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

Jun 22, 2021

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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Job Alert from KCTCS

Jun 17, 2021

Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Marketing/Public Relations Intern

Email Resume

KCTCS, which includes 16 colleges and more than 70 campus locations, is the largest provider of postsecondary education, dual credit classes, online learning and workforce training in the Commonwealth.

KCTCS employs about 7,500 part-time and full-time employees. The KCTCS System Office, located in Versailles, is home to nearly 200 employees dedicated to serving the colleges. The System Office Marketing Department is home to several disciplines including PR/communication, advertising, market research, graphic design, videography and web services.

The PR/communication area covers public relations, crisis communication, social media, press events, talking points/statements and legislative communication.

Scope of work
The Marketing/Public Relations intern will assist in, but not be limited to, the following:

writing news releases, video scripts and other copy
assisting colleges with social media ambassador project
creating and posting social media content for KCTCS
creating and/or assisting with KCTCS editorial calendars
serving as a backup for creating two daily newsletters
assisting in digital paid advertising
assisting colleges as needed

Intern likely will work on projects with employees and interns from other parts of the department and will attend meetings with staff members as well as college staff.

Position Objectives
This position will develop a general understanding of higher education public relations and marketing, as well as skills in how to:

manage multiple projects and multiple deadlines.
work in a team environment.
meet deadlines.
write for various communication channels and platforms.
work with the media.

Skills Needed
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, understanding of social media platforms and which content is appropriate for each, good phone/video conferencing etiquette, strong writing skills and knowledge of AP Style (for PR intern).

Interns are an important part of the department and are expected to behave in a professional manner, dress appropriately, show up on time and complete assignments on time.

Eligibility
Applicants should meet the following eligibility requirements:

Enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited university or college.
Have permanent U.S. work authorization.
Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Required Major
Public relations, marketing, or communications-related Undergraduate or graduate level candidates will be considered.

Length of internship
To be determined by student’s schedule and department needs.

Hours
Typical hours for the KCTCS System office are 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M-F. We are flexible and will work with your class schedule and course requirements.

Pay
$15 per hour

Contact
Email resume to Mary Hemlepp, Director of Communication Strategy
mary.hemlepp@kctcs.edu

Job Alert from New Vista

Jun 15, 2021

Public Relations Coordinator

Apply Now

Summary/Objective
The Public Relations Coordinator is an entrepreneurial-minded individual responsible for maintaining the reputation of the organization, executing outreach and relationship-building strategies. The coordinator works with various external and internal stakeholders to identify business development opportunities and promote awareness of services provided by New Vista through media relations, event marketing and community engagement.

Required Education and Experience
1. Bachelor’s degree with five years of public relations, community engagement, communications, marketing or business development experience
2. Valid Kentucky driver’s license, reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance

Preferred Education and Experience
1. Master’s degree in business or health related field
3. Three years of experience in public relations, community engagement, communications, marketing or related experience

Additional Eligibility Qualifications
None

Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. Work with senior management to coordinate the creation and execution of a community. engagement strategy raising awareness of the organization and regularly analyzing the regional landscape to identify opportunities to increase organizational awareness.
2. Develop and maintain relationships to enhance the visibility and potential business development of the organization with key stakeholders such as schools, municipalities, law enforcement, judicial system, legislature, local media outlets and other nonprofit organizations.
3. Manage communications strategies to engage individuals both inside and outside of the organization.
4. Maintain a strong understanding of programs and services offered by the organization to seek new opportunities for collaboration, business development and to effectively explain services to potential partners, clients, referral sources and the community.
5. Collaborate with leadership to identify potential community and business partners and participate in the development of the tactical elements of partnerships.
6. Maintains positive relationships with media outlets, writes press releases, pitches stories, coaches staff for interviews, writes speeches and serves as a brand manager and brand ambassador for the organization.
7. Coordinate and attend community events and actively seek to identify new opportunities to promote the organization in the community; maintain schedule of events and coordinate staff to attend events.
8. Design and implement innovative corporate engagement activities for year-round strategic engagement inside and outside of the organization.
9. Maintain a supply of promotional items for distribution at community events, coordinate with printers and vendors; inventory stock; place orders and oversee distribution to team members.
10. Assist with the management of social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
11. Maintain databases of various community groups, stakeholders and the media.
12. Serve as spokesperson for the organization when necessary.

Non-Essential Functions
1. Other duties and projects as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility
This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

Work Skills
• Analytical Ability/Problem Solving – GENERAL OVERSIGHT. Activities covered by general organizational philosophy and objectives. Solving problems in novel, non-recurring or swiftly changing situations in which the approach is not fully defined. Guidance by top executive officer or business owner.
• Decision Making – Performs work operations which permit FREQUENT opportunity for decision-making of MAJOR IMPORTANCE which would have considerable effect on the final attainment of MULTIPLE MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND THE ORGANIZATION’S PROJECTS of a LARGE ORGANIZATION COMPONENT and ORGANIZATION’S CLIENTELE.
• Supervision Received – Under general direction, WORKING FROM POLICIES AND GENERAL DIRECTIVES. RARELY REFERS SPECIFIC CASES to supervisor unless clarification or interpretation of the organization’s policy is required.
• Communication Skills – Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format; Ability to effectively present information to management, public groups, and boards of directors.
• Mathematical Skills – Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Critical Thinking Skills – Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Contact with Public – Extensive contacts with various diversified sectors of the public environment; wherein, the contacts are of extreme importance and failure to exercise proper judgment can lead to substantial losses to the organization.
• Contact with Employees – Establishes company culture by setting tone of interactions and communication with senior and executive level internal officials and employees throughout the organization.
• Machine Equipment and Computers – Regular use of complex machines and equipment (desktop/laptop computer and software)
• Software Skills – Regular use of Microsoft products (Word, Excel and PowerPoint); Experience using in Adobe CC programs such as, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign.

Work Environment
This job typically operates in a professional office environment with a moderate level of noise and minimal exposure to outdoor weather conditions.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and color vision.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position, days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional flex hours, evening and/or weekend work is required.

Travel
This position requires up to 60% travel.

AAP/EEO Statement
New Vista prohibits discrimination and harassment against any applicant, employee or contractor on the basis of sex, race, color, age, national or ethnic origin, religion, physical disability, mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, working conditions, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, wage and salary administration, employee benefits and training. It is also the company’s policy to prohibit all forms of retaliation against any individual who has complained of harassing or discriminatory conduct, encouraged another to complain, participated in an investigation into such complaints, or opposed unlawful discrimination.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Other Information

Classification: Exempt
Department: Administrative Services
Reports to: Corporate Director of Communications and Marketing
Location: Corporate Office, 1351 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40511-1277
Date: May 20, 2021

Thoroughbred Awards – Things You Need to Know

Mar 1, 2021

Thoroughbred Awards – Things You Need to Know

The entry deadline for this year’s annual Thoroughbred Awards is in less than one month here’s information you need to know to enter this year.

The deadline for submitting electronic entries is St. Patrick’s Day, Wednesday, March 17, at 5 p.m.

Individual & Company Awards

The awards categories for individual and company PR professionals highlights the work from the previous year. Click on the link to see this year’s categories.

Save the Date for Submitting PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter Award Entries

Feb 1, 2021

Award Update from Cliff Feltham and Katie McDaniel

Yes… We are having awards In 2021 and it will be all online again this year!

It’s awards season for our chapter and it’s time to start thinking about what you’d like to submit from all your ‘working-at-home’ work the last calendar year. This is a heads-up for the deadline to keep in mind.

Individual & Company Awards
The key date is St. Patrick’s Day. The deadline for submitting electronic entries is Wednesday, March 17, at 5 p.m.

We are tweaking some of the entry categories. Those categories and entry forms will be revealed soon. No major changes, so go ahead and consider the categories from last year to get started.

Communicator of the Year
Each year, the Thoroughbred Chapter awards a Communicator of the Year award. This will be the 23rd year for it which 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 also Wednesday, March 17, at 5 p.m.

Lifetime Achievement/Hall of Fame
The Thoroughbred chapter also 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 those times as the chapter members and board feel it should be presented.

The deadline for entries is also Wednesday, March 17, at 5 p.m.

It’s time to get thinking and organized. More information is coming soon!

PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter Announces 2021 Board of Directors

Jan 12, 2021

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Thoroughbred Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has announced its 2021 Board of Directors.

Officers

Ryan Worthen, 2021 President

President: Ryan Worthen, Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI)
Past President: Natalie Wilks, Cornett
President Elect: Bethany Langdon, New Vista
Secretary: Brittney Edwards Kinison, Frontier Nursing University
Treasurer: Ashley Tabb, UK Healthcare

Directors-at-large

Awards Co-Chair: Cliff Feltham, Kentucky Utilities (Retired)
Awards Co-Chair: Katie McDaniel, American Association of Equine Practitioners
Ethics Chair, APR Co-Chair: Holly Wiemers, APR, University of Kentucky- Ag Equine
Diversity Chair: Tina Bryson, Christian Appalachian Project
PRSSA Liaison: Katie Neal, Katie Neal Consulting
Social Media Chair: Jessica Sparrow, Kentucky Interactive (Kentucky.gov)
Communications Chair: Mackenzie Davis, Wiser Strategies
APR Co-Chair: Amy Preske, APR, Buffalo Trace Distillery
APR Co-Chair: Brant Welch, APR, Farmers National Bank of Danville

2020 Thoroughbred Awards

Jul 27, 2020

(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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March Lunch & Learn: Rob Perez from DV8 Kitchen

Feb 27, 2020

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

2020 PRSA Awards

Feb 20, 2020

UPDATE: The deadline for award entries has passed.

Because of the turbulence of the week that has consumed the time of many of our public relations professionals, we are extending the deadline for submitting entries for our annual awards competition. The deadline is now at the end of the regular work day on Tuesday, April 21st. Hopefully this will afford time for professionals to pull their entries together in what has turned out to be a pretty unusual circumstance for all of us.

It’s awards season for our chapter again and it’s time for you to get your entry or entries ready for judging and ready for the awards they deserve.

Individual & Company Awards
The award categories for individual and company PR professionals is the same as last year.

What You Need to Know
• All entries MUST be submitted electronically
• Students can enter
• Send final submissions containing all materials via email to Katie at kmcdaniel@aaep.org
• Submissions can be sent in the following formats:

a complete Drobox folder link
a PDF
Word Document

• Payments will be made via PayPal
You will receive an acknowledgment of each email within 24 hours. If you don’t receive a response, please follow up.

Key Dates
The deadline for submitting electronic entries is Tuesday April 21, at 5 p.m.
The awards luncheon will be announced at a later date.

Communicator of the Year
Each year the Thoroughbred chapter awards a Communicator of the Year award. This will be the 22^nd year for it which 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.

Last year’s recipient was former Lexington Mayor Jim Gray. Other more recent recipients include Ginny Ramsey of the Catholic Action Center, former Governor Steve Beshear and UK women’s basketball coach Matthew Mitchell.

The deadline for entries is also Tuesday, April 21, at 5 p.m. Please consider who you might submit as an entry for this past calendar year and email that entry also to Katie McDaniel.

Lifetime Achievement/Hall of Fame
The Thoroughbred chapter also periodically awards one of our chapter members with 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 those times as the chapter members and board feel it should be presented.

The most recent recipient was Cliff Feltham in 2018. Other awardees include Nancy Wiser of Wiser Strategies, Tom Harris of UK, Phil Osborne and Thomas Preston of Preston Global.

The deadline for entries is also Tuesday, April 21, at 5 p.m. Please consider who you might submit as an entry for this award and email this nomination also to Katie McDaniel.

It’s time to get organized and good luck. Submit as many entries as you’d like.

Every PR Pro’s Secret Success Weapon with Jason Falls

Jan 7, 2020

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.

Kentucky Community and Technical College System Marketing/Public Relations Intern

Public Relations Coordinator

Thoroughbred Awards – Things You Need to Know

Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Marketing/Public Relations Intern