Mekky Media Relations celebrates third anniversary with recognition at Publicity Club of Chicago's Golden Trumpet Awards

Mekky Media Relations Inc. celebrated its first three years in business with two big wins at the Publicity Club of Chicago's Golden Trumpet Awards on June 6. The agency took home silver trophies in the categories of Advocacy, for its work promoting the 2019 Susan G. Komen Chicago Mother's Day Race for the Cure, and Media Relations, for its efforts to elevate local store Abt Electronics to a national player. The honors came one day after Mekky Media celebrated its anniversary and fast-paced, rewarding journey of the past three years.

"I would never have believed anyone if they would have told me we'd come this far in such a short time," says founder and president Michelle Mekky. "I'm so proud of the team I've built and the innovative, top-notch work we produce. This is only the beginning for us."

Mekky established the agency in 2016, with one client and the goal of fueling growth through personal attention and a passion for creative storytelling. With her relentless drive to attract new clients and the impressive early results she delivered, her roster quickly grew, with organizations ranging from innovative start-ups to established businesses signing on to partner with Mekky Media. Today, the agency has about 10 team members and serves a diverse group of more than 20 clients, providing PR strategy and media relations, media training, event promotion, social media strategy and influencer outreach.

Mekky clients have included Abt Electronics, Wealth Management Group, Wi-Tronix, TimeZoneOne, the Illinois Office of Tourism, The Art of Plastic Surgery and SimplyBe. Agency. The agency also has developed a reputation as a PR leader in Chicago's competitive culinary space, with clients such as Francesca's Restaurant Group, Joe's Imports Wine Bar, Untitled Supper Club, Benihana and FARE. In addition, Mekky Media has carved a leadership position in serving some of the Chicago area's most treasured non-profits, including Chicago Scholars, Chicago Lights, Holiday Heroes, IES Abroad, the Center for Enriched Living, GiGi's Playhouse, OneGoal Chicago, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and Susan G. Komen Chicago.

"I have been honored to work with Michelle Mekky and the Mekky Media Relations team for the past three years," says Julie Jacobson-VanderHye, Komen Chicago director of donor partnerships. "Michelle and her team are passionate about their work and their clients. They continuously go above, and we are proud to call Mekky Media a partner in the fight against breast cancer. Thanks to their great work, we have been able to raise awareness and crucial funds."

Jacobson-VanderHye says Mekky Media's recent Golden Trumpet Award for work with Komen is well deserved. "They exceeded all of our media goals for Race for the Cure. We had every news channel present."

Mekky says the agency's clients are leaders in their industries, and she's proud they've entrusted Mekky Media. "We've built amazing connections with them and achieved results that have elevated their profiles. I think that's why they keep coming back and recommending us to others," Mekky says. "I know there's much more growth and success to come, as we find new partners who have compelling stories just waiting to be told."

The Mekky Media team includes PR professionals from top firms and former journalists from leading newsrooms. Mekky says the industry veterans, as well as the new talent, exemplify the agency's core values of passion, hard work and commitment to excellence. The most recent hire is account manager Carleigh Rinefierd, who previously worked at Margie Korshak and has experience promoting some of the country's most iconic brands. Rinefierd, who joined Mekky Media in late May, is now leading several key accounts for the agency.

Mekky says she's proud of her team's well-deserved recognition at the Golden Trumpet Awards, Chicago's premier competition for public relations and communications professionals. "We pour our hearts and souls into making a difference for valued clients such as Abt and Komen Chicago. I'm thrilled that we are being recognized for our efforts, along with PR powerhouses from all over the Midwest."

Mekky, who has more than 20 years of experience as a broadcast journalist and PR executive, also has won a prestigious Stevie Award for Women in Business, receiving a bronze medal in the Entrepreneur of the Year category, and she was selected to be part of the Forbes Agency Council, an esteemed organization for owners and executives of PR, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. She is a cancer survivor and a spokesperson for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. She also blogs about leadership lessons and PR for Forbes and she is a motivational speaker, talking to groups about her journey, entrepreneurship, media training and public speaking.