Davis Public Relations Wins State’s Top Public Relations Award for Second Consecutive Year
Columbia, SC (April 15, 2011) - For the second consecutive year, Davis Public Relations and Marketing took home the award for South Carolina’s best public relations campaign at the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s (SCPRSA) Mercury Awards banquet. Davis PR received the Best in Show Mercury award and five other awards at a ceremony held on Thursday, April 14 in Columbia.
Each year, SCPRSA recognizes excellent public relations programs, campaigns, publications, print materials and individual achievements in communications. Mercury Awards recognize campaigns while Silver Wing Awards recognize tactics. The competition is open to anyone in the communications field in South Carolina. This year, the Phoenix chapter of PRSA judged the entries submitted by South Carolina public relations practitioners.
The Best in Show Mercury Award is presented to the top overall public relations campaign in South Carolina. Davis Public Relations received the award for its work on a branding campaign for LRADAC (www.LRADAC.org), the county authority for the prevention, intervention and treatment of substance abuse for Lexington and Richland Counties. The campaign, entitled “Dawn of a New Day,” coincided with LRADAC’s move into a new state-of-the-art facility on Colonial Drive and included an in-depth evaluation and retooling of their brand to help the community better understand the quality and breadth of services offered by the nationally accredited substance abuse center.
In addition to Best in Show, Davis Public Relations received five other awards in the competition, which recognized work completed in 2010:
- Mercury Award for Brand/Reputation Management for the Brand Campaign for LRADAC.
- Mercury Award for Events and Observances (7 Days or More) for the grand opening of LRADAC’s new 60,000 square-foot facility on Colonial Drive in Columbia.
- Mercury Award of Merit for Public Affairs for the South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative’s (www.smokefreesc.org) campaign to increase the state’s lowest in the nation cigarette tax.
- Silver Wing Award for Media Relations (Associations/Government/Nonprofits) for the South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative’s cigarette tax media campaign.
- Davis PR’s Public Relations Manager, Katie Alice Walker, won the Silver Wing Award of Merit for Media Relations (Associations/Government/Nonprofits) for her work to promote the 2010 Indie Grits Film Festival (www.indiegrits.com).
Davis Public Relations and Marketing Acquires Riley Communications
Columbia, SC (January 25, 2011) - Davis Public Relations and Marketing, an independent communications consulting firm, has acquired Riley Communications, a boutique public relations firm in Columbia.
Davis Public Relations and Marketing was founded in 2004 by Kelly Davis. The firm provides strategic public relations planning, issues management, community relations, media relations, special events management and media placement services to clients in a variety of industries. Davis Public Relations is the exclusive South Carolina member of the PRConsultants Group, a nationwide affiliation of public relations firms with senior-level professionals in every major media market in the country.
Agency principal Kelly Davis has more than sixteen years of public relations experience spanning the agency, government, non-profit and corporate sectors. Since its founding, the agency has received more than two dozen statewide communications awards, including the 2006 and 2009 Best in Show Awards from the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, which named Davis as South Carolina’s Distinguished Public Relations Practitioner of the Year in 2007.
Riley Communications was founded in 2006 by Jacque Riley. She quickly developed a loyal clientele ranging from “mom and pop” shops to established corporations, and the company was honored as Start-Up of the Year by the South Carolina Small Business Development Center. Since then, the firm has received numerous peer-reviewed state and regional awards from the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators, including the two top-scoring entries of the 2009 IABC Palmetto Awards.
“Our two firms’ alignment in terms of values, service and size makes this an exceptional fit, and we feel confident that our clients will benefit from value-added services such as Kelly Davis’ vast background in issues management and an expanded regional and national reach,” said Jacque Riley, founder of Riley Communications. “It is an honor for me to pass the torch to a leader who is truly at the top of her field, knowing that our legacy of client service and strategic communications will continue through the exceptional work of Davis Public Relations and Marketing.”
Riley Communications’ Public Relations Manager, Katie Alice Walker, will join Davis Public Relations and Marketing in the same role.
Davis Public Relations will be moving into the office previously occupied by Riley Communications in the Cason Building at 1612 Marion Street, Suite 205.
Davis Public Relations Recognized for State’s Best PR Campaign
Columbia, SC (April 25, 2010) - Davis Public Relations and MarketingĘreceived the Best in Show award from the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (SCPRSA) during the annual Mercury Awards Banquet held on Thursday, April 22 in Columbia.
The Best in Show Mercury Award is presented each year to the top public relations campaign in South Carolina. Davis Public Relations received the award for its work in managing the statewide campaign to increase South Carolina’s lowest in the nation cigarette tax, conducted for the South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative.
In addition to Best in Show, Davis Public Relations received three other awards in this year’s competition. The cigarette tax campaign was recognized with the Mercury Award for Public Affairs. Davis Public Relations received the Silver Wing Award of Merit for Press Kits for the release of a report detailing South Carolina’s failure to adequately fund tobacco prevention programs, conducted for the South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative. The agency also received the Silver Wing Award of Merit for Research and Evaluation for a brand research project conducted for LRADAC.
Each year, SCPRSA recognizes excellent public relations programs, campaigns, publications, print materials and individual achievements in communications. Mercury Awards recognize campaigns while Silver Wing Awards recognize tactics. The competition is open to anyone in the communications field in South Carolina. This year, the Kansas City chapter of PRSA judged the entries submitted by South Carolina public relations practitioners.
Davis Public Relations and Marketing is a full service, independent communications firm that was founded by Kelly Davis in 2004. Since its founding, the agency has received 18 Mercury or Silver Wing Awards, including the 2006 Best in Show. Davis Public Relations is the exclusive South Carolina member of the PRConsultants Group, a nationwide network of independent public relations firms.
Davis Public Relations and Marketing joins PRConsultantsGroup, Inc.
Columbia, SC (July 1, 2009) - Davis Public Relations and Marketing has joined PRConsultantsGroup, a national network of senior-level public relations and marketing representatives in every major market in the United States. Membership in PRCG is by invitation only. Davis Public Relations and Marketing is the exclusive member for South Carolina.
Working with PRConsultantsGroup provides clients with personalized senior level experience in each market, with the broad reach of a national agency. Members work together often, so they can guarantee that a project is going to be executed perfectly in any city. Members work together or separately on projects, and their unique collaborative system has been copied by many and chronicled in a business book and several articles.
PRConsultantsGroup had its beginnings in the early 1990s, as 7-Eleven began looking for public relations consultants in major markets to announce a major remodel of its stores and to help launch new products. PR professionals were chosen based on experience, knowledge of their markets and a positive, can-do attitude.
As additional PR consultants were added to serve new markets, and as Blockbuster and other clients recognized the value of tapping into an experienced, cohesive group of seasoned marketing and PR experts, it became apparent that this PR consortium was unusually effective. A history of collaborative effort, and the fact that the members knew and relied upon one another, made it an extremely successful model for national outreach. The logical next step was to formally organize PRConsultants Group in 2000 to reach out to additional clients.
PRConsultants Group differs from other expanded networks in that members work on projects together on a regular basis, and meet in person at least once a year at an annual conference. Members do not compete for clients, as they see one another as part of the same team. PRConsultants Group is truly one of a kind.
“We are delighted to join this prestigious national network,” said agency principal Kelly Davis. “We look forward to having the opportunity to work with colleagues across the country while offering our existing clients a broader reach and expertise in any market.”
Davis graduates from Leadership Columbia
Columbia, SC (June 10, 2009) - Kelly Davis, President of Davis Public Relations and Marketing, has graduated from the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Columbia program for 2009.
Leadership Columbia began in order to provide existing and emerging Midlands leaders with opportunities to enhance their civic knowledge and civic network. Leadership Columbia participants develop the leadership skills necessary to assume leadership roles and also become exposed to the involvement opportunities in the community.
Each month from September to May, the class meetings focus on a different aspect of life in the Midlands, with guest speakers, special tours and hands-on experiences designed to expose class members to the broad spectrum of cultural, political and educational opportunities. In addition, class members must develop and implement a class project benefiting the Midlands area. The Leadership Columbia process provides participants with the guidance and tools to turn concepts into workable projects and solutions. The project process culminates the Leadership Columbia experience, utilizing ideas generated during class sessions into a project that enhances and benefits the community.
The Leadership Columbia Class of 2009 developed a new interactive walking tour of downtown Columbia, known as Sally Salamander. The tour features numbered, bronze versions of the spotted salamander, South Carolina’s state amphibian. The Sally Salamander sculptures mark significant locations along a walking tour connecting the Vista and Main Street areas. The tour is designed to be an educational experience for both adults and children.
Sally Salamander tour sites include Columbia Regional Visitors Center, First Citizens Bank and Trust, Arcade Mall, The Palmetto Building, “Never Bust” sculpture by Blue Sky at the Kress Building, Boyd Plaza at the Columbia Museum of Art, Richland County Public Library, The Big Apple, The Blue Marlin and Adluh Flour Mills.
For more information about the project, visit www.columbiasalamander.com. To learn more about Leadership Columbia, visit www.columbiachamber.com.
Davis Public Relations Receives Three Industry Awards
Columbia, SC (May 1, 2009) - Davis Public Relations and Marketing was recognized with three industry awards at the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America's (SCPRSA) annual Mercury Awards Banquet held on Thursday, April 30 in Columbia.
Each year, SCPRSA recognizes excellent public relations programs, campaigns, publications, print materials and individual achievements in communications. The competition is open to anyone in the communications field in South Carolina. A fellow chapter of PRSA judges the entries submitted by South Carolina public relations practitioners.
Davis Public Relations swept the Public Affairs category, receiving both the Mercury Award and the Award of Merit. The agency received the Mercury Award for the Say Yes 2 Our Schools campaign, in which Davis partnered with a community coalition to promote the successful passage of Richland County School District Two’s $306 million bond referendum. (See below for link to case study.) The Award of Merit for Public Affairs recognized Davis Public Relations for its work in managing the statewide campaign to increase South Carolina’s lowest in the nation cigarette tax, conducted for the South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative.
In the Silver Wing category, which recognizes public relations tactics, Davis Public Relations received the Silver Wing Award of Merit for the press kit developed for the groundbreaking ceremony for LRADAC’s new Richland County building. The building is currently under construction on Colonial Drive in Columbia.
SCPRSA is a statewide chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, the world’s largest professional association for public relations professionals.
Davis Public Relations and Marketing a big winner at SCPRSA's Mercury Awards
Columbia, SC (April 11, 2008) - Davis Public Relations and Marketing was a big winner again this year at the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America's (SCPRSA) annual Mercury Awards Banquet. The banquet was held on Thursday, April 10 at the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston.
Each year, SCPRSA recognizes excellent public relations programs, campaigns, publications, print materials and individual achievements in communications. The competition is open to anyone in the communications field in South Carolina. This year, the Volunteer Chapter of PRSA in Knoxville, Tennessee judged the 124 entries submitted by South Carolina public relations practitioners. Sixty awards were presented in a variety of categories
In the Silver Wing category, which recognizes public relations tactics, Davis Public Relations was recognized with the following awards:
- Silver Wing Award for Media Relations (Associations, Government and Nonprofits) for the 2007 Cigarette Tax Media Campaign for the South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative. (www.smokefreesc.org)
- Silver Wing Award for Press Kits for the Langtree at the Lake Groundbreaking Press Kit for Atrium at the Lake Development.
- Silver Wing Award for External Websites for Carolina Children's Dentistry (www.carolinachildrensdentistry.com).
In the Mercury Award category, which recognizes public relations campaigns, Davis Public Relations was recognized with the Award of Merit for Public Affairs for the 2007 Cigarette Tax Campaign conducted for the South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative.
Davis is a past president of SCPRSA and currently serves as Chapter Ethics Officer. She is also the Chair of PRSA's Independent Practitioners Alliance.
Kelly Davis Receives SCPRSA's Highest Individual Honor; Best in Show Award
Columbia, SC (April 20, 2007) – Kelly Jackson Davis, APR is this year's recipient of the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America's (SCPRSA) highest individual honor, the W. Thomas Duke Distinguished Public Relations Practitioner of the Year Award. The award recognizes both professional success and dedicated service to PRSA, the world's largest professional association for public relations practitioners.
SCPRSA has presented a Distinguished Practitioner of the Year Award for nearly 20 years. Last evening, the award was renamed for W. Thomas Duke, a legendary public relations leader retiring this month after more than 50 years of public relations practice. Davis considers Duke to be a mentor, and is particularly honored to receive the award in the first year in which it was named for him.
In addition to the Duke Award, Davis Public Relations and Marketing also received the Silver Wing Best in Show Award for the Cigarette Tax Media Campaign conducted for the South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative, which also received the Silver Wing Award for Media Relations -- Associations/Government/Nonprofit. Her work with Atrium Development's Langtree at the Lake project was recognized with the Silver Wing Awards for Press Kits and Media Relations/Consumer Products.
Davis is a past president of SCPRSA and currently serves as a National Assembly Delegate and as the Chair-Elect of PRSA's Independent Practitioners Alliance. She previously received SCPRSA's Rookie of the Year Award in 1997.
Davis Public Relations and Marketing wins three awards from Public Relations Society of America
Columbia, SC (April 6, 2006) – Independent public relations firm Davis Public Relations and Marketing was recognized with three awards from the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America at its annual Mercury Awards banquet.
The firm received recognition for its work to promote Finleaf Gallery. In the Silver Wing category, which recognizes program tactics, the firm received the top award for Brochures (3 or more colors) and an award of merit for the website www.finleaf.com. In the Mercury category, which rewards outstanding public relations campaigns, the firm received the award of merit for Integrated Communications.
“On behalf of our creative partners, Studio Taj and TminusZero, I am honored to accept these awards,” said agency principal Kelly Davis, APR. “The Mercury Awards are the pinnacle of recognition in South Carolina for public relations professionals. We are delighted to be honored for our work with this unique gallery and gift shop.”
Davis Public Relations and Marketing’s campaign for Finleaf Gallery consisted of developing a strategic public relations and marketing plan which was implemented with the development of a new logo, sign, merchandise tags, marketing brochure/direct mail piece, website and special events. The integrated approach also incorporated an advertising campaign in two local magazines targeting women.
The Public Relations Society of America is the world’s largest professional association for public relations practitioners. The South Carolina Chapter, which was founded in 1967, has more than 200 members throughout the state. The chapter’s annual Mercury Awards competition is judged by peers in another PRSA chapter using the standards set forth by the national organization.
Kelly Davis selected to speak at statewide nonprofit conference
Columbia, SC (March 27, 2006) – Kelly Davis, APR has been selected by the South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO) as a presenter at its annual statewide conference this week in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Davis will lead a session on the topic of “Creating Your Marketing Plan” and will serve as a Curbside Consultant, offering pro-bono advice to conference attendees on public relations and marketing strategies. She previously made a presentation at SCANPO’s Marketing Communications Workshop on crisis communications planning.
SCANPO was formed in 1997 to serve, support and strengthen South Carolina’s nonprofit sector. The association has more than 700 members and is the only statewide network that brings together charitable nonprofit organizations to strengthen the effectiveness of the state’s nonprofit sector. The mission of SCANPO is to improve charitable services to the citizens of South Carolina by strengthening the leadership and management capacities of nonprofit organizations through advocacy, cost-savings programs, networking, resources and training.
To learn more about SCANPO, visit www.scanpo.org.