Marc C. Whitt
Veteran public relations professional and author of the critically-acclaimed books, 'When In Doubt, Make Applesauce! Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional' and ‘PR Lessons Learned Along the Way: Strategies, Tips & Advice for the Higher Ed and Nonprofit Public Relations Professional.’
About Marc C. Whitt
Marc C. Whitt has successfully accumulated nearly four decades of experience in public relations, holding senior leadership and teaching positions at public and private colleges and universities in Kentucky.
He has also consulted for numerous corporate and nonprofit organizations across the United States and has presented to groups in Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. Marc currently serves as director of media and strategic relations on the senior leadership staff of the University of Kentucky Office of Public Relations and Strategic Communications. He also teaches in the UK College of Communication and Information’s Department of Integrated Strategic Communication, where he specializes in public relations.
Marc's contributions to the field of public relations extend beyond his professional roles. As a member of the academic honorary society Phi Kappa Phi, he has established himself as a bestselling author. His debut book, 'PR Lessons Learned Along the Way: Strategies, Tips & Advice for the Higher Ed and Nonprofit Public Relations Professional’ (Cherrymoon Media, Lexington, Kentucky, 2020), has been widely recognized. It was a 'recommended read' by PRCA and topped Amazon's list as the #1 new PR book release. The book has received numerous accolades from BookAuthority, including ranking as the #4 '100 Best PR Books of All Time' and being listed among the 'Best New PR Books to Read' (2020, 2021, & 2022) and the #1 'Best PR Book for Beginners' (2023 & 2024).
Marc's latest book, ‘When In Doubt, Make Applesauce! Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional’ (Cherrymoon Media, Lexington, Kentucky, 2022) also achieved bestseller status, securing the #1 spot in Amazon's PR new releases. In 2024, it was recognized by BookAuthority as one of the 19 Best New Public Relations Books To Read (#10).
Named a "Social Impact Author," Marc's two books received the 2023 Goody Business Book Awards, winning and being named a finalist in the Marketing: Communications & PR Category.
Over the course of his 38-year career in higher education, Marc has consistently delivered results that have been recognized with over 40 honors. His work has been particularly impactful, earning him back-to-back Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Silver Medal Awards for Total Institutional Relations Program. In 2015, he was the recipient of the prestigious James C. Bowling Excellence in Public Relations Award, presented by the University of Kentucky Journalism Alumni Association and the UK Department of Integrated Strategic Communication. This award honors the “outstanding public relations practitioner with ties to Kentucky.” The same year, he was also honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Eastern Kentucky University Department of Communication and the EKU Golden Apple Award for Teaching. The Kentucky Music Educators Association District 11 recognized his support for music education with its Friends of Music Award, and CASE Kentucky acknowledged his leadership in advancement with the Beth K. Fields Service Award. Prior to joining the administration at EKU and In recognition of his service at Campbellsville University, Marc was named an “Honorary Alumnus.”
As the long-time public relations and marketing columnist for the national higher ed trade magazine University Business, Marc previously served on the Association of American Colleges & Universities Advisory Council on Communications and Public Affairs (two of his eight years as national chair), CASE District III (Southeast US) Board, and the International Town & Gown Association Board. He currently serves on the Public Relations and Communication Association (PRCA) International University Advisory Council and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Thoroughbred Chapter Board of Directors.
A trumpet player for more than 55 years, Marc performs with and is a founding member of the Madison Community Band, a regional wind band of more than 80 musicians in Richmond, Kentucky. He currently serves as president of the Friends of the Madison Community Band Board of Directors, a nonprofit support organization for the band.
Marc is an active member of First Baptist Church in Richmond, Kentucky, where he serves as a deacon and is involved in the church’s music ministry. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Kentucky Baptist Foundation and chairs the Education Group for the Kentucky Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program 100th Anniversary Committee.
Marc holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication and Human Relations with areas of concentration in Public Relations, Organizational Psychology, Marketing and Management (1982) and a Master of Arts Degree in Sociology with Research Emphasis in Marketing (1985) from Eastern Kentucky University.
A proud son of Appalachia, Marc is a native of Paintsville, Kentucky. He and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Richmond, Kentucky. They are the parents of three children: Emily Whitt Fields (Mark Wayne Fields), Elizabeth Whitt Muncie (Christian Muncie), and Jacob (fiancée Ashton Jernigan). They have four grandblessings: Annaleigh Jaymes Fields, Aubrey Clay Fields, Hayden Grant Fields, and Sarah Faye Muncie.
“I’m extremely honored and deeply grateful to join outstanding authors from around the world, particularly Dr. Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel, Mark S. Robinson, Sandy Skees, Katie Hornor, Manuel Suarez and Erik Shellenberger, who also took honors in the "Business: Marketing & Advertising" category. Thank you, American Book Fest!🍏” - Marc Whitt
AMERICAN BOOK FEST™ ANNOUNCES WINNERS AND FINALISTS OF THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS™ — KENTUCKY AUTHOR’S BOOK AMONG FINALISTS
Mainstream & Independent Titles Score Top Honors in the 15th Annual International Book Awards™ HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Wiley, Thomas Nelson, Tyndale House, Hay House, HCI Press, Greenleaf Book Group, Cambridge University Press, Princeton University Press, National Galley of Victoria and hundreds of national and international Independent Houses contribute to this year’s Outstanding Competition!
LOS ANGELES, JUNE 18, 2024 – American Book Fest announced the winners and finalists of THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS (IBA), one of the world’s largest international book award programs for mainstream, indie, and self-published titles.
Over 500 winners and finalists were announced in over 100 categories. Awards were presented for titles published in 2022, 2023, and 2024, including Marc C. Whitt of Richmond, Kentucky, whose second bestseller, ‘When In Doubt, Make Applesauce! Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional’ (Cherrymoon Media, 2022) was named a finalist in the “Business: Marketing & Advertising” category.
Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of American Book Fest, said this year’s contest yielded thousands of entries from authors and publishers around the world, which were then narrowed down to the final results. Keen said, "Over our 16-year history, thousands of self-published and indie authors have leveraged the promotional power of their International Book Award to increase online recognition, enhance their title’s credibility, and garner more attention in the crowded book buying marketplace."
Full results for the 15th Annual International Book Awards can be found at: https://lnkd.in/gSJiBUUX. Winners and finalists of this year’s contest join a prestigious group of past laureates, including Julie Andrews, Clive Barker, Vanessa Williams, and others.
“BUSINESS: MARKETING & ADVERTISING”:
Winner: Cultural Intelligence for Marketers: Building an Inclusive Marketing Strategy by Dr. Anastasia Karklina Gabriel, Kogan Page
Finalist: When In Doubt, Make Applesauce! Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional by Marc C. Whitt, Cherrymoon Media
Finalist: Black On Madison Avenue by Mark S. Robinson, Alliance Books
Finalist: Purposeful Brands: How Purpose and Sustainability Drive Brand Value and Positive Change by Sandy Skees, Kogan Page
Finalist: The Flamingo Advantage by Katie Hornor, Independently Published
Finalist: Marketing Magic by Manuel Suarez, AGM® Press
Finalist: Restaurant & Bar Marketing IV: If I Could Give It Zero Stars, I Would by Erik Shellenberger, Amazon KDP
#PR #BizBooks
PR Veteran’s 2nd Book Named to BookAuthority’s “19 Best New Public Relations Books for 2024”
RICHMOND, Ky. (May 21, 2024) - BookAuthority, the world’s leading site for book recommendations, has named Richmond, Ky. resident and author Marc Whitt’s second book, ‘When in Doubt, Make Applesauce! Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional’ (Cherrymoon Media, Lexington, Ky., 2022) to its “19 Best New Public Relations Books for 2024“ list. Whitt’s book is ranked 10th.
As seen on CNN, Forbes, and Inc., BookAuthority described Whitt’s 444-page book as “thought-provoking, conversational, and inspirational.”
As greater demands and expectations are placed on those who practice public relations, Whitt, a 40-year PR veteran and two-time bestselling author, contends that public relations professionals should advance to the ultimate level of professional skill and excellence: that of masterful public relations professionals.
Achieving the masterful status in the profession should “become our North Star — our guiding light,” Whitt said. These individuals are the PR profession’s “cream of the crop.” For those wishing to reach the masterful level, they must embrace eight core habits, as Whitt details in the book. These include being a model of character and integrity, an effective and strategic communicator, an exceptional networker and relationship builder, a big-picture thinker and bold-doer, a master of the mission and brand, and more.
Another of the book’s highlights is Chapter 10, in which several highly regarded PR masters from Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States offer their expertise.
The title was inspired by a common phrase used by Whitt’s mother whenever she needed a moment to clear her thoughts and focus on first things first. As a tribute to his mother’s inspiration, Whitt includes her popular applesauce recipe in the back of the book.
‘When In Doubt, Make Applesauce!’ achieved bestseller status shortly after securing the #1 spot in Amazon's PR new releases when it was released on Nov. 1, 2022. In 2023, it was a finalist in the prestigious international book awards recognition program, the Goody Business Book Awards.
‘When In Doubt, Make Applesauce!’ is available at the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University Bookstores or at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and most leading booksellers worldwide.
About BookAuthority (from its website)
BookAuthority is the world's leading site for book recommendations, dedicated to helping readers discover the most recommended books on any subject.
It has the largest repository of book recommendations by experts and thought leaders in various fields. BookAuthority meticulously searches the web daily for the most recommended books, then reviews them and categorizes them by subject.
As featured on CNN, Forbes, and Inc, over five million readers rely on BookAuthority every year to choose their next book, broaden their knowledge, and enhance their skills. BookAuthority scours the internet daily for book recommendations from experts and thought leaders, such as Elon Musk, Sheryl Sandberg, and Warren Buffett.
BookAuthority organizes the books it finds by subject, allowing it to compile countless useful book lists with the most recommended books in any given subject - from grammar and history through physics and programming to fitness and psychology.
Books are evaluated and rated based on expert recommendations, user reviews, popularity, achievements, and more. https://bookauthority.org/books/new-public-relations-books
About Cherrymoon Media
Established in 2016 by founder Adam Turner and headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, Cherrymoon Media is a multimedia company specializing in book publishing, web development and music management.
https://www.cherrymoonmedia.com/books
About ‘When In Doubt, Make Applesauce!’
444 pages
English
Published November 1, 2022
Cherrymoon Media, Lexington, Kentucky USA
5 x 1 x 8 inches
15.5 ounces
ISBN-13: 979-8359304023
Available in print and digital
‘PR Lessons Learned Along the Way’ Makes It to the “20 Best Public Relations Books of All Time” - Ranked #4th
PR veteran Marc C. Whitt’s 2020 debut book, ‘PR Lessons Learned Along the Way: Strategies, Tips & Advice for the Higher Ed and Nonprofit Public Relations Professional,’ published by Cherrymoon Media in Lexington, Kentucky, has been named to BookAuthority’s “20 Best Public Relations Books of All Time.’ Whitt’s book is ranked 4th.
BookAuthority collects and ranks the best books in the world, and it is a great honor to get this kind of recognition, according to BookAuthority’s news release.
In 2023, ‘PR Lessons Learned Along the Way’ was named “winner” in the prestigious 2023 Goody Business Book Awards, in which it took top honors in the Marketing: Public Relations and Communication Category.
The book is available for purchase online at Barnes and Noble, most leading independent booksellers worldwide and on Amazon.
Whitt, a native of Paintsville, Kentucky, is a seasoned PR professional with nearly four decades of experience in higher education administration, teaching, and consultancy. He currently serves in senior leadership at the University of Kentucky's Office of Public Relations and Strategic Communications and teaches in the UK College of Communication and Information's Department of Integrated Strategic Communication. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Eastern Kentucky University.
About 'PR Lessons Learned Along the Way'
276 pages
English
Published May 28, 2020
Cherrymoon Media, Lexington, Kentucky USA
5 x 0.63 x 8 inches
ISBN-13: 979-8638516901
9.8 ounces
Available in print and digital
The Annual Goody Business Book Awards announces 154 Winners and Finalists for 2023 in 50 categories and 8 subject areas
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Goody PR
November 15, 2023, 08:15 GMT
The Annual Goody Business Book Awards announces 154 Winners and Finalists for 2023 in 50 categories and 8 subject areas.
With 46+ million books on Amazon, these 100% social impact book awards were designed to ‘Uplift Author Voices’ by recognizing writers in their niche subject area and add value to their marketing.”— Liz H Kelly, Goody Business Book Awards and Goody PR Founder
SANTA MONICA, CA, UNITED STATES, November 15, 2023 /EIN Presswire.com/ -- To shine a light on social impact authors making a difference with words, the Annual GoodyBusiness Book Awards announces 154 Winners/Finalists for 2023. These Award-Winning Authors include 80 Winners and 74 Finalists in 50 categories and eight subject matter genres out of hundreds of nominations from around the world. Among those authors whose books were recognized as award winners was Richmond,Ky. resident, Marc C. Whitt. Whitt’s 2020 book, ‘PR Lessons Learned Along the Way:Strategies, Tips & Advice for the Higher Ed and Nonprofit Public Relations Professional’ (Cherrymoon Media, Lexington, Ky.), was named the Winner in the “Marketing, Communications, and PR” category.
His most recent book, ‘When In Doubt, Make Applesauce! Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional,’ published in 2022 by Cherrymoon Media, was named a Finalist in the “Marketing, Communications and PR” category.
Both books are already Amazon bestsellers and were previously No.1 among Amazon’s New PR Books.
“With 46+ million books on Amazon, these 100% social impact book awards were designed to ‘Uplift Author Voices’ by recognizing writers in their niche area of expertise and add value to their marketing,” explains Goody Business Book Awards and Goody PR Founder Liz H Kelly.
All Award-Winning Authors were selected by a panel of marketing and communications judges based on their book quality and social impact. Each of the 50 categories has its own book awards page on the Goody Business BookAwards website for the eight genres: 1. Business, 2. Entrepreneur, 3. Health, 4.Leadership, 5. Marketing, 6. Money/Wealth, 7. Self-Help and 8. Technology. Whitt's book falls under the Marketing category. These social impact book awards are mostly for non-fiction and some fiction books published within the last 5 years (2019-2023) by traditional publishers (Wiley,HarperCollins Leadership, Penguin Random House SEA, Doubleday, New Harbinger Publications, Atria Publishing Group, a division of Simon & Schuster), independentpublishers (Kogan Page Inc., BiggerPockets), hybrid publishers (Page Two, Amplify) and self-published authors.
Whitt is a highly experienced professional in public relations, with a career spanning nearly four decades. He has held senior leadership positions at public and private colleges and universities in Kentucky and has provided consultancy services to numerous corporate and nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S.
Currently, Whitt is a staff member at the University of Kentucky Office of Public Relations and Strategic Communications and also teaches in the UK College of Communication and Information’s Department of Integrated Strategic Communication.
Whitt, a native of Paintsville, Ky., is a 1982 (Bachelor of Arts) and 1985 (Master of Arts) graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and a 1978 graduate of Paintsville High School. He and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of Emily (Mark Wayne Fields), Elizabeth (Christian Muncie), and Jacob, and the grandparents of three children – Annaleigh, Aubrey and Hayden Fields, and Sarah Muncie.
ABOUT GOODY BUSINESS BOOK AWARDS: The Annual Goody Business Book Awards are presented by Goody PR to “Uplift Author Voices” by honoring 100% socialimpact book books, and were recognized in the Top 8 Business Book Awards for 2023 by Write Business Results.
After promoting hundreds of authors and small business owners for 15+ years, Goody PR Founder, Award-Winning Author (“8-Second PR”), and Podcast Host Liz H. Kelly designed the program to amplify authors making a positive impact with words. This annual awards program is an extension of Goody PR’s Mission to “Magnify Good”. The Honorary Board of Advisors includes successful founders and experts in the marketing, public relations, publishing, and media industries.
For more information and to nominate books, visit: https://goodybusinessbookawards.com
ABOUT GOODY PR:
Goody PR works primarily with clients who are Small Businesses Owners, CEOs, Founders, Entrepreneurs, Speakers, CEOs, Thought Leaders, Experts, and Authors on public relations and digital marketing campaigns. To amplify their brand story, Goody PR is grateful to have booked thousands of earned media interviews (TV,print, radio and podcasts) on major media, including the TODAY Show, CNN,NewsNation, BBC World News, FOX Weather, NPR’s Marketplace, TIME Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, The Wall Street Journal, WebMD, Fast Company, Entrepreneurand hundreds of local TV, newspapers, radio shows and top podcasts. For more information, visit https://goodypr.com.
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant."
Robert Louis Stevenson
Let's Connect!
Public Relations. Marketing Communications. Servant Leadership. Nonprofit PR/Community Relations. Town and Gown Relations. Performing Arts Advocacy.
I love God. I love my family - my wife, three children, two sons-by-marriage, one daughter-by-marriage (coming soon!), and four grandblessings.
I seek to serve others first and try to make a difference for them through mentoring, teaching, and encouragement.
My professional calling is Public Relations, where, for nearly forty years, I’ve passionately served in higher education. I’m currently a proud member of the University of Kentucky community. (Go Cats!)
I enjoy listening to and making music - especially wind band, jazz, classical, and classic rock. For more than 50 years I’ve played trumpet and for the past 15 years, played in an 80-member community band — the Madison Community Band. I enjoy advocating for community arts programs.
Beyond that, I’m simply an ordinary guy who’s been blessed by many people and many experiences. And for these things, I’m deeply grateful.
If you enjoy discussing public relations, higher education, nonprofits, servant leadership, town and gown relations, performing and community arts, or life in Kentucky, Appalachia or the South, let’s connect!
