Priority Marketing’s April 2023 Client Headlines Report recaps 11 news stories that you should read, watch or hear.
The firm’s award-winning PR Team helps clients and partners earn media coverage in newspapers and magazines, on television and radio, and on blogs, social media and websites. At the end of each month, the PR Team combs through hundreds of local, national and international news headlines to create its informative Client Headlines Report.
Below are just 11 of the many important stories that were published or aired in April 2023.
Getting a second chance at work, in life
Better Together held its annual Nationwide Day of Second Chances to promote the power of second chances for neighbors who have been incarcerated or otherwise face barriers to employment. In addition to stories published and aired locally by Gulfshore Business, ABC7, WINK, WGCU, Florida Weekly, Times of the Islands, Lehigh Acres Citizen, North Fort Myers Neighbor and Cape Coral Breeze, Priority Marketing connected with journalists in other markets hosting job fairs, resulting in additional media coverage:
The Washington Post (Washington, D.C.): ‘Second Chance’ job fair aims to help workers with gaps in their résumés
WNCT (North Carolina): Better Together: Second Chances Job Fair held in Winterville
WUSA (Washington, D.C.): Second Chances job fair comes to DC April 20
WITN (North Carolina): Eastern Carolina non-profit helping people get back to work
WTOP (Washington, D.C.): Day of Second Chances Job Fair comes to DC this week
Ocala-News (Ocala): Second Chance job fair heads to Marion County church
The Beaches Leader (Jacksonville): Better Together to host job fair for job seekers with barriers to employment
97.1 WASH-FM (Washington, D.C.): Nonprofit is bringing an amazing job fair to DC
Food and wine brand opens to rave reviews
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, a lifestyle brand centered around food and wine, opened in Fort Myers to overwhelmingly positive reviews. Priority Marketing helped coordinate a media day event prior to the grand opening, creating a buzz that remains strong a month after the grand opening of the winery, restaurant, artisan market and Napa-style tasting room concept.
Florida Weekly: Cooper’s Hawk opens in Fort Myers
WINK News: Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant opens in south Fort Myers
Sunny 106.3: Sneak Preview Of New Fort Myers Cooper’s Hawk
Gulfshore Business: Cooper’s Hawk opens in Fort Myers
The News-Press: New popular, upscale restaurant opening first Fort Myers location: What to know
ABC7: More Explores: Join Cooper’s Hawk Special Wine Club in Fort Myers
Cape Coral Breeze: Cooper’s Hawk to open April 3 in Fort Myers
Revitalization initiative gets another upgrade
The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers was awarded a total of $8 million in additional funding to support a major revitalization project within the Dunbar community. The Greater Dunbar Initiative, funded in part through a $30 million Choice Neighborhood Initiative grant from HUD, aims to overcome rising construction costs while improving housing options within the Southward Village public housing community in Fort Myers.
Business Observer: $300M Fort Myers revitalization project wins more federal funding
NBC2: Dunbar community to be revitalized with $5M grant
Southwest Florida Business Today: Housing Authority, City of Fort Myers receives total of $8 million in funding for Dunbar initiative
WGCU: Fort Myers, Housing Authority gets $8M for Dunbar initiative
Business Observer: Waiting list surges for city-developed apartments in Fort Myers
ABC7: Dunbar community to be revitalized with $5M grant
Gulfshore Business: HUD awards $5M grant to Fort Myers for Dunbar
Chocolatier talks sweets on hospitality podcast
Norman Love shares his culinary talents with chocolate-lovers every day, but fans of the podcast “Hospitality Mentor with Steve Turk” were treated to a one-hour conversation with the esteemed Fort Myers chocolatier that spanned confections, culinary arts, travel and business.
The Hospitality Mentor: Norman Love: Founder of Norman Love Confections
Building opportunities through housing
For many families in Southwest Florida, housing prices have made homeownership extremely difficult. However, it’s not impossible. Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties has been helping families achieve strength, stability and independence through shelter. A series of media stories helped demonstrate the importance of financial assistance as well as volunteerism in making homeownership a reality for families in Southwest Florida.
ABC7: Zonta Club members help build home for single mom
eBella: Habitat 2023 Good Friday Build Volunteers Group
Lehigh Acres Citizen: Community leaders volunteer at Habitat for Humanity home in Lehigh
Florida Weekly: Community leaders volunteer at Habitat for Humanity home
ABC7: Canterbury students helping Habitat for Humanity over spring break
News-Press: Habitat for Humanity Good Friday Build in Lehigh
Autism acceptance takes center stage
Family Initiative has a mission to support children with autism and strengthen their families. With April being Autism Awareness Month, Family Initiative emerged as a community, state and national leader to spotlight programs and people who are working tirelessly to make life better for children with autism spectrum disorder.
ABC7: Things to do: Annual Autism Acceptance Cornhole Tournament to benefit Family Initiative
Florida Weekly: With autism diagnoses on rise, community outreach, early intervention and acceptance is critical
The News-Press: As autism diagnoses rise, community outreach – and acceptance – is critical
Cape Coral Breeze: Family Initiative launches weekly programs to reach families with children on the autism spectrum
Racing to change lives
Partners in Care is a national nonprofit that provides financial assistance, cancer screenings, support groups for patients and educational programs. The organization hosted 13 races across seven states to help raise funds for cancer patients to pay for screenings and therapies that aren’t covered by insurance. Priority Marketing helped secure coverage in Southwest Florida and beyond.
KNDU-NBC (Washington): Building Blocks of the Future: Partners in Care 5k
WSPA-CBS (South Carolina): Charity run hosted for cancer patients held in Greenville and Asheville
Cape Coral Breeze: Cape Coral charity run raises $17,000 for colorectal cancer patients
Safe housing: A life-changing gift
Lee BIA Builders Care provides emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners. Each time the nonprofit and its partners gather to celebrate a project, it’s an emotional event. This time, though, Builders Care presented a third-generation Fort Myers native with keys to a brand-new, accessible home built on the same site as her home once stood.
WGCU: Fort Myers home built with ‘love’ exceeds owner’s expectations
Cape Coral Breeze: Builders Care, Christopher Alan Homes reveal no-cost home rebuild for Fort Myers homeowner
WINK: Community helps 20-year Fort Myers native repair home
ABC7: Fort Myers woman moves into home rebuilt at no cost to her
Community celebrates trio of inspirational leaders
The 15th Annual Grande Dames Tea raised a record $155,000 in support of programs for Pace Center for Girls, Lee. Three local women – Rose Govan, Sunny Lubner and Debbie Prather – were honored for their significant impact on the community and shared their remarkable stories of strength, courage and resilience. Event proceeds help Pace Lee provide girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy.
The News-Press: Grande Dames honored at annual tea; thousands raised for Pace Center for Girls
Gulfshore Business: Grande Dames Tea raises record $155,000 for Pace Center for Girls in Lee County
ABC7: Grande Dames Tea raises $155K for Pace Center for Girls
Cape Coral Breeze: Annual Grande Dames Tea raises record $155,000 to benefit Pace Center for Girls in Lee County
Baseball team opts to ‘mussel up’
Professional athletes are known for their strength, but the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels are bulking up to support charitable causes. The team established a charitable fund, Mussel Up for Southwest Florida, to support local nonprofits that are helping make the region a better place to live and raise a family. Fundraising events include custom jersey auctions, ticket specials, VIP suite sales and other avenues.
ABC7: Mussel Up for Southwest Florida gives back
Our Sports Central: Mighty Mussels create ‘Mussel Up for Southwest Florida’ charitable fund
Florida Weekly: Fort Myers Mighty Mussels create charity
Iconic Sanibel restaurant to rebuild
After a 1-2 blow in 2022, The Island Cow has firmed up plans to rebuild. Featuring Old Florida coastal-comfort food and travel-inspired recipes, the favorite among locals and tourists was heavily damaged during a fire last summer, then faced another setback as Hurricane Ian ravaged Sanibel. Stevens Construction is building a 5,754-square-foot restaurant that will feature Florida-style details such as a metal roof with a thatched roof entryway, outdoor tiki bar, indoor/outdoor bar and vibrant colors.
NBC2: Island Cow restaurant on Sanibel reveals rebuilding plans after devastating fire
Santiva Chronicle: Stevens Construction Awarded Rebuild of Island Cow Restaurant
Gulfshore Business: The Island Cow restaurant on Sanibel to be rebuilt
BONUS COVERAGE: Cheers to 30 years
Priority Marketing is focused on helping clients earn media coverage, but this month, the firm made headlines of its own. Dozens of local business executives, elected officials and nonprofit leaders joined President and Chief Creative Officer Teri Hansen at a 30th anniversary celebration.
Gulfshore Business: Priority Marketing celebrates 30 years of brand building
WINK News: Priority Marketing celebrates 30 years of brand building
Florida Weekly: Priority Marketing’s 30th anniversary celebration
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Do you need a Public Relations Team to help tell your story? Please give us a call today at 239-267-2638 or send an email to LetsTalk@PriorityMarketing.com.
