’s time to get organized.  Get to work and the rewards will be yours.

The Thoroughbred Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has announced its 2023 Board of Directors consisting of communications professionals from various companies and organizations across Central Kentucky.

Officers

• President: Tina Bryson, Christian Appalachian Project
• President-Elect: Katie Neal, TimelyMD
• Immediate Past President: Bethany Langdon, Georgetown College
• Co-Secretary: Brittney Edwards Kinison, Frontier Nursing University
• Co-Secretary: Brant Welch, Farmers National Bank of Danville
• Co-Treasurer: Ashley Tabb, UK Healthcare
• Co-Treasurer: Brant Welch, Farmers National Bank of Danville

Directors-at-large

• Programming Chair: Marc Whitt, University of Kentucky
• Diversity Chair: Kim Brown, Berea College
• Membership Chair: Emma McKinstry, 418 Communications
• Awards Co-Chair: Cliff Feltham, Kentucky Utilities (Retired)
• Awards Co-Chair: Katie Porter, American Association of Equine Practitioners
• PRSSA Liaison: Scott Toncray, APR, PR Consultant
• Social Media Chair: Dani Jaffee, University of Kentucky
• Communications Chair: Mackenzie Davis, Gresham Smith
• APR Co-Chair: Amy Preske, APR, Buffalo Trace Distillery
• APR Co-Chair: Brant Welch, APR, Farmers National Bank of Danville
• Ethics Chair, APR Co-Chair: Holly Wiemers, APR, University of Kentucky- Ag Equine

The Thoroughbred Chapter is a diverse group of communications professionals and public relations practitioners, and offers a variety of programs to help our members learn, grow, and connect with others.

These monthly events feature communications presentations and networking sessions that are open to both members and non-members. Keep up with monthly programming updates on all social media platforms and learn more about the chapter at http://www.kyprsa.org/.

Governor Andy Beshear Selected Communicator of the Year by Thoroughbred Public Relations Group

(LEXINGTON, KY) June 22, 2021 — The Thoroughbred Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announces the winner of its annual Communicator of the Year award goes to Governor Andy Beshear and Team Kentucky.

The award is bestowed on the Governor and his team for the work they did to communicate with the people of Kentucky during the COVID 19 pandemic crisis in the calendar year 2020.   The award goes to a person or group who does not work as a public relations professional, but exemplifies excellent communications of their message to a variety of audiences. The selection is made by the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Chapter of PRSA located in Lexington.

“2020 was a year of extraordinary challenges, however Governor Andy Beshear, Dr. Steven Stack, and Virginia Moore worked tirelessly to lead Team Kentucky through the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ryan Worthen, president of the Public Relations Society of America Thoroughbred Chapter. “The Governor’s daily press conferences and frequent updates informed and educated Kentuckians, and his caring and compassionate communication provided peace of mind to many in a time of great uncertainty.”

This is the 24^th year the Thoroughbred Chapter has selected a Communicator of the Year.  Other recipients include form UK women’s basketball coach Matthew Mitchell, Catholic Action Center director Ginny Ramsey, former UK president Dr. Lee Todd, and former EKU president Doug Whitlock. Former Governor Steve Beshear was the honoree in 2015.

Individual and company awards were also presented. Each entry was judged by members of a sister PRSA chapter and could receive either a Win (First), Place (Second) or Show (Third) designation.

Award recipients include:

Tina Bryson, Assistant Director of Communications, Christian Appalachian Project

One Win (Kentucky Education Television PSAs), Two Place certificates and two Show certificates.

Bethany Langdon, Corporate Director of Marketing & Communications, New Vista

Two Wins (New Vista News – Social Media: See The Good), One Show certificate.

Holly Weimers, Communications Director, UK Ag Equine Programs

Two Wins (UK Equine Weekly – Equine Science Newsletter).

Brittney Kinison, Director of Marketing & Communications, Frontier Nursing University

One Win (FNU Quarterly Newsletter), One Place certificate & One Show certificate.

Todd Wold, Professor/Sponsor of Communication Students, Asbury University

One Win (2020 Highbridge Film Festival – Won by student group)

Mackenzie Davis, PR & Creative Services Coordinator, Wiser Strategies

Two Place certificates.

Ashley Tabb, Publications Production Manager, UK Health Care

One Place certificate.

Beth Goins, Director of Marketing Communications, UK College of Education

One Place certificate.

Kristi Middleton, Chief External Affairs Officer, EKU Communications & Brand Management

One Show certificate.

“On behalf of the chapter’s board of directors, we applaud the excellent work done by public relations and communications professionals throughout central Kentucky,” Worthen said.

See the Governor’s acceptance video here. 

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(LEXINGTON, KY)  July 27, 2020 —- The Thoroughbred Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announces the winners of its annual awards competition.  The entries were in two main categories. Campaigns & Tactics. Each entry could be awarded either a Win (First), Place (Second) or Show (Third) designation. View a PDF version of this list here.

Campaigns

Place   –           Nicholasville Stormwater                                   Community Champion category

Wiser Strategies & the City of Nicholasville

Win     –           Big Family                                                                Integrated Communications

KET staff & others – Todd Piccirilli, Abby Malik, John Dawahare, Rob Elliott, Reggie Beehner, Lauren Bennett, Ann Bransom, Patrick Brumback, Bullhorn Creative, Mollie Eblen, Grand Communications, Nancy Howard, Lisa Meek, Audra Miller, Robin Roenker, Steve Shaffer, Josh Sims, Micah Trvisonno and Missy Upton.

Win     –           We See The Good Ahead, Brand Launch          Integrated Communications

Work + Play Studio, Ana Coomer, Principal & Bethany Langdon,  New Vista

Place   –           EKU Valentine’s Day-Instagram Story              Social Media category

Sarah Kelley, Jessica Holly, Tara Leisure, Matt Schumacher & Brandon Moore,  EKU

Show   –           WoW Wheel Wednesday                                     Special Event category

Sara Jaggers,  Kentucky Housing Corporation

Win     –           Farmers National Bank 140th Anniversary      Special Event category

Brant Welch & Sharon Howell,  Farmers National Bank

Place   –           Campus Buildings Portfolio                                 Student category

Carson Bryant, Jessica Holly, Tara Leisure, Ashley Reaves, Brandon Moore, Amanda Cain,  EKU

Place   –           EKU Weekly Events Highlight-Instagram Story          Student Category

Sarah Kelley, Jessica Holly and Brandon Moore,  EKU

Win     –           Hazelwood.org                                                                   Website category

Trifecta Media & Bethany Langdon,  New Vista

Win     –           Camp Horsin’ Around                                                        Website category

Mackenzie Davis, Wiser Strategies & Camp Horsin’ Around, Brant Welch

Tactics

Place   –           2019-2020 Highlights Piece                                             Brochure category

Mickey Thomas, Brandon Moore, Josh Kegley, Megan Sevier, Stephanie Waley, EKU

Win     –           EKU Aviation Program                                                      Multimedia category

Duane Bolin, Leonard Nave, Brandie Conder, Matt Phelps,  EKU

Place   –           EKU Marching Colonel Hype video                                Multimedia category

Kristi Middleton, Brandie Conder, Leonard Nave, Dwayne Bolin, Matt Phelps, Lanny Brannock, Doug Cornett,  EKU

Place   –           Success First Resources Guide                          Multimedia category

Work + Play Studio & Bethany Langdon,  New Vista

Show   –           Success First Resources Guide                                        Special Purpose Publication

Jessica Holly, Brandon Moore, Ashley Reaves, Mickey Thomas, Lara Vance, Travis Martin, Gill Hunter, Bethany Warner, Heather Davis,  EKU

Win     –           New Vista 2019 Annual Report                                      Special Purpose Publication

Trifecta Media & Bethany Langdon,  New Vista

There were co-winners of the chapter’s annual Communicator of the Year Award.  The award goes to a person or group who does not work as a public relations professional, and who exemplifies excellent communications of their message to a variety of audiences.   The recipients are:

The late Anita Rowe-Franklin, a nurse by profession and also an advocate for gun safety by speaking out for the protection of today’s youth against gun violence. This came in the wake of the shooting death of her son, Antonio Franklin, Jr, an innocent bystander at an event in Duncan Park.

See the video for Anita Rowe-Franklin here.

And,

Dr. Aaron Thompson,  a passionate advocate for higher education serving currently as the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of the Council on Post-Secondary Education in Frankfort.  He has served in a variety of education posts including interim president of Kentucky State University.

See the video for Dr. Aaron Thompson here.

Also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award for at 20+ years of excellent public relations/communications work went to Sue Patrick, APR, CPE.  She is currently serving as Chief Communications Officer at the Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education.  Sue has demonstrated her unending dedication to the public relations profession, her skill at crafting effective and engaging messages, as well as her passion for those programs and professionals she leads.

See the video for Sue Patrick, APR, CPE here.

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Our March lunch & learn will be held on March 17, 2020 at Saul Good at 123 N Broadway from 12:00 to 1:30 pm. Rob and Diane Perez conceptualized, developed, and operate four restaurants and a bakery in Lexington, Kentucky. In 2017, they founded Dv8 Kitchen as a social enterprise focused on giving second chance employment opportunities to people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction through vocational, on-the-job training. Dv8 Kitchen focuses on providing “Live Changing Food”, service and atmosphere for every guest.

The Perez’s have created Soulfull Enterprises, part of the Dv8 Kitchen Vocational Training Foundation, after realizing that American Business may be creating an environment where the “American Dream – Rags to Riches Dream” is dying. Dv8 uncovered the need for all businesses to change how to employ, motivate and retain employees in early stages of recovery from SUD. They have formalized the DV8 employment model and are working with other businesses to apply this model to their businesses focusing on a bottoms-up approach for all second chance employees.

Rob will discuss the challenges to messaging and marketing the Soulfull Enterprise initiative and change a deep stigma and impact a social issue.

Act fast! Registration closes March 10th.

The Story of a Creating a Life Changing Business with Rob Perez of DV8 Kitchen

Public relations is often criticized for being “fluff” or not providing hard measures of success. But every PR pro can now have a secret weapon to providing hard success metrics and illustrating not only value but versatility to his or her organization. That weapon: Search Engine Optimization. Learn how you can not only help your company website dominate search rankings, but that success can be attributed to PR’s contributions.

About the Speaker: Jason Falls leads digital strategy for the clients of Cornett. He is a noted industry thought leader listed by Forbes as one of the 10 people every entrepreneur should follow on Twitter alongside Richard Branson, Marc Cuban, Tom Peters, and Gary Vaynerchuk. Falls is the author of two books with his third set to come in late 2020 from Entrepreneur Press. He hails from Pikeville, Kentucky, and can be heard live on LinkedIn each Tuesday morning with his podcast, The Jason Falls Show – A Marketing Podcast.

Jason has a monthly newsletter right up PR professional’s ally. “Influence” is once a month and features deeper, more enriching stories than a typical blog post or podcast. It focuses on influence and persuasion in all their various iterations in our marketing and communications-driven world. Subscribe at jason.online/subscribe.