Sturges Word Communications

Terri Linn Hurd recently joined the Sturges Word team as brand manager. Terri brings years of professional experience in media and marketing to her new role.

She also brings Sunflower (or Sunny), the service/guide puppy in training.

Terri began her career as an award-winning reporter and editor, holding leadership roles with the Kansas City area’s two largest newspaper publishers, Sun Publications and the Kansas City Star, for more than a decade.

Sunny was born into her career on June 21 at Kansas Specialty Service Dogs in Washington, Kansas. KSDS is a non-profit organization that promotes independence of people who are visually impaired or physical handicapped by providing highly-trained canine assistance and support.

In 2003, Terri joined another strategic communications firm where she served as Director of Client services.  In that role she was responsible for oversight and management of the client service function and was accountable for the long-term health of the firm’s client relationships. Terri has expertise in an array of communications activities, including strategic planning, branding, media relations and issues management.

Sunny’s expertise includes sit, off, no, down, no, shake, leave it, drop it and no.

In 2006, one of Terri’s largest CCG clients hired her as their Vice President of Marketing. She was responsible for all aspects of marketing and communications for this $1 billion asset bank and its 10 banking locations.

Terri is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the winner of PRSA Prism Awards for media relations and special events.

Sunny will soon be winning the heart of every client, delivery person, and maintenance worker who walks through our front door. Treats are welcome.

Though a native of St. Louis, Mo., Terri has lived most of her adult life in Kansas City. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Management and Human Relations at Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas.

Sunny will graduate and earn the right to become a life partner for a blind or disabled person … if Terri does her second job well.  And though success means giving up Sunny at the age of 20-24 months, we’ll all be proud, even as we shed some inevitable tears.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (October 26, 2011) – SWC won six Silver awards and one PRISM Award for various client campaigns at the recent PRISM Awards Gala hosted by the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

The firm was honored in the categories of Public Affairs/Lobbying/Issues Management, Internet Communications, and Newsletters.

In addition to the awards, Sturges Word Communications Account Manager Justin LaBerge was nominated as PRSA president-elect for the 2012 year.

Sturges Word Communications is a strategic design and public relations firm with special expertise in the public involvement/government, utility/infrastructure, development/real estate, financial/professional services, retail/hospitality sectors. The agency helps clients get results with experience and creativity applied to the right mix of communications tools including advertising, branding, community engagement, creative, crisis communications, event planning, public relations, social media strategy, and Web design. The firm’s work does what matters to clients – builds brands, moves product and manages reputations. Sturges Word is a member of the Worldcom Group, the largest network of independent integrated and public relations firms in the world.

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This September Kansas City will experience a whole new performance venue with the grand opening of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, scheduled for Sunday, September 18.

Sturges Word was happy to support the center’s grand opening with the Insider’s Guide to Parking — a clearly illustrated parking and driving map of the area around the Kauffman Center. It is hoped that the map, which is available as a full color PDF download, will help the 20,000 anticipated grand-opening visitors find parking, shuttles, trolleys and other transportation to ensure that they not only experience the new Kauffman Center, but enjoy their visit to Downtown Kansas City.

Designed and illustrated by the team at Sturges Word, the map shows surface and underground parking lots, trolley and shuttle stops and the Max bus route, as well as the many other attractions near the Kauffman Center. It is an excerpt of a larger printed parking map that Sturges Word designed for the Downtown Council of Kansas City, Missouri. That larger map shows parking and attractions in all of the districts that comprise downtown Kansas City.

“Sturges Word has been located in downtown Kansas City for almost 20 years,” says Linda Word, principal and creative director. “We are so pleased with all of the recent development, and we hope this PDF will help visitors enjoy not only their visit to the Kauffman Center, but their visit downtown. It’s an area rich with culture, and with additions like the center, it’s only getting richer.”

Click here to download the Kauffman Center Parking Map.

Sturges Word was pleased to participate in the 2011 Art/Work program coordinated by the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City. Three of our staff submitted literary and design entries, and Linda Word, creative director and principal, was awarded Best in Show for her entry “Lake Supper” in the “8-Word Story” literary category.

“Sturges Word is a strong advocate for the Arts Council,” says Linda Word, Sturges Word creative director and principal. “We support their mission and enjoyed being a part of the Art/Work program. It was inspiring to see the work of so many creative Kansas Citians from so many different companies.”

Art/Work is a city-wide corporate arts challenge that encourages people in the Kansas City work force to share their personal creative talents in the literary, visual and performing arts. A panel of local professionals evaluates the entries and awards “Best in Show” honors at an awards program. The general public is also invited to vote for “People’s Choice” award winners.

Art/Work is one of many programs that the Arts Council provides that enables Kansas City area companies to actively engage in the arts. The council also offers a variety of programs and services that support area artists and arts organizations.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Sturges Word Communications has recently added five clients to its roster, the Kansas City-based integrated marketing and communications firm announced today.

After working with Sturges Word on its marketing brochure and materials for its annual luncheon, the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City further engaged the firm on internal marketing initiatives, creative direction and strategic planning.

Hovey Williams LLP, an intellectual property law firm focusing exclusively on patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and IP litigation, has engaged Sturges Word to assist with media relations, marketing, social media, and website support.

Kaua`i Island Utility Cooperative, the electric utility serving the Hawaiian island of Kaua`i, is the sixth electric utility across the nation to partner with Sturges Word for strategic communication counsel. The firm is assisting KIUC with stakeholder engagement and community outreach for a series of renewable energy projects proposed on the island. These projects are part of a larger program to generate 50 percent of the island’s energy from renewable sources including small hydro, biofuels, biomass, and photovoltaic solar by 2023.

Kipp Endeavor Academy selected Sturges Word to promote its fifth grade program, update its branded materials and messaging, and redesign its website.

The city of Leavenworth, Kan., has engaged Sturges Word to conduct an assessment of the city’s communication tools and practices. The project includes a survey of residents and other stakeholders, an evaluation of current communication efforts, and recommendations for the future.

In addition to these new clients, the agency has expanded its relationship with Overland Park-based Ash Grove Cement Company, providing more comprehensive communications services throughout the company.

Sturges Word Communications is a full-service integrated marketing communications agency with special expertise in the development, financial/professional services, public involvement/government, place marketing, and utility sectors. The agency helps clients get results with experience and creativity applied to the right mix of communications tools including advertising, branding, community engagement, creative, crisis communications, event planning, public relations, social media strategy, and Web design. The firm’s work does what matters to clients – builds brands, moves product and manages reputations. Sturges Word is a member of the Worldcom Group, the largest network of independent integrated and public relations firms in the world.

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Agency principal and co-owner to assist festival with strategic communication planning

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Dec. 20, 2010) – Linda Word recently joined the board of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, making a commitment to work with the organization on strategic communications planning over the next year.

In addition to board service, Word anticipates supporting the Shakespeare Festival with graphic design, social media and public relations counsel and services, particularly in promotion of the coming February 12, 2011, gala benefiting the organization’s many programs and, the Festival’s annual production in Southmoreland Park, featuring “Macbeth,” June 14 – July 3, 2011.

Founded in 1991, the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival produces a Shakespeare play each year, free to the public. Macbeth will be the festival’s 24th production. In addition to its annual professional production, the organization delivers year ’round educational programs enjoyed by those between the ages of five and 18.

For more information about the Shakespeare Festival, visit www.kcshakes.org.

Sturges Word Communications is a full-service integrated marketing communications agency with special expertise in the public involvement/government, utility/infrastructure, development/real estate, financial/professional services, retail/hospitality sectors. The agency helps clients get results with experience and creativity applied to the right mix of communications tools including advertising, branding, community engagement, creative, crisis communications, event planning, public relations, social media strategy, and Web design. The firm’s work does what matters to clients – builds brands, moves product and manages reputations. Sturges Word is a member of the Worldcom Group, the largest network of independent integrated and public relations firms in the world.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Dec. 2, 2010) – Melissa Sturges and Justin LaBerge recently earned their Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America. The designation requires participants to pass both an oral examination by a panel of three seasoned PR pros and a rigorous standardized test.

The program aims to improve the practice of public relations by assessing the competence of PR practitioners in 60 areas of knowledge, skills and abilities associated with the profession. Those who earn the APR must maintain their credential through continuing professional development, providing leadership to the profession and serving their communities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are roughly 275,000 public relations specialists in the United States. Only 5,000 PR professionals have earned the APR designation.

For more information about the APR designation, visit www.praccreditation.org.

Sturges Word Communications is a full-service integrated marketing communications agency with special expertise in the public involvement/government, utility/infrastructure, development/real estate, financial/professional services, retail/hospitality sectors. The agency helps clients get results with experience and creativity applied to the right mix of communications tools including advertising, branding, community engagement, creative, crisis communications, event planning, public relations, social media strategy, and Web design. The firm’s work does what matters to clients – builds brands, moves product and manages reputations. Sturges Word is a member of the Worldcom Group, the largest network of independent integrated and public relations firms in the world.

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Campaigns for Thomson Correctional Center and Barbie® museum exhibit win awards.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (October 11, 2010) – Two campaigns developed and executed by Sturges Word Communications were honored Friday night at the annual PRISM Awards Gala hosted by the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

The firm won a PRISM Award in the Public Affairs/Lobbying/Issues Management category for its work organizing and mobilizing grassroots community support for the proposed sale of the Thomson Correctional Center in Thomson, Ill., to the United States government to house federal inmates – including suspected terrorists.

SWC took home a Silver Award in the Local/Regional Marketing Campaign category for its work with the Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City to promote the museum’s special Barbie® exhibit entitled “Celebrating 50 Fabulous Years With America’s Favorite Doll.”

In addition to the awards, Sturges Word Communications Account Manager Justin LaBerge was nominated for a third term on chapter’s board of directors. Assuming he is confirmed by the membership, he will serve as vice president of professional development, and be responsible for programming and producing all of the chapter’s monthly luncheons and other educational programs.

Sturges Word Communications is a full-service integrated marketing communications agency with special expertise in the public involvement/government, utility/infrastructure, development/real estate, financial/professional services, retail/hospitality sectors. The agency helps clients get results with experience and creativity applied to the right mix of communications tools including advertising, branding, community engagement, creative, crisis communications, event planning, public relations, social media strategy, and Web design. The firm’s work does what matters to clients – builds brands, moves product and manages reputations. Sturges Word is a member of the Worldcom Group, the largest network of independent integrated and public relations firms in the world.

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SWC is the exclusive Kansas City partner in the redesigned program, drawing upon the resources of more than 100 independent PR and integrated agencies around the world.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – September 24, 2010 – Sturges Word Communications, the Kansas City partner of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, announced today that David Grossman, founder and president of the Grossman Group, has been selected as the first president of the newly redesigned Worldcom University. Originally launched in the 1990s, Worldcom University is the learning and education center of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the world’s largest network of independent public relations and integrated communications agencies.

The completely retooled program is an education and learning center offering instant knowledge sharing and enhanced curricula for all 1,800 employees of the 107 Worldcom partner firms across the globe.

“The new Worldcom University is another great tool our firm can use to inspire creative thinking, identify industry best practices, and bring superior value to our clients ,” said Melissa Sturges, co-founder and principal of Sturges Word and an officer on the Worldcom board. “We can blend our award-winning programs with strategies from some of the finest independent agencies around the world.”

New offerings on the interactive site will include instructional videos, webinars, whitepapers as well as thought leadership conversations culled from blogs and social media sites. The online classrooms will provide Worldcom members the opportunity to stay current as to innovative practices as well as rapidly evolving tools used in public relations, marketing and advertising.

“We are committed to providing our partnership the best practices in communications from around the world,” said Grossman, “The knowledge base inside Worldcom is immense and unmatched and, with this new exclusive education portal, we will be able to reach out to our entire partner base with the best proven techniques and practices in the industry.”

David Grossman, ABC, APR, Fellow PRSA, is a renowned international consultant, speaker, author, and leader on communications inside organizations. His latest book “You Can’t Not Communicate” delivers impactful details on how today’s corporate leaders can get communications right. His agency, The Grossman Group, is an award-winning communications consultancy focused on organizational consulting, strategic leadership development and internal communications. Grossman provides more than 20 years of industry experience to Worldcom and Worldcom University.

Worldcom Public Relations Group is the world’s leading partnership of independently owned public relations counseling firms, with 107 offices in 95 cities worldwide. Established in 1988, it was formed so that the strongest, most capable independent firms could deliver immediate impact and sustained value through the intelligent use of communications – wherever in the world a client needs support. Partners serve national, international and multi-national clients, while retaining the flexibility and client-service focus inherent in independent agencies. Through Worldcom Group, clients have on-demand access to in-depth communications expertise from professionals who understand the language, culture and customs of the geographic arenas in which they operate. For more information, please visit www.worldcomgroup.com.

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SWC Principal Melissa Sturges continues leadership role in the Worldcom Group

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (June 11, 2010) – Sturges Word Communications, a Kansas City, Mo.-based integrated communications firm that builds brands, moves product and manages reputations, today announced that Melissa Sturges has been elected secretary-treasurer of the board of directors for the Worldcom Group. Worldcom is the world’s leading network of independent public relations and integrated marketing communications agencies, boasting 104 partner firms across six continents.

Other board members include leaders of agencies in Bangkok, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Minneapolis, Munich, New York, Sydney, and Washington.

In addition to her role on the board, Sturges was also elected co-chair of Worldcom’s Sustainability Practice Group, which includes agencies with significant experience serving clients in the energy and public affairs sectors.

Sturges has held a variety of leadership posts in the Worldcom Group since the firm joined the network in 1999, including chair and treasurer of the Americas Region and a previous term as secretary-treasurer.

Sturges Word Communications is a full-service integrated marketing communications agency with special expertise in the development/real estate, financial/professional services, public involvement/public affairs, retail/hospitality, and utility sectors. The agency helps clients get results with experience and creativity applied to the right mix of communications tools including advertising, branding, community engagement, creative, crisis communications, event planning, public relations, social media strategy, and Web design. The firm’s work does what matters to clients – builds brands, moves product and manages reputations. Sturges Word is a member of the Worldcom Group, the largest network of independent integrated and public relations firms in the world.

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KC-based integrated communications firm marks 15th anniversary with updated Web presence

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (April 6, 2010) – Sturges Word Communications, a Kansas City, Mo.-based integrated communications firm that builds brands, moves product and manages reputations, recently unveiled a completely redesigned website, www.sturgesword.com. Developed as a collaboration between Sturges Word staff and Kansas City-based Web programmer Propaganda3, the new site is designed to be regularly updated with fresh content that goes beyond the traditional “billboard” or “filing cabinet” approaches to websites.

“Both our business and our industry have changed significantly over the past few years, and we’re excited to launch a new site that reflects this evolution,” said Linda Word, Sturges Word principal and creative director. “We want this site to be a living document where our clients, prospects and friends can engage in a conversation with us about relevant issues facing both our industry and the industries we serve. Our team and the team at Propaganda3 did a great job creating a site that shows the results we can deliver using a full range of integrated communication solutions.”

The site is representative of Web design and communications strategy work SWC is doing with clients that leverages these tools for thought leadership positioning, public involvement, B2B and B2C outreach through blogs, case studies, news updates and the like, extending their reach by connecting fresh content and communities across multiple social media and other platforms.

The launch coincides with the beginning of Sturges Word’s 15th anniversary celebration. The firm was founded on April Fools Day 1995 when Melissa Sturges and Linda Word teamed up.

Sturges Word Communications is a full-service integrated marketing communications agency with special expertise in the development/real estate, financial/professional services, public involvement/government, retail/hospitality, and utility sectors. The agency helps clients get results with experience and creativity applied to the right mix of communications tools including advertising, branding, community engagement, creative, crisis communications, event planning, public relations, social media strategy, and Web design. The firm’s work does what matters to clients – builds brands, moves product and manages reputations. Sturges Word is a member of the Worldcom Group, the largest network of independent integrated and public relations firms in the world.

SWC is excited to welcome Cloverland Electric Cooperative, Ash Grove Cement, HNTB, and TCEDA as clients.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 25, 2010) – Sturges Word Communications, a Kansas City-based integrated communications firm that builds brands, moves product and manages reputations, continues to grow its portfolio of clients with the addition of Cloverland Electric Cooperative, Ash Grove Cement Company, HNTB and the Tri-County Economic Development Alliance.

Recent account additions:

Cloverland Electric Cooperative in Dafter, Mich., is one of a half dozen rural electric cooperatives undergoing an acquisition for which Sturges Word has executed comprehensive communications including public relations, presentations, branding and collateral development, social media strategy, event support, and advocacy. The cooperative recently retained the firm to assist in its acquisition of the Edison Sault Electric Company.

Ash Grove Cement Company, the nation’s largest American-owned and family-owned cement producer, picked SWC to design its annual report and provide strategic communication planning and consulting services.

SWC’s most recent engagement with HNTB, a national architectural and engineering firm, is a public involvement campaign for the Missouri Department of Transportation’s “Safe and Sound” initiative which is replacing more than 800 structurally deficient bridges in the state.

Faced with a once-in-a-lifetime economic development opportunity, the Tri-County Economic Development Alliance (TCEDA) in northwestern Illinois turned to SWC to cultivate and organize grassroots community support for the use of the Thomson Correctional Center to house terrorism suspects now held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The public involvement campaign resulted in the advisory panel voting in 7-4 in favor of Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn closing the prison so it could be used as desired by the Obama administration.

Sturges Word Communications is a full-service integrated marketing communications agency with special expertise in the development/real estate, financial/professional services, public involvement/government, retail/hospitality, and utility sectors. The agency helps clients get results with experience and creativity applied to the right mix of communications tools including advertising, branding, community engagement, creative, crisis communications, event planning, public relations, social media strategy, and Web design. The firm’s work does what matters to clients – builds brands, moves product and manages reputations. Sturges Word is a member of the Worldcom Group, the largest network of independent integrated and public relations firms in the world.

Grassroots community support raised visibility of potential 3,000 jobs, $1 billion in economic activity

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (January 6, 2010) – Sturges Word Communications, a Kansas City, Mo.-based integrated communications firm that builds brands, moves product and manages reputations, helped the Tri-County Economic Development Alliance (TCEDA) in northwestern Illinois organize and engage grassroots community support for the use of the Thomson Correctional Center to house terrorism suspects now held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

TCEDA and SWC worked to mobilize an overwhelming show of support for the proposal at an official state legislative hearing that drew national media attention and hundreds attendees.

Sturges Word developed the overall strategy to organize and mobilize support; developed the media materials and Web site copy; created the campaign name, logo and tagline; helped build and manage social media outreach; coordinated event-day logistics for the group; and drafted the testimony delivered by TCEDA’s chairman at the special legislative hearing.

The panel voted in 7-4 in favor of Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn closing the prison so it could be used as desired by the Obama administration.

Completed in 2001, the Thomson prison was to house approximately 1,600 maximum security prisoners under the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Budget cuts have prevented the prison from fully opening – only a small, minimum security wing is operational.

In late October 2009, the facility emerged as a potential site for housing detained terrorism suspects currently held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. While some communities have strongly opposed the idea of GITMO prisoners coming to their area, the people of Carroll County (and surrounding areas in northwestern Illinois) have largely supported the idea.

Headquartered in Savanna, Ill., TCEDA is a private, not-for-profit 501c6 corporation formed to develop regional public/private partnerships that promote, encourage and support industrial and economic development in Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside Counties.

Sturges Word Communications is a full-service integrated marketing communications agency with special expertise in the development/real estate, financial/professional services, public involvement/government, retail/hospitality, and utility sectors. The agency helps clients get results with experience and creativity applied to the right mix of communications tools including advertising, branding, community engagement, creative, crisis communications, event planning, public relations, social media strategy, and Web design. The firm’s work does what matters to clients – builds brands, moves product and manages reputations. Sturges Word is a member of the Worldcom Group, the largest network of independent integrated and public relations firms in the world.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (January 12, 2010) – Sturges Word Communications, a Kansas City, Mo.-based integrated communications firm that builds brands, moves product and manages reputations, had a “Best Practice” feature recently in The Kansas City Star about creative and meaningful ways to leverage even the mundane to generate visibility and, serve your clients.

With a recent move to new office space, the agency tied notification to clients and other need-to-know contacts to its brand by going beyond the change-of-address card route, using a few, simple ideas.

• Sturges Word staff selected from all the moving supplies and art directed themselves for a photo shoot. Some wrapped themselves in bubble wrap, slapped “fragile” signs across their forehead, were loaded onto a two-wheeler, buried themselves in a box of Styrofoam “peanuts” or allowed themselves to be carried off by coworkers.

• Each employee’s image was designed into a new business card that were to be used for the next year, with “we’ve moved” imprinted on the back.

• About a month before the move:

- E-marketing distributed emails with the fun images to the firm’s contact list, notifying them that the Sturges Word office move was imminent with the new change of address.
- Changes to email signatures were in place
- All correspondence and invoicing noted the impending change.

• Two flash movies were posted to the agency’s Web site, one giving the heads up that it was going to move, and one revised to say the firm had moved once the transition was completed.

The business cards continued to be effective conversation starters for months following the completion of the move and led directly to deeper conversations as to the agency’s competencies, industry expertise and how similar strategic thinking has been put to use for client needs.

Sturges Word Communications is a full-service integrated marketing communications agency with special expertise in the development/real estate, financial/professional services, public involvement/government, retail/hospitality, and utility sectors. The agency helps clients get results with experience and creativity applied to the right mix of communications tools including advertising, branding, community engagement, creative, crisis communications, event planning, public relations, social media strategy, and Web design. The firm’s work does what matters to clients – builds brands, moves product and manages reputations. Sturges Word is a member of the Worldcom Group, the largest network of independent integrated and public relations firms in the world.