RailAmerica
Comprehensive public relations
As a leading owner and operator of 45 short line railroads in North America, RailAmerica is integral to business supply chains and the economic vitality of communities in 28 states and three Canadian provinces. The company employs approximately 1,900 people throughout North America. Since 2008, Burdette Ketchum's public relations team has helped RailAmerica communicate with these diverse communities, during good times and bad, with the national logistics and transportation industry.
Serving as front-line media contacts, Burdette Ketchum's public relations team receives media inquiries from community newspapers to local broadcast affiliates to railroad trade magazines. The team is on-call 24/7 for crisis management support through its dedicated media hotline, and handles incidents including derailments, track abandonment, trespassing resulting in injury or death, and unforeseen track closures. Burdette Ketchum also proactively pursues media coverage to further the company's industry profile and to support its government and business relations.
In addition to media relations, Burdette Ketchum edits and produces RailAmerica's quarterly employee newsletter, and created the company’s 2009-2011 annual reports.
Through immersion into the railroad industry, strategic planning and message development, rational and quick thinking, and media responsiveness, Burdette Ketchum is accelerating the growth of RailAmerica's positive reputation. Burdette Ketchum's public relations team is RailAmerica’s public relations department.