Jessi Starkey
Storyteller
Columbus,OH
Summary
Innovative, award-winning storyteller with an extensive background in public service, journalism, and videography. Highly motivated and creative thinker who develops daily written and visual content and helps lead a communications team to achieve successful outcomes. Self-starter who thrives in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment. A one-woman-band who shoots, writes and edits content while formulating it to fit a variety of platforms. Experienced with media relations, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement. Utilizes strategic thinking to craft effective communication plans that elevate brand reputation.
Overview
8
8
years of post-secondary education
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Communications Specialist
Ohio Department Of Agriculture
06.2023 - Current
- Handles media relations and strategic communications for the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
- Travels the state producing visual stories of the farmers and producers who make agriculture Ohio's top industry.
- Develops newsletters, fact sheets, and outreach materials for stakeholders, partners, and internal teams.
- Supports the Director of Agriculture in high-level stakeholder engagements by coordinating meeting preparation, developing strategic talking points, and briefing him on key issues and priorities.
Public Relations Manager & Brand Storyteller
YMCA Of Central Ohio
08.2021 - 06.2023
- Led development and execution of YMCA of Central Ohio’s media relations strategy, which included media releases, story pitches, media inquires and prepared teams for interviews
- Created multimedia content and deliverables consistent with the YMCA brand voice, style and tone in a way that resonates with audiences and stakeholders
- Led and executed social media strategy, and monitored social media trends
- Created and implemented staff training sessions on best practices related to storytelling, media relations and social media.
- Produced strategic photo and video stories that portrayed the heart and soul of the Y's work
Multimedia Journalist | Reporter
WSYX/WTTE TV
01.2020 - 08.2021
- Pitched daily story ideas, shot, wrote and edited news stories
- Developed relationships with sources and contacts to gain additional insight
- Produced compelling news content, helped plan show segments and delivered stories live on air for a five-hour morning show
- Created unique and engaging social media and web content
- Planned and conducted research and pitched long-form stories to promote investigative news topics
- Monitored social media and online sources for industry trends
Multimedia Journalist | Anchor | Producer
WCHS/WVAH TV
12.2016 - 01.2020
- Pitched story ideas, shot, wrote and edited news packages
- Developed community sources that led to engaging, relative stories that were crucial to the community
- Produced and anchored weekend shows
- Managed and led the weekend news team of reporters and producers
- Assigned daily stories to multiple reporters
- Fact-checked videos and articles before publishing
- Created social media and web content
Multimedia Journalist | Producer
WRDE Coast-TV NBC News
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Pitched story ideas, shot, wrote and edited news stories
- Created social media and web content
- Produced weekend 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts
- Monitored website and social media traffic
- Provided on-air commentary for local radio and television stations
Videographer
Marshall University
08.2013 - 05.2015
- Sideline video journalist for university athletics
- Shot sports video for replay and promotion purposes
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Broadcast Journalism
Marshall University
Huntington, WV 08.2011 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations
Marshall University
Huntington, WV 08.2011 - 05.2015
Skills
Video and still photography
Non-linear video editing
Media relations
Crisis management
Messaging and speechwriting
AP style writing
Public relations
Social media management
Problem-solving
Timeline
Communications Specialist
Ohio Department Of Agriculture
06.2023 - Current
Public Relations Manager & Brand Storyteller
YMCA Of Central Ohio
08.2021 - 06.2023
Multimedia Journalist | Reporter
WSYX/WTTE TV
01.2020 - 08.2021
Multimedia Journalist | Anchor | Producer
WCHS/WVAH TV
12.2016 - 01.2020
Multimedia Journalist | Producer
WRDE Coast-TV NBC News
01.2015 - 01.2016
Videographer
Marshall University
08.2013 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Broadcast Journalism
Marshall University
08.2011 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations
Marshall University
08.2011 - 05.2015