While B2 Communications has won numerous awards for client-focused public relations initiatives under Missy Hurley MacFarlane’s leadership, her latest honor is a well-deserved recognition of personal achievement.
MacFarlane, a 2004 cum laude graduate of the University of Tampa with a bachelor’s degree in communications, is the latest recipient of her alma mater’s prestigious Alumni Achievement Award. The award honors outstanding alumni for achievements in their professional field and significant involvement in the community.
She received the award during the university’s Winter Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
Since MacFarlane founded B2 in 2010 with business partner Kyle Parks, the agency has grown steadily to become one of west-central Florida’s top PR agencies. In addition to her success with B2, MacFarlane is extremely active in the community.
“Missy is one of the most talented and successful public relations professionals in Florida, and this honor reflects that,” Parks said. “Her combination of professional excellence and caring about the community sets a tremendous example, and we are thrilled that she’s being recognized by the University of Tampa.”
[caption id="attachment_2883" align="alignright" width="424"] Missy Hurley MacFarlane with UT Alumni Association President April Jones. Photo courtesy of The University of Tampa.[/caption]
Accredited in public relations, MacFarlane has experience in a wide variety of industries, and has garnered excellent results for such organizations as Sunstar Paramedics, SPCA Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg Free Clinic, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, historic Ybor City, and the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, among others.
She has received a number of industry awards from the Public Relations Society of America and the Florida Public Relations Association, and in 2015, her efforts for Sunstar Paramedics’ “Stay Alert, Stay Alive” public safety campaign were recognized by the American Ambulance Association’s annual AMBY Awards.
In 2016, MacFarlane spearheaded the launch of The Tampa Bay 100, a publishing platform produced by B2 that covers people, events and ideas shaping the region through 100-word articles. In just over a year, the bi-weekly e-newsletter has a subscriber base of more than 22,000, with best-in-class open rates.
MacFarlane has served as president of the PRSA Tampa Bay Chapter, and she participates in the Counselors Academy section of PRSA on a national level. She’s an active member of the PRConsultants Group, an exclusive network of 50 senior-level public relations consultants that covers every major U.S. market.
In addition to her industry activities, she is active in the Circle of Red, a Tampa Bay women’s education initiative of the American Heart Association.
The University of Tampa Alumni Association has been presenting the Alumni Achievement Award at each university commencement since 1988.