June 2023 Edition

June 2023 Edition

Higher Education PR: Media Relations Strategies for Colleges and Universities

Today’s higher education market is becoming exceedingly competitive and there is an increased need for colleges and universities to have effective?media relations strategies. Through media relations,?thought leadership?and effective storytelling to key media outlets, colleges and universities can increase brand awareness and visibility in the public arena, ultimately helping them achieve their institutional missions. Learn more as we discuss the?benefits and best tactics of PR strategies for higher education.

Client Coverage

AKCG?partnered with our client to secure placements?on?6 ABC's Philly Proud and Be Kind?segments of Wesley Enhanced Living Stapeley's community arts coordinator and music therapist, Jacob Dorfman, and senior residents, Dick and Phyllis Taylor. The story was inspired by Jacob's "heartbeat song project," a musical time capsule combining the heartbeat of residents with meaningful songs of their choice. Dick and Phyllis, a married couple of over 60 years, shared the meaning behind their unique heartbeat songs, which have provided them strength and support throughout their lives. It was revealed that Dick and Phyllis were advocates for the fair treatment of all people and were involved?in the civil rights movement, adding another layer of significance to their personal journeys.?

Marsha Wesley Coleman, Director of Learning and Development at FSA | Friends Services Alliance , recently spoke with?KYW Newsradio’s?Shara Dae Howard about Juneteenth, DEI?and the important contributions each generation brings to the movement. Additionally, Marsha?penned an op-ed, “Juneteenth must be a valuable component of a rich DEI strategy,” which ran in The Hartford Courant and The Denver Post.

AKCG?On The Go

AKCG?Attends the 2023 Vision Centre Symposium

Hannah Merschen, Senior Account Executive, attended the 5th?Annual Vision Centre Symposium in Chicago earlier this month. Each year, this conference builds the bridge between academia and providers to grow the next generation of leaders in senior living. We are thrilled to represent?Vision Centre: Leadership Development for Aging Services?and the?vital work of this nonprofit.?Read more about Hannah's experience and?key takeaway's from the Symposium.

Mike Gross, APR, Emcee's the 2023 Anvil Awards

In early June,?Mike Gross, APR, President,?had the honor of emceeing the?Public Relations Society of America’s annual Anvil awards gala, presenting over 100 awards to PR professionals from across the country for their stellar work. Here is Mike, alongside his co-emcee, Ann Andrews Morris, and PRSA’s national chair, Michelle Egan, APR, Fellow PRSA, backstage just before the start of the awards program.

Chris Lukach, APR, Presents at the Independent School Management Summer Institute

This month, Chris Lukach, APR, CEO, presented on crisis communications for independent schools to a group of marketing communications professionals at the Independent School Management Summer Institute.

Meet Hannah Merschen

Meet?Hannah Merschen, a senior account executive for?AKCG?– Public Relations Counselors, where she supports the proactive media relations team for the firm’s healthcare, education and association clients.?

What is your favorite aspect of public relations?

I love storytelling. When I sat down and focused on what I wanted in a future career move, I knew that it had to involve?sharing stories with the community. To me, it’s incredibly satisfying to take an event, effort or initiative that happened and put it into words in a way that resonates with a larger audience. Even more fun is placing that story in the best spot to maximize its potential, whether internal or external. My second favorite thing is networking and building relationships. Although my prior roles were internal, they both hinged on the ability to collaborate across departments. The more time I spent meeting people, and discussing their goals, the better I was able to support them as a central marketing specialist. Public relations will provide the perfect way to align storytelling, pitching and relationship building.

Learn more about?Hannah?and the rest of our team in our Meet the Team series on our?blog.

AKCG?Bright Spot: AKCG?Earns PRSA Anvil Recognition?

The?AKCG?Team?and client?Atlantic City Electric?received an Award of Excellence at the 2023 Anvil Awards hosted by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). PRSA is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community, and each year the Anvil Awards recognize and honor the best communications programs planned and executed across the country. The award recognized our multicultural campaign to advance the region’s energy infrastructure.

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