Nashville Public Radio
Creative Direction
Bringing public radio stories to life on stage
Nashville Public Radio wanted to transform its journalism into live, immersive experiences that built community, deepened listener loyalty, and expanded audience reach. As the WPLN’s first event creative strategist, WOCC co-conspirator Nicole Kemp designed and managed the entire event arc—from concept to execution to reflection—using mission-driven design, thoughtful audience engagement, and strategic partnerships to translate local journalism into unforgettable, sold-out experiences.
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At Nashville Public Radio, Nicole led the creative strategy for flagship events, designing and managing the full event arc from strategy and conception to execution and post-event reflection. Nicole ensured that every decision upheld the organization’s mission, vision, and articulated priorities, while managing costs and coordinating collaborative efforts with vendors, talent, and partners. Serving as the sole person responsible for attendee experience, she developed environmental design, signage, promotional collateral, and event branding that brought each story to life. Nicole also broadened both existing and potential target audiences by crafting inclusive, compelling campaigns that bridged on-air storytelling with in-person engagement.
Across major projects, including A Celebration of Making Noise, GOSPEL, and The Kids of Rutherford County, Nicole integrated creative direction, sponsorship cultivation, and audience-focused design to deliver experiences that were visually cohesive, emotionally resonant, and strategically aligned.
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A Celebration of Making Noise: Sold 157 tickets—exceeding Sunday attendance norms—while securing sponsorship from Red Bull, a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission, and a no-cost venue through board connections.
GOSPEL: Partnered with NPT and NMAAM to host a sold-out panel and watch party (196 attendees) celebrating PBS’s GOSPEL series through music and conversation.
The Kids of Rutherford County: Produced a sold-out Belcourt Theater event featuring ProPublica journalists, raising awareness and funds for investigative reporting.
Collectively, these events elevated Nashville Public Radio’s public profile, expanded its audience base, cultivated new donor relationships, and proved the station’s ability to translate its journalism into vibrant, in-person community experiences.
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Nashville Public Radio producers, PBS/NPT, NMAAM, ProPublica, Analoh and other venue partners, local artists and musicians, sponsors, and grantmakers.
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Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop
Canva
Procreate
WordPress
Custom lettering inspired by the LoveNoise logo, hand drawn in Procreate and merged with LoveNoise logo elements in Illustrator.
Print collateral for the Making Noise event, developed in Adobe InDesign (linked to event recap)
Promotional graphic for the panel and watch party, designed in Photoshop using assets provided by PBS.
Gospel event program, designed in Adobe InDesign to complement the PBS series branding and venue experience. (linked to event recap)
Promotional graphic designed in Adobe Illustrator for use across social media platforms.
Meribah Knight and Madeliene Baran on stage at The Belcourt Theater