Alisha Kinman has been a member of FPRA since January of 2013, after beginning work at the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. She was looking for a way to connect more with local PR professionals. Alisha is currently the Cinema Director and Director of Development at the Hippodrome Theatre in downtown Gainesville.
Alisha’s job requires her to use both public relations and social media for different purposes in each department. For the cinema she oversees the production of all internal and external marketing tools including the dissemination of weekly show times, the branding of cinema campaigns, and the creation of website content. She also produces all of the cinema press releases and develops daily content for social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter. One of her biggest responsibilities is to oversee the creation and implementation of marketing strategies to increase audience development and brand awareness. As the Director of Development Alisha works with the Managing Director and Artistic Director to execute annual fundraising activities, year-end giving, and fundraising campaigns. This year she even earned an Image Award for her work on the campaign Keep Gainesville Hipp.
“What I enjoy most about FPRA is having the opportunity to meet such interesting people and to trade ideas on the PR industry,” Kinman said. “It’s an excellent chance to grow your knowledge about the field and meet other individuals in town with similar interests.” Alisha appreciates that PR spans across every industry. “I really value the importance of brand identity, and I want to be a part of helping enhance a company’s image,” she said. “PR is also a great opportunity for me to apply my skills in writing, public speaking, design and critical thinking.”
Alisha’s favorite thing about Gainesville is the selection of locally owned bistros, cupcake shops and coffee shops. FPRA members might not know that she worked at the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II in New York City. She is also obsessed with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and has one at home, named Luna. Alisha likes to spend her spare time with family and friends and loves to travel.
In May of 2012, Alisha earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations with a minor in Communications Studies from the University of Florida. Although she was born in Miami, she was raised in Gainesville and calls it home.