Steve Kelso - Public Relations Consulting

Public Relations

Kelso Communications ability to leverage your story and identify potential threats means your ability to build relationships, and brand awareness grows even during times of crisis.

Communications

Every situation presents its own challenges and opportunities. Steve works with you directly to understand your operations and needs as soon as possible. Get ahead of it.

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Strategic Expertise

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Public Relations Savvy

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Extensive Media Experience

Helping You Achieve Your Brand Goals

Kelso Communications LLC

Welcome to our boutique public relations and communications consulting firm. Our mission is to amplify your story to the audiences that matter most. As your trusted partners, we collaborate closely to devise cohesive strategies across digital and traditional platforms. With a keen focus on crafting tailored messages that resonate and strengthen your brand identity, we’re dedicated to driving your business objectives forward.

What Kelso Communications Does

Whatever the goals of your organization, we bring strategic expertise, public relations savvy, and extensive media experience to the table, ensuring impactful results. Our specialized services cater to organizations with significant messages but limited budgets, providing personalized attention and high value at a manageable scale.

Crisis Communications...

Is the media breathing down your neck? I will jump in front of the train for you. Once the train has passed, we will work together to ensure that you never tie yourself to the tracks again.

Media Relations...

Get your story noticed through well-crafted news releases and news events planning. Kelso Communications knows the pressures faced by today’s newsrooms. We will work together to advance your business goals by building relationships and accommodating media needs respectfully and ethically.

Media Training...

Would you rather have a root canal than be interviewed by a reporter? At the conclusion of our training, you will know how to confidently and comfortably deliver the right message, even when the wrong question is asked. Training curriculums are available for individuals or groups.

Internal Communications...

Your employees are your most important stakeholders. Kelso Communications can help set the tone and tenor by arming your staff with the information, language, and skills that allow you to leverage your most effective brand ambassadors.

Community Management and Engagement...

Fostering and building relationships with your community stakeholders represents an often-untapped ROI. Working collaboratively, we can identify who they are and strategize efforts to effectively communicate with them where they are.

Podcasting...

Podcasting is the fastest growing medium in the history of the planet. Whether your audience is internal or external we can help you merge this innovative technology into enhanced experiences for individual listeners on a value driven scale. Kelso Communications can establish, build, produce, traffic, and host your podcast so that you can proudly say, “Our podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts.”

Video Messaging...

From simple shorts for social media to full scale professional video production, take advantage of our decades of video expertise. Steve Kelso’s work as a videographer and producer has won multiple awards including EMMY nominations for work in broadcast television. Let Steve help you understand how to use the medium for maximum impact.

Other Services...

Speech Writing, Social Media Strategy, Marketing Strategy, Ad Placement and more. Let me know if you are looking for specific services that you do not see listed.

About Steve

Steve Kelso is a seasoned communications professional in Grand Rapids, Michigan who held a variety of management positions in TV newsrooms for 30 years.
His work has won numerous awards including Emmy nominations as a photojournalist, producer, and reporter.
In 2015 Steve joined the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) as Marketing and Communications Manager. Steve led the department’s communication efforts through the COVID-19 pandemic through innovative and creative approaches. Kelso envisioned, designed, and built Studio Kent and produced over 550 videos for social media and broadcast news partners that have been seen by tens of millions of people globally.
In launching Kelso Communications, Steve remains dedicated to delivering timely, accurate, and appropriate messaging that advances the missions of carefully curated clients while serving audiences in an honest and genuine manner.

Testimonials

“Steve’s ability to adapt to disruptions is unmatched. He’s navigated brand, crisis and government communications including leading the Kent County Health Department communications during the pandemic. I’ve seen Steve bring innovative approaches to communication in a broad range of ways over the years. His superpower is reaching a wide variety of audiences with authenticity and empathy. His curiosity and compelling style are evident in his dedication and passion for people and his work. There is no better storyteller than Steve Kelso. He’s a valuable partner for anyone’s team.”

Rebecca Charbauski, Steelcase Brand Communications Director
Former WOOD-TV News Director

“In the 20 years that I have known Steve, he has always been the consummate professional. You can trust Steve to truthfully get your messaging out and always have your best interests in mind His easy-going demeanor will put you at ease and his quick wit will always leave you with a smile.”

Captain Mike Maycroft, Grand Rapids Police Department

“I recall during COVID, seeing the stories he was successfully pitching to media outlets around the region, and being very impressed from a communications standpoint. It was a combination of Steve’s strong journalism experience and technical prowess on display at a critical time for our community that made this so successful. Steve is a very connected member of the West Michigan community and has instant credibility with news media outlets.”

Roger Morganstern, Senior Public Information Director, Consumers Energy (Retired)

“I have known Steve Kelso for at least twenty years as a journalism colleague and lately as a media contact at the Kent County Health Department. Steve is regarded as a solid, trustworthy source by all of us in the news media. His background has given him a deep understanding of public communication and his unfailing steadiness in times of crisis have made him an admired figure among local public communicators. He would lift the credibility of any organization he represents.”

Henry Erb, Target 8 Investigative Reporter, WOOD TV 8

“I have had the pleasure of working alongside Steve Kelso for a number of years here in Kent County. He has been an extraordinarily creative teammate who helped us redefine what public communications could look like, especially in the midst of unprecedented challenges. As the Health Department’s communications manager, Steve changed the posture of the organization from passive and dependent upon the traditional media’s priorities to an aggressive posture where we could become the media. This ability empowered the Health Department to speak directly to the community during crises. It also placed us in a powerful position to serve the people of west Michigan with the basic information they needed to better protect themselves and their families. The improvements to the county’s communications infrastructure have been astounding and could not have happened without Steve’s leadership and expertise. All of this placed the county in a strong position to address COVID-19 pandemic. The public’s fear and their need for information was never greater. Steve has a gift for understanding the concerns and questions of the community. His work to serve the public was nothing short of incredible.”

Dr. Adam London,Director, Kent County Health Department

Contact Steve Today:

Call or Text: (616) 291-0477