V.K. Fields & Co.

Welcome to V.K. Fields & Co.

2008-07-24T00:25:56Z

V.K. Fields & Co. was originally founded in 1997, by company CEO Valerie K. Fields. The public relations, marketing, and copywriting firm specializes in five distinct areas of business: 1) copywriting and marketing communications, 2) public relations and media relations for small to mid-size and corporate clients, 3) multimedia marketing consulting 4) marketing and ministry relations for churches, evangelical organizations and other non-profits, and 5) an online Speakers Bureau featuring local, regional, and national personalities from various sectors of the media, business, technical, non-profit and corporate communities. V.K. Fields & Co. is based in Raleigh, NC.

Chief Executive Officer Valerie K. Fields has an extensive background in journalism, marketing, and public relations and has worked for some of the world’s most well-known organizations including Walt Disney World Resort, McDonald’s Corp., and the Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities of North Carolina. She received a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a special emphasis in Public Relations.

Prior to starting her own public relations and copywriting firm, Valerie successfully freelanced in copywriting and public relations for various clients, including the nationally syndicated television program “BridgeBuilders” with host Les Brown, the Atlanta Empowerment Zone project, and Kushell Associates Inc., a franchise development company.

Valerie recently obtained a Bachelor of Theology from New Covenant Bible Institute in Raleigh and has recently completed coursework for her Master of Theology. She also teaches as an adjunct professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Valerie and the V.K. Fields & Co. team are recipients of three Triangle Business Journal awards including: “Women in Business,” “Excellence in Mentoring,” and “40 Under 40” Business Leadership; in addition, the firm won the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Business of the Year’ award for small business in Spring 2005.

Media Coaching

2008-07-24T00:19:03Z

Media Coaching is one of the most powerful and important tools necessary for proper media relations management. Ensuring that your staff is prep and ready for media interaction, whether an interview or press conference is a top priority and the media workshops which we develop provide the University’s personnel with the brand messaging architecture necessary to convey consistent and positive messages to the media. Although these workshops are primarily for cabinet members, deans, department chairs, and administrators, your Office of Public Relations and Marketing should maintain a waiting list for other spokespersons recommended by a member of the university’s leadership team. Also extend this tool to prep students such as athletes and student government members who may have to interact with the media. To help workshop participants become comfortable communicating with the media, we perform mock interviews and press conferences to create a realistic setting for future media opportunities. Outline talk tracks and role plays to prepare any UNC-Charlotte spokesperson for potential inquiries from the media on a local, regional, and national scale

Copywriting & Editing

2008-07-24T00:17:47Z

For every project we manage, our team considers the audience the publication will speak to and the functionality of the document—and its desired results. We deliver the client’s message clearly, and we feel that it is important to pay particular attention to the graphics of any piece which also will contribute a key component to the communications process. The audience and functionality are significant, but with attention-grabbing graphics and compelling original photography, the piece has now developed a personality, and as a result, it is that message or “feel’ which translates to the audience.

From simple to complex; from plain to flamboyant; we reach across the spectrum to produce a message that will not only clearly voice the subject, theme or primary focus of the piece, but will intrigue the audience to want to know more. Some clients like their messages to be wordy and informative, while others prefer a simple, direct approach that enlightens or entertains. From newsletters to brochures; to Web sites and annual reports, V.K. Fields & Company will provide the appropriate copy, graphics and design layout that will clearly and effectively communicate your message to a targeted audience or a diverse group of publics. With each project, our assigned writer/editor will interview and talk to the appropriate subjects or participants to clearly communicate our clients’ messages in the most appropriate style for their audiences and then effectively translate those ideas into the written word and a finished product.

Public Relations, Media Relations: Communications and Media Capabilities

2008-07-24T00:16:06Z

As a public relations firm, V.K. Fields & Company understands that the key to many successful projects lies to a large extent with the media. It is the publicity that the media generates that can sway public perceptions and opinions, and to get a message across you need trusting, respectful relationships with the media. While a few years ago media meant newspapers and magazines, today it has changed to include TV, radio, and the Internet (e.g. Websites, blogs, chat rooms, etc.). So, to network effectively you need to know what to use when and whom to stay in touch with. For example in the case of print media it may be a journalist or editor, while in the case of TV or radio, it is the producer of the specific segment or show. In the event of any special projects that may need media attention, we have spent years building a strong relationship with both local and national media, and becoming proficient with various media resources. We have created databases that cover all kinds of organizations and industries which list every relevant newspaper, magazine, local radio, and cable/network television programs. Within these databases we have created useable profiles that give such information as contact names, telephone numbers, mailing addresses and email addresses along with fax numbers and websites to use for every kind of mailing, story, press release or event. We are able to communicate your message across the street, or around the world.

We are proficient in the use of PR Newswire’s MediaAtlas and Cision (formerly Bacon’s), database resources which can connect you with hundreds and thousands of media contacts for any industry. The contacts can be local, statewide, regional, national, or international. We have consistently established great working relationships with the media by being clear and concise when distributing press releases or stories; and consistently meeting and honoring their (and our internal) deadlines.

Business and Marketing Philosophies

2008-07-24T00:13:49Z

Our business ethics philosophy states: “Whatever it takes to get something is what it takes to keep it.” Thus far, we’ve given commitment, focus, diligence, and passion into maximizing the goals of our clients, and that’s what we believe it takes to keep it. Respectively, our marketing and crisis management philosophies are: “There’s a point in the life of every problem where it’s big enough to see, yet small enough to solve,” AND “Call us before you need us.” We are a proactive team and tend to get ahead of the action so that we’re not simply reacting to situations or problems that arise. Our business is communications and building, managing and sustaining mutually beneficial relationships.

Compliance and Certification

2008-07-24T00:11:50Z

V.K. Fields & Co. is certified as the following:

Small Business Enterprise
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (African American)
Woman-Owned Business Enterprise
Historically Underutilized Business Enterprise (HUB)
100% African American-owned; 100% Woman-owned business enterprise

Services

2008-07-24T00:03:44Z

V.K. Fields & Company functions in several capacities, providing full-service public relations, public affairs, media relations, marketing, copywriting, promotions, publicity and consultation services for our clients. Here are some examples of the work we do:

Advertisements (Print, Internet, Radio & TV)
Books and Manuscripts (Writing, Editing & Proofreading)
Copyediting (Speeches, Manuscripts, etc.)
Copywriting (Annual Reports, Brochures, Websites, Speeches, Textbooks, Manuscripts, etc.)
Crisis Management (Image Consulting, Reputation Management, Strategic Planning)
Feature Articles (Newspaper, Newsletters, Magazine, Internet)
Ghostwriting (Books, Seminars, Speeches, Workshops)
Graphic Design & Layout (MarCom materials e.g. annual reports, billboards, brochures, newsletters, etc.)
Identity Packages (Logos, Stationery, Marketing Communications, Websites)
Media Relations (Media Pitches, Story Angles & Interviews)
Media Training (Talking Points, Voice & Diction Coaching and Mock Interviews)
Photography (Original Photography, Web Photography, Corporate Headshots, PR Photos)
Press Conferences (Media Advisories, Media Interviews & Scheduling)
Press Releases (Development & Distribution)
Proofreading (Annual Reports, Books, Manuscripts, Speeches, etc.)
Public Relations/Public Affairs (Proposals, Campaigns & Implementation)
Publicity (Appearances, Bookings, Features, Signings, Photo Shoots, etc.)