More than 200 public relations professionals belong to PRSA Nashville, representing a wide variety of roles in various industries. As an organization rooted in advocacy, professional excellence, educational opportunities and leadership, we celebrate the diverse and meaningful makeup of our chapter.
For May’s Member Spotlight, we are excited to learn a little bit more about Amy Gray, APR.
How long have you been a PRSA member?
I’ve been a member of PRSA for more than 25 years. It’s been a meaningful part of my professional journey and a great way to stay connected to the communications industry over the years.
What do you value about your PRSA membership?
The relationships and professional development opportunities have been incredibly valuable throughout my career. I’ve always appreciated how willing PRSA members are to share ideas, experiences and support. It’s a great network of communications professionals from all different backgrounds, and I think the organization does an important job reinforcing the value of ethics, strategic thinking and continued learning in our profession.Â
What is your current role and what does your day-to-day look like?
I founded Gray Public Relations in 2005, a boutique public relations and marketing agency based in Franklin. One of the things I enjoy most about agency life is that no two days are ever the same. My work includes everything from media relations and crisis communications to strategic planning, content development and client counsel. I work with clients across a variety of industries, from real estate developments and nonprofits to public service and military-focused campaigns, so there’s always something new and meaningful happening. One day it might be helping manage a fundraiser featuring Jelly Roll, and the next it’s coordinating communications related to an incident on a client’s property.
Reflecting on your career, have you benefitted from a mentor, or have you had the opportunity to mentor someone in PR/comms? What did you gain from that relationship?
Absolutely. I’ve been fortunate to learn from several mentors throughout my career who helped shape my approach to leadership, client service and professional ethics. Their guidance gave me confidence early on and reinforced the importance of listening, building strong relationships and always continuing to learn. From first getting started in California to working alongside veteran communications professionals here in Tennessee, there’s rarely a week that goes by that I don’t hear one of their voices in my head sharing advice or perspective.
I’ve also really enjoyed mentoring younger professionals and interns over the years. Watching someone grow in confidence, develop their own voice and succeed in their career is incredibly rewarding.
Do you have a specific interest area in public relations/communications you feel professionally passionate about?
I’m especially passionate about integrated marketing communications. Long before the PESO model was introduced by Gini Dietrich, I had the opportunity while working at an agency in California to help develop and execute large statewide campaigns that were fully integrated across paid and earned media, marketing, community outreach and public engagement efforts. That experience really shaped how I approach communications strategy today and reinforced the value of collaboration instead of working in silos.
I also enjoy crisis communications and issues management because those moments require thoughtful counsel, steady leadership and clear messaging. Helping clients navigate challenging situations while protecting trust and credibility is incredibly rewarding work.
And finally, just for fun, what’s your favorite Nashville spot to share with out-of-town visitors?
It really depends on who is visiting, but if I had to narrow it down, I’d say seeing a show at Ryman Auditorium is always at the top of the list. I also love taking visitors to downtown Franklin and Cheekwood. Each spot highlights a different side of what makes Middle Tennessee so special, from music and history to charm and beautiful scenery.