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 Oklahoma, Edmond, 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
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