chris, Author at Cooksey

Cooksey Communications Promotes Karen Neal to Vice President of Finance, Administration

DALLAS – March 24, 2021 –

Karen Neal has been promoted to vice president of finance and administration at Cooksey Communications, a leading, North Texas-based strategic communications firm. She will continue to oversee the company’s accounting and financial matters, human resources initiatives and administrative needs.

“For the past five years, Karen has drawn upon her diverse corporate background to bring a valued perspective to Cooksey’s financial and business administration needs,” said Colby Walton, president of Cooksey Communications. “This promotion is a well-deserved recognition of her many contributions that safeguard the agency’s distinctive culture and vital business operations.”

Neal joined Cooksey as finance and administration manager in 2016 and today has over 30 years of business and financial experience, including previous work supporting Fortune 500 companies and owning her own business. Neal graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in computer information systems and has since earned a paralegal certificate, an associate degree in accounting and a graduate certificate in occupational safety and health.

ABOUT COOKSEY COMMUNICATIONS

Founded in 1994, Cooksey Communications is a Texas-based, strategic communications firm that specializes in issues-related communications for government/economic development, transportation, water, energy and education clients, and strategic communications for professional services, real estate/development, retail/hospitality/consumer and nonprofit clients. Cooksey repeatedly has been named one of the top public relations agencies in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex by the Dallas Business Journal. For more information, visit www.CookseyPR.com.

Cooksey Earns Six AVA Digital Awards in International Competition

DALLAS – February 1, 2021 –Cooksey Communications recently received three Platinum Awards and three Gold Awards in the 2021 AVA Digital Awards, an international competition. These six prestigious awards highlight Cooksey’s diverse and successful experiences in digital marketing and creative services.

PLATINUM

COVID-19 Digital Response (Digital Marketing) – City of Fort Worth “Y’all Wear a Mask”: Cooksey helped develop and implement a robust public awareness campaign for the City of Fort Worth, the nation’s 13^th-largest city, to emphasize the importance of mask-wearing in slowing the spread of COVID-19. The integrated campaign included multiple PSAs, a microsite in English and Spanish, downloadable posters and other creative assets customized for each Tarrant County city, digital ads, and paid and unpaid social media.
Writing (Video Production/Creativity) – City of Fort Worth “Y’all Wear a Mask”: Cooksey wrote and delivered 16 television and radio PSAs to emphasize mask-wearing throughout the holiday season and during the National Finals Rodeo held last December in Arlington, Texas.
Amusements/Entertainment (Video Production/Commercials) – Radiance! A Holiday Light Spectacular: Cooksey oversaw creative design, content and production for three radio commercials and two television commercials for a brand-new, drive-through holiday light show in three North Texas cities: Frisco, Decatur and Weatherford.

GOLD

Social Campaign (Digital Marketing) – Radiance! A Holiday Light Spectacular: Cooksey developed and implemented a comprehensive social campaign to generate buzz and boost ticket sales for the regional debut of a drive-through holiday light show. This included the development and execution of paid social media ads and the creation of social media content across Facebook and Instagram.
Blog-Single Post (Digital Marketing/Content Marketing) – Jackson-Shaw “COVID-19 Requires New Ways of Working and Leading”: Cooksey developed a blog post by Jackson-Shaw President and CEO Michele Wheeler for D CEO Magazine’s commercial real estate expert opinion site. The article addressed how leaders could engage, connect and empower teams during remote working and the transition back to the workplace.
Social Branding Campaign Multiple Platforms (Web-Based Production/Social Media) – Delta Hotels by Marriott Dallas Southlake: Cooksey created and executed a social branding campaign across three platforms for a new hotel in Southlake, Texas – a dynamic, upscale suburban community in fast-growing Northeast Tarrant County. This included an organic social media plan, content and graphics, and active promotion of the brand across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

AVA Digital Awards, administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, honor outstanding work by creative professionals involved in the concept, direction, design and production of media that are part of the evolution of digital communication.

Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. From the thousands of entries, about 16% won Platinum, the top award, and around 19% the Gold Award. Approximately 10% were Honorable Mention winners.

ABOUT COOKSEY COMMUNICATIONS

Happy Holidays From Our Cooksey Family

https://mailchi.mp/9dc05530aea5/website-redesign-showcases-cookseys-digital-capabilities-5314022?e=%5BUNIQID%5D

The Holidays Came Early in North Texas

https://mailchi.mp/1ef2a6dda18e/cooksey-launches-new-services-package-5309098?e=%5BUNIQID%5D

Cooksey Communications Adds Mary Kate Jeffries as Account Manager

DALLAS – Dec. 7, 2020 –

North Texas-based strategic communications firm Cooksey Communications recently added Mary Kate Jeffries to its team as an account manager. Jeffries has managed public relations and strategic communications for some of the nation’s most prominent companies and PR agencies over her two-decade public relations career.

“Mary Kate’s understanding of the regional business, civic and media landscape, as well as her deep experience in development and high-level execution of strategic PR and marketing plans, makes her an excellent fit for the Cooksey team,” said Colby Walton, president of Cooksey Communications. “Beyond her knowledge of a wide range of industries and PR best practices, Mary Kate adds to Cooksey’s collaborative culture and brings great management to key client accounts.”

Before joining Cooksey, Jeffries worked in-house, developing content and coordinating public relations campaigns for numerous luxury resort properties, in addition to more than 15 years of previous PR agency experience. Jeffries has well-honed skills in strategic communications, media relations, writing, branding and grassroots strategies for numerous industries, including hospitality, retail, consumer packaged goods, B2B/professional services and public affairs.

Jeffries serves as the secretary for East Dallas Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board and as a volunteer for the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden PR & Advertising Committee. She is also a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Junior League of Dallas, and is a past board member of the Dallas Historical Society. Jeffries received her bachelor’s degree in public relations and her master’s degree in journalism from Boston University.

ABOUT COOKSEY COMMUNICATIONS

Cooksey Earns Three MarCom Awards in International Marketing and Communication Competition

DALLAS – November 11, 2020 – Cooksey Communications recently received two Platinum Awards and one Honorable Mention in the 2020 MarCom Creative Awards, a prestigious international marketing and communication competition. The three awards highlight Cooksey’s diverse and successful experience in strategic communications, creative design, media relations and more. Platinum honors, the top award, are reserved for only about 15% of entries worldwide!

PLATINUM

Strategic Communications (Communications/Public Relations) – City of Fort Worth. Cooksey helped develop and implement a robust public awareness campaign to emphasize the importance of masks in slowing the spread of COVID-19. This included the delivery of multiple PSAs, a microsite in both English and Spanish, downloadable posters and other creative assets customized for every Tarrant County city, print, outdoor and digital advertising, paid and unpaid social media, media relations and community outreach.
Digital Media (Website) – Title Partners. Cooksey was honored for its design of the Title Partners website. Cooksey refreshed titlepartnersllc.com, creating a visually enticing, fully responsive web platform that showcases the title and escrow company’s services, team and locations.

HONORABLE MENTION

Video/Audio (Video/Film) – Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company (GRS).The national actuarial and benefits consulting firm Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company engaged Cooksey to produce a video on GRS Foresight, a comprehensive stress testing and solution-driven modeling tool for public sector retirement programs. The short video was developed for educational purposes at client presentations, speaking engagements and on the GRS website.

MarCom entries come from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, public relations firms, design shops, production companies and freelancers. The competition has grown to perhaps the largest of its kind in the world. MarCom Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP).

ABOUT COOKSEY COMMUNICATIONS

Cooksey Communications Promotes Randy E. Pruett to Senior Vice President

DALLAS – Oct. 28, 2020 –

Randy E. Pruett has been promoted to senior vice president and account manager at Cooksey Communications, a North Texas-based strategic communications firm. He leads or co-leads Cooksey’s account teams serving clients such as Jackson-Shaw, Bell Fort Worth Alliance Air Show, the City of Fort Worth’s “Wear a Mask” public awareness campaign, Toyota Music Factory, Butler Advisers, Irving Economic Development Partnership, City of Wylie, Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company and Radiance! A Holiday Light Spectacular.

“Randy’s high-impact communications strategies have repeatedly produced outstanding results for our clients,” said Colby Walton, president of Cooksey Communications. “Many of North Texas’ leading businesses and governmental entities have come to trust in Randy’s guidance, which is a testament to his decades of experience, his unsurpassed commitment to client service and his abiding passion for public relations. This promotion is a well-deserved recognition of his leadership in our agency and the profession.”

Pruett joined Cooksey as vice president and account manager in 2016, and today has over 30 years of experience in marketing communications, public relations, project management, special events, crisis support, mergers and acquisitions, sales operations, brand management and writing. He was honored as “Dallas Communicator of the Year” by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and is a past president of the IABC’s Dallas chapter. A four-time FEMA-certified crisis communications expert, he also has earned Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) and Certified Association Executive (CAE) designations. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in journalism and political science.

ABOUT COOKSEY COMMUNICATIONS

Tarrant County Masks Up

https://mailchi.mp/2707708ddd7d/cooksey-launches-new-services-package?e=%5BUNIQID%5D

Build Support for Winning Bond Campaigns

https://mailchi.mp/abdac81760ec/confident-communications-counsel-5240826?e=%5BUNIQID%5D

Cooksey Earns Four dotCOMM Awards Honoring Excellence in Web Creativity and Digital Communication

DALLAS – July 28, 2020 – Cooksey Communications recently received two Platinum Awards and two Gold Awards in the 2020 dotCOMM Awards, an international competition. This program is unique in that it spotlights the critical role of creative professionals in continually evolving web, social media and digital platforms.

The four awards highlight Cooksey’s diverse and robust experience in using digital, public relations and content marketing tools.

Platinum – Owned Media – eMagazine. Cooksey was recognized for its planning, writing and design of the 28-page, four-color magazine produced for AllianceTexas, a development of Hillwood. This issue, formatted for both online and print, featured a tribute to the late visionary, business leader, patriot and family man H. Ross Perot, Sr.

Platinum – Earned Media – Article or News Placement. Cooksey secured a cover story, “(Dis)Investing in Dallas,” in the Dallas Business Journal. It addressed how The Real Estate Council (TREC), in partnership with several community groups, is using $6 million from JPMorgan Chase’s PRO Neighborhoods planning program to transform underserved communities through community-driven development.

Gold – Earned Media – Blog Placement. Cooksey provided insight for a blog post, “Real Estate Valuation in the Wake of Covid-19,” written by Butler Advisers President Diane Butler for DCEO Magazine’s online commercial real estate expert opinion site. The article addressed how the effects of the pandemic are being applied unevenly across property types, geographies and tenancy and how the valuers now must consider multiple other factors.

Gold – Website – Education. Cooksey designed a website for STEAMspark Montessori Experience, creating a fully responsive platform that showcases the school’s sophisticated approach, values, programs, partnerships and focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

dotCOMM Awards is administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (www.amcpros.com). The international organization oversees awards and recognition programs, and honors outstanding achievement and service to the profession.

There were more than 2,000 entries from throughout the United States and many other countries in the 2020 dotCOMM Awards competition. Typically, about 13% of entries win Platinum, the top award, and around 13% win the Gold Award. Approximately 5% are Honorable Mention winners.

ABOUT COOKSEY COMMUNICATIONS