Latest news with #JonathanHayes
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
City Manager Jonathan Hayes named Home Rule Hero
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Panama City's City Manager, Jonathan Hayes, has received a statewide honor for his work in Tallahassee. Florida's League of Cities has given him the Home Rule Hero Award. The Home Rule Hero Award goes to someone who effectively advocates for their city on issues concerning residents. Hayes lobbied lawmakers about three major bills. One involved the elimination of Community Redevelopment Agencies, or CRAs. Another involved eliminating or reducing TDC bed tax revenues, and the third was the elimination of property taxes. Hayes says he was concerned about the effects these bills could have on Panama City. 'There's always a question of, you know, what are the unintended consequences? So, you know, affecting the CRAs in a negative way, reducing the ability for us to market our state through our tourist development councils and some of those tourism efforts, and then elimination of property taxes, which really fund a lot of our operations here locally. Again, some of the basics of police, fire, and infrastructure,' Panama City City Manager Johnathan Hayes said. Panama City commissioners instructed Hayes to write a letter to Senator Jay Trumbull and Representative Griff Griffitts, voicing their concerns. All three of the bills are still undecided, as the legislature is technically still in session until lawmakers pass a state budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
FLC recognizes Jonathan Hayes as a 2025 Home Rule Hero
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Florida League of Cities has recognized City Manager of the City of Panama City, Jonathan Hayes, as a 2025 Home Rule Hero on Wednesday. According to a news release, the FLC recognized Hayes for his exceptional advocacy during the 2025 Legislative Session. The prestigious award honors municipal officials who relentlessly defend the principle of home rule, the right of local governments to address community needs with local solutions, free from excessive state interference. The 2025 Home Rule Hero Award honors almost 180 municipal officials statewide. The FLC Chief of Legislative Affairs, Casey Cook, commended the leaders for their dedication. 'The dedication and effort of these local officials who tirelessly advocated for local decision-making was a difference-maker this legislative session,' Cook said. Hayes was appointed City Manager of Panama City in January 2024. He has a distinguished public service career that includes roles as Director of Public Works and Logistics. City of Panama said that Hayes' role has included managing vital infrastructure and public services, underscoring his commitment to enhancing the City's resilience and quality of life. During the legislative season, Hayes was constantly engaged with state lawmakers, their staff and senior agency officials, where he provided valuable local perspectives on important issues. Hayes's efforts contributed to the advancement of the League's legislative agenda, promoting glocal voices in policymaking. City of Panama said that Hayes's resignation as a Home Rule Hero emulates his unwavering commitment to empowering the City's residents and businesses through effective local governance and advocacy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Martin Theatre rebuild progress update
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Martin Theatre became the cornerstone of downtown Panama City when it was built almost 100 years ago. The $32 million rebuild is meant to honor that legacy, restoring and upgrading the interior while preserving the past. The project not only includes renovations to the Martin, but also includes the Ritz and the Tennessee House, which will be a new addition to the building. Freeport man killed in single vehicle crash in Walton County, investigation underway The layout of the main lobby is similar to the old Martin, with a concession stand and bathrooms upon entry. The renovation will increase seating capacity to over 480. There will be dressing rooms and extra space downstairs for performers. The Tennessee House will be a new addition to the building, with construction scheduled to begin next week. It will offer event space and a balcony overlooking Harrison Ave and 4th Street. 'We're going to have a wraparound balcony on the second level of the Tennessee House. So, just a great space to watch activities, parades, special events, or just on a regular evening without any special events going on, so it's going to be a great observation point. That's such an iconic location right here in downtown Panama City of Four Points Plaza,' Panama City City Manager Jonathan Hayes said. The Ritz will replace the former DIB office on the north side of the theatre. It will replicate a speakeasy bar and lounge along with meeting spaces. All of the renovations are ADA accessible with ramps and three elevators throughout the building. It's projected to be completed in the summer of 2027. When it's finished, city officials plan on bringing in outside help to assist in theater operations. They believe it will help utilize the facility to its full potential. Governor Ron DeSantis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Pope Francis 'The plan is to put out a Request for Proposal or qualifications, or look at maybe an outside company to kind of operate it on behalf of the city of Panama City. That does not mean the city would not still have a role in it and a stake in the ultimate authority over that facility. But having subject matter experts come in and operate such a high-end facility, that's going to have the complexity of the theater as well as both the Tennessee House and the Ritz,' Hayes said. Officials say they'll put the RFPs out for bid later this year or early next year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
16-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Ammunition Names Jonathan Hayes Chief Creative Officer, Accelerating Its Tech-Driven Creative Vision
Full-service agency doubles down on AI and technology to drive smarter, faster, more effective creative outcomes for clients Atlanta, Georgia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2025) - Ammunition, a full-funnel advertising agency, today announced a strategic reorganization to usher in a bold new era of tech-driven creative innovation. As part of this evolution, the agency has appointed Jonathan Hayes as Chief Creative Officer (CCO). This move underscores Ammunition's commitment to using AI and emerging tools to reinvent how ideas are brought to life and deliver greater outcomes for clients. Jonathan joined Ammunition as the Executive Video Director following the agency's acquisition of his Atlanta-based studio, Mad Hat Creative, in June 2023. In his new role, he will lead all creative operations—overseeing campaign development, brand building, product and digital design, video production, and driving AI integration to streamline processes. This reflects a broader shift in how creative leadership is defined, moving toward a more holistic approach to building brands and delivering results. 'This is a defining moment--not just for our agency, but for the industry,' said Jeremy Heilpern, CEO of Ammunition. 'Clients are looking for more than just great creative; they want fast, smart, tech-forward solutions that move the needle. Jonathan's vision and deep understanding of AI and modern production are exactly what we need to lead this next chapter. His hands-on leadership reinforces our values and positions us for sustained success.' The Chief Creative Officer role continues to evolve from a focus on copy and design to a broader, strategic function that integrates creativity, technology, and business objectives. This shift reflects a growing need for leaders who can drive co-creation, streamline execution, and foster collaboration across teams. As clients demand faster delivery without sacrificing quality, Ammunition is leaning into its digital roots, leveraging a robust tech and development foundation to push creative forward with smarter, more integrated solutions that drive growth and strengthen client partnerships. 'I'm honored to step into this role at such a pivotal time,' shared Jonathan Hayes, the newly appointed CCO. 'With a foundation in video and a passion for modern, efficient tools, I'm ready to help push our creative vision forward—and continue building an agency where great ideas thrive.' Already a driving force behind Ammunition's AI transformation, Jonathan leads the agency's internal AI Committee and holds a Generative AI for Advertising certification from the 4A's Learning Institute. He has been instrumental in piloting new AI workflows that reduce production timelines and unlock creative possibilities—setting the foundation for a scalable, future-ready creative model. Integral to this evolution, Sean Brown also steps into a new role as Head of Production. Sean's operational excellence and deep production know-how make him the ideal leader for this role, driving the agency's new creative goals through collaborative, high-quality execution across all production aspects. Underscoring its ongoing momentum, these appointments come on the heels of significant recognition for Ammunition. The agency has recently been named to the Inc. 5000 and ADWEEK's Fastest Growing Agencies lists, as well as the Inc. Regional Southeast for the second year running. Further solidifying its growth, the agency was also recognized as one of the Fastest-Growing Companies in the Americas by the Financial Times. This success is reflected in an over 100% client retention rate in 2025, allowing Ammunition to continue its strong performance across both B2B and B2C categories. About Ammunition Ammunition is a full-funnel advertising agency headquartered in Atlanta, GA, known for building brands that move markets. From strategic planning and Emmy-winning creative to media, CRM, and digital transformation, Ammunition delivers high-performance marketing for brands with complex paths to purchase. The agency is privately held and a proud member of Worldwide Partners and the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A's). For more, visit Media Contact: Lauren Miller Publicist, Ammunition To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Panama City launches CivicReady text alert system
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – CivicReady is part of Panama City's initiative to communicate more efficiently and frequently with citizens. It allows the city to geo-target specific parts of the city so they can send notices directly to areas affected. Alert Bay, released in 2017, has similar features. It sends emergency notifications and utilities alerts to users who sign up for text alerts. But City Manager Jonathan Hayes insists CivicReady is not a duplicate service. Super Bowl Sunday road safety tips 'What we've done with Civic Ready and what Alert Bay does, they're really two different functions and two different purposes. We're not necessarily highlighting large broad-scale emergencies. This is more for city operations,' Panama City City Manager Jonathan Hayes said. CivicReady will cost the city $6,000 annually to run. Hayes says the city included the cost of the communication system in the city budget. Girl Scout Cookie season begins with mega drop at HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital 'It turns out that Civic Ready, a company and program that we already have a relationship with, allowed this to be an option just as an add-on. Very small fee to significantly increase the communications again with our citizens and business owners,' Hayes said. Teams have been working on the project for more than 5 months. They will work with the city's Public Works Department to communicate updates. Once users sign up for alerts, they will begin receiving updates. Residents can sign up for Civic Ready alerts by texting 'PanamaCity' to 38276. Citizens can also sign up for neighborhood group alerts to zero in on a specific area. Panama City will continue posting relevant updates on their website and social media. To learn more about how to join CivicReady, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
