Crosswords Communications Co.

Crosswords Communications Co. was founded in 2006 by Doris Bloodsworth, APR, an award-winning journalist and author. Her reporting was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and has appeared in national publications.

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Bloodsworth is nationally certified in public relations, was named Writer of the Year, and was inducted into two regional halls of fame. In 2026, she received a national award honoring her achievements.

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Bloodsworth's journalism career includes major investigative reporting, and her public-relations work won a statewide award. Her communications experience includes assisting a wide range of private-industry and nonprofit clients as well as full-time work in two municipal governments and requests for additional consulting.

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Some career highlights include working on the PR team that launched LEGOLAND Florida® -- securing more than a million impressions -- as well as a documentary for a Habitat Orlando Blitz Build. She spearheaded the branding for the City of Clermont (Choice of Champions®) and City of Groveland (City with Natural Charm). She is the author of
several books, was editor of a national magazine and is recognized as a national historian.

 

Crosswords partners with digital marketing gurus, brilliant wordsmiths, top-tier graphic designers and illustrators, veteran event planners, award-winning branding experts and creative promotions pros to provide strategic, full-service marketing and public relations services. Our MVPs are ready to tell your story!

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Below is a snapshot of Bloodsworth's experience and achievements. ​

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EXPERIENCE - Communications

• Founder and President of Crosswords Communications Co. in Winter Park and Clermont

• President of New Florida Media

• Communications Director and PIO for the City of Clermont, Florida

• Communications and Marketing Director for the South Lake Chamber of Commerce

• Communications consultant for the City of Groveland, Florida

• Media Relations and Research Manager for TWSquared PR and Marketing, Clermont and Orlando

• Copy Writer and Project Manager for CRM2 marketing firm, Orlando

• Writing instructor at the Professional Golfers Career College, Orlando

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EXPERIENCE - Journalism

• "Growing Bolder" magazine executive editor and writer

• "Bloomberg" reporter

• "Orlando Sentinel" reporter

• "The Wall Street Journal" reporter

• "The Gainesville Sun" reporter

• Articles also appeared in "The Strategist" national magazine, "Central Florida Family" magazine,
  "Black Family Today" magazine, "Daily Commercial" and "Clermont Sun," among other publications.
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EXPERIENCE - Author & Editor

• "CLERMONT: From Gem of the Hills to Choice of Champions," CMLA Publisher

• "Images of America: Clermont," Arcadia Publishing

• "Images of America: Groveland," Arcadia Publishing

• "Legendary Locals of Lake County," Arcadia Publishing

• 2010 and 2011" Songwriter's Market contributor, Writer's Digest Books

• "Katie and the Corduroy Kangaroo," (collaboration with Disney illustrator Ethan Long for a charity event)

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AWARDS, RECOGNITION and COMMUNITY SERVICE

• Reporting nominated for the Pulitzer Prize

• APR - National certification in public relations

• DAR National American Women in History Award

• Hearst National Finalist

• Gold Key Recipient from the City of Clermont

• Best of Public Relations Award

• Lake County Women's Hall of Fame

• Lake County Schools Hall of Fame

• Rotary Club's Service Above Self Award

• Gem of the Hills Award for Outstanding Community Service

• Cooper Memorial Library Association Board Member

• Project Scholars Scholarship Committee Member

• Society of Professional Journalists Award

• Knight Fellow

• Orlando Sentinel News-Gathering Award

• Florida Bar Media Award

• Communications Award for Public Relations - Florida Association of Chamber Professionals

• Lake County Writer of the Year and Lake County Historian of the Year

• Co-founded the Groveland Historical Museum

• UF's Dean's Cup for Professional Promise

• UF's Buddy Davis Award for Promise in Reporting & Editing

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EDUCATION

• Graduated with highest honors from the University of Florida's College of Journalism with a minor in English

• Attended the University of Central Florida

• Graduated from Groveland High School with honors

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