News, Interviews & Podcasts

Over the years, I’ve been grateful for opportunities to share insights and stories through a variety of media outlets, interviews, and podcast conversations. This page brings together some of those features—ranging from professional reflections to thoughtful discussions on public relations, leadership, education, and community engagement.

Each piece represents a collaborative effort and the generous interest of others in the work I’ve been fortunate to do. I hope you find these stories informative, inspiring, and perhaps even a bit thought-provoking.

Thank you for stopping by—and for your interest.

 

• "PR author Marc Whitt out with ‘TAKEAWAYS’ for nonprofit communicators," The Lane Report, Aug. 27, 2025: Bestselling and award-winning public relations practitioner and author Marc C. Whitt returns with his highly anticipated third book, TAKEAWAYS: Ideas, Strategies and Encouragement for the Nonprofit Public Relations Professional (Cherrymoon Media, 2025). https://www.lanereport.com/183388/2025/08/pr-author-marc-whitt-out-with-takeaways-for-nonprofit-communicators/

• PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter President-Elect Whitt publishes 3rd book on public relations, Aug. 2025: https://www.kyprsa.org/

• Mountain Spirit - "Mastering Public Relations w/ Marc Whitt," Christian Appalachian Project, Hosted by Tina Bryson, May 13, 2025: Get ready for an electrifying episode on The Mountain Spirit, with Marc Whitt. Not only is he a public relations guru with nearly four decades of experience, but he is a bestselling author, whose books have topped Amazon's charts and earned numerous accolades. Currently serving as the director of media and strategic relations at the University of Kentucky, Marc has deep connections with his Appalachian upbringing. Tune in to discover Marc's invaluable insights, his passion for public relations, and the secrets behind his success. Don't miss this captivating conversation! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcnpD8N3CvY

• Media Coffee - "Purpose-Driven PR: Connecting with Higher Ed & Non-Profit Audiences," Cision UK, Hosted by Sami Saad, Feb. 25, 2025: In this episode of Media Coffee, we welcome Marc C. Whitt, the Director of Media and Strategic Relations at the University of Kentucky. With over 40 years of experience in public relations within higher education and non-profit organisations, Marc delves into the dynamic field of higher ed PR. We also discuss strategies for building strong relationships with journalists in those sectors and share tips on crafting press releases that resonate with a purpose-driven audience.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXXje1zM404

• "Top Book Recommendations for Entrepreneurs to Master Communications and PR (Including Classic Reads)," 'When In Doubt, Make Applesauce!,' RECOMMENDED BY: Rosemary Ravinal, Bilingual Speaker Coach, TEDx Speaker, Author at RMR Communications Consulting, Jan. 5, 2025: https://pronthego.com/pages/blog/top-book-recommendations-for-entrepreneurs-to-master-communications-PR

• "The Top Comms Books I Have Read In 2024," By Adedoyin Jaiyesimi, Nov. 13, 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrAMLi1H-4I

• "Award-Winning Author and UK Communications Leader Marc Whitt Named PRSA ECD 2024 Platinum Award Winner," PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter, Oct. 9, 2024: https://www.kyprsa.org/2024/10/award-winning-author-and-uk-communications-leader-marc-whitt-named-prsa-ecd-2024-platinum-award-winner/

• "Paintsville High School Alumni Association Names Marc Whitt 2024 Distinguished Alumnus," Aug. 1, 2024: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=868950078615214&set=a.467709348739291

• 2023 Goody Business Book Awards - 'When In Doubt, Make Applesauce! Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional' (FINALIST)," https://goodybusinessbookawards.com/2023-awards-marketing-communications-and-pr-books/entry/171/

• Leadership Lessons with Dr. Todd Gray, "Your Church's First Impression with Marc Whitt," Kentucky Baptist Convention, Nov. 30, 2023: "Public relations is about building, managing and sustaining positive, authentic relationships," said Marc Whitt, a public relations professional who discussed the first impression of churches on this week's episode of Leadership Lessons with Kentucky Baptist Convention Executive Director Todd Gray. https://www.kentuckytoday.com/baptist_life/leadership-lessons-your-churchs-first-impression-with-marc-whitt/article_ed3cddee-8f98-11ee-9da2-0f734292b884.html

• "Paintsville native among 2023 Goody Business Book award winners," Paintsville Herald, Nov. 24, 2023:   https://www.paintsvilleherald.com/news/paintsville-native-among-2023-goody-business-book-award-winners/article_a81b1a74-88b7-11ee-9a5e-7f7aafba2942.html

• "Five Books for Nonprofit Public Relations Teams," Featuring Recommended Book 'PR Lessons Learned Along the Way,' By D. Jones, Public Relations Assistant, The  Blake Agency, 2023: https://blakepragency.com/five-books-for-nonprofit-public-relations-teams/

• Mary Olson-Menzel interviews Marc Whitt for MVP Business Book Club, "The Successful PR Person," Nov. 14, 2023: Mary Olson-Menzel discusses The Successful PR Professional with Marc Whitt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbC3TauOd4U

• Mary Olson-Menzel interviews Marc Whitt for MVP Business Book Club, "Big Picture Thinkers and Bold Doers," Nov. 14, 2023: Mary Olson-Menzel discusses Big Picture Thinkers and Bold Doers with Marc Whitt  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OdmBHiG0jM

• Mary Olson-Menzel interviews Marc Whitt for MVP Business Book Club, "Relationships in PR," Nov. 14, 2023: Mary Olson-Menzel discusses the importance of relationships in PR with Marc Whitt  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfswYsqQeBM

• Mary Olson-Menzel interviews Marc Whitt for MVP Business Book Club, "Resilience," Nov. 14, 2023: Mary Olson-Menzel discusses the importance of resiliency in PR with Marc Whitt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzP2JaZOkHE

• "The MVP Executive Development team’s recommended book for this quarter is “When in Doubt, Make Applesauce!: Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional” by Marc Whitt," Nov. 2023: https://mvpexec.com/when-in-doubt-make-applesauce-core-habits-of-the-masterful-public-relations-professional/

• Dublin Conversations - "Why Have a Dublin Conversation?" Hosted by Andy Green, July 27, 2023: Marc Whitt discusses his latest book, 'When In Doubt, Make Applesauce! Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional' and much more with one of The UK's brilliant minds in PR.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBRxUBNR_4U

• (Book recommendation) Julia Petryk, Head of PR, MacPaw, Kiev, Ukraine, INNOVATOR 25 2023, PRovoke Media:  https://www.provokemedia.com/ranking-and-data/innovator-25/innovator-25-2023/innovator-25-emea-2023/julia-petryk

• "‘Lead where you are,’ Whitt says at Campbellsville University’s 18th annual Media Appreciation Luncheon," Campbellsville University Office of University Communications, May 4, 2023:  https://www.campbellsville.edu/about/media/university-communications/news/lead-where-you-are-whitt-says-at-campbellsville-universitys-18th-annual-media-appreciation-luncheon.html

• University of Kentucky Alumni Career Services' Leadership Week, Host Dr. Caroline Francis, "Leadership and Public Relations: Lessons Learned Along the Way," April 27, 2023: Presented by Marc C. Whitt, Director of Media and Strategic Relations, University of Kentucky, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY-k-zu0ZPk

• Mysterious Goings On with Alex Greenwood, "Making Applesauce with Author Marc Whitt," March 23, 2023:   https://open.spotify.com/episode/1R56vISwbawKzLq7VtLgz8?si=zyVM2gPqSNimKoKOW2uMKQ&dd=1

• "Education is the right way to positive change in society (book review - 'When In Doubt, Make Applesauce!'),' By Manuela Toteva, Feb. 5, 2023:   https://www.manuela-toteva.com/post/education-is-the-right-way-to-positive-change-in-society-book-review

• The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel, "Fine-tuning Public Relations for Nonprofit Fundraising with Marc Whitt," Jan. 20, 2023: Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant Joan Bahner was joined in this episode of The Beacon Podcast by author and PR pro Marc Whitt to talk about the changing role of public relations in fundraising, how and why that role is changing and how nonprofit PR is different than corporate PR. In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant Joan Bahner talks with author and PR pro Marc Whitt about the public relations in the nonprofit sector. Marc shares his eight habits that elevate a public relations professional to the masterful level and discusses topics including: The changing role of public relations in fundraising for nonprofit organizations, How and why that role is changing, How PR for nonprofits is different from PR in the corporate world.  https://on.soundcloud.com/5MhZHjRkLQkdYU8k6

• "Book Review: Meet Marc Whitt, 'When In Doubt, Make Applesauce!'" By Stephen Waddington, Jan. 16, 2023: https://wadds.co.uk/blog/2023/1/16/meeting-marc-c-whitt

• "A Communicator’s Calling: Serving Others First," By Marc C. Whitt, PR News, Jan. 11, 2023: https://www.prnewsonline.com/servant-leader-empathy-authenticity-compassion

• "Will humans have to re-write AI’s draft of history? 42 marketing and communications predictions for 2024," By Frank Strong, Sword & The Script, Dec. 26, 2023: https://www.swordandthescript.com/2023/12/marketing-and-communications-predictions-2024/

• "PR Must Read Books in 2023," By Stavros Papagianneas, Dec. 18, 2022:   https://www.stpcommunications.com/post/pr-must-read-books-in-2023

• PR After Hours with Host Alex Greenwood, "MAKING APPLESAUCE WITH PR VETERAN MARC WHITT," Dec. 6, 2022: We're excited to welcome back to the show one of the masters of the public relations profession...you might even call Marc Whitt the "Johnny Appleseed" of PR, spreading the word about ethical practice and more. https://prafterhours.com/f/making-applesauce-with-pr-veteran-marc-whitt?blogcategory=Interviews

• "Top Books & Podcasts for Higher Ed Enrollment Leaders," By Lindsey Johnson, Olark, 2021: https://blog.olark.com/top-books-podcasts-higher-ed-enrollment

• "Richmond author’s book named among ‘Best PR Books of All Time’ and ‘Best Read in 2021," The Lane Report, March 2, 2021:   https://www.lanereport.com/138968/2021/03/richmond-authors-book-named-among-best-pr-books-of-all-time-and-best-read-in-2021/

• "PR Lessons Learned Along the Way," INFLUENCE, Chartered Institute of Public Relations, Q3 2021: https://influenceonline.co.uk/magazine/PR-Lessons-Learned-Along-the-Way

• PR After Hours with Host Alex Greenwood, "Author Marc Whitt on the Servant's Heart and Finishing Strong," Sept. 22, 2020: This week, we return with the second part of our interview with author and PR veteran Marc Whitt, where we discuss the servant's heart, staying out of the spotlight, and finishing stronger in everything you do.  Listen to part one of this interview here. Whitt is the director of media and strategic relations at the University of Kentucky. He is the author of PR Lessons Learned Along the Way: Strategies, Tips & Advice for the Higher Ed and Nonprofit Public Relations Professional (Cherrymoon Media, June 2020). In its first month, the book remained as Amazon’s #1 book for “New Releases in Public Relations.” It has since been named to PRCA’s “Recommended Read” list and Book Authority named it #1 "Best New PR Book to Read in 2020" and ranked #13 as being among the "100 Best PR Books of All Time."  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNDZHh2RgMA

• PR After Hours with Host Alex Greenwood, "PR Lessons Learned with Marc Whitt," Sept. 22, 2020: Alex Greenwood's first job in PR was at a university, so you can bet when we saw a great new book out about Higher Ed PR, we just had to learn more. We are thrilled to welcome author Marc C. Whitt! Marc is the director of media and strategic relations at the University of Kentucky. He is the author of PR Lessons Learned Along the Way: Strategies, Tips & Advice for the Higher Ed and Nonprofit Public Relations Professional (Cherrymoon Media, June 2020). In its first month, the book remained as Amazon’s #1 book for “New Releases in Public Relations.” It has since been named to PRCA’s “Recommended Read” list and Book Authority named it #1 "Best New PR Book to Read in 2020" and ranked #13 as being among the "100 Best PR Books of All Time." In this, part one of a two-part interview, Marc shares stories of his life in PR, as well as his advice for people at every station of the profession (Part two coming next week).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzo-l5C1GC8

• "In PR, Let The Work be Your Signature,' By Marc C. Whitt, PR News, Aug. 25, 2020: https://www.prnewsonline.com/stonemason-effort-profession-Whitt

• The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel, "PR Lessons Learned Along The Way," July 29, 2020:  “We need to take time to listen. We need to take time to observe. Then, listen even more. Listen to counsel. Listen more, and then act.” – Marc Whitt. In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy speaks with Marc Whitt, the University of Kentucky’s Office of Public Relations and Strategic Communication’s director of media and strategic relations, about his new book, PR Lessons Learned Along the Way. In the book, Marc shares his advice for young PR professionals and inserts life lessons he has learned over his 35-years-long career. In his discussion with Jeff, Marc shares How becoming a sponge for an organization’s culture will make you a better fundraising professional; The importance of adjusting your story for the audience; and Three lessons he wants every reader to remember https://soundcloud.com/user-711825240/pr-lessons-learned-along-the-way

• "Campbellsville University former vice president Marc Whitt publishes PR book," Central Kentucky News-Journal, June 10, 2020,   https://www.campbellsville.edu/about/media/university-communications/news/campbellsville-university-former-vice-president-marc-whitt-publishes-pr-book.html

• "PR Lessons Along the Way receives stellar reviews," United Kingdom Town & Gown Association, June 30, 2020: https://uktga.org/2020/07/01/pr-lessons-along-the-way-receives-stellar-reviews/

• "Let your work be your signature," By Marc C. Whitt, Business Lexington, May 29, 2020: https://smileypete.com/business/let-your-work-be-your-signature/

• "UK School of Journalism and Telecommunications to Host 2015 James C. Bowling Lecture - Whitt 'Excellence in Public Relations' award recipient," University of Kentucky, Nov. 2, 2015: https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/uk-school-journalism-and-telecommunications-host-2015-james-c-bowling-lecture​