Hi, I’m
Jessica Denson
Communications, public relations, and marketing executive
Louisville,KY
I learned what every dreaming child needs to know, that no horizon is so far you cannot get above it or beyond it.
Beryl Markham, "West with the Night"
Summary
Emmy & Murrow award-winning journalist | Telly & Communicator award-winning PR pro | 2023 Digital Communicator of the Year
Communications professional with 25+ years of experience in devising successful media strategies, guiding C-suite communications, and orchestrating new, more effective branding initiatives.
Overview
29
years of professional experience
4
years of post-secondary education
Skills
PR strategy development
undefinedWork History
Connected NationLouisville, United States
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
03.2017 - Current
Job overview
- Develop C-suite materials for Board of Director meetings
- Host and produce award-winning CN podcast, now in Season 5
- Handle national and state-level spokesperson responsibilities
- Develop and manage media relationships and outreach
- Develop and implement statewide communications plans for Governors' offices, state broadband offices, and educational offices
- Produced award-winning national live event with expert panels in three US cities – see CN20.org
- Developed award-winning COVID-19 newsroom, which included timely resources for individuals, families, and communities
- Created award-winning social media engagement and outreach for CN
- Mine and author impact stories and case studies for company leads, publications, media placement, and reports
- Develop and implement short- and long-term communications strategies
- Compile and analyze metrics for detailed reporting and informed business planning
- Coordinate public relations activities to align with corporate strategic goals
- Named 2023 Digital Communicator of the Year by PR News
WDRB Media (Block Communications) Louisville, United States
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
01.2013 - 03.2017
Job overview
- Managed nightside newsroom staff and guided newscast content, including writing and delivery
- Guided presentation of news product on all nightside newscasts, website, and social media platforms
- Handled breaking news coverage including planning, logistics, writing, and promotion
- Collaborated directly with producers and reporters to improve storytelling and guide unique approach for each platform (broadcast vs web vs social media)
- Previously produced the 4 pm and 10 pm newscasts winning Emmy & Murrow awards
- Produced special event coverage including for the Kentucky Derby
- Improved ratings in all newscasts as producer and Executive Producer through innovation and creativity
PC (USA) Louisville, United States
COMMUNICATOR (International)
04.2011 - 01.2013
Job overview
- Oversaw national and international communications coverage for disaster assistance projects in Haiti
- Worked with national and international media for earned and paid placements
- Managed national communications for Racial Ethnic & Women’s Ministries
- At the request of leadershp, continued writing freelance fundraising stories and collateral until 2021
- Wrote and managed production of two magazines
- Produced and managed electronic communications for five e-newsletters
- Worked collaboratively across organization to develop and nurture strong brand through all outreach
- Monitored media coverage and produced detailed reports to analyze impact of PR efforts
No Kill LouisvilleLouisville, United States
CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
04.2010 - 01.2013
Job overview
- Co-founded nonprofit, volunteer-supported organization for shelter pets and pet owners including creating the brand
- Grew its social media presence from non-existent to more than 35,000 in two months
- Created website and fundraising literature to support programs of NKL
- Oversaw creation of Angel Tree Program as well as adoption and foster programs
- Established Pet Food Bank, which helps low-income families and individuals care for their pets
- Functioned as spokesperson and advocate with media while serving
- Served on animal shelter committees for Louisville
- Laid foundation for long-term success – org continues to help people and pets today
Ursuline Sisters Of LouisvilleLouisville, United States
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
02.2008 - 02.2010
Job overview
- Conceptualized and guided redesign and implementation of website garnering national award
- Guided concept and wrote copy of publications and collateral materials for outreach, fundraising
- Established interactive presence on major social networking sites
- Promoted events and programs using news media, advertising, and internal publications
- Developed communications strategies to drive forward progress in public relations
WLKY-TV (Hearst Television) Louisville, United States
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
10.2002 - 09.2007
Job overview
- Guided coverage, including writing and presentation, for all newscasts (all day parts)
- Supervised reporters, producers on story and newscast development for consistent ratings growth in all day parts
- Trained producers, helped reporters improve storytelling skillsets
- Planned major news coverage including full of Kentucky Derby coverage
- Promoted to Heart’s “jump team” to assist with breaking news coverage in other cities
- Guided multi-city coverage of Hurricane Katrina from Mississippi and then Florida for six weeks following disaster
- Managed, produced special coverage for local and statewide elections, inc. candidate interviews
- Produced award-winning, multi-site sports coverage for March Madness and UK vs. UofL
- At the request of the news director, returned to produce newscasts as freelancer from 2018 - 2020
KFOR-TV (New York Times Broadcast Group) Oklahoma City, OK
PRODUCER AND ANCHOR (NEWS UPDATES)
04.1995 - 10.2002
Job overview
- Anchored on-air hourly, overnight news updates
- Managed producer position for morning show and increased ratings year-over-year
- Produced 4pm & 6:30pm newscasts following several years on morning show
- Moved to weather producer during severe weather events, overseeing multiple storm chase crews
- Began career on day of OKC bombing as associate producer during weeklong, 24-hour live news
- Planned video shoots in studio and remotely by managing production through stages to completion.
- Presented production ideas and determined creative scenarios for production and delivery.
- Coordinated with producers and on-air talent to create program content, new ideas, and segments.
- Facilitated communication between production staff and other departments to synchronize work.
Education
University of Central OklahomaEdmond, OK
Bachelor of Arts from Major - Broadcast Journalism; Minor - Advertising
08.1991 - 12.1995
Awards and Accolades
2024
- Silver Telly Award - "Texas Public Meetings" videos - campaign - not-for-profit
- Communicator Awards (AIVA) - Award of Excellence (Gold), Connected Nation Podcast - Award of Excellence for podcast series - technology
- Communicator Awards (AIVA) - Award of Excellence (Gold) & Award of Distinction (Silver), Connected Nation website revamp
- Communicator Awards (AIVA) - Award of Distinction (Silver), Connected Nation's social media platforms
- Communicator Awards (AIVA) - Two Awards of Distinction (Silver), "Let's Get Digital: Oklahoma Broadband Tour" videos for low budget and non-profit video categories
- Communicator Awards (AIVA) - Two Awards of Distinction (Silver), "Texas Public Meetings" videos for low budget and causes & awareness video categories
2023
- PRNEWS' Digital Awards - Digital Communicator of the Year
- PRNEWS' Digital Awards - Digital Team of the Year
- PRNEWS' Digital Awards - Connected Nation podcast - Honorable Mention
- Two Silver Telly Awards for "Why Michigan will likely become one of the most connected states in the union video" for Craft-writing and General-Low budget (under $700 a minute)
- Two Bronze Telly Awards for the Kids Tech Summit - General-Live Events and General-Science & Technology
- Bronze Telly Award for "What the American farmer needs now to not just survive but thrive" video - General-Social Issues
- Communicator Awards (AIVA) - Award of Excellence (Gold), Kids Tech Summit for general ed & training for virtual & remote
- Communicator Awards (AIVA) - Award of Distinction (Silver), Connected Nation podcast – technology series
- Communicator Awards (AIVA) - Award of Distinction (Silver), “What the American farmer needs” video for social issues/responsibility for film and video
- Finalist Team of the Year (In-House), Grant Prize Category – PR Daily’s Social Media & Digital Awards (announcing June 14)
- PRNEWS National Nonprofit Awards – Communicator of the Year – Honorable Mention
2022
- Five Telly Awards (2 silver, 3 bronze) related to “A national conversation on the Digital Divide”
- PR Daily, Nonprofit Awards, Best Virtual Event, “A national conversation on the Digital Divide”
- PRNEWS, national finalist, Platinum Awards, PR Professional of the Year (In House)
- Communicator Awards (AIVA) - Award of Distinction (Silver), “A national conversation on the Digital Divide"
- Communicator Awards (AIVA) -Award of Distinction (Silver), Connected Nation podcast – tech series
2021
- Bronze Telly Award for “All about telehealth in less than 7 minutes”
- PRNEWS, national finalist, Digital Newsroom “Responding to the Coronavirus Crisis”
- PRNEWS, national finalist, 2022 Digital Communicator of the Year
- Gold Rank, International Economic Development Council (IEDC), Digital Works site redesign
- PRNEWS, national finalist, Digital Communicator of the Year
- PRNEWS, national finalist, Digital Works site redesign
2019-1999
- PRNEWS, national finalist, Nonprofit Awards – Branding/Re-branding (2019)
- Emmy Award, Spot News, GE fire/flooding in Louisville (2015)
- Associated Press Award, Best newscast, 4pm news (2015)
- Edward R. Murrow Award, Breaking News, Large Market (2014)
- Society of Professional Journalist, 1st place, 4pm newscast (2014)
- 5 Emmy nominations – 3 best newscasts, best continuing coverage, spot news (2013)
- DeRose-Hinkhouse Awards, Awards of Excellence: Magazine & Newsletter (2011)
- Pet Group United Awards- Trooper Awards, Volunteer of the Year (2011)
- Best Community Leader for Pets, Louisville Tails Honors (2011)
- DeRose-Hinkhouse Awards, Award of Excellence: Periodicals: Magazine (2010)
- DeRose-Hinkhouse Awards, Best in Class: Website/internet communications (2009)
- Hermes Creative Awards, Gold Award: Brochure on Human Trafficking Awareness (2009)
- Associated Press, Best Sports Special: Battle of the Bluegrass (2007)
- Emmy Award, Live News, May 3rd Tornado Outbreak (1999)
- Associated Press, Best Sports Special: Battle of the Bluegrass (2007)Emmy Award, Live News, May 3rd Tornado Outbreak (1999)
Volunteer Work
2024 to present - Board member, YMCA Downtown Advisory Board - Louisville, KY
2009 to 2023 - NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), ML for Louisville
2010 to 2013 - No Kill Louisville, President and Co-Founder
2009 to 2012 - YMCA, Membership and Programs Committee Member
2009 to 2011 - Louisville Metro Animal Services, Volunteer
2003 to 2005 - Habitat for Humanity builds
Examples of My Work
- 2021 National Event (multi-award winning) - cn20.org - I produced, wrote, and voiced all videos for this national event which was hosted LIVE in three US cities
- Schools and broadband video piece (award winning) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7T1jzMYl7Y
- NBC News Think Oped - https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/covid-health-care-access-telemedicine-kill-states-rcna52616
- 2021 Kids Tech Summit (award winning) - https://connectednation.org/kids-tech-summit/ - I produced and hosted this summit which won an Award of Excellence
- Connected Nation Podcast - https://connectednation.buzzsprout.com/ - I produce, book guests, and host this multi-award winning podcast.
- Video Profile (award winning) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q5oNrp4s08 - profile on American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall
- End of Year Blog - https://connectednation.org/press-releases/this-holiday-season-lets-sound-the-alarm-on-broadband-access-for-all
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeContract WorkWork Location
RemoteHybridImportant To Me
Work-life balanceCompany CulturePaid time offCareer advancementWebsites
Timeline
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Connected Nation
03.2017 - Current
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
WDRB Media (Block Communications)
01.2013 - 03.2017
COMMUNICATOR (International)
PC (USA)
04.2011 - 01.2013
CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
No Kill Louisville
04.2010 - 01.2013
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Ursuline Sisters Of Louisville
02.2008 - 02.2010
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
WLKY-TV (Hearst Television)
10.2002 - 09.2007
PRODUCER AND ANCHOR (NEWS UPDATES)
KFOR-TV (New York Times Broadcast Group)
04.1995 - 10.2002
University of Central Oklahoma
Bachelor of Arts from Major - Broadcast Journalism; Minor - Advertising
08.1991 - 12.1995
Similar Profiles
Kathryn BoardmanKathryn Boardman
Site Coordinator at Connected Community SchoolsSite Coordinator at Connected Community Schools
Bharat UpadhyaBharat Upadhya
Tech Lead at Harman Connected ServicesTech Lead at Harman Connected Services
Elise DonnellyElise Donnelly
Domiciliary care assistant at Connected HealthDomiciliary care assistant at Connected Health
Alix DuvallAlix Duvall
Assistant General Manager at Home2 Suites/Tru By Hilton Shepherdsville Louisville SouthAssistant General Manager at Home2 Suites/Tru By Hilton Shepherdsville Louisville South
Ryan PenceRyan Pence
Mod Administrative Assistant at UPS Worldport Freight FacilityMod Administrative Assistant at UPS Worldport Freight Facility