Cathy Ackermann, Ackermann PR’s founder and CEO, talked to WATE television in Knoxville to discuss promising signs on the local economic horizon. Watch the entire interview by clicking on the image below.
Cathy Ackermann appears on WATE (ABC) television August 18, 2010
Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com
Knoxville, Tenn. – Ackermann PR, Knoxville’s only Top 100-ranked public relations and marketing agency, today announced that for the first six months ending June 30, 2010, the firm generated 20 new account relationships and a 45 percent increase in revenues, 2010 versus 2009. The agency’s digital business strategies division contributed significantly to both increases.
“While we are extremely pleased and grateful for the increased business activity, these increases are most significant because they reflect what we see as the beginning of restored confidence and a return to economic health in the marketplace,” said Cathy Ackermann, Ackermann PR Founder and CEO.
“This resurgence doesn’t seem to be focused on any one sector, but rather across several industries. We are even seeing some resumption of activity in extremely depressed sectors such as real estate development. Two additional phenomena of the economic downturn is the number of new entrepreneurial start-ups we have seen and the requests we have received from non-profit organizations who are looking for strategic support to shore-up much needed fund raising efforts.”
Among the new clients are Pilot Corporation, Anderson Media Corporation, CityView at Riverwalk, HGTV, Tennessee Cancer Specialists, Wellness Centers of America and the Hearing and Speech Foundation. The large number of new accounts contributed 24 percent of the agency’s year-to-date revenue growth.
Ackermann PR is a full-service, integrated firm providing strategic public relations, comprehensive marketing capabilities and digital consulting services. The company is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and serves clients across the United States. It is the only East Tennessee PR firm listed on PR Week magazine’s list of the nation’s Top 100 firms.
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Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com
KNOXVILLE – Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2010 University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Alumni Awards. Nominations are due Feb. 19. The awards are sponsored by the UT Alumni Board of Directors.
This is the second year alumni will be honored for their service and professional or personal promise. A distinguished alumnus award also will be given. The three categories are:
“UT’s graduates have achieved incredible milestones…building success in our society, educational system, business world and international policies,” said Lisa Hood Skinner, UT Alumni Board awards committee chair and senior vice president of Ackermann Public Relations. “It’s fitting that we recognize these distinguished alumni who provide exceptional support to their alma mater, give back to the community, demonstrate a promising future and overall encompass the Volunteer spirit.”
For online nomination forms and award criteria and descriptions, visit http://alumni.utk.edu/programs/awards/alumni.shtml.
The UT Alumni Board of Directors, established in 2009, incorporates alumni from various walks of life who provide insight and leadership to alumni operations and are active advocates for the university and its programs. Alan Wilson, chairman, president and CEO of McCormick & Company (commonly known as McCormick Spices), is chairman of the board of directors.
A recognition dinner on behalf of all recipients will be held Sept. 10, 2010, in Knoxville.
For further information and off-line nomination forms, contact Jane Kramer at (865) 974-3011.
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C O N T A C T :
Beth Gladden (865-974-9008 or bgladden@utk.edu)
Lisa Hood Skinner (865-584-0550 or lskinner@ackermannpr.com)
Knoxville, Tenn. – Ackermann PR announced that Sarah Malak has been hired as an Account Executive. Malak brings several years of public relations experience, primarily in the hospitality industry, to the agency.
“We are excited to announce Sarah’s employment. Her experience in the public relations and special events industry is a perfect fit for our company,” said President and CEO Cathy Ackermann.
As Account Executive, Malak’s responsibilities include providing media relations, community relations, writing, coordinating graphic design services, special events coordination, advertising and other services on behalf of clients.
“Ackermann PR’s reputation in the public relations industry is a large part of why I came to work for the agency. Their level of professionalism and track record of clients is excellent,” said Malak.
Most recently, Malak served as the Senior Manager of Public Relations at the Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee.
Ackermann PR is a full-service marketing and communications firm and is ranked as one of the top PR firms in the country by industry associations and publications. Clients include Ruby Tuesday, Clayton Homes, ALCOA, USEC, Honeywell, Radio Systems, East Tennessee Medical Group, TechLaw Group, B&W Y-12 and others.
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Media Contact:
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com
Knoxville, TN (December 30, 2009) – Ackermann PR, one of the nation’s premier boutique marketing and public relations firms, has bucked industry trends with what company CEO and President Cathy Ackermann describes as a “banner quarter.”
New client acquisitions for Ackermann include Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), AC Entertainment, HGTV, Cellular Sales, EDP Biotech Corporation, Titanic Pigeon Forge, Baseball LLC, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, Moving Picture Books (Rivr Media), Pimento’s Café & Market, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, Welty Building Company, and several other non-profit foundations and professional services providers.
In addition to these new partnerships, Ackermann has recently expanded its existing relationships with clients such as Ruby Tuesday, Berkshire Hathaway-owned Clayton Homes, CMSS, Wilderness at the Smokies and Radio Systems to include enhanced media relations and strategic digital consulting.
“While we’ve certainly been impacted by the challenging economy, we’re pleased to be finishing up 2009 with what has been a truly exceptional quarter for us,” said Cathy Ackermann. “We’ve added clients in every area of our operations, and we are especially happy with the growth of our digital and social media division, which has really taken off for us this year. We’ve made several great new hires in recent months, and we are enthusiastic about the potential for an even stronger 2010.”
Ackermann PR is a full-service, integrated firm providing strategic public relations, comprehensive marketing capabilities and digital consulting services. The company is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and serves clients across the United States.
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Media Contact Cathy Ackermann or Katie Granju
Crystal Cardwell, Chief Operating Officer of Ackermann PR
Knoxville, Tenn. — Longtime Chief Financial Officer Crystal Cardwell has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer at Ackermann PR.
“Crystal has been a critical part of the company for more than 25 years,” said President and CEO Cathy Ackermann. “This promotion acknowledges and formalizes a role she has really held for sometime.”
“I appreciate the confidence Cathy has shown in me and allowing me to grow with the company,” said Cardwell. “It’s a great group of people who do terrific work.”
In her new role Cardwell will oversee day to day operations and focus on productivity and profitability.
“That’s key to our continuing to thrive in tough economic times,” said Ackermann.
Cardwell, a Knoxville native, is married to Ken Cardwell. They have two grown daughters.
Ackermann PR is a full-service marketing and communications firm and is ranked as one of the top PR firms in the country by industry associations and publications. Clients include Ruby Tuesday, Clayton Homes, ALCOA, USEC, Honeywell, Radio Systems, East Tennessee Medical Group, TechLaw Group, B&W Y-12, Cellular Sales, HGTV and others.
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Media contact Mike Cohen (865) 584-0550 mcohen@ackermannpr.comKnoxville, Tenn. — Dane Scism, the founder and CEO of Knoxville-based Cellular Sales, is featured on WBIR’s “Newsmakers” segment this week. Cellular Sales is the nation’s largest retailer of Verizon Wireless and, in spite of a tough economy, has been growing by leaps and bounds. There are currently 264 Cellular Sales stores across the country and the company will open 50 new locations before the end of this year.
Media contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com
President George W. Bush
Sevierville, Tenn. – Former President George W. Bush will speak this evening at Bridgemont, the Sevierville, Tenn. development that includes the Sevierville Events Center and Wilderness at the Smokies resort, during the Phil Waldrep Ministries “Celebrators” conference taking place at the resort this week.
Bush will meet with guests and conference attendees until shortly before 7 p.m. when he delivers the keynote address for the “Celebrate America” portion of the four-day Christian conference. More than 8,500 people were signed up for the conference. Seats for President Bush’s address have been sold out since June.
During his speech, President Bush will speak about faith, freedom and America.
“We’re thrilled to have the former president here,” said David McGregor, general manager of Wilderness at the Smokies resort. “It speaks volumes about the level of quality and service we deliver here at Wilderness at the Smokies. It’s a tremendous honor to be associated with this kind of event.”
Bush spokesman David Sherzer said, “Former President Bush will offer some reflecting from his presidency as well as lessons he learned about leadership and decision making, and he’ll talk about the impact of his faith on his decision to run for the presidency and on his decisions as president.”
Based in Decatur, Ala., Phil Waldrep Ministries was formed in 1980 and hosts numerous conferences for men, women, senior adults, students and pastors, the North Alabama Bible Conference, and other events such as Christian cruises and worldwide mission trips. According to Waldrep Ministries, the Celebrators conference this week is for “older adults and mature believers.”
In addition to the address from Bush, the conference features a concert by singer Sandi Patty, music from worship leader Charles Billingsley and daily addresses by David Jeremiah.
Wilderness at the Smokies resort is in Sevierville, Tenn. is just minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For more information, visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com or http://www.philwaldrep.org.
Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com
Knoxville, Tenn – Ackermann PR announced that Shane Rhyne has been hired as the company’s Digital Communications Associate. Rhyne brings a background in print, broadcast, and digital media to the company’s expanding services in digital and social media.
“Adding Shane to our staff allows us to continue building on our established leadership in developing innovative branding and marketing opportunities for our clients,” said President and CEO Cathy Ackermann.
The Ackermann PR digital and social media division has represented a rapidly growing segment of the firm’s work during the past quarter. In recent months, Ackermann has added a significant number of new clients, representing a wide variety of industry sectors, including tourism, hospitality, entertainment, sports, healthcare, manufacturing, and nonprofit.
“Shane’s marketing and media background made him the ideal choice as we made plans to expand the division,” said Katie Allison Granju, Social Media Director for Ackermann PR. “Shane is well known in Tennessee’s blogging community for his work on successful social media initiatives, and we are pleased to be able to offer his talents on behalf of our clients.”
Rhyne is a steering committee member of the Knoxville Social Media Association and an active community blogger. He has worked previously as the public relations and marketing director of the East Tennessee Historical Society, and as an online community manager with the E.W. Scripps’ branded social network for pet enthusiasts. In addition, he has worked as a radio news journalist and station manager, and as a freelance writer for magazines and newspapers, as well as on a project with the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alex Haley to document the author’s childhood.
Rhyne is a native of Clinton, Tennessee, and studied journalism and broadcasting at the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He lives in Knoxville with his wife, Ruth Sapp.
Ackermann PR is a full-service, integrated marketing communications firm providing strategic public relations and marketing. It is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and serves clients across the United States.
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Media Contact
Katie Allison Granju
(865) 584-0550
kgranju@ackermannpr.com
Sevierville, Tenn. – Wilderness at the Smokies resort in Sevierville, Tenn. now has ESPN “Game Plan” and “NFL Sunday Ticket” with coverage of every NCAA and NFL football game on Saturday and Sunday in the Hidden Trail Restaurant at Stonehill Lodge. The restaurant, which is open to the public, is next to the Sevierville Events Center at Bridgemont.
While enjoying their favorite games on the restaurant’s eight flat-screen, high-definition televisions, football fans also have access to an all-you-can-eat pizza and wings buffet for just $10. “There are very few places you can go in this area to watch any game from any part of the country,” said David Hayes, director of food and beverage for Wilderness at the Smokies resort. “People love it. Some of our guests come and stay for one game – others come and stay all afternoon and into the evening.”
Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is establishing a new standard for family vacations to East Tennessee. With two outdoor waterparks, a 60,000 square-foot indoor waterpark with a wave pool and surf rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups. For more information, visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.
Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com
