Genma Stringer Holmes of GSH Media and Consulting has earned a prestigious Excellence Flame Award in the IABC Atlanta 2020 Golden Flame communications recognition program. The Cerese D June and August Digital Cover Issues and Stories won in the Publication Category. 

The IABC Atlanta Golden Flame awards program recognizes exceptional examples of advertising, marketing and communication programs as judged by an international panel of peer-professionals. This year, IABC Atlanta awarded thirty-two gold, four silver, sixteen bronze and three Best in Show awards for business communication excellence. 

“This year has been a difficult one for the communications industry as it has for all other industries,” said Eric Berrios, IABC Atlanta VP of Professional Recognition. “It’s been a privilege to watch how communicators have adjusted to the challenges thrown at them in 2020. The winning entries represent the best of Atlanta communications this year. I am proud of these communicators, their exceptional work and our profession.” 

Entries are scored on their own merit, not judged against one another. The awards criteria are based on IABC’s Global Seven-Point Scale of Excellence. Categories include internal communications, social media programs, websites, audio/visual, publications, writing, government relations, and marketing, advertising, and brand communications. A complete list of the IABC Atlanta 2020 Golden Flame award winners can be found at https://atlanta.iabc.com/2020-award-winners/. 

About IABC Atlanta

IABC Atlanta is the premiere professional communications association that provides professional development, networking, and best practices for a broad range of communication professionals at all career levels. With membership across internal and external communications, as well as executive, marketing and PR sectors, the association provides unique networking events and learning opportunities for communication professionals to advance their careers and build meaningful connections within the Atlanta community. More information about the organization is available at  www.atlanta.iabc.com. 

About Genma Stringer Holmes and GSH Media 

Genma Stringer Holmes is a recognized award-winning Serial Entrepreneur, Media Influencer, and Editor-in-Chief. She is IABC Nashville’s 2020 Inaugural Hall of Fame Recipient. She has won several awards from the International Association of Business Communicators including the IABC Southern Region’s Silver Quills, IABC Atlanta’s Golden Flames, and IABC Nashville’s Music City Gold Pens for projects as diverse as editorial work for print and digital publications, digital communication branding, and social media management and research. She is the owner of Holmes Pest Control, Executive Producer of Living Your Best Life Radio, and the Editor-in-Chief of GSH Media. Genma has a heart for non-profits and community engagement. She has served on IABC’s boards and committees locally, regionally, and internationally.

About Cerese D

Quickly becoming one of the most sought-after jewelry brands nationwide. Cerese D releases new and exciting designs of jewelry every month. With a passion for color, texture and balance, the founder, Cerese Dolman, strives to provide new fashion-forward designs without compromise.

The deeply admired luxury jewelry brand continues to allure the world with its stylish artistic array of jewelry. Cerese D Jewelry is the new luxury brand that is authentic and unconventional. A style that expresses new forms of elegance, presenting itself as modern and different. The strong identity of the Cerese D Jewelry brand has evolved over the years without ever forgetting its roots. 

Thank you to all that attended our this month’s professional development event, “The ROI of Nice,” featuring Dave Delaney, author, speaker and trainer. We hope you enjoyed learning from Dave how to keep your business prospects engaged, keep your clients happy, keep your revenue increasing, and keep your culture thriving. Key insights gained from this hour-long presentation include:

Thank you to all that attended our first professional development event of 2021, “Through a Glass Darkly: Increasing Transparency in Talent Acquisition,” featuring Michael Deas, ABC, SCMP, Marketing Manager at Lee Company. We hope you enjoyed hearing Mike’s recommendations for improving the disconnect between those seeking jobs and those seeking to fill them based on his personal seven-month job-search experience last year. Key insights gained from this hour-long presentation include:

The International Association of Business Communicators’ Nashville chapter (IABC Nashville) announces its 2021 board of directors.

“This year’s board is poised to continue building on the momentum built in 2020,” says Kerry Burke, IABC Nashville president. “This is an impressive group of professional communicators who are eager and excited to bring world-class educational programs and invaluable networking opportunities to chapter members, and the larger communications community in middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky. I am thrilled to see what this team will accomplish in another successful year for IABC Nashville.”

The new board comprises experienced communications professionals in the region from various specialties, including public relations, marketing, internal communications, corporate communications, and more.

2021 IABC Nashville Executive Board of Directors

• President: Kerry Burke, Cigna
• President-Elect and Vice President of Professional Development: Kristin Appelman, Concept Technology, Inc.
• Past-President: Mollye Dietrich, HCA Healthcare
• Secretary: Michael Payne, Small Town Startup
• Vice President of Finance: Tom Kenley, Rogers Group, Inc.
• Vice President of Membership: Anna Strong, The Creative Group
• Vice President of Communications: Jessica Hopson, Lovell Communications
• Vice President of Social Media: Sarah “Birdie” Loeffler, ProAssurance
• Vice President of Awards: Katie Adkisson, APR, REED Public Relations
• Vice President at Large: Genma Holmes, GSH Media and Consulting
• Vice President at Large: Lysa Rigo, Veritas Federal Credit Union
• Vice President at Large: K. Dawn Rutledge, Ed.D., Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (VICTR)

The goal of the 2021 board of directors is to help its members and other communications professionals in the region enhance their careers through professional development workshops, networking events, accreditation, and professional recognition through the annual Music City Gold Pen Awards.

About IABC Nashville
IABC Nashville is the local chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, serving middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky. The Nashville chapter is one of more than 100 chapters in 70 countries, with a mission to provide professional development and networking opportunities to members, as well as the larger communications community.

The chapter is diverse, with members representing agencies, government, corporations, universities, nonprofit organizations, and more. IABC Nashville also offers ties to job bank services and the annual Music City Gold Pen Awards program. IABC is the only place to connect with communicators globally. “Connect here – go anywhere!”