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About / Staff
Overview | Staff
Thompson & Berry’s communications professionals are experts in their fields. Among them are proven media relations specialists, editors of newspapers, public affairs consultants to international companies, and experts in everything Memphis.
Our team has launched brands, managed crises, planned events, placed national and local stories, enhanced reputations, expanded awareness, written award-winning copy, smoothed waters, made critical introductions and helped set, refine and enhance strategic direction for our clients. Due to the breadth of their experience and the level of their expertise, Thompson & Berry's experienced team is capable of handling the most complex communications issues.
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Michael H. Thompson
Chairman
Michael, chairman of Thompson & Berry, also functions as chairman & CEO of Thompson & Company for all advertising clients. He has a master's degree in mass communications from the University of South Carolina, and more than 20 years of advertising agency experience.
He is a former president of the Mid-South Advertising Agency Association (comprised of agency owners); president of the Memphis Advertising Federation; and a trustee of Presbyterian Day School, Memphis College of Art and WKNO Public Television and Radio. He is also co-founder and former trustee of the Advertising Agency Management Association (AAMA), a national association of 110 advertising agencies.
Ralph Berry
President
Ralph's more than 25-year career has spanned every aspect of public and media relations and corporate communications in the hospitality, entertainment, technology and snack foods industries.
He has managed the strategic public relations and communications surrounding brand/identity launches, and product sales and acquisitions to the financial, consumer and trade media for such broadly diverse companies as The Promus Companies Incorporated (Hampton Inns, Embassy Suites, Holiday Inns and Harrah's), online printer Mimeo and snack food giant Frito-Lay.
His work in ongoing and issue-specific media relations has led to articles and placements in such publications and media outlets as Fortune Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Newsweek, Fortune Small Business, PC World, USA Today, Red Herring, Forbes, CNBC, MSNBC, Fox Business, CNNfn, as well as numerous web-based newsletters, trade media and local media outlets.
An active community volunteer, Ralph has served as trustee of WKNO Public Television and Radio, board of directors and marketing chair of Theatre Memphis, trustee's communications committee for St. Georges Day School, trustee's marketing committee for St. Georges High School and has worked with numerous other civic and charitable organizations.
Ralph holds a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from Butler University in Indianapolis and has worked as a reporter, editor and columnist.
Bob Phillips
Vice President/ Account Supervisor
Bob has nearly 40 years of newspaper and public relations experience. He was a reporter, sports columnist and executive sports editor at the Memphis Press Scimitar and executive sports editor and city editor of the Nashville Banner.
While working in the newspaper business, Bob spent three years covering the Memphis ABA (American Basketball Association).
Upon entering the field of public relations, Bob successfully generated nationwide publicity for clients including the American Contract Bridge League and BB King's Blues Club.
At Thompson & Berry, Bob has worked on accounts including Senate Hospitality, VP Buildings, InsideOut Sports, Methodist Hospitals, Thomas & Betts, The Sutherland Clinic, The Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts, Gill Properties, ACBL, the Memphis Redbirds, Wolfchase Galleria, and the Memphis Area Home Builders Association.
Bob also served as co-host on a popular radio sports call show on WMC-AM. He has served on the Memphis City Beautiful Commission and is a member of the Board of Directors of the West Tennessee Chapter of American Heart Association. Bob holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Memphis.
Long active in the Memphis Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, Bob was named the Mid-South organization's PR Professional of the Year in 2000. In 2005, the Memphis Advertising Federation honored him with a Pyramid Award for Mentor of the Year.
Amy Markham
Account Supervisor
With nearly ten years of experience at Thompson & Company, Amy brings an in-depth knowledge of integrated marketing and media relations to the public relations division. In 1997, she joined Thompson & Company's advertising division, but soon followed her true passion and began working in the public relations department.
Over the years, Amy has gained a wealth of public relations experience, handling clients such as the First Tennessee, Amy Howard Collection, Memphis Bioworks Foundation, American Furniture, Parisian Department Stores, City of Memphis Storm Water Program, Kraft Food Ingredients, Kohner Properties, Belz Enterprises, Armstrong Allen and Seabrook Wallcoverings.
Currently, she manages strategic communications planning, community outreach, media relations and special events planning for Memphis Bioworks Foundation and Senate Hospitality. She is an expert in home furnishings PR and plays a critical role in all agency project work.
Amy received her journalism degree from the University of Memphis with a concentration in public relations. She is also an active member in the Memphis Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. In 2006, Amy was awarded the Silver Quill Award for Professional of the Year fro the Memphis PRSA chapter.
Other organizations in which Amy is involved include the Memphis/Shelby County Humane Society, the Boys and Girls Club of Memphis, and WKNO, Memphis' public television station.
Katie Wassmer
Account Executive
Katie joined Thompson and Berry in January 2004 as an intern and has risen to account executive based on her excellent work and client service. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Memphis, Katie earned a bachelor of arts in journalism with an emphasis in public relations.
During her senior year of school, she worked on an award-winning research study for Wings Cancer Foundation in Memphis and served as the group leader for the resulting campaign. She has written several published articles and editorials about the Collierville Education Foundation, of which she is a board member. Also a member of Kappa Tau Alpha, Who's Who Among College Students the Golden Key Society, and the Public Relations Society of America, Katie was awarded both an Early Scholars scholarship and a journalism scholarship from the University of Memphis.
As an account executive with Thompson & Berry, Katie works with clients such as The Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts, Garden & Gun Magazine, Southern Women's Show, First Tennessee's Working Money campaign, Belz Enterprises, Gibson Guitar and Asentinel.
Katie serves on the Memphis Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America VOX Committee as a Student Liaison.
Abby More
Account Executive
Abby joined Thompson and Berry in November 2005. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Memphis, Abby earned a bachelor of arts in journalism with an emphasis in public relations. She also holds a master's degree in education with an emphasis in sport and leisure commerce.
Prior to working at Thompson & Berry, Abby worked for McNeely Pigott & Fox as an associate account executive. While at MP&F she worked with clients such as the U.S. Navy Fleet & Family Support Center, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Libertyland, and the Mid-South Fair. She also gained valuable experience in grassroots campaigns while working for Shaping America's Youth and RPM Consultants.
As an account executive with Thompson & Berry, Abby works with clients such as The Salvation Army, VP Buildings, Belz Enterprises, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, Memphis Fertility Associates and Gibson Guitar.
