"Reporter's Got Chutzpah" is the headline the Dallas Business Journal used when they featured the innovative work Rikki Ragland was doing as the technology news anchor (“Online With Rikki Ragland”) at the NBC affiliate in Dallas, and for the chutzpah that landed her a job working in Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s office on The Hill in Washington, DC. Rikki has spent most of her career as a visual storyteller and content creator. She hosted her call-in radio show, "The Lifestyle Cafe" on WTAL radio. Local Profile Magazine featured her during the pandemic as a successful business leader in the Plano, Texas, community.
She is founder and president of Rikki Ragland Media Group, a boutique media and public relations consulting firm. It offers multi-service digital marketing and content creation, with an emphasis on
- Messaging
- Spokesperson Training
- Reputation Management
- Earned Media Placements
- Strategic Marketing and Communications
Rikki received a certificate in Strategic Management from the Wharton School Online, and is also certified in American Red Cross disaster training and Hospital Incident Command System emergency management response. She also earned her AWS certification: Accreditation (Business).
She is a breast cancer survivor (diagnosed at 35-years-old) and has hosted several fundraising videos for breast cancer prevention and survivorship. She has dedicated much of her consulting expertise to healthcare clients, working with physicians, medical groups, and wellness centers to expand their brands through earned media coverage. Rikki has a unique perspective and approach to strategic media relations, utilizing her combined experience as a long-time journalist and company spokesperson. Her on-air work in large media markets include Baltimore, MD; Dallas, Texas; Chicago, IL; and an on-air national freelance opportunity with The Weather Channel. She served as a spokesperson for Sprit Halloween, The American Red Cross, The Florida Department of Health, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and Phi Mu Fraternity Foundation.
Rikki, her mother, and sister are debutantes, which inspired her to launch her blog and content creation company, the preppy debutante. She utilized the company name to collaborate with brands and create user generated content (UGC) to promote Ritz-Carlton St.Thomas, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Gleneagles Country Club, ClubCorp, Junior League, Happy Everything, and Amazon.
Rikki also pursued modeling and acting, signing exclusively with FORD Models. She appeared in numerous ads, including McDonald’s, Apartments.com and Volkswagen. She also appeared in television commercials and continues to do voice-over work.
A hockey mom and Maryland native, Rikki was born at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Her childhood home is an historic sorority house, built in the 1800s at a former Girls' Finishing School.
Rikki has been recognized in
- Who’s Who in Healthcare
- Outstanding Young Women in Business
- ΦΜ Fraternity 2020 History Maker
- Glamour Magazine & Cover Girl’s Outstanding Women finalist
- Towson University’s Outstanding Woman of the Year
- Towson University’s Most Promising Mass Communications Student
- Debutante Award for Outstanding Leadership and Community Service