Kathy Barks Hoffman, an award-winning public relations practitioner with a strong background in public affairs, has joined our Martin Waymire team as a Senior Account Executive, where she will provide our clients with strategic counsel and assistance with public relations, marketing, social media, public speaking and media training.
In her previous PR work with Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Hoffman advised a wide range of clients including Michigan’s University Research Corridor, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Retailers Association, Michigan Corporate Relations Network, the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, the Michigan Association of United Ways, and others. She won a Pinnacle Award at the 2014 CMPRSA PACE Awards for a series of op-eds written for the University Research Corridor.
Hoffman adds more depth to our substantial expertise in strategic public policy communications, having covered Michigan and national politics for more than two decades as the head of The Associated Press’ Lansing Bureau and as a reporter for The Detroit News and Lansing State Journal. She has an insider’s knowledge of Michigan and national media, and spent many years as a panelist on public television’s “Off the Record” public affairs program.
“We are thrilled to add to the Martin Waymire team a communications professional with the experience, credibility and talent of Kathy Barks Hoffman,” said Martin Waymire Partner Roger Martin, APR. “Kathy’s stellar reputation is based on her track record of success in journalism and public relations. She has exceptional communications skills and is a person of high character who will benefit our team and our growing stable of clients.”
Hoffman is an active user of social media and has more than 2,300 Twitter followers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ball State University and a master’s degree in American Studies from Michigan State University, and has taught journalism courses at MSU and Lansing Community College.
In her spare time, Hoffman serves on the board of directors for The State News, Michigan State University’s independent student newspaper, as well as the board of the Society of Professional Journalists Mid-Michigan Chapter. She and her husband, Brent, live in Dimondale and enjoy sailing on Lake Michigan. They have two grown sons.
