On August 17, PRNews announced that Macon-Bibb County’s Office of Communications was a finalist for two national recognitions as part of its Platinum Awards: In-House Communications Team of the Year and Non-Profit Communications Team of the Year. These are two of nearly 60 individual, team, and project recognitions earned by the team from state and national organizations. The Platinum Awards have recognized the campaigns, agencies and in-house teams setting the standard for influence, reputation and results for nearly 30 years.
“People deserve to hear from their government, and this team takes our story directly to them. And they’re able to do this despite the ever-increasing amount of available information online,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “Their strategic thinking…their creativity…and their love of our community is essential to all that we do.”
The four-person team – Chief Communications Officer Chris Floore, Communications Manager Edna Adams, Multimedia Manager Olivia Walter, and Digital Content Specialist Emily Wilson – is responsible for all communications efforts, including strategic communications, crisis and severe weather communications, event planning, videography, online and social media content, photography, e-newsletters, media relations, executive communications, live broadcasting, and more.
“To have this team named alongside those from multinational corporations, historic institutions, and national campaigns is a true honor, and I’m so proud of the work they do to make a difference,” says Chris. “For us to have the space and support to do this work is a testament to the importance of strategic communication and, more importantly, the power of authentic storytelling.”
“This recognition means so much because it reflects the heart our team puts into telling the stories of Macon-Bibb County,” says Olivia. “We never want government communication to feel distant or impersonal. We want people to see themselves, their neighbors, and their community in the work we create. Being named a finalist alongside some of the country’s leading communications teams shows that a small team with creativity, trust, and a genuine love for the people it serves can make a national impact.”
“I truly have the best job in the world and l get to work with the best team. This award shines a light on the incredible work we get to do every day, and I’m so proud to be part of it,” says Edna Adams, Communications Manager. “Telling the stories of our community is an honor and I am grateful for the trust people place in us to share those stories.”
“What I love most about my job is getting to tell the stories of the people who make our community work,” says Emily Wilson, Digital Content Specialist. “Whether it’s highlighting the everyday work of our crews or helping share critical information during an emergency, I get to connect people with their local government in a way that feels accessible and meaningful.”
Each member of the team comes from a different field in the communications industry, allowing them to look at projects from unique angles and combining them in a creative way that tells the story of the government and community in a way that people remember. Their work has been highlighted and used for training purposes across Georgia and the country as a way for governments to bring more creativity into their communication efforts to better reach the people they serve.
Government communication is usually dry and full of jargon, and not focused on the people being served, which can make it a harder story to tell or have remembered. The Office of Communications overcomes this through creative and emotional storytelling. Their goal is to make the story memorable, either through the creation of interesting visuals, over the top action, or emotional stories. They then determine how to best deliver that story through media, on the website, social media, humorous videos, heartfelt interviews, and more.
“PR has never been more essential to how organizations build trust, navigate complexity and demonstrate impact,” said Kaylee Hultgren, Associate Publisher of Content and Awards at PRNEWS, wrote in the announcement. “This year’s Platinum Awards finalists represent the very best of that work—campaigns and teams that didn’t just execute well, but delivered results that matter.”