Tag: Ackermann PR

2010 UT Alumni Awards Nominations Sought

Posted by Lisa Hood Skinner – February 10, 2010

UT Logo

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:

  • The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award pays tribute to outstanding leadership, service and philanthropy. Last year’s winners were Jim and Natalie Haslam, and Howard H. Baker Jr.
  • The Alumni Service Award acknowledges exceptional service or leadership to UT over a generous period of time.
  • The Alumni Promise Award recognizes alumni no older than 40 who are making an early mark in their career, civic involvement or both, showing bright promise for the future.

“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.

###

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)

Malak named Account Executive at Ackermann PR

Posted by Sarah Malak – January 12, 2010

Malak HeadshotKnoxville, 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.

# # #

Media Contact:
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com

Ackermann PR closes 2009 with impressive roster of new client acquisitions

Posted by Shane Rhyne – December 30, 2009

ackermann aKnoxville, 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.

# # #

Media Contact
Cathy Ackermann or Katie Granju
(865) 584-0550

Cardwell Named COO for Ackermann PR

Posted by Shane Rhyne – November 30, 2009

crop

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.

# # #

Media contact
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Cellular Sales founder and CEO Dane Scism talks about his company’s rapid growth

Posted by Rick Laney – October 14, 2009

Knoxville, 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

Former President George W. Bush at Wilderness at the Smokies resort today in Sevierville

Posted by Rick Laney – October 7, 2009

President George W. Bush

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

Rhyne joins Ackermann PR Digital Communications division

Posted by Shane Rhyne – September 29, 2009

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.

# # #

Media Contact
Katie Allison Granju
(865) 584-0550
kgranju@ackermannpr.com

Watch any NCAA or NFL football game in the “Wilderness”

Posted by Rick Laney – September 21, 2009

Wilderness017Sevierville, 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

Harmony Adoptions Selects Ackermann PR as Agency of Record

Posted by Amelia Daniels – September 16, 2009

a journey home 09Knoxville, Tenn. -  In advance of the Adoption Tour, a 433.7 mile bike ride across the state of Tennessee, Harmony Adoptions has hired Ackermann PR for media relations and marketing communications support.  Based in Maryville, Harmony Adoptions is an adoption agency that provides support and education for families.  Their mission is to share life, love and joy through adoption. 

Nearly 400 children in Tennessee are in state custody right now, waiting to be adopted.  Harmony Adoptions sponsors a variety of programs, from those concerning recruitment of adoptive parents to ones supporting families who have already adopted. 

The Adoption Tour, scheduled for the second week in October, is by far the largest event sponsored by Harmony Adoptions.  Eighty-five riders, each one connected to adoption in some way, will ride 433.7  miles, from Johnson City to Nashville to promote adoption awareness. 

In its 5th year, the Adoption Tour is a collaboration of organizations including Harmony Adoptions, Tennessee Department of Children Services, Youth Villages, and many others.  The tour officially begins on Monday, October 5th at 7:00 a.m. in Johnson City.  As riders and support crew make their way from Johnson City to Nashville, they will be stopping along the way for celebrations in Blount County, Cleveland, Chattanooga, and Columbia to honor adoptive families, pledge their support to those who have adopted and commit themselves to helping those children who still need a permanent home.

In all, there are nine celebrations throughout the tour route , with the largest crowd expected in Nashville as the cyclists hit mile marker 433 in Bicentennial Park.  For more information on the Adoption Tour, visit www.adoptiontour.com or follow the riders on Twitter @adoptiontour.

###

Media Contact
Amelia Daniels
(865) 584-0550
adaniels@ackermannpr.com

About Ackermann PR
Ackermann PR is a full-service, integrated marketing and communications firm in Knoxville, Tenn., providing strategic public relations, proactive and responsive service, and exceptional value.  Services include branding, media relations and training, public affairs, crisis communications, digital media strategies, graphic design and market research.  For more information, visit our website at www.ackermannpr.com.

Ackermann PR will launch the Titanic

Posted by Rick Laney – September 15, 2009

Titanic Branson

Knoxville, Tenn. — Something exciting is about to set sail in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and Ackermann PR is going to help launch it.  The new $25 million Titanic Museum Attraction has hired Ackermann PR of Knoxville to provide strategy and manage its public and media relations activities.

Thanks to owners John Joslyn and Mary Kellogg-Joslyn, the great Titanic story lives on. A towering symbol of hope and courage is literally being recreated in all its splendor at 2134 Parkway in Pigeon Forge.  The 30,000-square foot ship-shaped structure is already visible next to the Black Bear Jamboree.  The only other permanent Titanic Museum Attraction is located in Branson, Mo. and is also owned by the Joslyns.  Since opening in 2006, more than 1.6 million visitors have toured the museum.

“I had the privilege of touring the Titanic Museum in Branson,” said Cathy Ackermann, founder and president of Ackermann PR.  “It is an incredible, first-class museum unlike anything else we have here in East Tennessee.  I felt as if I truly got to know some of the passengers and what their experience was like on board the Titanic.”

Titanic Museum Attraction is a celebration of the ship, her passengers and crew.  Guests will get to know the passengers and crew in the galleries where over 400 priceless personal and private artifacts are on display. Each artifact has a unique story that relates directly to a passenger or crew member.

As guests enter the world of the Titanic, they will be given a passenger boarding ticket. On this ticket is the name of an actual Titanic passenger or crew member and the class they were traveling.  Guests will learn that individual’s story and, in the Titanic Memorial Room, they will find out the fate of their ticketed passenger.

During the approximately 90-minute self-guided tour, guests say they experience powerful emotions as they:

  • View hundreds of artifacts
  • Learn about the Titanic’s maiden voyage and the personal stories of its passengers
  • Walk the Grand Staircase
  • Touch the frozen surface of an “iceberg”
  • Listen to survivors’ stories as they sit in actual lifeboats
  • Feel the chill of that fateful “Starry Night”
  • Stand on the mighty ship’s bridge and hear the Captain’s commands
  • View life onboard, see a First Class Stateroom and a Third Class cabin
  • Explore world-class gallery rooms with rare historical artifacts
  • Try to send an SOS signal from the ship’s wireless communications room
  • View an exclusive exhibit of the only known interior and exterior Titanic photos

Visitors to the new Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge can expect to see Titanic in a whole new light. Unlike traveling exhibits, Titanic in the Smokies is a permanent three-story museum attraction shaped like Titanic herself.  Titanic RenderingThe signature building will be built half-scale to the original Titanic and towers 100 feet above the Parkway.  The structure is anchored in water to create the illusion of the Titanic at sea.  Construction photos are updated weekly at www.TitanicPigeonForge.com.

For nearly 30 years, Ackermann PR has worked for some of the nation’s largest, most successful companies and organizations.  Based in Knoxville, Tenn., Ackermann PR is a full-service public relations and marketing firm providing strategic planning, research, marketing, account management, graphic design, media relations, crisis communications, writing, social networking and online/database management services.  Ackermann is ranked by PRWeek and the Council of PR Firms as one of the top 100 firms in the United States (one of only three in the state of Tennessee).

The new Titanic Museum is set to open next spring.  For more information, visit www.TitanicPigeonForge.com or www.AckermannPR.com.

Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com