Chelsea Creel
Crisis Communications And Public Relations Professional
New Orleans,LA
Summary
Chelsea Creel is an award winning New Orleans public relations and crisis communications strategist, photographer and graphic designer who has more than 8 years of success leading and reporting within multiple Louisiana media and public relations departments. She is highly experienced in developing the growth, reach and reputation of a variety of organizations, including startups, small businesses and large-scale government agencies.
With a solid professional foundation in broadcast media, crisis communications and public affairs, Chelsea has a proven track record for developing and implementing meaningful and relevant communications strategies designed to resonate with target audiences.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Public Relations Manager
DePaul Community Health Centers
04.2023 - Current
- Develops and implements communications strategies for the nonprofit that build and maintain a positive corporate brand
- Oversees communications and branding in various online and print platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, industry magazines, etc. (Increased the following analytics as of August 2024: Facebook reach by 3,873,395, Instagram reach by 385,791, DCHC LinkedIn reach by 7,102 and ADS LinkedIn reach by 19,264)
- Creates graphics, videos and other content for social media accounts
- Serves as staff and event photographer
- Manages development, distribution and maintenance of all print and electronic materials including, but not limited to, newsletters, brochures, board reports, annual report, and the organization's website
- Oversees the development and maintenance of the organization's website, including methods to deliver messages, ease of navigation and clarity of information; ensures that all content is current and relevant (Created web content and enhancements that contributed to tripling website visitors from 31,152 to 10,008 in a little more than a year)
- Provides consistent and timely information to employees through various communications programs
- Provides crisis management and preemptive planning
- Acts as corporate spokesperson and responds to members of the media in a timely manner; composes and distributes press releases as needed
- Develops and maintains positive, professional relationships with various members of the media, including attending media luncheons, events, etc.
- Maintains knowledge of local publications’ editorial calendars to know when to pitch certain topics to increase story pick up opportunities
- Writes talking points for and preps CEO, leadership, etc. for media interviews
- Attends media interviews for CEO, leadership, etc. and prepares to serve as a stand in if interviewee is no longer available
- Creates press releases and media alerts regarding events, new staff, hours of operation, etc.
- Assists Vice President of Communications, External Affairs, and Fund Development in developing presentations, speeches, and other important corporate messages
Communications and Marketing Director
St. Martin's Episcopal School
05.2022 - 04.2023
- Provides direct and proactive advice, consultation and assistance to organization leadership regarding matters of public engagement
- Directs social media strategies, generating an increase in Facebook followers by 200, Instagram followers by 360, and Instagram engagements by 80% compared to the previous year
- Builds and strengthens strategic relationships with media, vendors, advertising agencies and leading industry partners
- Develops and designs printed and digital marketing materials designed to drive campaigns and strategies, including banners, billboards, graphics, videos, and more
- Provides oversight and approval on all branded materials to ensure organizational brand integrity
- Works closely with Admissions Department and organization leadership to develop engaging communications strategies designed to reach and connect with students and parents within the Greater New Orleans Area
- Develops and distributes all organization publicity, including photography, message development, media outreach and engagement, and website content
- Has increased St. Martin's positive earned media in the New Orleans area through local, regional and national media outreach and pitch strategies
- Generates meaningful thought leadership content for organizational leadership designed to inform and engage target audiences
- Negotiates all aspects of media buying and creative development for all magazine and commercial advertisements
- Serves as the organizational spokesperson for media inquiries
Crisis Communications Manager/ PIO
New Orleans 9-1-1 and 3-1-1
05.2019 - 05.2022
- Managed the agency’s award-winning public engagement department in the development of successful communications strategies, including marketing and public relations campaigns, based on industry trends, conferences, public safety initiatives and crises, and holidays, which have led to higher public outreach, social media engagement and following, and media interviews
- Provided direct and proactive advice, consultation and assistance to agency directors and command staff regarding matters of public information and engagement
- Liaised with various City of New Orleans agency officials, including the Office of the Mayor, New Orleans Police Department, New Orleans Fire Department, New Orleans Emergency Medical Services, New Orleans Health Department and New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, to develop coordinated messaging strategies
- Developed and implemented highly successful crisis communications efforts for OPCD and NOLA-311, focusing on communications surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of which earned 21 PRSA New Orleans Communications Awards in 2020 and 2021 (including a 2021 Silver Anvil Award) and two Ragan & PR-Daily Crisis Communications Awards in 2020 and 2021
- Managed social media strategies, generating an increase in Facebook followers by 3,800, Facebook engagements by 40,000, Twitter followers by 3,500, Twitter Engagements by 6,000, LinkedIn followers by 900, LinkedIn Engagements by 5,000, Instagram followers by 4,500, and Instagram engagements by 11,000 for OPCD and NOLA-311 accounts combined compared to the previous year
- Developed and distributed all agency publicity, including photography, videography, message development, media outreach and engagement, and website content
- Managed creation of content, graphics and messaging, ensuring the integrity of branding and messaging standards
- Managed efforts to design, develop and launch two separate websites (www.opcdla.gov and www.nola311.gov), leading to more user-friendly navigation, mobile-friendly interface and content development opportunities
- Utilized graphic software applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Spark and Canva to develop content and graphics for a wide range of organizational collateral, social media imagery, presentations and promotional item designs
- Tracked and analyzed website and social media metrics using multiple analytics tools, using the data to inform future efforts
- Maintained database of target audiences, including government officials, industry leaders, citizens and media, and distributes email correspondence surrounding organizational events, announcements and releases
- Organized a wide range of special events, including large employee appreciation events, city-wide contests, health and wellness events, awareness events, children’s events and leadership training programs
- Successfully fundraised for events throughout the year by engaging agency vendors and a wide variety of business communities within the metro area
- Managed the public engagement team's branding and strategic communication initiatives for the agency
- Served as spokesperson for the agency and represented OPCD during local and national conferences and events
- Served as head photographer and videographer
Dispatcher
New Orleans 9-1-1 and 3-1-1
03.2017 - 05.2019
- Provided critical information to first responders (EMS, Fire, Police) to prepare them as they arrived to the scene of an emergency
- Answered emergency and non-emergency calls and documented important information regarding events as situations unfolded
- Prioritized and organized calls according to level of urgency
- Maintained and updated call logs, call records and other important documentation relating to emergency events
News Anchor, Reporter and Producer
KTVE, NBC
04.2016 - 08.2016
- Reported news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events
- Researched and analyzed background information related to stories in order to provide complete and accurate information
- Organized and pieced together raw footage into news stories according to scripts and information provided through the news-gathering process
- Edited or assisted in editing videos for broadcast
- Developed and maintained trustworthy relationships within the community to build credibility and to provide important, accurate information to the public
News Content Manager
WWL-TV, CBS
06.2014 - 04.2016
- Managed the weekend staff by deciding what stories would be on air, who would be the reporter, and who would be the videographer
- Approved and edited reporter's scripts before they aired
- Booked guests to be interviewed
- Made quick and accurate decisions on how breaking news should be handled
Education
Bachelor of Social Science - Communication
Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 08.2010 - 12.2014
Skills
Communications Strategy
Crisis Communications Strategy
Social Media Strategy
Content Development
Photography/Videography
Graphic Design
Awards and Recognition
Public Relations Society of America- New Orleans Chapter 2024 Fleurish Awards
- Anvil Award for Social Media Campaign
- Award of Excellence for External Relations
New Orleans Press Club 2024
- Social Media Influencer Award
African American Marketing Association
- 2023 Top 50 Black Marketers List
Public Relations Society of America- New Orleans Chapter 2021 Fleurish Awards
- Anvil Award for Social Media Campaign
- Award of Excellence for Crisis Communications at a Corporation/Government
- Award of Excellence for Integrated Marketing Campaign
- Award of Excellence for Outstanding Online Video
- Award of Merit for External Relations Campaign
- Award of Merit for Outstanding Online Video
Public Relations Society of America
- 2021 Public Relations Pandemic Hero Award
Public Relations Society of America- New Orleans Chapter 2020 Fleurish Awards
- Award of Excellence for Outstanding Online Video (x2)
- Award of Excellence for External Relations
- Award of Excellence for Internal Relations
- Award of Excellence for Crisis Communications at a Corporation/Government
Forbes.com
- “To Fight Coronavirus, This City Is Asking 911 Callers To Agree To Self Surveillance”- March 17, 2020 -(Featured photo)
Timeline
Public Relations Manager
DePaul Community Health Centers
04.2023 - Current
Communications and Marketing Director
St. Martin's Episcopal School
05.2022 - 04.2023
Crisis Communications Manager/ PIO
New Orleans 9-1-1 and 3-1-1
05.2019 - 05.2022
Dispatcher
New Orleans 9-1-1 and 3-1-1
03.2017 - 05.2019
News Anchor, Reporter and Producer
KTVE, NBC
04.2016 - 08.2016
News Content Manager
WWL-TV, CBS
06.2014 - 04.2016
Bachelor of Social Science - Communication
Loyola University New Orleans
08.2010 - 12.2014
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