B2 CEO Missy Hurley, APR co-founded B2 Communications in 2011 because she believed there was a need in the market for strategic and impactful communications strategies that tied into organizational goals. It's a belief that's infused in B2 Communications's commitment to its clients and ethical, impactful PR.
Over the course of her career, Missy has built a reputation for innovation and results, building and executing communications programs that focus on achieving her clients’ goals. She leads B2 Communications today as a client-focused PR agency, meaning that the firm is focused on the most impactful and effective PR strategies based on each client's goals.
Industry Expertise
Missy has experience in a wide variety of industries. She works with growth-oriented companies, and often works with companies on positioning for acquisition, after successfully working with Omnivore, Peerfit and Synapse Innovation Summit. She understands what PE and VC firms want to see from their investments from working with organizations like Florida Funders, along with mezzanine financing firms, private equity firms and venture capital firms, and with portfolio companies. Her work also includes high-stakes communications for mergers, acquisitions and leadership transitions.
She has a specialty in communicating about complex topics. She frequently digs into nuanced industries and difficult-to-understand topics to produce plans and targeted communications for specific audiences. She's communicated about everything from PFAS in water to environmental stressors like extreme heat to dual-response models for EMS.
She has an interest in community redevelopment and economic development. Previously, she worked closely with the City of Tampa on Ybor City Development Corp. and Channel District CRA. In addition, she led communications for the architecture and design teams working on the new St. Petersburg Pier and the Pier Approach to involve residents in the design process.
Commentary & Bylines
- How to Deal with Biased Reporters, Ethical Voices podcast
- Missy Hurley takes on CEO role at B2 with big plans, Tampa Bay Business Journal
- How Psychological Safety Unlocks Your Team’s Potential, PRSA Strategies & Tactics
- Keurig Dr Pepper’s Message to PR Firms: We Don’t Value You, Leaders Say, PRsay
- Preparing for Recovery, Strategic Chat video series
- How to Write Shorter, More Powerful Content, PRSA Strategies & Tactics
- Missy Hurley, PR Benefits show
Presentations & Workshops
- Working (and living) in a “Post-Real” Media Landscape fireside chat on AI with Poynter's Tony Elkins, PRSA Counselors Academy 2024 section conference
- How Artificial Intelligence Impacts Public Relations co-presenter, PRSA Tampa Bay 2023 workshop
- Nail Your Next Interview, Key Women's Leadership Forum 2022 Summit
- Working Together – The Relationship Between Agency and Organization panelist, PRSA Tampa Bay 2022 Professional Development Day
- Marketing through Media - How to Earn Free Exposure panelist, Working Women of Tampa Bay 2019 Conference
- How to Write Shorter, More Powerful Content co-presenter, PRSA Sunshine District 2019 Conference
- Media Roundtable moderator, PRSA Tampa Bay
Personal & Professional Awards
- Tampa Bay Business & Wealth, Women Who Win Award (2024)
- Business Observer, 40 Under 40 (2021)
- University of Tampa Alumni Association, Alumni Achievement Award (2017)
- Tampa Bay Metro’s Inspiring Women in Business (2018 & 2020)
- Tampa Bay Business Journal, Up & Comers (2011)
- PRSA Tampa Bay, Excellence in Chapter Service (2008)
- PRSA Tampa Bay, Excellence in Community Relations Award (2007)
- PRSA Tampa Bay, President’s Award (2006, 2010)
Industry & Community Involvement
- Conference Chair, Public Relations Society of America Counselors Academy section (present)
- Conference Co-Chair, Public Relations Society of America Counselors Academy section (2023-2024)
- Executive Committee, Public Relations Society of America Counselors Academy section (2020-present)
- Member, Leadership St. Pete Alumni Association (Class of 2023)
- Member, American Heart Association Tampa Bay's Circle of Red (present)
- President, Public Relations Society of America Tampa Bay Chapter (2011, with prior committee and Board experience)
- Board member, American Institute of Architects (AIA) Tampa Bay (2013-2016)
- Member, University of Tampa’s Board of Counselors
- Volunteer roles with Tampa Bay History Center and Florida Suncoast Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
- Founding member of FemFessionals Tampa Bay and Gracepoint Ambassadors
Awards for Client Work
- Sunstar Paramedics’ “Stay Alert, Stay Alive” public safety campaign - American Ambulance Association’s AMBY Award (2015)
- Bubba Gump Shrimp Company - Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s Adrian Awards for
- Sunscreen Film FestivalHospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s Adrian Awards for
- Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council's Regional Resiliency Leadership Summit - PRSA Tampa Bay's PRestige Awards, Award of Commendation (2022)
- SPCA Tampa Bay's fee-waived adoption campaign
- Florida Public Relations Association Golden Image Awards, Judges’ Award and Award of Distinction (2017)
- PRSA Sunshine District Radiance Awards, Award of Commendation (2017)
- PRSA Tampa Bay PRestige Awards, Award of Excellence (2017)
- Ybor City Development Corp.'s “Summer of Fun” campaign
- PRSA Sunshine District Radiance Award, Award of Commendation (2016)
- FPRA Tampa Bay Image Awards, Award of Distinction (2016)
Education
An Ohio native, she graduated cum laude from the University of Tampa with a B.A. in communications. She holds Accreditation in Public Relations.