Dee Russell
Palm Bay,FL
Summary
Proactive communications professional with a passion for storytelling. Effective team member with more than 15 years of experience in broadcast and print journalism, external and internal communications, media relations, and social media management. Diversified skill set includes copywriting, developing and implementing promotional campaigns, project management, and video production. Accurate writer skilled in preparing compelling news releases and company publications that generate positive press coverage and enhance employee engagement.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Government Operations Senior Communications
Boeing
08.2021 - Current
- Led public relations efforts surrounding major company announcements, generating significant media interest.
- Managed relationships with key media contacts, securing positive coverage in industry publications.
- Implemented crisis communication plans during challenging times, maintaining company reputation and stakeholder trust.
- Enhanced brand visibility by creating compelling content for digital and print platforms.
- Developed targeted communication strategies for diverse audiences, resulting in increased engagement.
- Copyedited, proofread and revised company advertisements, print materials and press releases before dispersal.
- Created social media content across multiple platforms according to content calendars and promotion schedules.
- Took photographs and videos during special events for promotional materials and social media pages.
- Built and maintained positive relationships with public by utilizing strategic plans.
- Conducted media relations and responded to media requests for information.
CST-100 Starliner Communications Specialist
The Boeing Company
09.2020 - 08.2021
- Collaborated with external and internal stakeholders, including NASA Public Affairs Officers and various Boeing communication professionals, on upcoming launches and missions, milestone-driven public relations activities, trade shows, events etc.
- Established and maintained effective working relationships with NASA, key suppliers, business partners, employees and reporters
- Generated and expanded earned media coverage of Starliner progress to advance business goals and objectives
- Responded to requests for information from local, regional and trade media or recommended an appropriate spokesperson or information source
- Produced organizational publications such as employee newsletters, leadership messages and stockholder reports for internal or external audiences, including the Florida Space Coast Operations Weekly Update that consistently generated around a 70 percent open rate
- Composed communications for special events, shot photography and video during events, and promoted them on web and social media channels in alignment with strategic communications plan
- Prepared and provided counsel to program manager and subject matter experts for public speaking and media engagements
- Developed website content for Boeing News Now, Boeing.com and StarlinerUpdates.com
- Engaged in professional networking to maintain strong relationships with communications and media professionals to drive partnerships and effective dissemination of mass communications, including the Space Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association
Government Operations Communications Specialist
The Boeing Company
09.2018 - 08.2020
- Supported Boeing Government Operations National Strategy and Engagement initiatives in Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Pennsylvania
- Promoted and leveraged community engagement at the state and local level through strategic communications and earned media around Boeing’s economic footprint and investments, including amplifying more than $3 million in annual grants for veteran services and STEM-related programs in the Southeastern region
- Drafted releases detailing relevant newsworthy information while enhancing brand image, and worked with news media to build visibility and advocate for Boeing policy positions, leading to more than 350 individual news stories throughout the region in two years
- Contributed to the increased revenue of several programs, such as the Space Launch System, and supported business goals by developing public relations strategies and campaigns
- Told Boeing’s story aiding key issues like capital and community investments, tax structure and workforce changes, including advancing favorable broadcast, digital and print coverage of the Space and Launch headquarters move from Arlington, Virginia to Titusville, Florida
Communications Specialist
UF Health Jacksonville
05.2016 - 09.2018
- Developed and executed communication plans and strategies
- Served as editor of the Open Lines employee newsletter and managed scheduled assignments
- Provided feedback to all departments on brand consistency
- Produced, published and posted print and online content
- Coordinated and improved external and internal communication strategies for key hospital initiatives, such as the annual "A Night for Heroes" gala benefiting UF Health TraumaOne
- Enhanced the effectiveness of several ongoing campaigns, such as the 2017 and 2018 Employee Give Where You Live drive, which collected $15,000 more in contributions for the Children's Miracle Network, Community Health Charities and United Way and added around 100 additional donors during each year of the fundraiser
Adjunct Communications Instructor
University of North Florida
08.2017 - 08.2018
- Instructed the MC3105 Advanced Writing for Media lab
- Initiated, facilitated and moderated classroom discussions
- Evaluated and graded students' class work, assignments and papers
- Maintained student attendance records, grades and other required records
- Administered tests to assess educational needs or progress
Coordinator of Public Relations
Edward Waters College
10.2013 - 04.2016
- Served as the primary point of contact for incoming media calls, including requests for interviews and meetings with the institution's executives and professors
- Increased media coverage for the college by 200%
- Executed media events, such as press conferences, media briefings, tours and promotions
- Composed concise news releases that were easy-to-read and effective
- Coordinated photo shoots and the placement of stories in local and national publications
- Wrote and designed monthly and weekly newsletters
- Developed and produced print, online and social media content designed to promote the college's brand, image and values
- Grew social media following by 50%
- Created interactive digital presentations for executives
Multimedia Journalist
WFOX/WJAX-TV
07.2009 - 08.2013
- Obtained several exclusive interviews, including a one-on-one with Oprah Winfrey
- Examined reference materials such as reputable web sites, news files or public records to obtain relevant facts
- Shot and edited interviews
- Produced television, website and social media content
- Contributed to the station's 2013 Edward R Murrow Overall Excellence Award and 2012 Emmy Award for Overall News Excellence
- Aided in advancing the station's rating from #3 to #2 in the Jacksonville market
General Assignment Reporter
WALB-TV
06.2007 - 06.2009
- Reported live, breaking news
- Explored and evaluated leads or tips for potential story ideas
- Shot and edited videos for broadcast
- Revised work to meet editorial approval or to fit time and space requirements
News Writer
WSVN-TV
01.2007 - 05.2007
- Updated and revised scripts for news broadcasts
- Edited news material to ensure it fit within available time or space constraints
- Promoted from the morning to evening newscast in one month
Freelance Reporter
U/Miami News Service
08.2006 - 12.2006
- Coordinated and conducted interviews with sources for stories
- Produced content for multiple print media publications including Key Biscayne Magazine and Miami Herald
- Met strenuous deadlines and strict word counts
Education
Master of Arts - Journalism
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FLBachelor of Arts - English
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FLSkills
- Communication Strategy Development
- Crisis communications
- Event planning and execution
- Media relations
- Media training
- Press Release Writing
- Process improvement
- Relationship building
- Speech writing and messaging
- Social Media Management
- Video Production
- Proficient in AP Style
- Website management
- Bilingual: English and Spanish
Certification
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate
USF Corporate Training and Professional Education
Issued May 2021 | No expiration date
Timeline
Government Operations Senior Communications
Boeing
08.2021 - Current
CST-100 Starliner Communications Specialist
The Boeing Company
09.2020 - 08.2021
Government Operations Communications Specialist
The Boeing Company
09.2018 - 08.2020
Adjunct Communications Instructor
University of North Florida
08.2017 - 08.2018
Communications Specialist
UF Health Jacksonville
05.2016 - 09.2018
Coordinator of Public Relations
Edward Waters College
10.2013 - 04.2016
Multimedia Journalist
WFOX/WJAX-TV
07.2009 - 08.2013
General Assignment Reporter
WALB-TV
06.2007 - 06.2009
News Writer
WSVN-TV
01.2007 - 05.2007
Freelance Reporter
U/Miami News Service
08.2006 - 12.2006
Master of Arts - Journalism
University of Miami
Bachelor of Arts - English
Florida State University
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