Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Training
CN2 - Cable News 2 (Internship)
Timeline
Generic
JENNIFER TIMMONS

JENNIFER TIMMONS

Columbia

Summary

Seasoned public relations & communications professional with a proven track record of delivering accurate and timely information while enhancing positive public perception and trust. Expertise in media relations and strategic communication, supported by a strong commitment to integrity and reliability in high-pressure environments.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

Public Information Officer

Columbia Police Department
05.2011 - Current
  • Developed and implemented communication strategies to enhance public awareness of key initiatives.
  • Managed media relations, ensuring timely responses to inquiries and promoting positive organizational image.
  • Crafted press releases and other materials to effectively convey information to diverse audiences.
  • Coordinated community outreach efforts, fostering engagement and building relationships with stakeholders.
  • Supervised crisis communication efforts, ensuring clear messaging during critical incidents or events.
  • Analyzed feedback from public interactions to improve communication methods and outreach programs.
  • Led training sessions for staff on effective communication techniques and media engagement practices.
  • Evaluated performance metrics of public information campaigns, driving improvements in future strategies.
  • Trained spokespersons within the organization to effectively communicate organizational goals and values to external audiences.
  • Wrote press releases, talking points and and responses to requests for information.
  • Increased public awareness of programs and initiatives through targeted marketing campaigns.
  • Pitched stories to media organizations to promote company interests.
  • Managed websites and social media accounts applying communication strategies and branding to maintain consistent voice and presence.
  • Successfully managed reputational risks by addressing unfavorable narratives in a timely manner.
  • Coordinated press conferences and media events, maximizing organizational exposure in the news cycle.
  • Set up interviews with staff members to field media requests.
  • Provided strategic counsel to senior management on handling sensitive or controversial issues in the public eye.
  • Developed compelling content for social media channels, driving increased engagement from followers.
  • Created informative press releases that garnered positive media attention, promoting the organization''s achievements and initiatives.
  • Managed routine and crisis communications with media and members of public.
  • Developed key messages and talking points for executive leadership to use in media interviews and presentations.
  • Collaborated with internal departments to create consistent messaging across all platforms.
  • Improved media relations for the organization, cultivating partnerships with local press outlets.
  • Spearheaded community engagement efforts by organizing town hall meetings and informational sessions with stakeholders.
  • Monitored media coverage of the organization, identifying opportunities for proactive engagement.
  • Managed crisis communications during emergencies, ensuring accurate and timely information dissemination.
  • Provided guidance to junior staff members on best practices in public relations and communications strategies.
  • Communicated with media weekly to build relationships and optimize press coverage.
  • Helped with photo and video production and performed visual and sound editing tasks.
  • Forged strong media relationships to further public relations goals.
  • Assisted with marketing strategy development to increase public awareness and customer engagement.
  • Wrote press releases for routine use and crisis management.
  • Produced and distributed internal and external communications.
  • Developed brand media relations strategies that bolstered community awareness and knowledge.
  • Wrote and distributed Q&A for executives to use in face of [Type] crisis.
  • Reported on press coverage recaps to determine areas for improvement.
  • Conducted media relations and responded to media requests for information.
  • Engaged in professional networking to maintain strong relationships with communications and media professionals to drive partnerships and effective dissemination of mass communications.
  • Prepared or edited organizational publications such as employee newsletters or stockholder reports for internal or external audiences.

Communications Director - Strategic Public Relations Planning

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
01.2008 - 01.2011
  • Responsible for all statewide public and media relations; writes news releases; organizes news conferences with local, state and federal law enforcement and legislative partners; trains and prepares staff on media-relations; conducts interviews; coordinates internal communications and crisis communications; editorial/op-ed writer; speech writer; videography and photography capabilities for agency-related events.

Morning Show Co-Anchor

WACH-FOX 57 - Fox Affiliate
01.2003 - 01.2008
  • Morning show co-anchor for WACH FOX NEWS GOOD DAY. Weekend Anchor, Producer, General Reporting, Crime Reporter (primary focus). Filled-in for a period of 8 months for 10 PM newscast in addition to weekend anchor duties. Self-supported videography and editing. Assignment Editor, Editor and Associate Producer.

Crime & General Reporting, Live Reporting |

WCBD TV 2 - NBC Affiliate
01.2001 - 01.2002
  • Crime reporting/general reporting and live reporting. Fill-in anchor for morning show and weekend news broadcast. Established excellent working report with local law enforcement and government officials.

Weekend Anchor

WECT TV 6 - NBC Affiliate
01.1999 - 01.2001
  • Weekend Anchor - included reporting and producing; in charge of a small key staff of under 10 people; weekend Assignment Editor. General assignment reporter including beat reporting and live reporting. Also, proficient in editing and videography.

Presented on-air reports

CN2 - Cable News 2
01.1998 - 01.1999
  • Presented on-air reports for CN2’s 6 PM and 10 PM newscasts covering a tri-county area; co-anchor of 6 PM newscast; responsible for producing a 30-minute newscast and delegating story assignments, as well as managed a 12 person staff. Occasionally performed duties as prompter, videotape operator and audio board operator during 6 PM and 10 PM newscasts.
  • Field Reporter, Associate Producer, Production Assistant.

Education

Bachelor of Arts -

College of Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
12.1996

Associate of Arts -

Spartanburg Methodist College
Spartanburg, South Carolina
05.1994

Skills

  • Strategic Communicator
  • Public Speaker Spokesperson
  • Communications Strategist
  • Crisis Communicator
  • Marketing Strategist
  • Media Relations Expert

Training

Member of National Information Officers Association (NIOA), Palmetto Alliance of Public Information Officers (PAPIO), NIOA Training, Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Basic Public Information Officers (PIO) Training, SC Texas Engineering Extension Service Training, Texas A & M University Department of Homeland Security/FEMA PIO in a WMD/Terrorism Incident Training.

CN2 - Cable News 2 (Internship)

1996

Timeline

Public Information Officer

Columbia Police Department
05.2011 - Current

Communications Director - Strategic Public Relations Planning

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
01.2008 - 01.2011

Morning Show Co-Anchor

WACH-FOX 57 - Fox Affiliate
01.2003 - 01.2008

Crime & General Reporting, Live Reporting |

WCBD TV 2 - NBC Affiliate
01.2001 - 01.2002

Weekend Anchor

WECT TV 6 - NBC Affiliate
01.1999 - 01.2001

Presented on-air reports

CN2 - Cable News 2
01.1998 - 01.1999

Bachelor of Arts -

College of Charleston

Associate of Arts -

Spartanburg Methodist College

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