PR Professional, former TV reporter brings new flavor to Kidd PR team

TALLAHASSEE, Fl. – Ivette Marques, APR has joined Tallahassee-based Kidd Group as its PR Director. Prior to joining Kidd; she was a Senior Account Executive at Ron Sachs Communications, where she specialized in media buying, media relations, and special event planning. Before beginning her career in public relations, Ivette worked as a producer and general assignment reporter at WCTV, Tallahassee’s CBS affiliate.

“We are thrilled to have Ivette join our team,” said Jerry Kidd, President of Kidd Group. “Her diverse background of experience and many accomplishments will play a critical role in the growth and success of our PR department.”

Ivette is a graduate of Florida State University with a degree in Mass Media Studies and is Accredited in Public Relations. She is president-elect of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Capital Chapter and is also a member of the Junior League of Tallahassee, Access Tallahassee and Connect Florida.  Ivette is an FPRA Image and Golden Image Award winner and in 2009 she received her first EMMY award for her work on a 30-minute adoption TV special. In 2008 she was recognized as one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know.

“I am excited to begin this new chapter in my career,” said Ivette Marques, APR, Director of Public Relations. “This is a great opportunity for me to grow as a professional and play a key role in the future of Kidd PR.”

About Kidd Group and its parent company Kidd & Company, Inc. Now in its 31st year of business, Kidd & Company, Inc. offers in-house, integrated communication services, including branding, advertising, design, public relations and interactive solutions. Serving clients internationally, the team is committed to providing effective, creative marketing insight. To learn more about Kidd & Company and its award-winning divisions, call (850) 878-5433, or visit www.Kidd.com.

Team Recognized for Exceptional Transit Marketing Initiatives

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Kidd Group received four awards at the Florida Public Transportation Association’s (FPTA) 2009 Marketing Awards for its work for client Bay Town Trolley of Panama City, Fla. A full-service communication and design firm, Kidd Group joined prominent marketing professionals from around the state who have developed campaigns for clients in public transportation. The team was honored for its outstanding achievements in public transportation marketing.

Among the company’s winning entries was the “Why I Ride” campaign. In 2009, Kidd Group worked with Bay Town Trolley to develop this initiative, asking riders to submit stories about why they ride the trolley. Testimonials were later used in video spots for the system.

“The FPTA Marketing Awards represent the best communication projects in public transportation,” said Kelly Robertson, APR, Public Relations Director for Kidd Group. “We’re honored to receive such recognition among our peers working in this challenging and ever-changing industry.”

Implementation, effectiveness and budget management were all considered for the Marketing Awards, which annually honor outstanding public transportation campaigns in the state of Florida. Kidd PR’s honors included two first-place awards, one second-place award and one third-place award:

First Place Awards Category: Advertising Collateral Entry: Bay Town Trolley: Trolley Talk newsletter

Category: Electronic Media/Audio-Visual: Television Entry: Bay Town Trolley: Why I Ride commercial

Second Place Award Category: Bus Exteriors: System Self-Promotion Entry: Bay Town Trolley: Exterior Trolley advertisements

Third Place Award Category: Sustaining Campaigns Entry: Bay Town Trolley: Why I Ride Campaign

To learn more about Kidd Group, visit Kidd.com, or call (850) 878-5433.

About Kidd & Company, Inc. Now in its 30th year of business, Kidd & Company, Inc. offers in-house, integrated communication services, including branding, advertising, design, public relations and interactive solutions. Serving clients internationally, the team is committed to providing creative marketing insight. To learn more about Kidd & Company and its award-winning divisions, call (850) 878-5433, or visit Kidd.com.

About Bay Town TrolleyFor the past 13 years, Bay Town Trolley has provided public transportation services to Bay County with the mission of moving riders of Bay County with clean, safe, efficient and dependable transportation while enhancing the quality of life and meeting the growing needs of the community. The system operates Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. For information on all routes, fares, Ride On Commuter Services and other news and updates, log on to BayTownTrolley.org.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Kidd Group was selected by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to implement a statewide public awareness campaign, informing Floridians of new documentation requirements for obtaining driver licenses and ID cards. To date, it is the largest initiative of its kind in the nation.

The “Gather.Go.Get.” campaign developed by Kidd Group informs millions of residents on how to gather required documents, go to a driver license office and get their new cards when necessary. With Kidd’s help, DHSMV hopes residents will speed smoothly through the process, leading the nation in more secure identification practices.

Thirty years of experience including many of the regions largest communication campaigns, enabled Kidd Group to hit the ground running. In order to inform residents of new requirements that begin Jan. 1, 2010, the team is conducting extensive partner outreach, media and public relations, design, collateral and advertising components. The team also produced the campaign’s user-friendly Web site, which answers frequently asked questions and offers a variety of tools to help visitors identify which documents they will need. For more information on new requirements and the campaign itself, visit http://www.GatherGoGet.com.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Social media is shaping the communication world in a big way. As it progresses rapidly, it is important for organizations to at least understand its impact, whether they embrace it or not. Kelly Robertson, PR Director & Social Media Strategist for Kidd Public Relations, speaks to audiences nationwide about the “nuts and bolts” of the many social media tools available.

Giving presentations to organizations large and small, Robertson explains how organizations can use social media to cost-effectively engage directly with target audiences, monitor what’s “being said” about them and enhance communication on many levels.

“Social media has the ability to virally reach millions of people in an instant,” said Robertson. “It creates a measureable impact. Organizations can share important news as it occurs, find new customers and shape strategies based on the conversations of their targets.”

To celebrate the “multilogue,” the Kidd team recently implemented the first-ever “Social Media Social,” a cocktail event held during the Florida Public Relations Association’s Annual Conference. Attendees enjoyed beverages like Tweet-tinis and Blog-o-beers while “tweeting” for prizes. The event itself generated online discussions, new social media followers for the company and positive organizational feedback.

“The Social Media Social is just one example of how social media can be used to enhance communication,” said Robertson. “Whether it’s an event, a fundraiser, a survey or breaking news, these tools are at your fingertips, but you’ve got to know how to use them.”

Whether you are ready to jump right into the pool of social media or just dip your pinky toe into the water, Robertson explains that she is able to tailor presentations to organizations at every level of involvement. For more information on social media presentations, contact KRobertson@kidd.com.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Kidd Public Relations took home a grand total of six awards during the Golden Image ceremony at the Florida Public Relations Association’s 71st Annual Conference Aug. 11, 2009 in Boca Raton, Fla. The team was one of the most recognized organizations of the night.

The Golden Image Awards acknowledge outstanding PR practices setting the state standard for excellence. Entrants participate in an extensive application process which must demonstrate thoughtful research, strategic planning, implementation and budget management.

Kidd Public Relations would like to thank both the Kidd team members and clients who contributed to the following programs:

• * Golden Image Award: “Ride Proud. Dress Loud. Motorcycle Campaign” – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
• Judges Award: “Grassroots Training Day” – Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc.
• Judges Award: “Pier Park Express” – Bay Town Trolley and the West Florida Regional Planning Council
• Judges Award: “Ride Proud. Dress Loud. Motorcycle Campaign” – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
• Award of Distinction: “Grassroots Training Day” – Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc.
• Award of Distinction: “Pier Park Express” – Bay Town Trolley and the West Florida Regional Planning Council

To learn more about the Florida Public Relations Association and its award program, visit http://www.FPRA.org.

* The Golden Image Award is presented to the top-scoring entry in each category if it meets predetermined criteria of excellence set by the judges. Judges Awards are presented to outstanding entries that achieve maximum results while using a minimum amount of money. Awards of Distinction are presented to entries that meet the standards of excellence set by a panel of judges.