Merger enhances capabilities to tell Keesler’s story

Published Nov. 13, 2008
By Michael Plummer
Keesler Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- Ask anyone in the 81st Training Wing's Public Affairs Office the best part of the move from the Taylor Logistics Center to Wall Studio last year, and the most likely response would be "windows" -- not the computer kind, but the glass kind.

But the truth of the matter is the relocation of public affairs to Wall Studio is a bold move sanctioned by the Air Force chief of staff. The move brings together the multimedia experts at Wall Studio and the wing's public affairs professionals, a merger that combines their capabilities, giving both new windows on the world of strategic communication.

Although a full merger was delayed until the implementation of the A-76 contract announcement in July, once the PA office opened on the second floor of Wall Studio, the synergy of the two units became apparent almost immediately.

"We began by inviting multimedia personnel to our weekly staff meetings, so they could get an idea of what PA is all about," said Jerry Taranto, director of public affairs. "This allowed us to get know each other better and learn each other's capabilities and concerns."

The result of this move is most readily apparent to anyone who visits Keesler's public Web site, http://www.keesler.af.mil, where the number of online videos iniated and produced through collaboration between public affairs and multimedia is constantly growing. The graphic artists on staff also have a hand in the look of the Web site's imagery, which is a work in progress.

"This collaboration gives the customer the best of both worlds," said Mr. Taranto. "While PA still provides coverage for base and community events, we now consider how both public affairs and multimedia capabilities can enhance these activities."

"Our goal has always been to deliver world-class multimedia and visual information products and services," said Scott Corey, project manager for K-Mar Industries, the base's multimedia contractor. "This merger won't change that. If anything, it gives both PA and multimedia an opportunity to see what two great organizations can do as one."

With the addition of professional video capabilities to the public affairs arsenal, the team can cover what happens at Keesler and how it impacts the Air Force mission in a real and immediate way. Similarly, what Wall Studio brings in terms of photographic expertise allows public affairs to tell the story of how Keesler Airmen perform their jobs in a focused, mission-oriented manner.

"Our capabilities have increased exponentially with this merger," said Mr. Taranto. "We are in the business of telling Keesler and Air Force stories through pictures, words and video. This merger leverages combined talents to achieve our vision -- to be the No. 1 communications team in the Air Force."