2025 Goody Business Book Awards Announces 188 Winners and Finalists for 100% Social Impact Authors-Marc Whitt’s ‘TAKEAWAYS’ Takes Top Honor in Marketing: Communications & Public Relations Category

(Graphic Courtesy of Goody Business Book Awards, 2025)

NEWS PROVIDED BY

EIN Presswire and Cherrymoon Media

Nov 14, 2025, 3:15 AM ET

SANTA MONICA, CA, UNITED STATES, Nov. 14, 2025 -- The Annual Goody Business Book Awards is pleased to announce that 188 Award-Winning Authors for 2025 have been selected by a panel of marketing, media and communications judges. To shine a light on authors making a difference with words, 101 Winners and 87 Finalists have been recognized in 50 categories in eight genres, out of hundreds of nominations from around the world. 

The Winners and Finalists are primarily for nonfiction books and recognize authors in their niche subject area of expertise, helping to increase their thought leader brand.

Bestselling and award-winning PR practitioner and author Marc C. Whitt of Richmond, Kentucky, and a native of Paintsville, Kentucky, has taken the top honor for his third book, 'TAKEAWAYS: Ideas, Strategies and Encouragement for the Nonprofit Public Relations Professional,’ as it has been named Winner in the Marketing: Communications and Public Relations Category.

In his latest work, Whitt explores the vital role nonprofit organizations play in our communities and the world—and why effective, strategic public relations is essential to their success. He dives into topics such as media relations, branding, community engagement, leadership, fundraising and donor relations, digital communication, and ethical decision-making. He examines the growing role of artificial intelligence in nonprofit PR and how it can be used smartly and strategically to maximize impact. Whitt also discusses hiring and developing the right team—because, as every seasoned professional knows, success is never a solo endeavor.

But more than anything, Whitt said ‘TAKEAWAYS' is a book about people. "It’s about the incredible individuals who make this profession meaningful—our colleagues, mentors, students, and, most importantly, the communities and causes we serve. It’s about the lessons we learn from one another, the challenges that refine us, and the joy that comes from doing work that truly matters.”

Published by Cherrymoon Media in Lexington, Kentucky, 'TAKEAWAYS: Ideas, Strategies and Encouragement for the Nonprofit Public Relations Professional’ was released on Aug. 31, 2025, and immediately became a #1 Amazon New Release in Marketing & Communications and #2 New Release in PR. The book is available in three formats: hardcover, paperback, and digital, and can be purchased online through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at many leading bookstores in 13 countries. The hardcover edition is also available at the University of Kentucky Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Lexington.

The book's foreword is written by Morgan Roth, chief marketing officer for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Washington, D.C., an award-winning global influencer in public relations and marketing.

The Winners and Finalists were selected by a panel of marketing and communications judges based on the book quality, cover image, and how the content improves lives, out of hundreds of nominations from around the world.

“The Goody Business Book Awards is excited to recognize these game-changing authors whose books are positively helping people live longer, eat healthier, be a successful entrepreneur, be a better leader, build wealth, be a better marketer, use technology to improve efficiencies, start a charity and so much more,” explains Goody Business Book Awards and Goody PR Founder Liz H Kelly.

With over 46 million books on Amazon, the Goody Business Book Awards' mission is to ‘Uplift Author Voices’ above a sea of competition and add value to book marketing efforts.

Kelly adds, “To provide authors with extra support, our team will also feature these Winners and Finalists in a 3-month digital marketing campaign, along with sharing book marketing tips.”

Kelly concludes, "Congratulations Marc Whitt on your top Marketing: Communications and PR Winner Award for your new book, ‘TAKEAWAYS’, from our 2025 Goody Business Book Awards. Your book's insights and vast experience helping non-profits maximize their public relations programs and media coverage, along with overcoming challenges, are all invaluable."

Each of the 50 Goody Business Book Awards categories has a separate page on the website for the eight subject area genres, including: 1. Business, 2. Entrepreneur, 3. Health, 4. Leadership, 5. Marketing, 6. Money/Wealth, 7. Self-Help and 8. Technology. For more information, visit https://GoodyBusinessBookAwards.com/Awards.

Whitt is an award-winning public relations professional, bestselling author, and student-focused educator with over four decades of experience in higher education and nonprofit communication.

A two-time graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Whitt's previous two books —‘When In Doubt, Make Applesauce! Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional’ and ‘PR Lessons Learned Along the Way,’ also published by Cherrymoon Media, were #1 Amazon Bestsellers, were both named to BookAuthority’s “100 Best PR Books of All Time”, and were also honored with Goody Business Book Awards. 

Whitt is a columnist for Strategic Magazine, a global platform for communication industry leaders, and has been recognized as a Social Impact Author for his contributions to public relations thought leadership and education. He is the recipient of the PRSA East Central District Platinum Award for distinguished service, the James C. Bowling Excellence in Public Relations Award, presented by the University of Kentucky’s Department of Integrated Strategic Communication and Journalism Alumni Association, and Distinguished Alumni Awards presented by the Eastern Kentucky University Department of Communication and Paintsville High School.

Whitt serves as the director of media and strategic relations at the University of Kentucky Office of Public Relations and Strategic Communications and also teaches in the UK College of Communication & Information’s Department of Integrated Strategic Communication.

Whitt currently serves on the boards of the PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter, the Christian Appalachian Project, Friends of the Madison Community Band, and the Kentucky Baptist Foundation.

He and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of Emily Fields (Mark) of Lexington, Elizabeth Whitt Muncie (Christian) of Lexington, and Jacob (Ashton Jernigan) of Richmond, as well as the grandparents of Annaleigh, Aubrey, Hayden, and Sarah.

###