by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
After spending a majority of his time as the director of special events for the Jacksonville Jaguars for eight years, Bo Reed recently took on the job as general manager at PRI Productions, an event production company with offices in San Marco.
For years, Reed spent days, nights and weekends with the Jaguars, but with his new job, he is able to spend a lot more time with his wife Elizabeth and their 5-year-old twins, Brooks and Davis.
“This job allows me to spend more time with my family,” he said. “I am seeing them more now, having dinner with them, and I am enjoying that.”
Reed began his job at PRI Productions on Aug. 1 where he oversees all of the departments in the company. Reed said he also helps produce events and handles communications internally and externally.
“I am working for a very established company,” he said. “I took this job for new ventures, experiences and it was a good opportunity for me.”
One of his first big events at PRI Productions is the Dr Pepper ACC Championship Road Tour. The Gator Bowl Association is spear-heading the event and Dr. Pepper became involved through the Atlantic Coast Conference, said Reed.
“PRI has a deal with the Gator Bowl Association and they got the ACC Championship here,” he said. “The Road Tour is in support of the ACC game.”
Reed will be going on the road in a large promotional bus to each of the 12 colleges in the ACC to spread the word that Jacksonville is the host of this year’s title game. The Road Tour is all interactive for the students the first day Reed and his crew are on campus. They will be asking students to throw a football at a target and one student from each school will be chosen to represent their school in the finals during the ACC Championship Game. The student with the best throw will win a $10,000 scholarship from Dr Pepper, said Reed.
During the tour’s second day at each school, the fans will get a chance to participate in contests, view the bus and get information about the Championship Game.
Reed has a lot to bring to PRI Productions. Although not a native, Reed has been in Jacksonville since 1995 when he worked with SMG at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. He soon started working for the Jaguars as the director of special events and promotions where he was in charge of all game day productions along with events outside of game day.
“One of the biggest things we did was NFL 101 for women,” said Reed. “It taught them football basics and they enjoyed it.”
Even though he doesn’t work directly with the Jaguars any more, PRI Productions is the event production company for the Jaguars.
“Right now one of our biggest clients is Daytona,” he said.
PRI Productions is located on Kings Avenue and the office has a unique set up. The company’s props and equipment are stored in the center of the building with the staff’s offices surrounding it.
“They have acquired a lot of props over the years that are used for special events, conventions or meetings,” said Reed. “We have things to be used for mardi gras, under the sea, winter wonderland, or pirates of the Caribbean.”
Reed said he believes he has found his niche at PRI Productions. He enjoys his work and at the same time he can spend more time with his family.
“I am coaching my kids’ soccer team now,” said Reed. “I also coach t-ball, too. It is something my dad did and I can do it with my kids now, too.”