Member Spotlight - Kimberly Plaskett
Posted by admin on Oct. 10, 2023 / Subscribe 0
Welcome to our Member Spotlight series, where we highlight a member of our community each month. This month, we are featuring Kimberly Plaskett.
About Kimberly Plaskett
Kimberly Plaskett currently serves as CECO Environmental’s director of corporate communications. This industrial engineering design company supports businesses all over the world in minimizing their environmental impact and safeguarding the local populace and community where they operate. Kimberly’s responsibilities include developing an employer branding strategy, leading the design and production of the company’s first ESG report and introducing a new employee portal for engagement and communication.
Before CECO, Kimberly made her mark with one of the most iconic brands in the world as vice president of marketing for Greyhound. She led award-winning campaigns, launched services in new markets, created the company’s social media and influencer marketing program, founded the company’s volunteer program and landed several significant long-term partnerships and entertainment cross-promotions. Before Greyhound, Kimberly was the marketing communications manager for Legend Airlines at Dallas Love Field. There, she managed all marketing, public relations and community relations for the airline and led the campaign behind the brand’s official launch that changed the course of air travel in the D/FW Metroplex at that time.
Kimberly said, “I appreciate my first job out of college was working for Edelman, and working for a great boss and in an agency setting really set me up for success. Working on nonprofit, B2B, public affairs and consumer accounts gave me the experience to learn all aspects of public relations. My advice to anyone entering the field of public relations, communications or marketing is to consider working for an agency where the experience is vast and can be formative learning practices that can help you find your niche.”
She has been fortunate to have several great bosses in her career. “Each of them gave me the courage to learn new things. I often think back to the lessons that my first boss taught me and how he shaped my career and approach to leadership. He believed in my potential and encouraged me to reach for and take on new responsibilities. Those lessons guided me to coach others to take on challenges they did not think they were ready for. I have a deep appreciation for Blake Lewis, APR and fellow PRSA, who was my first boss, leader and mentor at Edelman, and founder and principal of Three Box Strategic Communications.”
Public Relations Society of America and Dallas Chapter Membership
Kimberly has been a longtime member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Dallas PRSA chapter since 2006. She has participated in numerous PRSA activities ranging from speaking at Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) luncheons and serving as a speaker and panelist at the 2015 PRSA Dallas annual meeting as well as newsletter chair when PRSA was still mailing printed copies.
“I am passionate about encouraging professionals to join, stay an active member and attend events to network and learn from peers. There is something for every PR professional, ranging from professional development to advancing your career stage as PRSA offers the tools, content, practical options and learning opportunities. Whether it’s building your network by attending innovative PRSA Dallas programming and connecting with a highly engaged community of peers, staying current and getting the resources, publications, events and training opportunities, reading the latest news, analysis and trends among communicators and in the PR industry, or business benefits and discounts. Through Diverse Dialogues, a series of conversations with leaders and experts in the profession about diversity, inclusion and the way forward, we can learn insights and best practices to guide communications professionals in having critical conversations to enable real change.”
She said, “I’m really looking forward to continuing the path as all the communicators that have walked before me to be part of PRSA at all points of my career.
Other Notable Professional Involvement
In addition to PRSA, Kimberly has also held positions as a board member for Keep Dallas Beautiful, chairwoman of the American Bus Association’s communications committee, and communications co-chair of the Dallas Heart Ball, raising money for Children’s Medical Center’s pediatric heart research. She received one of the Top 25 Women to Watch honors in the Women in Business Awards presented by the Dallas Business Journal in 2010. She was also given the first-ever Icon Award by GenHERation, a group committed to the development and advancement of young women in the workforce, in 2017.
Storytelling That Inspires Consumers and Businesses
Kimberly has always had a passion for storytelling. “I believe stories are what drive us, shape us and inspire us. Each of my career positions and bosses helped me develop my passion and superpower. There are so many stories that have not been told, and the more I can share a person’s story or brand story, it helps everyone understand how they have become the person or brands they are today.”
She shared a special, personal story about her beloved father, who inspired her career in marketing communications. “It started 40 years ago, and it changed passengers’ experiences forever. Back then, the airline industry was going through radical structural changes because of deregulation. At the time, my father Thomas Plaskett was senior vice president of marketing at American Airlines, and he led the creation of one of the biggest and most successful competitive solutions — the frequent flyer program at American Airlines, which called then what it still is called now: AAdvantage. This was the first sustained, computer-assisted frequent flyer program in America — maybe the world. A famous quote by my father is, ’We are attempting to build brand loyalty in a commodity market.’ I believe this was my father’s true legacy as a marketer and how he put customer experience above all. It’s what led me to pursue my career and influences me to this very day. The next time you find yourself traveling through the air in a pressurized metal tube, you might want to give him a toast or thankful nod.”
Kimberly continued with another example of Greyhound’s Centennial celebration, which included a 40-city mobile museum tour with a fleet of 10 vintage buses, which she designed and led. “I interviewed individuals that were able to share their story of Greyhound and how their life changed, because Greyhound brought them to a new city, a new job or being reunited with a long-lost loved one. It truly created a meaningful connection between people’s lives and the iconic brand.” As a senior management team member, Kimberly helped drive significant changes at Greyhound to shape its future success, including every customer touch point, from the fleet and terminals to online and customer service.
How PRSA Has and Continues to Serve Professionally
“PRSA can offer its members a variety of resources to help them build their networks, advance their careers, or both. It’s an opportunity to meet a mentor or mentee, expand your network and keep current on industry trends. My personal PRSA mantra is belong and stay involved because it is the right thing to do. You never know how life changes, and having this steady foundation throughout your professional journey is crucial. Plus, you will meet friends and meaningful relationships.
“Much of what I have learned and what I aspire to be is with the meaningful opportunities created through membership and engagement with PRSA. And I wouldn’t be where I am today without great mentors, coaches and bosses such as Blake Lewis, APR, fellow PRSA; Allison Ellis-Baker; Lisa Bauer; and Lynn Brown, just to name a few. They have all been inspirational in helping me become the storyteller I am today and help share the excellent work of PRSA.”
“Helping people grow and prosper is one of the most crucial things we do as leaders or mentors. I have often reflected on my first job over the years and realized that my greatest contribution is to help others reach their full potential by sharing three lessons I’ve learned: coach selflessly, learn endlessly and embrace change or learn as much as you can ahead of the curve, as in the case of AI, for example. A top priority should be to make sure that everyone can embrace continuous learning.”
Message From PRSA Dallas
On behalf of the chapter’s membership committee, we would like to extend a special thanks to Kimberly and all current and past members and volunteers of PRSA in Dallas and to influential professionals in various PR sectors. We are making a difference together as movers and makers. Are you interested in joining the Dallas chapter of the PRSA? Want to get involved? Click here for more information.
Please consider registering for the PRSA Dallas Pegasus Awards 2023 on Thursday, Oct. 26. PRSA Dallas — Meeting/Event Information.
Article: By John B. Ponzio - Co-chair of the Membership Committee for the Dallas PRSA chapter
John is a creative, engaging PR professional with a career spanning hospitality, health care, luxury goods, and association management. His greatest passions are serving others and fostering cultural excellence. Working in marketing and public relations for the Ritz Carlton early in his career, he gained a strong foundation in innovating, being a change leader, and being a positive disruptor while providing legendary customer service. This foundation shaped the executive he is today and how he approaches everything, including brand-building, brand launches, relationship-building, risk mitigation, and results-tracking.
Extensive experience working for high-profile brands, including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Bombardier Learjet, Henry Ford Health System, and the American Heart Association, as well as extensive experience driving quantifiable results.
He offers public relations, marketing, and communications consulting services as a PR practitioner helping brands define what they stand for, engage, connect with audiences, and create credible narratives and stories that drive industry-leading outcomes. Working as the co-chair of the Membership Committee for the Dallas PRSA chapter has been his pleasure by having the opportunity to work with so many talented members.
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