About Me
I'm Jennifer, I've been working in communications for a decade.
Current Work
I am the Communications Manager for the City of Wilmington, NC where I serve as expert advisor and strategy lead for executive leadership and elected officials on key issues like bridging the digital divide, addressing affordable housing, reducing barriers to public service, and other organizational priorities. As the Communications & Media Manager, I am responsible for media relations, public information, digital communications including social media and public engagement, and internal communications. In 2021, my work garnered 5.6 million+ impressions, nearly 100,000 clicks to the city website, and 25,000 inbound messages from customers. Furthermore, my work in 2021 included publishing 1,633 pieces of content to social media, hosting 41 press outreach events, publishing 28 press releases and 38 media advisories, responding to 500 media inquiries, writing talking points for 20+ topics to guide executive leadership’s messaging.
Now I lead team of ~10 communicators for the creation of the biannual magazine-style newsletter that is mailed to 40,000+ individuals and launched the complementary weekly digital newsletter. I direct the Digital Engagement Coordinator on digital outreach efforts and indirectly manage ~60 website content managers, providing training on the content management system and ensuring adherence to brand guidelines to optimize online messaging and alignment with communication objectives. I also write and release weekly internal communications video from chief executives to all employees to foster a healthy, inclusive, and transparent working environment.
Past work
I started my communications career in college at Valdosta State University in South Georgia where I majored in both political science and mass media. While in school I interned for the late Senator Johnny Isakson with his press and communications office. Following graduation I started a career with the Valdosta Daily Times as a journalist. After moving to North Carolina I continued in journalism working for the Statesville Record and Landmark before making the transisiton to communications for the City of Wilmington's Police Department.
After two years with the police, the City of Wilmington asked me to make the switch to communications for the enitre city where I took on a larger role managing both internal and external communications across multiple platforms.