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PR Lessons Learned Along the Way

PR Lessons Learned Along the Way

July 29, 2020


“We need to take time to listen. We need to take time to observe. Then, listen even more. Listen to counsel. Listen more, and then act.” – Marc Whitt

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy speaks with Marc Whitt, the University of Kentucky’s Office of Public Relations and Strategic Communication’s director of media and strategic relations, about his new book, PR Lessons Learned Along the Way. In the book, Marc shares his advice for young PR professionals and inserts life lessons he has learned over his 35-years-long career. In his discussion with Jeff, Marc shares:

  • How becoming a sponge for an organization’s culture will make you a better fundraising professional;
  • The importance of adjusting your story for the audience; and
  • Three lessons he wants every reader to remember

About our guest

Marc Whitt is Director of Media & Strategic Relations at the University of Kentucky’s Office of Public Relations and Strategic Communications. He also serves as a part-time instructor in UK’s Department of Integrated Strategic Communication and is a former PR and marketing columnist for the national trade magazine, University Business. His first book, PR Lessons Learned Along the Way: Strategies, Tips & Advice for the Higher Ed and Nonprofit Public Relations Professional (Cherrymoon Media), is available in print and Kindle via Amazon Books.

During his nearly 35 years in higher education, Marc’s work has achieved measurable results garnering over 40 honors including back-to-back CASE Silver Medal Awards for Total Institutional Relations Program. In 2015, he received the James C. Bowling Excellence in Public Relations Award. Presented by the UK Journalism Alumni Association and UK Department of Integrated Strategic Communication, the award is given to the “outstanding public relations practitioner with ties to Kentucky.” That same year, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Eastern Kentucky University Department of Communication and the EKU Golden Apple Award for Teaching. In 2003, he was named an Honorary Alumnus of Campbellsville University.

Recently Onalytica, a firm that identifies social influencers, named him among the “Top 100 Public Relations Influencers on Twitter;” he was ranked 21st. Additionally, the Kentucky Music Educators Association District 11 presented him with its Friends of Music Award and CASE Kentucky with its Beth K. Fields Service Award for Leadership in Advancement.

Marc is a native of Paintsville, Kentucky. He and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of three children: Emily Fields (Mark); Elizabeth Muncie (Christian); and Jacob; and the grandparents of Annaleigh and Aubrey Fields.

Follow Marc: @MarcWhitt @PRLessons

Purchase PR Lessons Learned Along the Way