chris, Author at Cooksey

Happy Holidays from our Delectable Gingerbread Village

https://mailchi.mp/b5f8b36ba7f1/happy-holidays-from-our-delectable-gingerbread-village

Cooksey Promotes Dorothy White to Assistant Vice President and Account Manager, Public Sector Practice

DALLAS – Dec. 15, 2023 –

Cooksey Communications, a leading North-Texas based strategic communications firm, recently promoted Dorothy White to assistant vice president and account manager in the agency’s distinguished Public Sector Practice.

White is a trusted advisor on all of Cooksey’s public sector client work, working closely with municipalities such as Allen, Plano, Richardson, Southlake and Sunnyvale, as well as on major public infrastructure initiatives such as the Trinity Regional Flood Planning Group.

“Dorothy has already made immeasurable contributions to our rapidly growing Public Sector Practice,” said Colby Walton, chairman and CEO of Cooksey Communications. “Her leadership and depth of governmental experience bolster our team’s capacity to serve clients across Texas and nationwide with a wide variety of their most critical strategic communications needs, including comprehensive communications audits and planning efforts, as well as crisis management, internal communications programs and public engagement efforts.”

White joined Cooksey in March 2023 as an account supervisor. Before joining Cooksey, White spent 20 years working for a variety of prominent, local television news stations in Texas and Alabama, including Dallas/Fort Worth’s NBC and CW affiliates and Birmingham, Alabama’s Fox affiliate. Most recently, White finished a more-than-two-decade career at the City of Garland, where she managed various disaster and crisis communication initiatives and media relations for numerous citywide programs and events as Garland’s public and media relations director.

About Cooksey Communications

Founded in 1994, Cooksey Communications is a Texas-based, strategic communications firm specializing in four core focus areas: (1) Professional Services clients such as law firms, financial services firms, A/E/C (architecture/engineering/construction) firms, and other B2B and B2G service providers; (2) Public Sector clients including governmental entities and educational institutions, as well as planning and advocacy groups dealing with critical infrastructure issues such as transportation, water supply, flooding and energy; (3) Real Estate & Development clients such as commercial and residential real estate firms and economic development agencies; and (4) Sustainability initiatives for any company or entity interested in enhancing competitiveness and resilience in a rapidly changing world. Cooksey has repeatedly been named one of the top North Texas PR firms by the Dallas Business Journal, and its team members are trusted counselors to senior executives in the sectors and areas listed above. For more information, visit www.CookseyPR.com.

Cooksey Surveys Public Sector Agencies Nationwide, Wins Major Awards

https://mailchi.mp/636343051671/cooksey-surveys-public-sector-agencies-nationwide-wins-major-awards

Cooksey Honored with Seven MarCom Awards in Recognition of Industry-Leading Marketing and Communication Efforts

DALLAS – Oct. 24, 2023 –

North Texas-based strategic communications firm Cooksey Communications recently received three top-level Platinum Awards and four Gold Awards in the 2023 MarCom Awards, an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by marketing and communication professionals.

These seven awards add to Cooksey’s rich history of award-winning work, including 18 award wins this year in other international creative and digital marketing competitions such as the AVA Digital Awards, the Hermes Creative Awards and the dotCOMM Awards. Additionally, the awards highlight the agency’s high standard of excellence related to the quality, creativity and resourcefulness of its work.

PLATINUM

Annual Report (Corporate Social Responsibility) – Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport: Cooksey created a robust report detailing the airport’s performance and impact on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues for the 2021 fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021).
Blog (Industry-Focused Single Post) – Irving Economic Development Partnership: Cooksey developed a blog post for Beth Bowman, president of the Irving Economic Development Partnership, for Business Facilities, a leading site selection media publication tailored to C-level executives and economic development corporations. The blog highlights the questions and thoughts business executives should consider when looking for a new corporate headquarters location.
Media Relations/Publicity (Online Placement) – The Rainier Companies: Cooksey coordinated the placement of an article in CoStar, a leading commercial real estate publication, announcing Rainier’s new development arm and its focus on mixed-use properties with a retail edge throughout Texas and high-growth U.S. cities.

GOLD

Ads (Trade Show Exhibit) – Anna Economic Development Corporation: Cooksey created banners and a trade show booth to highlight the City of Anna’s rapidly increasing population as well as its ideal location and pro-business culture. Both pieces position the community as one full of opportunity for businesses, developers and families alike.
Media Relations/Publicity (Newspaper Placement) – American National Bank of Texas: Cooksey secured a front-page feature in the Dallas Business Journal for longtime American National Bank of Texas President and CEO Robert Hulsey. The article covers the bank’s rich North Texas history and its plans for future growth.
Media Relations/Publicity (Online Placement) – HistoryMaker Homes/ONM Living: Cooksey arranged a Q&A between Builder Magazine, a go-to news source for home builders, and the HistoryMaker Homes’ new president Zac Thompson. The resulting article features a the company’s extensive 75-year history, observations on the build-to-rent market and sister company ONM Living’s new SmartStart program.
Media Relations/Publicity (Other) – Harrison, Walker & Harper (HWH): Cooksey crafted a blog post for HWH CEO Jordan Harper to appear in the regional business publication, D CEO. The blog showcases the much-needed flexibility and resiliency that microgrids can provide to homebuilders, developers and industrial consumers amid increasing power demands.

The MarCom Awards is administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. This international organization consists of thousands of creative professionals who help oversee awards and recognition programs, provide judges and set standards for excellence in the industry.

This year, about 17% of MarCom entries won Platinum, the top award, and around 20% won the Gold Award. Approximately 12% were Honorable Mention winners.

About Cooksey Communications

Cooksey Adds Four dotCOMM Awards Recognizing Agency’s Digital Advertising and Marketing Efforts

DALLAS – Oct. 23, 2023 –

North Texas-based strategic communications firm Cooksey Communications recently received four Gold Awards in the 2023 dotCOMM Awards, an international competition that honors the industry’s best web and digital work.

These four awards follow Cooksey’s combined 14 award wins in other international creative and digital marketing competitions earlier this year, including the 2023 AVA Digital Awards and the 2023 Hermes Creative Awards. Additionally, the awards highlight Cooksey’s diverse and robust experience in using digital public relations and content marketing tools. Cooksey’s Gold-level recognitions in this awards competition were as follows:

GOLD

Article or News Placement (Earned Media) – City of Aledo: Cooksey placed a prominent story, “A popular Fort Worth restaurant will open a second location in an Aledo landmark,” in Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s dining column. The article spotlights the restaurant’s regional reputation and the significance of its expansion for Aledo.
Article or News Placement (Earned Media) – Corsair Ventures: Cooksey coordinated an interview between Brian Park, development partner at Corsair Ventures and the Dallas Business Journal, which resulted in an article, “Competition heightening as development rolls out along Chisolm Trail,” detailing the firm’s plans to break ground on a 350-unit luxury multifamily development along the Chisholm Trail Parkway.
Article or News Placement (Earned Media) – Irving Economic Development Partnership: Cooksey pitched and secured an article on one of the region’s most significant real estate developments of the year, “Wells Fargo set to start work on massive Irving regional campus,” in The Dallas Morning News business real estate section. The article describes Wells Fargo’s 800,000-square-foot Irving corporate campus development planned for completion in 2025.
Blog Placement (Earned Media) – The Rainier Companies: Cooksey helped place a blog, “Navigating Turbulence in Today’s Commercial Real Estate Market,” by Danny Lovell, president and CEO of The Rainier Companies, in D CEO’s commercial real estate opinion section. The blog draws on Lovell’s extensive knowledge of the North Texas real estate industry to address the turbulent state of the market.

The dotCOMM Awards is administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. This international organization oversees awards and recognition programs and honors outstanding achievement and service to the profession.

Typically, about 13% of dotCOMM entries submitted from throughout the United States, Canada, and many other countries win Platinum, the top award, and around 15% win the Gold Award. Approximately 8% are Honorable Mention winners.

About Cooksey Communications

How To Get The Most Out Of UnSummit: PR Evolving

When my UnSummit co-chair, Emily Bruce, and I began working on this year’s conference, one of our initial tasks was developing our event theme. As we discussed what we envisioned for the UnSummit and what we’d want to see as attendees, the idea of evolution kept popping into my head. As PR practitioners, we’ve all witnessed the evolution of the newsroom, the integration of more technology into our work and even the changes in how many of us go to work each day – from flex schedules to hybrid, remote and more. It’s why the theme PR Evolving became the perfect building block for PRSA Dallas’ first post-Covid, in-person UnSummit.

We’ve planned a day filled with dynamic speakers on everything ranging from what it took to tackle an evolving crisis at the Dallas Zoo and the latest DEI business insights from the Dallas Regional Chamber to the ethics of AI and learning how to leverage it safely and efficiently. And we even have a meditation practice mixed in with the great networking that only comes at in-person events. With so much content, we want to ensure everyone takes full advantage of UnSummit: PR Evolving, so I’d like to share a few tips on getting the most out of your experience.

Get ready to network. Can you believe it’s our first in-person UnSummit in four years?! If that doesn’t resonate as an opportunity for networking, I don’t know what does. If you’re going solo, take a chance and sit next to someone you don’t yet know. If you’re going with your team, take time to break off and work the room a little bit. To get outside my comfort zone, I set a goal of trying to meet at least three new people at every event I attend. Do what works for you but take advantage of the time together. You never know whom you might meet and the connection it may provide now or down the road for new business, a job opportunity or friendship. And, if you have the time, plan and schedule a get-together with someone or a group of friends following the UnSummit. Who doesn’t love an early Friday happy hour?
Come prepared and follow up. It may seem obvious, but often the obvious is the first thing we forget. When planning for your day at UnSummit, have your phone fully charged (with a battery pack on hand if you think you might need it) and bring your favorite tools for taking notes and plenty of business cards – they’ll come in handy with all the networking. If you’re like me, you may not always be great at keeping track of the business cards you receive. I’ve learned to take photos of the ones I receive or, better yet, use the moment to ask if it’s ok to connect on LinkedIn and do it then. It’s challenging and extra work, but if you make an interesting connection, send a quick follow-up note after UnSummit.
Keep what you’ve learned top-of-mind. Our speakers will offer great industry insights, best practices and forward-looking thinking. You want to ensure you walk away with as much knowledge as possible, so when you take notes, do it in a way that what you learned will still be fresh once you’re back in the frenzy of home/work life. I find that even if I take copious notes, it helps if I write down the speaker’s name and company along with three to four specific takeaways with a flagged detail to follow up on, learn more about or perhaps suggest as an opportunity for our agency. You (or your company) are paying valuable dollars to attend the UnSummit, so make sure you make it worthwhile.
The shameless plug. Finally, It would be wrong if I didn’t do my job as co-chair and remind all of us that PRSA Dallas is only as strong as the members who actively engage in and support it. So, in addition to registering yourself, invite a friend or a colleague who works in PR but may not be familiar with PRSA. UnSummit is also a great way to introduce young professionals to PRSA’s educational and networking opportunities and benefits. And finally, consider becoming a sponsor for the UnSummit. Not only do the dollars support continuing education for our region’s PR professionals and help PRSA provide excellent programming, but they can also reap benefits for your company, including greater awareness, job candidates and possibly new business. You can register and learn more about sponsorships here:https://prsadallas.org/meetinginfo.php?id=221&ts=1690486751

By Mary Kate Jeffries, Vice President & Real Estate and Development Practice Leader

Cooksey Communications Taps Anna Clark as Vice President and Leader of Agency’s Newly Created Sustainability Practice Group

https://mailchi.mp/ed5d7cca9c0b/cooksey-taps-anna-clark-as-leader-of-new-sustainability-practice

Cooksey Communications Taps Anna Clark as Vice President and Leader of Agency’s Newly Created Sustainability Practice Group

DALLAS – Sept. 6, 2023 –

North Texas-based strategic communications firm Cooksey Communications has made a significant senior-level addition, naming seasoned strategist Anna Clark as vice president and leader of its trailblazing new Sustainability Practice.

Drawing on two decades of experience advising top-tier companies, first in management consulting at IBM and later in roles with prominent PR agencies, Clark delivers strategies and services to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of Cooksey’s clients in a rapidly changing world – and to help sustain the North Texas region’s and state’s strong track record of success.

“Anna is a recognized pioneer in the emerging field of sustainability communications, an expertise she has forged as an advocate and consultant to organizations ranging from startups and school districts to Fortune 500 companies and the World Bank,” said Colby Walton, chairman and CEO of Cooksey Communications. “In the communications realm, she has brought this expertise to countless organizations, helping clients demonstrate local, statewide and global leadership for sustainability. Our team is delighted to have her aboard, as her sophisticated work dovetails so nicely with our deep focus on specialized sectors.”

Clark has launched Cooksey’s Sustainability Practice with the creation of an Assessment, Planning & Reporting package that can be customized to meet the sustainability positioning needs of each client. The base package includes high-value deliverables such as an Impact Index (SWOT) analysis, competitive benchmarking, sustainability positioning and key message recommendations, and a strategic sustainability communications roadmap. Add-on options are numerous, including CSR/ESG/Impact reports and much more.

In addition to her Cooksey practice leadership role, Clark also serves as a co-lead or key member of the account teams serving clients American National Bank of Texas, ELM Companies, Hillwood, Kelly-Moore Paints and The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.

“Cooksey’s clients increasingly need nuanced, visionary-yet-practical guidance on strategies and messaging to meet the evolving demands of local and global stakeholders,” said Jason Meyer, agency president and co-owner. “In this new practice, Anna will leverage her unique experience to ensure clients stay at the forefront of their industries and are strongly positioned for long-term, future success. In fact, that’s how we regard sustainability at Cooksey: a strategy to sustain our clients’ and community’s continued success.”

An author and columnist, Clark is a fellow at the Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity at SMU, the co-founder of the Inclusive Economy Consortium, and a board director for the Little Things Matter Foundation and Green Source DFW, which awarded her a Sustainable Leadership Award in 2016. She holds a B.A. in government from The University of Texas at Austin and an M.A. in communication from Johns Hopkins University. She lives with her family in one of the first homes in Dallas to earn a Platinum LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

“I’m excited by the opportunity to join the leadership team of one of my home state’s most esteemed agencies, whose clients comprise companies and municipalities that are as committed to their local communities as they are eager to reach globally minded audiences,” said Clark. “Such clients can benefit immensely from our counsel in sustainability and social impact. I also look forward to encouraging the next generation of Cooksey leaders to grow their skills and satisfying careers here while serving our clients.”

With today’s announcement, Cooksey has now named four distinguished, experienced communicators to lead its four deeply dedicated practice groups over the past year:

Kelly Morris, leading Cooksey’s Professional Services Practice,
Tom Bryson, leading Cooksey’s Public Sector Practice,
Mary Kate Jeffries, leading Cooksey’s Real Estate & Development Practice, and now
Clark, leading the agency’s Sustainability Practice.

For more information about Cooksey’s robust PR and marketing experience in these areas, please visit the Clients and Sectors pages of the Cooksey website.

About Cooksey Communications

Founded in 1994, Cooksey Communications is a Texas-based, strategic communications firm specializing in four core focus areas: (1) Professional Services clients such as law firms, financial services firms, A/E/C (architecture/engineering/construction) firms, and other B2B and B2G service providers; (2) Public Sector clients including governmental entities and educational institutions, as well as planning and advocacy groups dealing with critical infrastructure issues such as transportation, water supply, flooding and energy; (3) Real Estate & Development clients such as commercial and residential real estate firms and economic development agencies; and (4) Sustainability initiatives for any company or entity interested in enhancing competitiveness and resilience in a rapidly changing world. Cooksey has repeatedly has been named one of the top North Texas PR firms by the Dallas Business Journal, and its team members are trusted counselors to senior executives in the sectors and areas listed above. For more information, visit www.CookseyPR.com.

The Impostor Syndrome: Hopelessly Lost but Making Good Time

Do you ever feel like a phony?

You might be an accomplished professional with a distinguished education, polished resume, remarkable achievements and the respect of colleagues and co-workers. Yet, day-in and day-out, you feel like you’re going to be discovered as a fraud any minute now.

Negative comments or actions are amplified and self-doubt convinces you that you’re not qualified to be where you are. Somebody’s going to find out. Oh, you’ve picked up enough along the way to fake it, but how much longer can that last?

You’re not alone.

Mentalfloss.com said ‘Impostor syndrome’ is “a distortion of thinking that makes (people) believe they’re actually incompetent, unintelligent and lazy. They’re convinced they’re faking their way through their accomplishments, and one day, they’ll be found out – exposed for the frauds they believe themselves to be.”

In her now-famous 2012 TED Talk, Harvard Business School Professor Amy Cuddy, Ph.D., described her own experience with Impostor syndrome after her brain injury that threatened her academic future.

“I fought my way back—very slowly—and eventually finished college and persuaded someone to take me on as a grad student at Princeton,” Dr. Cuddy explained in an article on leanin.org. “But for years afterward I was haunted by Impostor fears. Every achievement led me to feel more afraid, while even the smallest failure confirmed my belief that I didn’t belong. ‘I’m not supposed to be here’ ran through my head over and over.”

Dr. Cuddy describes an antidote to this kind of anxiety as presence, that is the ability to inhabit and trust the integrity of one’s own values, feelings and capabilities. “This capacity for presence is the seedbed of confidence, courage and resilience required to rise to even the most daunting of life’s challenges.”

Ironically, the majority of folks that can identify with Impostor syndrome are actually very high performing individuals with ‘mad skills.’ They are not usually, however, afflicted with ego or, consequently, self-confidence.

Two of the biggest problems with Impostor syndrome are that it can hold you back and can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you believe you don’t deserve the credit or success you’re experiencing, the chances are you won’t be apt to branch out, push the envelope and try to accomplish more. Even worse, if you believe fervently enough that you are not deserving of your own accomplishments, you can dwell on negative comments and mounting self-doubt and will wind up imploding your career. That is no good for you or for your agency.

How To Combat Impostor Syndrome:

Say ‘Impostor syndrome’ aloud. Just verbalizing it helps reduce its impact. Aloud it actually sounds pretty ridiculous.
Keep a list of your accomplishments. Refer back to it as often as needed to realize it is real.
Celebrate ‘Impostors’ in your agency. Recognize and celebrate the good work of your people, especially those that may fall into this category. It’ll help them and, in doing so, you.
Fake it til you make it. Even if you don’t believe yourself to be a legitimate success, act like one until you achieve the ‘presence’ Cuddy speaks of.
Invest your accomplishments in your agency. It’s a subtle distinction but consider your accomplishments to be that of your agency. Not that you should wash your hands of your good work, but consider that you work on behalf of your agency and that your good works are their good works. In other words, it helps legitimize your accomplishments if you ‘share the wealth.’
Seek a mentor. Chances are you will find someone that has experienced the same degree of self-doubt. Knowing that you are not alone can help overcome the effect.
Mentor someone else. You will be less likely to discount your own expertise or accomplishments if part of your responsibility is to pass along professional life wisdom to others.
Acknowledge the people around you that got you where you are didn’t make a mistake. Muse.com says “Don’t doubt the intelligence of those who have promoted you, hired you, or offered you opportunities. They have made deliberate choices based on your experience and potential. You really do deserve to be there.”
Realize that ‘Impostor syndrome’ is a symptom of success. Again, comsays that if you’re feeling like a fraud, believe it or not, you’re probably doing something right.
Write a blog. It leads others to the notion that you know what you’re talking about.

By Tom Bryson, Vice President & Public Sector Practice Leader

Exceptional Writing and Design of Traditional and Emerging Media Earns Cooksey Eight Awards in Annual Hermes International Creative Competition

DALLAS – July 11, 2023 –

In recognition of its outstanding work in the industry, Cooksey Communications recently received two Platinum and three Gold honors as well as three Honorable Mentions in the 2023 Hermes Creative Awards, a distinguished international competition. These eight awards highlight Cooksey’s expertise in advertising, writing, media relations and video production.

PLATINUM

Video (Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media) – Irving Economic Development Partnership (EDP): The Irving EDP engaged Cooksey to produce a dynamic marketing and promotional video to underscore the city’s appeal to residents looking for an opportunity to expand their lifestyle and companies hoping to grow their business. The “Life in Irving-Las Colinas” video displays Irving-Las Colinas’ convenient, central location and accessibility for businesses and walkability, recreation opportunities and sense of community for residents.
Newspaper Placement (Strategic Campaigns/Media Relations) – The Real Estate Council (TREC): Cooksey helped place an article in The Dallas Morning News announcing Truist Bank’s $10 million investment into the Dallas Housing Opportunity Fund (DHOF). The piece also highlights TREC Community Investors’ work alongside LISC Fund Management, which manages the DHOF, to bring more than 150 affordable rental housing units to East Dallas.

GOLD

Publication Article (Print Media/Writing) – Polsinelli: Cooksey helped develop a blog post titled, “Five Tips Female Attorneys Need to Hear Today (And Every Day) to Thrive in Sports Law” by Polsinelli Sports and Entertainment Vice Chair Leane K. Capps for The Texas Lawbook.
Magazine Placement (Strategic Campaigns/Media Relations) – Harrison, Walker and Harper (HWH): Cooksey helped craft and secure a bylined article, “How Updated Technology and Safety Facilities Provide Protection to Communities and Firefighters,” in the building envelope column of Building Enclosure. The insightful article highlights the evolution of facilities like Dallas Fire Station #59 and how these facilities protect firefighters and entire communities.
Online Placement (Strategic Campaigns/Media Relations) – ELM Companies: Cooksey placed a prominent article in The Dallas Morning News’ real estate column detailing ELM’s plans to upsize its Texas operation with a new division headquarters and plant in The Colony.

HONORABLE MENTION

Publication Article (Print Media/Writing) – Tarrant Transportation Summit: Following the conclusion of the annual Tarrant Transportation Summit in February, Cooksey coordinated the placement of an article in the Fort Worth Business Press that positioned Tarrant County as a leader in mobility innovation.
Online Placement (Strategic Campaigns/Media Relations) – Credit Union of Texas (CUTX): Cooksey facilitated an interview between Credit Union Today senior writer Ray Birch and Credit Union of Texas Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Angela Faust for an article detailing CUTX’s new employee training program, Pathways.
Newspaper Advertisement (Print Media/Advertising) – Anna Economic Development Corporation (Anna EDC): Cooksey created a print advertisement that appeared in some of the area’s most notable business publications, including the Dallas Business Journal and D CEO Magazine. The “Anna says ‘YES” advertisement underlines the city of Anna’s rapidly increasing population and prime location to position the community as a worthwhile site for business investment.

Only about 16% of Hermes Creative Awards entries in the past won Platinum, the top award, and only around 22% won the Gold Award. Approximately 9% earned Honorable Mention status.

The Hermes Creative Awards, administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, honor creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional and emerging media. Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence.

About Cooksey Communications

Founded in 1994, Cooksey Communications is a Texas-based strategic communications firm specializing in three core focus areas: (1) Professional Services clients such as law firms, financial services firms, A/E/C (architecture/engineering/construction) firms, and other B2B and B2G service providers; (2) Public Sector clients including governmental entities and educational institutions, as well as planning and advocacy groups dealing with critical infrastructure issues such as transportation, water supply, flooding and energy; and (3) Real Estate & Development clients such as commercial and residential real estate firms and economic development agencies. Cooksey repeatedly has been named one of the top PR firms in North Texas by the Dallas Business Journal, and its team members are trusted counselors to senior executives in the industry sectors listed above. For more information, visit www.CookseyPR.com.