Ron Kirksey has spent his career

writing persuasive copy

As a journalist, Ron spent most of his more than 20 years on newspapers as an editorial writer, editor and columnist -- using facts, logic and clear writing to advocate a position or call readers to action.

His column for the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal was published regularly throughout the United States through the Knight-Ridder Wire Service. His columns, articles and travel writing have been published in the New York Times, Miami Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer, St. Paul Pioneer Press and Dallas Morning News, among others.

As a ghostwriter for higher education executives, Ron’s writing has also appeared in the Columbus Dispatch, Cleveland Plain Dealer, trade magazines and regional and national publications.

Ron received numerous writing awards throughout his career, and served as a lead writer on a year-long project that won the Beacon Journal a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.

Strategic public relations

      As a public relations executive, Ron spent a decade promoting Kent State University, a major public research university. His writing, consulting and strategic public relations and marketing initiatives helped Kent State and its numerous local, national and international partners in business and other organizations.

      As executive director of university communications, Ron served as Kent State’s spokesman, led crisis communications efforts, wrote strategic executive communications – speeches, op-eds, articles, annual reports, internal and external messages – and provided strategies to protect and promote the institution’s image.

Ron routinely directed media relations and crisis communications planning and implementation for Kent State. In that role he engaged – and was quoted by – virtually every major news organization in North America and beyond.

      Ron also took part in real crises as well as training exercises, all of which involved working closely with local, state and national emergency and health agencies, including FEMA and the CDC, providing in-depth experience for communicating in a crisis to the university and community.

      In contributing to the university’s communications and marketing effort, Ron studied and applied best practices in customer service and audience messaging.

Education:

1. • Bachelor of Science, Liberal Arts, University of Tennessee, with most coursework in International Studies.
   

2. • Master of Arts, Kent State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication, graduating with honors in the Media Management sequence.
   

3. • Attended (and taught) numerous workshops, conferences and seminars on branding, marketing, writing, media relations and crisis communication.
   

WWW.KirkseyCommunications.com

330-819-6973

Ron.KirkCom@mac.com

Ron Kirksey

3995 Falconswalk Court

Stow, Ohio 44224