Month: November 2015

Cooksey Communications Earns Six MarCom Creative Awards

Cooksey Communications recently received three Platinum honors and three Gold honors in the 2015 MarCom Awards, recognizing the firm’s extraordinary accomplishments in the categories of strategic planning, marketing materials, feature and press release writing and website development.

The six awards listed below highlight Cooksey’s diverse, successful experience in going beyond traditional public relations, and excelling in the strategic communications and proactive marketing of its clients:

City of Lewisville, Platinum Award, Communications Plan
The City of Lewisville engaged Cooksey to assess its existing communications materials and processes, and then develop key objectives and recommendations based on the audit. The final plan included internal and external communications strategies to effectively engage residents, businesses, employees and visitors.

Bell Helicopter Fort Worth Alliance Air Show, Platinum Award, Promotion/Marketing Materials, Air Show 25th Anniversary Branding
In celebration of the Bell Helicopter Fort Worth Alliance Air Show’s 25th anniversary, Cooksey Communications worked with event organizers to refresh the brand image. Marketing pieces invoked a vintage feel by featuring classic planes on an illustrated sky, previous event posters and a special patch-like logo to represent the 2015 show.
Vogel Alcove, Platinum Award, Event, Day 1 Dallas Website
Cooksey partnered with Vogel Alcove, a local nonprofit daycare center and pre-school for homeless children, to create a website for Day 1 Dallas, the first New Year’s Day family fair in North Texas. The mobile responsive site enables users to find information about the event and its sponsors, as well as to purchase tickets for the fair and related concerts. The website also serves as a volunteer recruitment tool.
Freese and Nichols, Gold Award, Feature Article, American Public Works Association (APWA) Reporter
On behalf of Freese and Nichols, a leading engineering and architecture firm, Cooksey developed a feature guest article for the American Public Works Association Reporter magazine. The article spotlighted the firm’s $14.5 million redesign and improvement of Merritt Road in Rowlett, Texas.
Hillwood Properties, Gold Award, News Release, Facebook Data Processing Center Groundbreaking
In partnership with Hillwood Properties, Cooksey developed and distributed a press release announcing the groundbreaking of a new Facebook data processing center located at the 18,000-acre AllianceTexas development in north Fort Worth. The release provided details about Facebook’s plans to construct three of the world’s most environmentally friendly buildings, totaling 250,000 square feet apiece, that will enable the company to handle its increasing web traffic.
Perot Development Company, Gold Award, Business to Business, Perot Development Website
Cooksey worked with Perot Development Company, an industrial developer located in Dallas, Texas, to create a completely new look for its company website. In addition to being functional on all platforms, the website showcases the Perot Development Company’s real estate projects, abilities and services.

The MarCom Awards is an international creative competition celebrating the outstanding work of any individual or company involved in the concept, writing and design of print, visual, audio and web materials and programs. Entries come from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, PR firms, design shops, production companies and freelancers. Platinum Awards are granted to those few entries exhibiting superior quality, creativity and resourcefulness. Gold awards are presented to those entries judged to exceed high standards of the industry norm.

Cooksey Communications Names Two Partners, Executive Vice Presidents

Cooksey Communications has promoted Colby Walton and Jason Meyer to Executive Vice Presidents and Partners in the firm. Both had been serving as Senior Vice Presidents and Account Managers, and have been integral parts of the company’s leadership team.

At the same time, Karen Berlin Cooperstein was promoted to Executive Vice President.

“As our company continues to grow and we enter our 21st year in business, it’s critical to have a long-term ownership plan for our company,” said Gail Cooksey, founder, president and CEO of Cooksey Communications. “Both Colby and Jason, along with Karen, are vital members of our team and represent the future leadership of the company.”

In her role as agency president, Cooksey remains deeply engaged in providing experienced counsel to the firm’s prestigious clients and in continuing to lead the firm’s general operations and strategic planning activities.

Walton, who has been with Cooksey for more than 17 years, is a seasoned communicator specializing in strategic communications, business development, media relations, brand awareness and crisis communications for professional services firms and business-to-business organizations. He also has significant experience working with municipalities, advocacy groups and regional planners.

He earned his B.A. from Duke University in public policy studies and history, and completed his J.D. at the University of Virginia School of Law. He serves on the board and executive committee for Leadership Fort Worth, and is a past president of the Duke University Alumni Club of North Texas.

Meyer, who joined Cooksey in 2011 after working for a leading advertising and public relations agency and the Keller Independent School District, has developed integrated marketing efforts for some of the region’s most recognized companies. He specializes in strategic communications, media relations, advertising and public policy.

Meyer earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of North Texas and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. His early career was spent in politics serving as an aide to elected members of the U.S. Congress. He currently serves on the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce’s Government Relations Committee and the Dallas Regional Chamber’s Public Policy Committee, in addition to other civic and philanthropic activities.

Cooperstein joined the Cooksey team nearly 10 years ago, bringing a unique skill set to the firm, having previously worked in management, strategic planning and fundraising. Her focus at Cooksey is developing strategic communications campaigns for public-policy or issues-related clients in areas such as transportation, education, energy and economic development.

She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Dartmouth College. She is active in the DFW community, including serving on the boards of the Dallas Stars Foundation and Irving Cares, and is an active member of the Dartmouth Club of Dallas.