The PR goal was to broaden awareness of the Chester brand and differentiator. The Patricia Green Group developed a communications plan inclusive of heightened media exposure in the home office market and regional offices, a new website, copy writing and design of promotional and sales materials, a billboard campaign, the centennial, and other pertinent PR activities.

The goal was to achieve enhanced recognition of the Chester brand and differentiator. The Patricia Green Group, developed a communications plan inclusive of heightened media exposure in the home office market and regional offices, a new website, copywriting and design of promotional and sales materials, a billboard campaign, the centennial, and other pertinent PR activities.

Content analysis indicators showed enhanced media space in Chester’s home market. Media cultivation in regional offices was paramount to increased local coverage. An airport billboard campaign, coinciding with the Pittsburgh G-20, achieved favorable feedback and calls of inquiry. Speaking opportunities showed the president’s unique qualities while introducing him to new audiences. He continues to be a noted recipient of awards for engineering excellence. Chester Scholars also generated more press showing the president’s commitment to providing financial support to the next generation of engineers. Media, from mainstream to industry-related, were primary transmitters of brand messages and newsworthy activities in which the president and key staff participated.

Patricia led a team that included the Executive Producer and varied consultants in sales, sponsorships, gifting suites, design, video, red carpet, stage production, and volunteer recruitment. Patricia managed media relations, responded to queries, disseminated press releases, and arranged interviews and camera time. Local media outlets were ubiquitous. National media presence included Access Hollywood, MTV, BET, NBC, and CNN. Journalism students from a Chicago high school had interview time along with urban music and hip-hop publications. There was tight coordination with prime strategic vendor partners, the Hotel Sax, the site of the VIP reception, and the House of Blues, where Kanye appeared in concert.

Media coverage was extensive, with local, national, and international pick-ups via print, broadcast, and the internet. Close to fifty members of the local and national press corps attended the press conference. CNN captured footage of Kanye behind the scenes as he prepared for his concert before a room full of more than 300 excited Chicago schoolchildren. Microsoft donated Xboxes and Zooms to the children. Strong American Schools, another sponsor, filmed a PSA featuring Kanye. Celebrities, including Mos Def, Shaun Robinson, David Alan Grier, Dwyane Wade, and America’s Top Model winner, Jaslene Gonzalez, added glitz and glam to the VIP reception. Quincy Jones, Tom Cruise, and the mayors of Chicago and LA wrote testimonial letters. A tribute to Chicago entrepreneur John Rogers, Chairman and CEO of Ariel Capital Management, for his philanthropy, reinforced why Kanye founded the foundation. An integrated communications approach, including solid media angles, celebrity appeal, strategic partners, and goodwill, all for a good cause, yielded great publicity, sponsor support, a sold-out concert, and critical dollars to support KWF programs and initiatives for youth.

The Patricia Green Group hired a VCU School of Fashion Design and Merchandising student who worked with a faculty member and students to create a natural fabric collection. The student recruited models, and the Patricia Green Group recruited April Tucker. The Patricia Green Group secured donated space from Aloft, a modern, fresh, and naturally fun hotel. A nearby restaurant donated Asian-inspired cuisine. Guests received invites by email. Local merchants donated gift bag items, and several artists donated silent auction pieces. The Jon’Ric brand and event partners were prominent in all publicity and expressions of goodwill.

More than 100 guests attended the event; feedback was overwhelmingly favorable. Celebrity mom April Tucker was a huge draw, and the fashions placed VCU and its students in the spotlight. Jon’Ric founder, Dr. John Rando, gave brief remarks on his company’s eventual expansion to Richmond. Silent auction proceeds benefited VCU’s School of Fashion Design and Merchandising. Bringing individuals and institutions of different purposes together around a common theme, “being eco-friendly,” resulted in print media coverage and enhanced awareness of Jon’Ric International in the Richmond market.

Patricia cultivated key business and government contacts before the September mission, some US-based, who provided written endorsements, including President George W. Bush, former Virginia Senator George Allen, and former Virginia Governor, now Senator Tim Kaine. She also arranged meetings and contacts with the following: UK Trade & Investment, the London Development Agency, London Trade and Industry, the Olympic Delivery Authority, the African Caribbean Business Network, and the European Federation of Black Women Business Owners. Cultural events and tours and a business reception at the US Embassy, which then US Ambassador to the UK, Robert Tuttle hosted, gave access to diverse companies. One group member traveled with Patricia to Rotterdam, Holland, where they spoke at a conference for businesswomen, at the invitation of the European Federation of Black Women Business Owners’ Holland affiliate, Zwarte Zaken Vrouwen Nederland [ZZVN].

The UK trade mission successfully built awareness of the value of international business exchange beneficial to small, minority, and women-owned businesses, a unique first-time effort for Virginia minority-owned businesses. A member of the first delegation invited several companies to Hampton Roads, Virginia, to speak at a conference in August 2007, resulting in two returning to the US for additional presentations. Additionally, the Patricia Green Group coordinated visits for several London entrepreneurs to meet with business and governmental concerns in Virginia, DC, Maryland, and New York City during World Trade Week.

The Patricia Green Group planned domestic and international book tours, forging a teaming relationship with Adornment, a London-based culture and lifestyles organization. Several events occurred in London. MTV Europe sponsored a special signing, inviting a select group of professional women to a reception at Waterstone’s Bookstore. There was substantial media interest, including the BBC and other popular print, radio, internet, and TV outlets. Paparazzi were in large numbers at a second Waterstone’s signing, where Kanye appeared with Dr. West. Additionally, Dr. West addressed teen mothers at a group home. She also signed copies of her book at an evening reception hosted by Adornment.

The Patricia Green Group planned several talks and signings for Dr. West in Washington, DC, Baltimore, Maryland, and Richmond, Virginia. Venues included the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference Authors Pavilion, the Baltimore Book Festival, and Virginia Union University. The Baltimore Sun, the Richmond Times Dispatch, Radio One, and Clear Channel were among media that provided coverage.

Media summaries showed Dr. West had star power. The Patricia Green Group was beginning to establish her brand independent of her son’s. Plans were to leverage the signings and demographics reached: primarily African American professional and working-class women, teens, college students, and educators, to secure sponsorship of a nationwide tour. Sadly, with Dr. West’s November 2007 passing, this did not occur. Yet, the Raising Kanye book signings showed the marketability of her brand.

PEATC did not have a large budget to staff an event of this scale. However, The Patricia Green Group had a strong network of individuals in different specialty areas who donated services. A volunteer coordinator assigned tasks and helped to recruit judges. A music instructor prepared the teens for their performances. The emcee, a well-known radio personality, donated her time and gave air time to April Tucker, Trey Songz’s mom. Print media covered the event. A caterer reduced her fees. Volunteers prepared gift bags and ensured the green room accommodated Trey’s needs. A vendor made four Plexiglas stars for the top three winners and Trey, discounting the price. The Patricia Green Group prepared the event script and program book. Ads offset the print cost. Negotiations with Trey’s management team went smoothly and within budget.

More than 300 teens and young adults, Trey’s primary demographic, attended the event. Parents and other relatives of the performers, as well as PEATC’s board members and friends, were also among the guests. Trey surprised the audience with a full concert. His mother expressed their gratitude for the award. Recruiting performers beyond Falls Church gave some of Virginia’s best youth vocal talents significant exposure, raised funds, and broadened awareness of PEATC’s purpose.

The YWCA NCA retained The Patricia Green Group to manage public relations and event management. She secured Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Chair and President Emeritus of the National Council of Negro Women, for a centennial kick-off event during Women’s History Month. Dr. Height was a leading figure in the YWCA’s history. Patricia obtained TV anchor Maureen Bunyon to emcee the affair. Other activities during the year included a chocolate chip cookie bake-off and competition, the “Voices” [of women] art exhibition and reception, and a program and reception tribute to three DC Metro Area women, including Olympic Gold Medal champion Dominique Dawes.

Media was extensive, from Willard Scott giving a birthday greeting on the Today show to a front-page story about the chocolate chip cookie’s revival in the Washington Post Food Section. TV anchor Kathleen Matthews emceed the awards program. Other noted celebrities, including Emmy-award-winning journalist Cokie Roberts, contributed to the media buzz. In addition, stories appeared on network TV, a PSA ran on the Hispanic network Telemundo, and radio, Internet, and Hispanic and African American newspapers carried stories. Media impressions and high attendance at each event were measurable indicators that the campaign reached its goals.

Patricia researched organizations, churches, health departments, and other entities within targeted communities to support partner development. Her networks in Virginia were strong. She turned to many relationships cultivated during her previous work on HMA’s CDC flu vaccination campaign. Patricia also researched and recruited new partners and added them to her roster. Partners and trusted messengers represented diverse sectors, including health departments, churches, community organizations, neighborhood businesses, grassroots organizations, and community leaders. Peak periods gave the campaign added momentum, particularly during National Influenza Vaccination Week. That week’s heightened media attention kept vaccination messages surrounding the flu and COVID-19 before the public. HMA provided posters, flyers, and other informational materials. Patricia disseminated these to partners who shared them with target audiences.

Maintaining long-term relationships with trusted messengers was pivotal to Patricia’s success. Whether the flu or COVID-19, having a network of influencers is key to driving educational messages swiftly to target audiences and motivating the most vulnerable African Americans to get vaccinated against life-threatening diseases.