meet
Tony Harrison

Tony Harrison is a seasoned public relations counselor and copywriter. His extensive experience spans across diverse sectors with a strong focus on technology, tourism, and outdoor recreation.

 

In his initial years in the public relations domain, Tony worked for esteemed agencies in major metropolitan hubs including New York City, Phoenix, and for than three decades, Boise. He has served noteworthy clients such as Anheuser-Busch, Catholic Health Initiatives, First Interstate Bank, Genentech, HP, Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare, Idaho Commission for Libraries, J.R. Simplot Company, Micron Electronics, The NutraSweet Company, Ore-Ida Foods, RedBuilt (and predecessors Trus Joist Corp. and Trus Joist MacMillan), St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, the regional public transportation authorities for Phoenix and Idaho’s Treasure Valley, and his alma mater, University of Idaho.

 

Tony opened his own PR practice, COMMposition, in January 2007. His current roster of clients includes Ski Idaho (aka, the Idaho Ski Areas Association), Idaho STEM Action Center, Idaho Sled Dog Challenge, Visit Southern Idaho, McCall Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, Soldier Mountain, St. Luke’s Health System, BrandCraft, and most recently AirFlare.

 

Tony continues to strive towards personal growth by participating in webinars, conferences, and industry organizations to keep up to date on the PR and tourism world's ever-changing advancements. He actively participates in USPR (United Strategies Public Relations) where he serves as the Idaho (and Montana) member of this collaborative of senior-level practitioners and boutique agencies in major media markets throughout the U.S. and internationally. Through Ski Idaho, Tony is also a member in the Outdoor Writers Association of America and the North American Snowsports Journalism Association.

 

He and his wife, Taunia Kerner (an occupational therapist at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Nampa), reside in Southwest Idaho beside Lake Lowell and the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. They raised four kids – three adopted and one biological surprise — and have one grandchild. Tony is a fifth-generation Idahoan who graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s in communication with an emphasis in public relations and advertising and a minor in graphic design. Tony is a lifelong skier who grew up learning with wood skis, cable bindings, and leather boots. He enjoys exploring the rich outdoor-recreation and culinary scenes in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains. Tony is a reliable, hard worker and has made a positive impact in many lives.

 

Tony’s work has received numerous accolades, chief among them two Public Relations Society of America Bronze Anvils — the highest award PR tools like press kits, speeches, and brochures can earn — for a traditional press kit and an interactive CD-ROM-based press kit. In addition, a month-long clean-air campaign he helped conceive and execute called “May in Motion” earned top honors in the American Public Transportation Association’s 2004 AdWheel competition. His work also has garnered two Gold Rockies from the Idaho Advertising Federation — one for a press kit and another for a sales promotion kit — and he was named Outstanding Professional Advisor from Public Relations Student Society of America’s Midwest District.