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Cooksey Strengthens Public Sector Practice with Addition of Accomplished Government Communicator Dorothy White

DALLAS – March 29, 2023 –

North Texas-based strategic communications firm Cooksey Communications added longtime government communications professional Dorothy White to its team as an account supervisor in its Public Sector Practice. White will utilize her extensive background in television news and public and media relations for local government to counsel Cooksey’s public sector clients on stakeholder communications and engagement best practices.

“With her extensive experience, Dorothy will deliver meaningful insights and relevant guidance to our many public sector clients across Texas,” said Colby Walton, chairman and CEO of Cooksey Communications. “Her strong crisis communication and media relations skills combined with her deep understanding of local government will also help us continue to grow and strengthen our Public Sector Practice as a whole.”

Before joining Cooksey, White spent 20 years in television news working for a variety of prominent local 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 a variety of disaster and crisis communication initiatives as well as media relations for numerous citywide programs and events as the city’s public and media relations director.

“I’m both proud and excited to be a part of such a talented and dynamic Cooksey Communications team,” said White. “As I enter this new stage in my career, I can’t think of a better group of people to work alongside to continue to serve the public sector as I have for so many years.”

While working for the City of Garland, White received recognition from numerous professional organizations including the Lone Star Emmy Chapter, the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO), the Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers & Advisors (TATOA), the National Association of Telecommunications Officers & Advisors (NATOA) and the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) for excellence in communications. In 2023, TAMIO honored White with its highest individual honor, the Cheryl A. Soward Communicator of Distinction Award.

White received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas Tech University and earned a master’s degree in public administration from The University of Texas at Dallas. She recently received a public communicator certification from Texas Christian University and has also completed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Advanced PIO course at Emergency Management Institute.

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.

Cooksey Wins Big With Six AVA Digital Awards for Exceptional Digital, Social and Broadcast Media Productions

DALLAS – Feb. 2, 2023 –

Cooksey Communications recently received two Platinum Awards and four Gold Awards in the 2023 AVA Digital Awards, an international marketing communications competition. These six prestigious awards highlight Cooksey’s diverse, successful experience in digital marketing and creative services.

Out of the thousands of entries submitted, only 16% earned the top Platinum honors, while only about 21% received the Gold recognition. Another 8% were Honorable Mention winners.

Cooksey’s award-winning client projects were:

PLATINUM

Digital Marketing/Content Marketing (Blog) – Harrison, Walker & Harper (HWH): Cooksey helped craft a blog post titled “Why North Texas Doesn’t Need to Worry About an Industrial Space Shortage” that discusses the North Texas industrial market and its promising future. The blog appeared in D CEO’s prominent Commercial Real Estate section last summer.
Video Production/Long Form Video (Nonprofit) – Jackson-Shaw: In coordination with Jackson-Shaw and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tarrant County, Cooksey produced an appeal and call-to-action video for the Blue Door Kitchen project. The video sees leaders from both organizations talking about the importance of the project’s three pillars – workforce development, feeding program and community partners.

GOLD

Digital Marketing/Content Marketing (Blog) – Jackson-Shaw: Cooksey worked with Jackson-Shaw CEO Michele Wheeler on a blog which touches on the various reasons behind the success of the hospitality sector in the state of Texas. The blog, “Michele Wheeler: The True Meaning of Texas Hospitality,” was one of D CEO’s top commercial real estate blogs of the year.
Web-Based Production/Short Form Web Video (Corporate Image) – Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company (GRS): Cooksey helped solidify GRS’s brand identity and corporate image through a powerful video, detailing the company’s experience that has led to its status as a trusted advisor to the public sector community.
Web-Based Production/Short Form Web Video (Government) – Anna Economic Development Corporation (EDC): Cooksey project managed a compelling marketing and promotional video for Anna EDC, showcasing the opportunities and groundbreaking possibilities in the city.
Web-Based Production/Website (Business to Consumer) – Wildcatter Realty Partners: Cooksey developed the name, brand identity and website for The Greenbelt, a 325-acre master-planned, mixed-use development in Greenville, Texas. Embracing the important relationship between nature and modern amenities in new development as a strategic advantage, Cooksey created the name, logo and branding to evoke the warmth of small-town community with modern technology and amenities. Building upon that foundation, Cooksey constructed a sitemap and design utilizing the WordPress content management system for efficient updates.

The 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.

About Cooksey Communications

Cooksey Practice Leader Mary Kate Jeffries Elected to Public Relations Society of America Dallas Board of Directors

DALLAS – Jan. 20, 2023 –

Cooksey Communications Vice President and Real Estate & Development Practice Leader Mary Kate Jeffries was recently elected to the Public Relations Society of America’s Dallas chapter (PRSA Dallas) board of directors. Jeffries, who has been involved in PRSA Dallas throughout her more than two-decade career, will serve as the board’s director at large for a two-year term set to expire in 2024.

“I’m both thankful and excited for the opportunity to work alongside such a talented and experienced group of public relations professionals,” said Jeffries. “Together, I’m confident we will continue to carry out the organization’s mission of promoting diversity and best practices among public relations professionals and companies in the Dallas area to help move the industry forward.”

In her new role, Jeffries will oversee different initiatives for the board and PRSA Dallas’ membership of more than 400 dedicated public relations professionals in and around the Dallas area, making it one of the nation’s largest and most active chapters.

“Mary Kate’s continued involvement with PRSA Dallas throughout her career exemplifies her unique commitment to not only advancing her public relations knowledge but also strengthening the public relations industry as a whole,” said Colby Walton, chairman and CEO of Cooksey Communications. “It’s that type of commitment that makes Mary Kate such a valued member of our team, and it’s why I’m certain she’ll thrive in this new role.”

PRSA empowers its members to succeed at every stage of their careers through a wide breadth of professional development, networking and leadership opportunities. The organization is collectively represented by 110 Chapters and 14 Professional Interest Sections, as well as on nearly 375 college and university campuses in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Argentina, Colombia and Peru through its student organization, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). PRSA’s signature events include the Anvil Awards and ICON, the premier annual gathering for communications professionals and students

About Cooksey Communications

Cooksey Wins Seven MarCom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Marketing and Communication Efforts

DALLAS – Dec. 21, 2022 –

Cooksey Communications recently received three Platinum and four Gold awards in the 2022 MarCom Creative Awards, a prestigious international marketing and communication competition. The seven awards highlight Cooksey’s impressive strategic communication work across numerous categories, including creative design, media relations, and video and film production. Platinum honors, the top award, are reserved for only about 18% of entries worldwide.

PLATINUM

Print Media (Design) – DFW International Airport: Cooksey was engaged by DFW International Airport to design a comprehensive strategic plan document for 2021-2024. The plan outlines the airport’s goals for 2024 in several key areas, including customer experience, employee engagement, business performance, operational excellence, community impact, safety and security.
Media Relations/Publicity (Online Placement) – HistoryMaker Homes/ONM Living: Cooksey placed a prominent feature article in the Residential Real Estate section of the Dallas Business Journal detailing the 2,300 build-for-rent units ONM Living is developing in Fort Worth.
Media Relations/Publicity (Media Response) – Tarrant County College: Cooksey was recognized for the media coverage it generated for Tarrant County College’s aviation and nursing programs training future, skilled workers to help address the severe pilot and nursing shortages in the U.S. Several key regional media outlets covered the school’s aviation and nursing programs, including Fort Worth Inc., Fort Worth Business Press, Fort Worth Report and WFAA-ABC 8.

GOLD

Video/Film (Government) – Anna Economic Development Corporation (EDC): Cooksey produced a dynamic marketing and promotional video for Anna EDC, highlighting the opportunities and groundbreaking possibilities in the city.
Media Relations/Publicity (Magazine Placement) – Harrison, Walker & Harper (HWH): Cooksey developed and placed a bylined article, “Women in Construction Are Built for Success,” in the publication Construction Executive during Women in Construction Week in early March. The article discusses the ways women are helping move the male-dominated construction industry forward.
Print Media (Design/Innovation) – The Real Estate Council (TREC): Cooksey designed the TREC FightNight 2022 “Breaking Ground”-themed invitation and the accompanying creative suite of collateral materials. Started in 1989, FightNight has become one of North Texas’ largest philanthropic events, supporting more than 250 nonprofit organizations and featuring Vegas-style entertainment, professional boxing and casino gaming.
Media Relations/Publicity (Television Placement) – Trinity Regional Flood Planning Group (Trinity RFPG): Cooksey secured coverage on the local news station, KTRE-TV/ABC 9, of the Trinity RFPG’s open house meeting in Crockett, Texas, intended to raise awareness about the important, new regional flood planning process and the opportunity to provide public feedback on the Draft Plan.

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. The MarCom Awards are administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP).

About Cooksey Communications

Cooksey Communications Taps Vice President Mary Kate Jeffries to Lead Agency’s Distinguished Real Estate & Development Practice

DALLAS – Oct. 31, 2022 –

North Texas-based strategic communications firm Cooksey Communications today promoted Mary Kate Jeffries, most recently a vice president and account manager at the agency, to lead its distinguished Real Estate & Development Practice. Jeffries will draw on over two decades of experience at top-tier PR agencies and well-known hospitality management companies to advise Cooksey’s commercial real estate, residential real estate and economic development clients on their PR and marketing programs and to guide the practice group’s overall operations.

“Mary Kate possesses an in-depth understanding of the brand positioning needs of leading real estate firms, and she has crafted prominent economic development groups’ high-impact PR and marketing campaigns since joining our firm two years ago,” said Colby Walton, chairman and CEO of Cooksey Communications. “Our clients trust her implicitly for clear, confident strategic communications guidance and support.”

“As do our Real Estate & Development clients, the Cooksey team benefits from and greatly appreciates her thoughtful leadership,” said Jason Meyer, agency president and co-owner. “In this new practice oversight role, Mary Kate will ensure Cooksey stays at the forefront of communications best practices and continues serving the industry leaders who are directly responsible for driving the region’s dynamic growth.”

At Cooksey, Jeffries currently leads or co-leads a number of key accounts including the agency’s award-winning work with the Anna Economic Development Corporation; City of Richardson and Richardson Economic Development Partnership; Credit Union of Texas; HistoryMaker Homes; Harrison, Walker & Harper, LLC (HWH 1887); Irving Economic Development Partnership and The Real Estate Council (TREC).

Jeffries is actively involved in the North Texas Community, serving on the 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), a 2022-23 board candidate for PRSA’s Dallas chapter, a sustainer member of the Junior League of Dallas and a past board member of the Dallas Historical Society. She also recently graduated from the T. Boone Pickens Leadership Institute. Jeffries received her bachelor’s degree in public relations and her master’s degree in journalism from Boston University.

“I’m excited to assume my new role and help further Cooksey’s longtime expertise in serving the real estate and development industries, particularly at a time when our region is booming with activity and opportunity in both sectors,” said Jeffries. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside our growing team as we showcase our clients’ successes and support them as thought leaders in their industries.”

With today’s announcement, Cooksey has now named three distinguished, experienced North Texas communicators to head up its three primary, industry-focused practice groups:
• Kelly Morris, leading Cooksey’s Professional Services Practice,
• Tom Bryson, leading Cooksey’s Public Sector Practice, and
• Jeffries, leading the Real Estate & Development Practice.

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

About Cooksey Communications

Cooksey Communications Adds Public Relations Veteran and Former Journalist Kelly Morris to Lead Professional Services Practice

DALLAS – Oct. 11, 2022 –

North Texas-based strategic communications firm Cooksey Communications today added Kelly Morris to its team as Professional Services Practice leader. Morris will use nearly two decades of public relations, marketing and journalistic storytelling experience to advise Cooksey’s professional services clients on PR, marketing and community engagement programs and to guide the practice group’s overall, purposeful growth.

“Kelly’s deep knowledge of the North Texas civic and business community, coupled with her advanced communications skills, makes her the perfect fit to lead our distinguished Professional Services Practice,” said Colby Walton, chairman and CEO of Cooksey Communications. “After helping the Dallas Regional Chamber and well-known clients headquartered in DFW, she has the connections, savvy and client-service mindset to lead high-impact PR and marketing initiatives for the ‘best of the best’ in the regional professional services sector.”

Morris, a DFW native and Texas Christian University (TCU) journalism graduate, most recently served as vice president of communications at the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC), where she oversaw multiple newsletters and developed editorial content around its four strategic pillars: economic development, education and workforce, inclusion and community engagement, and public policy.

Prior to joining the DRC, she was part of the communications team at Ursuline Academy of Dallas and then worked at another full-service PR agency in Dallas, where her clients included engineering giant AECOM and Capital One. Morris began her career as a sports reporter, with stints at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Shreveport Times and Times-Picayune (New Orleans) covering numerous sports.

Morris is actively involved in the community. She is a longtime participant in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Mentor 2.0 Program, a transformative one-to-one support system for low-income high school students and also volunteers for Rainbow Days, a Dallas-based nonprofit that helps youth in adversity build coping skills to create a positive future. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Dallas chapter.

“I join Cooksey Communications at the best time,” Morris said. “I’ll guide the growth of the Professional Services group while also collaborating closely with senior-level colleagues who are growing the agency’s two other core, industry focus areas: the Public Sector Practice and the Real Estate & Development Practice.”

Cooksey’s Professional Services Practice serves sophisticated financial and professional services firms that are leaders in their respective areas, including law firms, banks and credit unions, private equity firms, architecture/engineering/construction firms, and other prestigious B2B and B2G service providers.

Earlier this summer, Cooksey announced the addition of Tom Bryson, who draws on nearly four decades of journalism and municipal communications experience, to lead its dynamic Public Sector Practice. Cooksey plans to announce the leader of its Real Estate & Development Practice later this fall.

About Cooksey Communications

Cooksey Communications Bolsters Public Sector Practice with Addition of Collin Yoxall as Senior Account Executive

DALLAS – Sept. 29, 2022 –

North Texas-based strategic communications firm Cooksey Communications recently added Collin Yoxall to its team as a senior account executive in its distinguished Public Sector Practice Group. Yoxall’s work at Cooksey focuses on evaluating communication structures and practices, developing and executing media relations strategies, developing and executing high-impact marketing programs, and facilitating stakeholder engagement on behalf of governmental entities, higher education institutions and economic development organizations.

“Collin’s strong background in conducting extensive research for local, state and federal campaigns combined with his recent communications and media relations experience in higher education, along with his past work at Cooksey, will be vital to supporting the growth of our Public Sector Practice,” said Colby Walton, chairman and CEO of Cooksey Communications. “We’re excited to have Collin back on the team after his time in higher education, and we’re confident he will be a valuable asset to our public sector clients.”

Before rejoining Cooksey, Yoxall gained experience conducting research and facilitating communications for all three levels of electoral campaigns. He also developed client service and copywriting skills as a part-time employee for Cooksey in 2019-20 while completing his master’s degree in strategic communications at Texas Christian University (TCU). His experience in public educational institutions includes serving as a communications specialist at The University of Texas at Arlington, and most recently in a marketing and communications role at TCU’s AddRan College of Liberal Arts, where he managed and created content for social media, developed relationships with key local media outlets and assisted in faculty expert development.

In addition to his master’s degree, Yoxall also completed his bachelor’s degree at TCU, where he majored in political science with an international relations emphasis. He is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

About Cooksey Communications

Founded in 1994, Cooksey Communications is a Texas-based, strategic communications firm specializing in public stakeholder 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 Seven dotCOMM Awards for Distinguished Web Creativity and Digital Communication

DALLAS – July 18, 2022 –

North Texas-based strategic communications firm Cooksey Communications recently received two Platinum Awards and five Gold Awards in the 2022 dotCOMM Awards, an international competition that honors the best web and digital work in the industry.

These seven award wins highlight Cooksey’s diverse and robust experience in using digital public relations and content marketing tools. Cooksey’s Platinum and Gold-level recognitions in this awards competition were as follows:

PLATINUM

Blog Placement (Earned Media) – City of Wylie: Cooksey secured a bylined print article, “Wylie Public Art Creates Attachment to Community,” in Texas Town & City’s May 2022 edition on innovative city projects. The article, which appeared on the cover of the publication, was written by Craig Kelly, public information officer for the City of Wylie. It emphasizes the role that public art plays in creating a strong sense of community among residents.
Government (Video) – Irving Economic Development Partnership (IEDP): Cooksey produced a dynamic promotional video titled “Stay Bold” to showcase Irving-Las Colinas’ business-friendly reputation as the “Headquarters of Headquarters,” its recreation opportunities and its vibrant lifestyle for prospective companies.

GOLD

Article or News Placement (Earned Media) – Frisco Station: Cooksey secured a prominent feature story, “Ice Cream, Pet Meds, and First Aid Kits are Coming by Wing Drone Delivery to Frisco and Little Elm,” in Dallas Innovates. The article discusses mixed-use development Frisco Station’s pivotal role in bringing the first public drone delivery service in a major U.S. metro area to Dallas-Fort Worth.
Article or News Placement (Earned Media) – HistoryMaker Homes: Cooksey secured an article placement, “HistoryMaker bulks up in DFW, Houston; for-sale homes and rentals in the mix,” in the Dallas Business Journal’s residential real estate section. The article includes an interview with Nelson Mitchell, CEO of HistoryMaker Homes, and an inside look at the company’s growth plan for the DFW and Houston markets.
Article or News Placement (Earned Media) – The Rainier Companies: Cooksey placed an article, “The Rainier Companies continues Best-in-Class Retail Acquisition Strategy,” in Real Estate Weekly that details the unparalleled growth of the company’s grocery-anchored retail portfolio.
Blog Single Post (Content Marketing) – Harrison, Walker & Harper (HWH): Cooksey helped place a blog, “Why North Texas Doesn’t Need to Worry About an Industrial Space Shortage,” by Holland Harper, president of HWH, in D CEO’s commercial real estate opinion section. The blog draws on Harper’s extensive North Texas construction background to address the state of the North Texas industrial market in a COVID-19 world.
Blog Single Post (Content Marketing) – VanTrust Real Estate: Cooksey organized the placement of a blog, “El Paso Industrial Market: The Birth of The ‘Borderplex,” in Texas Real Estate Business. The blog, written by Josh Meredith, director of development for VanTrust Real Estate, discusses the opportunity the El Paso/Juarez region poses to developers across the state.

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

There were more than about 2,500 entries from throughout the United States and many other countries in the 2022 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

Cooksey Communications Adds Regan Welch as Assistant Account Executive

DALLAS – July 5, 2022 –

North Texas-based strategic communications firm Cooksey Communications recently added Regan Welch to its team as an assistant account executive. Welch supports a variety of Cooksey clients across the professional services, commercial real estate and government sectors.

“Regan joins Cooksey with strong training from TCU’s acclaimed strategic communications program, exceptional writing skills and hands-on experience in both PR and marketing, making her a valuable addition to the Cooksey team,” said Colby Walton, chairman and CEO of Cooksey Communications. “We believe she will contribute immeasurably to our agency culture and also be a valuable asset to our client account teams right out of the gate.”

Before joining Cooksey in this full-time position, Welch gained experience at a Fort Worth-based agency, where she honed her skills in traditional and emerging PR practices. She also developed client service and copywriting skills through her time as an account executive for Texas Christian University (TCU)’s student newspaper, The Skiff.

Welch graduated from TCU with a Bachelor of Science degree in strategic communication and a minor in business.

About Cooksey Communications

Cooksey Communications Adds City Communications Veteran Tom Bryson as Vice President, Public Sector Practice Leader

DALLAS – June 6, 2022 –

North Texas-based strategic communications firm Cooksey Communications today added Tom Bryson to its team as vice president and Public Sector Practice leader. Bryson will draw on nearly four decades of journalism and municipal communications experience to advise Cooksey’s public sector clients on stakeholder communications and engagement best practices.

“Tom’s extensive background in local government communications, coupled with his demonstrated leadership abilities in the industry’s premier professional organizations, makes him an ideal candidate to lead our growing Public Sector Practice,” said Colby Walton, chairman and CEO of Cooksey Communications. “Tom brings invaluable, hands-on experience and connections with peers across Texas and nationwide, further bolstering our ability to provide city clients and other public sector organizations with clear, confident counsel and meaningful support.”

Before joining Cooksey, Bryson had an over three-decade career in municipal communications, serving for nine years as the community information administrator for the City of Duncanville and 22 years as the director of communications for the City of Farmers Branch. During his tenure at Farmers Branch, Bryson and his team were recognized more than 55 times with awards on the local, state and national levels. Previously, Bryson also worked as a local newspaper reporter.

“It is with a great deal of gratitude that I am excited to join the dynamic team at Cooksey Communications,” said Bryson. “The reputation of this agency and the quality of their work speak volumes in terms of their commitment to their clients. I am thrilled to be joining this team and, in some way, continue to serve the public sector that has been so good to me.”

He is a past president of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) and the national City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA). In 2016, 3CMA recognized Bryson as the national Communicator of the Year, and in 2020, TAMIO bestowed upon him its highest individual honor, the Cheryl A. Soward Communicator of Distinction. A seasoned public speaker, Bryson regularly presents at state and national conferences on topics such as internal communications, media relations, First Amendment auditor awareness and more.

A New Orleans native, Bryson received his bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications from Louisiana State University. He is a founding member of the Advisory Board of the Certified Public Communicator program at Texas Christian University, where he also serves on the adjunct faculty and is an alumnus of its original cohort.

About Cooksey Communications