For 30 years, businesses, individuals and organizations of all kinds have turned to Tucker/Hall to help them grow their businesses, manage crisis situations, or advance an agenda. With deep Florida roots, Tucker/Hall delivers the high-level communication support that businesses and organizations need to thrive. Our experienced team has built a community of connections and local relationships all over the state of Florida, developing a profound understanding of the state and its regional complexities. We leverage that to craft unique PR solutions, taking into account relevant history, politics, and economic dynamics.
Polk County occupies a unique place in Florida’s history and economy, from its roots in citrus and phosphate to its modern focus on higher education, sports, and technology. Few areas in Florida are more politically influential, as analysts nationwide understand Polk as the key to the all-important I-4 Corridor. As Polk continues to grow and develop, Tucker/Hall will be there to provide innovative and reliable communication solutions that match its unique character.
Keith Rupp leads Tucker/Hall’s Polk practice. Well-versed on all aspects of public relations, Rupp’s work has often been in helping organizations address difficult public opinion challenges that pose significant bottom-line risks. His clients have included international and domestic businesses, as well as public sector organizations.
Immediately prior to rejoining Tucker/Hall in 2013, Rupp was on a two-and-a-half year assignment to lead BP’s external relations in Florida following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Rupp was general manager of the energy company’s government, media and community relations teams and oversaw a $50 million program to restore consumer confidence in Gulf Coast tourism and seafood.
Rupp’s insights on public affairs strategies were developed over a dozen years as a senior level aide on Capitol Hill. He served three members of the U.S. Congress, including six years as a chief of staff to a subcommittee chairman, and four years as a senior adviser to a member of House Leadership.
Beginning his career as a journalist, Rupp was an award-winning editorial page editor in Virginia and later a television news producer in Tampa Bay. He continues to occasionally contribute columns to US News & World Report on public affairs and reputation management issues.
Rupp earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He and his wife Rebecca live in Bartow. Contact him at [email protected] or at 813.228.0652 x1108
Tom Hall, chairman of Tucker/Hall, works with clients as a marketing and communications strategist for corporations and nonprofits.
Born and raised in Lakeland, Hall attended Lake Forest College and holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College in Lakeland. He is founding chairman of the Advertising Advisory Council of the School of Journalism at the University of Florida. He belonged to the Executive Committee, a business education group in the Tampa Bay area, and is a former member of the Business Advisory Council of the University of Tampa College of Business. In 1999, Hall was appointed to the Florida Film Advisory Commission by Senate President Toni Jennings. Hall is former chairman of the Tampa Downtown Partnership, past co-chairman of the Fellows Forum of the University of Tampa, and current co-chair of the Florida Aquarium Foundation.
Hall headed Ensslin & Hall Advertising and Public Relations, which became one of Florida’s largest advertising agencies and received more than 500 awards for creative excellence. In 1989, Hall sold the agency to the Earle Palmer Brown Companies.
In marketing circles, Hall is well known as the founder of the successful Creative Seminar programs, which are now owned by ADWEEK magazine,
Tom is the co-author of Ruthless Focus, a book about business strategy and organizational design based upon his decades of experience as an entrepreneur and business leader. You can obtain a copy of his book at ruthlessfocus.com.
Darren Richards is Chief Operating Officer at Tucker/Hall, joining the firm in 2009 after a 23-year career as a news executive at some of the strongest TV stations in the country.
During his time at Tucker/Hall, Richards has worked on a variety of different clients – from those with marketing and branding needs, to those in crisis communications situations. He is accredited in crisis communications by the Institute for Crisis Management in Louisville, KY.
From 1998-2005, Richards was news director at WFMY-TV in Greensboro, North Carolina – one of the most successful CBS affiliates in the country. During his media career, Richards also worked at TV stations in Phoenix, AZ; Denver, CO; Jacksonville and Fort Myers, FL and in his home state of Kansas. During each of these assignments, Richards created and launched innovative news products (including websites, mobile products and other digital assets) that brought in bigger audiences and had a positive effect on ratings.
Before joining Tucker/Hall, Richards was news director at WTSP-TV, the CBS affiliate in Florida’s largest television market. Under Richards’ leadership from 2005 – 2009, WTSP went through a dramatic and forward-looking branding process, positioning the operation as a leader not only on TV, but also on a variety of digital platforms such as online and mobile. In addition, Richards helped WTSP grow ratings in all TV newscasts.
Throughout his career, Richards has been recognized with multiple Emmys, Edward R. Murrows, Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalist awards. In Tampa Bay, the WTSP-TV newsroom was consistently the most honored newsroom in Florida during Richards’ leadership.
Since joining Tucker/Hall, Richards has gone through the Leadership Tampa program through the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and has attended various professional conferences – including the North American meetings for PROI network, a partnership of the world’s independent public relations agencies.