By Gerard Flanagan, news writer and photographer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Marc Whitt, director of Media and Strategic Relations at the University of Kentucky, will have a book signing at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore at Campbellsville University, 410 N. Hoskins Ave., from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thursday, April 13 for his book, “When In Doubt, Make Applesauce! Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional.”
Whitt will be the featured speaker earlier that day at Campbellsville University’s 18th annual Media Appreciation Luncheon.
Whitt has served nearly four decades in public relations, holding senior leadership and teaching positions at public and private universities in Kentucky and consulting numerous corporate and nonprofit organizations across the United States.
Whitt served at Campbellsville University for 11 years, including as a member of the senior cabinet as assistant to the president for public relations and marketing and eventually as vice president for communications and marketing.
Whitt also served for 13 years as associate vice president for public relations and chief communications officer at his alma mater, Eastern Kentucky University.
A synopsis of the book on Amazon, where the book can be purchased, says, “As greater demands and expectations are placed on those who practice public relations, PR veteran and author Marc Whitt contends that we should advance ourselves to the ultimate level of professional skill and excellence: that of a masterful public relations professional.
“Achieving the masterful status in our profession should become our North Star – our guiding light, he writes. These individuals are the profession’s cream of the crop. But those wishing to reach the masterful level must embrace and practice eight core habits…”
The book was released on Nov. 1, 2022, and quickly became Amazon’s No. 1 new release in the area of public relations.
Whitt received back-to-back Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Silver Medal Awards for Total Institutional Relations Program. In 2015, he received the James C. Bowling Excellence in Public Relations Award. Presented by the University of Kentucky’s Journalism Alumni Association and Department of Integrated Strategic Communication, the award is given to the “outstanding public relations practitioner with ties to Kentucky.”
Whitt has held membership in the Association of American Colleges & Universities Advisory Council on Communications & Public Affairs, including two of his eight years as national chair, CASE District III Board and the International Town & Gown Association Board. He currently serves on the Public Relations and Communications Association International University Advisory Council, the Public Relations Society of America Thoroughbred Chapter Board of Directors and the Kentucky Baptist Foundation Board.
A trumpet player for more than 50 years, Whitt performs with and is a founding member of the Madison Community Band, a regional wind band of 80 volunteer musicians. Marc, a native of Paintsville, Ky., and his wife, Jennifer, have three children: Emily Fields (Mark), Elizabeth Muncie (Christian), and Jacob Whitt; and two grandchildren, Annaleigh and Aubrey Fields, with another expected this May – Hayden Fields.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.