FPRA Gainesville Chapter welcomed Duke Energy Communications Manager Heather Danenhower, APR, CPRC, who shared her Grand Golden Image Award-winning video entry on Andy Hines, a WWII veteran, prisoner of war in Nazi Germany and one of the most beloved leaders in Duke Energy’s history.
Heather discussed her history with state and local Image Award competitions, noting more than 30 wins, and even four disqualifications over the past 11 years. But the one that took the cake was the Grand Golden Image Award Duke Energy won in 2016. Although Heather has experienced the full gamut of wins and losses, she advised the group that the judging process is subjective, and encouraged FPRA members to enter, even just for the learning process. “The Image process hones better PR skills, drives results for your company and provides value,” Heather said.
Duke Energy’s winning video was developed as a tool to improve employee engagement and to leverage employees as company ambassadors. That it did, and then some! Formal primary research indicated that 55 percent of Duke Energy employees felt proud to tell people where they worked, and 47 percent agreed the “leadership team is visible to me.” Guided by this research, along with informal intercept interviews with employees, Duke Energy decided to tell the story of their Hines Energy Complex near Bartow, Fla., named after Andy Hines, president and CEO of the company from 1973 to 1990. Hines signature leadership traits were getting to know the workers “closest to the job” and valuing relationships.
After viewing this video, outcome data revealed that 70 percent of respondents agreed the video made them proud to work for Duke Energy and 70 percent said they would adopt one or more of Hines’ leadership attributes. There’s really no question why Hines is the most beloved and revered leader in the company’s 115-year history.
