KVBPR client programs for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Global Cash Access (GCA) and First Tennessee were honored in the annual Silver Quill Awards presented by the Southern Region of IABC (International Association of Business Communicators).

The broadly termed Southern Region encompasses a territory from Phoenix and Colorado in the West to Tampa Bay and the Piedmont in North Carolina in the East.

The honors we receive would not be possible without the successful partnerships that we enjoy with our clients. Following is the list of awards and winning programs:

• Award of Excellence, Print Communication, Special Publication for “Global Cash Access Fight Challenge 2005 Party Invitation”

• Award of Merit, Communication Management, Strategic Communication Program for “First Tennessee Turns Up the Volume in Middle Tennessee”

• Award of Merit, External Communications Program, Media Relations for First Tennessee Media Relations

• Award of Merit, Online and Electronic Communications, Online Publication/Electronic Newsletter for eclips, Electronic Newsletter for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations (KVBPR) has signed a multi-year lease on office space in the landmark L&C Tower and is scheduled to relocate there in early December.

The firm has been located in the Maryland Farms office complex in Brentwood since 1999.

“Earlier this year, we began considering a number of options related to office location with the possibility of returning to downtown Nashville always high on our list. As the discussions continued, the downtown location continued to gain momentum,” said Greg Bailey, a partner in the firm. “When we looked at the space in the L&C Tower, we were convinced that it would meet our needs and serve us well for a number of years.

“This year is our 10th anniversary, so we are celebrating a landmark year by moving into a landmark downtown building,” said Bailey. “Our staff is eager to make this move and be a part of the energy and excitement of downtown Nashville.”

KVBPR Partner Aileen R. Katcher cited the revival of downtown Nashville as a principal reason for the firm’s move.

“We are impressed by the leadership of Mayor Bill Purcell and the Nashville Downtown Partnership to set a goal of making our downtown a compelling urban center with a national reputation,” said Katcher. “We believe this experience will be great for our business and our staff, and we intend to be active participants as advocates for downtown Nashville.”

Tom Turner, executive director of the Nashville Downtown Partnership, applauded the KVBPR relocation decision.

“We are seeing a trend of more creative-type businesses moving into the downtown area. Those companies, like KVBPR, are finding that space is competitive; there is a lot happening down here they want to be a part of and their creativity feeds off the energy level you feel just walking down the sidewalks,” Turner said. “We think it is great that a well-regarded firm is joining us to experience the new downtown Nashville and become a part of our efforts.”

Eric Davis has joined KVBPR as an account supervisor. Most recently, Davis served as co-manager of consumer public relations at Haberman & Associates Public Relations in Minneapolis, Minn. where he managed the consumer account for Volvo and earned national PR awards for his campaigns. Previously, he served as a senior account executive and a public relations manager with two companies in Minneapolis. Davis began his career as an account executive with McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations in Nashville.

Davis holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from Western Kentucky University.

Joining the firm as an account executive is Tonya Kimbrough. She served as an account executive with The Hauser Group of Savannah, Ga. While at The Hauser Group, Kimbrough assisted in the brand launch of Wild American Shrimp. She worked previously at the Savannah Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in convention sales.

Kimbrough holds a master’s degree in advertising and public relations/integrated marketing communications and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Alabama.

Kelly Sweeney joins KVBPR as an administrative assistant from the Nashville Predators, where she served as ticket sales coordinator and account executive. Previously, she was event coordinator for the Nashville Sounds Baseball Club and also worked in public affairs for the Boston Red Sox Baseball Club.

Sweeney holds a bachelor’s degree in American History from Framingham State College.