Posted by Russ Florence, president and COO

My wife and I have always loved Tulsa, where I’ve lived for the last 22 years, and Bartlesville, where she grew up and once owned a business. So, when the opportunity arose to move to Oklahoma City, we thought, “Why?”

After thinking it and doing our research, we soon realized, “Why not?” Which is exactly what Oklahoma City often asks itself. Here’s a guest op-ed I wrote for The Oklahoman, which explains it further:

“Last summer I asked my wife, Lauren, if she’d be interested in moving to Oklahoma City. She hadn’t spent much time here. But she was open-minded and we decided to spend a weekend here, scouting neighborhoods, schools and attractions. By the end of that weekend, before we were out of the city, she cast her vote: “OK,” she said. “I’m in.”

To read the full story in The Oklahoman, click here.

In a recent Tulsa World interview, Becky J. Frank, chairman and CEO of STF | PR, discusses her experience as the 2012 chair of Tulsa Regional Chamber. She highlights her accomplishments, disappointments, her vision for Oklahoma as a state and what’s to come.  We are especially excited about her upcoming position as chair of the Tulsa Area United Way campaign  for 2013.

To read the full interview, click here.

By: Don Mecoy, The Oklahoman

Tulsa’s largest public relations firm, Schnake Turnbo Frank | PR, opened an Oklahoma City office in 2008. The president and one of three partners in the firm will be moving to that downtown office later this year

Russ Florence, who also is chief operating officer for Schnake Turnbo Frank, is returning to the city where he lived in the late 1980s upon his graduation from college. During that period, Florence published a music tabloid produced in his spare bedroom before going bust after four issues, which included a cover story on a local band called The Flaming Lips.

“I lost everything I had, which fortunately wasn’t very much to begin with,” Florence said. “I’m so glad I did it. Having lost everything I had is a very valuable lesson to me still in how I look at monetary things. It’s helped keep me grounded throughout my career.”

Florence, 49, is on a very different career footing now, and has big plans for the firm’s Oklahoma City operation, which already has grown in each of the four-plus years it has been open.

“There is so much enthusiasm and confidence in Oklahoma City right now that frankly we just see the need to have more people and specifically someone more senior-level down there pursuing those opportunities,” he said. “We’re big believers in Oklahoma City. We’re happy with the growth, but we just think there’s a lot more that we can obtain.”

Florence, who travels to Oklahoma City frequently, said he will focus on signing new clients and community engagement.

“I’ve become a big admirer for the city as a whole and its leaders and the confidence its citizens have. It’s almost like you can just sense that Oklahoma City residents and leaders feel like they can do anything,” he said. “I just think that’s very inspiring.”

Florence recently sat down with The Oklahoman in his Tulsa office to discuss the move, the firm and his career. This is an edited version of that conversation:

Q: Do you see a lot of differences between Oklahoma City and Tulsa?

A: There are some differences, and there are some similarities as well. I bet that if you looked at the education ranks, the school systems, per capita income, education attainment, a lot of those factors are going to be comparable. One thing that Tulsa is known for is its aesthetics, and I’ll really miss that about Tulsa — the architecture, the river, the hills. What I really like about Oklahoma City — they call Chicago the city with broad shoulders and I can almost see that about Oklahoma City a little bit. There’s just a real kind of street-level work ethic that seems apparent. That has really been the key to Oklahoma City rebounding and transforming itself. I think Tulsa has that as well, but I think Oklahoma City may have discovered that in themselves a little bit sooner in the process. I think that’s what resulted in MAPS and all the other development of the last 15 to 20 years. I just think it’s willpower by the people (More…)

Merger Joins State’s Most Experienced, Largest PR Firm with Preeminent Digital Media Firm 

Schnake Turnbo Frank | PR and h3 Strategic Communications have merged under one name, combining the state’s largest and most experienced public relations firm with a digital media company that has seen exponential growth in recent years.

The company will operate under the Schnake Turnbo Frank | PR name. h3 principals Bill Handy and Shelli Holland-Handy will lead the firm’s Digital Engagement Division, adding a business line to a firm that in recent years has been named among the top small PR firms in the nation, launched a Management Consulting Division and opened an office in Oklahoma City.

“This merger brings together two companies that are performing at the top of their game,” said Becky J. Frank, chairman and CEO of STF | PR. “The lines have obviously become blurred between digital media and traditional public relations. The addition of our Digital Engagement Division complements our current offerings, maximizing the return on investment for our clients.”

Frank called h3, which is based in Tulsa, one of the premier digital media firms in the region.

“Bill and Shelli bring an expertise in digital media that is unmatched, and their complementary skill sets create a dynamic team well-suited to grow this new division,” she said. “They understand the role digital media plays in the larger sphere of public relations and business. They are the consummate strategists, professionals and businesspersons. Their approach and philosophy fit squarely with ours, and we are thrilled about this merger.”

Bill Handy, who will serve as vice president of digital engagement for the newly merged company, said, “The pairing of the two firms is a perfect blend of solid, traditional public

relations and digital media, which is critical for effective communication in today’s technology-driven world. Having partnered with them several times over the years, we have the utmost respect for STF | PR and are excited about what the future holds.

Handy has more than 15 years of advanced technical, management and academic experience in the field of public relations, marketing, strategic communications and strategic planning. Shelli Holland-Handy has more than 13 years of experience in public relations, small business development, strategic planning and project management, as well as her juris doctor.

“Integrating a Management Consulting Division with our PR practice two years ago has proven to be a great success,” Frank said. “We are confident our merger with h3 will continue to strengthen our ability to provide our clients with a combination of services critical for their success.”

The new division will reside at the firm’s downtown Tulsa office, with team members working frequently from its Oklahoma City office and serving clients throughout the region.

Schnake Turnbo Frank | PR has been named one of six finalists for the nationwide Small PR Firm of the Year award by industry publication PR News.

Finalists were selected based on demonstrated client growth, retention, agency culture, creative campaigns and overall success. The category is for agencies with less than $10 million in annual billings.

PR News will honor each finalists and the winner will be announced September 14 in New York City at an awards luncheon.

“This nomination speaks volumes about our employees and our clients,” said Becky J. Frank, chairman and CEO. “It’s inspiring for the partners of this firm to work alongside a team with such dedication, creativity and energy.”

“Likewise, this wouldn’t happen without a great roster of clients, and the confidence they show when they entrust us to represent them.”

Schnake Turnbo Frank | PR has offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, and clients throughout the region. The firm was founded 42 years ago and has 25 employees (More…)