Formation PR + Brand

04/14/2025

Sharpening Crisis Communication Skills

PR Associate Amy Holcombe recently attended a professional development workshop at Western Carolina University focused on crisis communication. The session brought together regional public information officers and communicators to explore strategies, share best practices and participate in hands-on mock press conferences.

The Formation team knows that in today’s fast-paced media landscape, a crisis can unfold at any moment. Our team provides strategic support to help clients respond confidently by quickly evaluating situations, crafting clear messaging and minimizing negative media attention. Whether preparing in advance or navigating a real-time issue, we bring calm, clarity and proven communication tools to every situation.

📸 Swipe to see moments from the workshop and Amy in action with other workshop participants as they prepare for a mock press briefing. She was joined by fellow communications professionals Wendy Smith, Director of Strategic Communications at Carolina Village; Madyson Hayes, Public Communication Specialist at Western Carolina University; and Ben Rickert, Director of Marketing and Communications at Blue Ridge Community College.

04/09/2025

We’re still talking about community colleges this month — and for good reason.

This time, it’s about Access to Achievement, a growing initiative helping students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) find pathways to independence, purpose and meaningful careers through North Carolina’s community colleges.

We were honored to support this important work by producing a video that captures the heart of the program by showcasing the successful partnership between Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, A-B Tech and Biltmore, a large regional employer in WNC. The video highlights the value and impact of employing individuals with IDD and the important roles they contribute to organizations.

With dedicated Access to Achievement coordinators now on 15 college campuses, the program is transforming how students with IDD are supported from classroom to career.

We extend a big thank you to the North Carolina Community Colleges for entrusting us to help tell this story. We believe in the power of access and in the transformative role community colleges play in every corner of our state.

Learn more about Access to Achievement at https://bit.ly/43w3oKt and read more in a recent article by Education NC at https://bit.ly/3XKC6wi.

This is "NCCCS - Access to Achievement" by Formation PR + Brand on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

04/04/2025

We love campaigns that create real change — and this one did just that.

We partnered with Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development to launch a bold awareness campaign for “Made in Henderson County,” aimed at reshaping how people view manufacturing careers in our region.

Spoiler alert: It's not your grandpa’s factory job anymore.

With sharp messaging, authentic visuals and a smart mix of ads across Meta, Google, YouTube and Spotify, we helped shine a light on the modern, high-tech opportunities available in local manufacturing.

✅ Nearly 900,000 impressions
✅ Over 11,000 clicks to job listings
✅ Big results, smart budget

Grateful to HCPED for letting us be part of this important work!

04/02/2025

We’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges. As proud partners to several institutions within the North Carolina Community Colleges, we work alongside them to amplify their impact of helping students, businesses and communities thrive.

This April, in honor of Community College Month, we make a special effort to celebrate the critical role these institutions play in shaping the future of education and economic growth. From workforce development to career exploration, community colleges are powering opportunity across North Carolina.

💡 A Smart Investment:

The North Carolina Community College System is the state’s frontline training ground for North Carolina’s essential workforce. The 58-college system provides the education and hands-on experience that prepare our firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs and nurses to serve and protect our communities every day.

In Fall 2024, more than 406,000 students were enrolled in the North Carolina Community College System, making it one of the most accessible higher education systems in the country.

The new BOOST (Better Opportunities with Outcomes, Skills, and Training) initiative is connecting more North Carolinians than ever before with short-term training and high-demand careers like advanced manufacturing, healthcare and IT.

📢 Share how a community college made a difference in your life and let’s celebrate these institutions that are fueling futures across the state.

Photo courtesy of McDowell Technical Community College.

03/25/2025

Building on our legacy of partnership, our dedicated higher education team developed the Blue Ridge Community College 2023-2024 annual report. This year’s report is more than a reflection of success — it’s a testament to the College community's resilience, adaptation and unwavering commitment to education, workforce development and economic recovery.

As we were finalizing this report in September 2024, changed everything. The storm disrupted lives, learning and communities, but it also reinforced why Blue Ridge Community College’s mission is more critical than ever. In the aftermath, we worked with the College to pivot the report’s focus, ensuring it reflected the new challenges the community faced while highlighting the value of a Blue Ridge education in preparing graduates to serve their communities in tangible, and at times, life-saving ways.

What’s Inside:
✔️ Key milestones in enrollment, financials and workforce training.
✔️ Inspiring stories of students overcoming adversity to achieve success.
✔️ How the Blue Ridge Educational Foundation stepped up to support students in crisis.
✔️ A look at how Blue Ridge is shaping Western North Carolina’s economic recovery.

“As Blue Ridge continues to provide a foundation for long-term recovery, we’ll also identify and fortify programs that will build resiliency throughout Western North Carolina and beyond,” wrote President Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood in the report’s introduction.

This year’s report tells a powerful story — one of innovation, strength and a vision for the future. We’re honored to have helped shape it.

Explore the full report at blueridge.edu/about.

03/20/2025

Shining a Light on Early-Onset Cancer

Part of our mission is to share impactful stories that inform, inspire, and support our community. Our associate, Amy Holcombe, had the privilege to contribute to the UNC Health Pardee 2024 Cancer Annual Report, focusing on the growing trend of early-onset cancer — a condition affecting individuals younger than many might expect.

"When I was asked to write an article for UNC Health Pardee's 2024 Cancer Annual Report, I started by researching the trend and interviewing members of the oncology team to understand its prevalence. What I found is that this impacts individuals who many of us previously thought to be unaffected by a cancer diagnosis. I hope this article sparks conversations, increases awareness and fosters hope for those facing this challenge."

We are honored to support UNC Health Pardee in highlighting the dedicated work being done to understand, treat and care for individuals affected by cancer.

Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/4hrsL3y

03/18/2025

Nothing brings a team together like a little friendly competition! We had a blast at Tarheel Lanes NC recently, enjoying an afternoon of bowling, laughter and some truly impressive (and not-so-impressive) shots. Huge thanks to the new owners for their hospitality and the fantastic improvements they’ve made.

Building a fun, connected workplace culture is just as important as the work we do, and we’re always up for a chance to celebrate our team on and off the clock.

03/17/2025

Success in communications, like luck, isn’t just about chance. It’s about strategy, creativity and timing. On this St. Patrick’s Day, we’re celebrating the power of smart planning, bold ideas and well-crafted messages that turn opportunities into gold.

🍀 Happy St. Patrick’s Day from all of us at Formation PR + Brand!🍀

03/14/2025

Join us in welcoming Brooke, our new Operations Coordinator! She’s here to keep things organized and running like clockwork. Whether it’s juggling logistics, fine-tuning details or helping us keep things on track, Brooke is the behind-the-scenes MVP we didn’t know we needed (but now can’t live without)!

03/12/2025

Congratulations to our client, Impact Health, on the official launch of Impact Primary Care Network (IPCN)!

IPCN is a physician-led, nonprofit network that’s transforming primary care in Western North Carolina by integrating clinical and social care. Through quality care management, data-driven insights and strong provider collaboration, IPCN is helping practices improve patient health, lower costs and enhance provider satisfaction.

We’re proud to have supported IPCN’s launch with PR, marketing, design and printed collateral, helping to bring this vision to life.

Join us in celebrating this milestone for healthcare in WNC! Learn more: impacthealth.org/ipcn