Education Is Our Specialty

If you are an educator or someone who cares about education, First Class Communication will help you communicate the right messages to the right people. School, family and community partnerships are vital to learning. First Class Communication has the expertise to develop and optimize those relationships for lasting solutions.

The Personal Touch

Photo of kids playing tug of war Our hearts are in education. We work closely and enthusiastically with our clients, because our goals are the same as yours!

Communication is a collaborative effort. That’s why we formed First Class Communication as a team. And it’s why we partner with you to identify your communication needs and create tailored, effective communication solutions. Read more.

First-Class Results

First Class Communication Our commitment to education is matched by our commitment to providing exceptional, First-Class results.

At First Class Communication, LLC, we want to help educators and those working with educators promote the right message to the right people. Read more.

Expertise

Photo of Julie and Dauphne Julie Johnson Holt and Dauphne Trenholm co-founded First Class Communication, LLC, after years of working together in the communication and education fields.

Between us, we have expertise in pubic relations, reporting, writing, Web design, social media, research and event planning. Plus, we are committed to efforts to improve education. Read more.

Who We Are

Our Commitment to Education

Today's educators have great stories to tell. They also have great challenges.

Educators need all stakeholders in their communities to partner with them in productive, meaningful ways to meet the needs of students. This involves understanding the complicated challenges facing schools and universities, from ever-changing national policy to local funding needs.

Good communication can help by using influence to build trustworthy reputations and by expressing shared values through conversation and building community.

Why We Do What We Do

In 2011, Julie Johnson Holt and Dauphne Trenholm took a deep breath and made the leap to start First Class Communication.

Why? Because we believe well-planned, well-executed communication plays an integral role in education. So do meaningful, intentional partnerships between educational entities and their communities.

Julie & Dauphne

Julie Johnson Holt

How did you become a communicator?: My love of reading and writing led to my first job at the Arkansas Gazette, and then to a public relations job at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. I’ve been a communicator ever since, and I’ve loved every minute of it.
What makes you so passionate about education?: My parents were public school teachers, and for a long time, I thought I would be too. Also, as a history major, I was impressed that our founding fathers knew public education was integral to the success of our new country. I believe it’s even more integral to our survival as a nation now.
How’s this business ownership thing going for you?: Absolutely love it. We work with wonderful clients. And, we define our mission and values, to be the company I always wanted to work for.
When you’re not working, what are you up to?: Spending time with family and friends, of course. Also, I took up tennis as an adult, and love playing on Sundays with a fun group of people.

Dauphne A. Trenholm

Why do you like working in communication?: I like to change things up — being in communication allows me to work with a variety of great people on different projects. That keeps things interesting!
What makes you so passionate about education?: Getting an education has always been emphasized in my family. As a public school graduate myself, I believe that a quality public education benefits our local communities and our country by providing the means for progress and successful development.
What’s the best thing about owning your own business?: No more rush hour commute across the river! I also love being able to choose those with whom I work, and I enjoy the new opportunities.
When you have spare time, what do you do with it?: I’m a voracious reader, and an enthusiastic (if not always successful) organic gardener.

What We Do

Communication for Education

At First Class Communication, LLC, we want to help educators and those working with educators promote the right message to the right people.

Strategic planning: You need a plan, or you’ll spin your wheels, stall or slide backward. We'll develop a great plan for communication, branding, reputation, millage campaigns, crisis communication, partnerships.
Taglines: Your tagline: It says it all. No more, no less. It sticks with you. It identifies you. If it does what it’s supposed to, it completely brands you.
Writing/editing/proofreading: Words: String them together, make them sing. That’s what we do.
Media training, media relations: There is such a thing as bad press. You don’t want it. We know what it takes to get the best placement for your news, your story.
Events and news conferences: Every detail matters. Whether it’s a party or a press conference, an event demands down-to-the-minute planning to succeed. We perfect every detail ... because every detail matters.
Online community: Social media, blogs and e-newsletters: an online community is a must-have for organizations. Why? To keep in touch, build relationships, instill trust and remind folks that you’re there.
Websites: A website that works relays your important info. A website that wows creates a sense of who you are, and inspires others to act, converse. We create websites that work and wow.
QR codes: Information: We want it now. QR codes are all about finding info quickly, and sharing it creatively. We make custom QR codes and attention-grabbing landing pages.
Presentations: Sparkle. Grab. Relate. Inform. Inspire. That’s what you want your presentation to do. We'll make it happen.
Event and publication photography: A good photo tells it all. It gets to the very essence of what’s happening — in publications, on websites, on Facebook and Instagram.

How We Work

Working with Our Clients

Photo of two children communicating Communication is best done as a collaborative effort. That’s why we formed First Class Communication as a team, and it’s why we work closely with our clients in identifying their needs and creating effective solutions.

Our process is simple

Getting to know you: The real you.
Understanding your needs: What’s not clicking, what’s missing.
Putting your strategy together: To tell your story ... to make you shine ... to accomplish your goals.
Making sure it works for you: Monitor, monitor, monitor. Adjust if needed.

Julie and Dauphne partner on every project. When we need extra help or special expertise, we turn to our pool of talented free-lancers to provide design, writing, public relations, photography or videography. In short, we have the resources to meet all of your needs.

Our Clients

These Businesses Called First Class Communication

Whatever your communication need, we'll help you define your message, plan and implement your strategy, and ensure that you reach your target audiences.

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