JOSEPHINE R. DICKERSON
Clifton,NJ
Summary
Experienced communications leader with over a decade of expertise in PR, media relations, event management, and strategic communications. Proven success in driving high-impact campaigns for premium brands, including virtual activations, media tours, and large-scale corporate events. Skilled in developing and executing communication strategies that align with business goals, while enhancing visibility and engagement. Adept at managing agency relationships, crafting compelling content, and leveraging data to optimize media coverage. Fluent in Spanish and passionate about integrating creativity with results-oriented strategies.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Events, Owned Channels, and Exec Comms Specialist
Amazon Ads
New York, NY
09.2022 - Current
- Worked with PR teams and Ads marketing across all Amazon businesses and regions to design media experiences for high-profile events including the Cannes Festival, NewFronts, CES, and owned events such as unBoxed.
- Directed agency teams from Hunter, Allison+Partners, and SourceCode to develop and pitch product and service announcements for key events, aligning with annual business and communication objectives.
- Managed Hunter agency to secure entertainment coverage for Amazon's 2023 NewFronts presentation, expanding media outreach to include multicultural, entertainment, lifestyle, and Black press outlets. Coordinated photo opportunities with Prime Video and Music PR teams, ensuring seamless on-site talent photo approvals and resulting in extensive photo coverage.
- Researched and identified speaking opportunities for leaders outside of tentpole events, coordinating with agency teams to create abstracts for external engagements and maintaining updated conference databases, specifically for the SVP of Products' inaugural executive communications plan.
- Facilitated the SVP of Product's engagement at Shoptalk Vegas 2024 by coordinating with conference organizers, prepping logistical details with executive assistants, and preparing comprehensive briefing materials.
- Launched the team's inaugural spokesperson program, including happy hours and dinners, to facilitate product education between leadership and trade media, resulting in more accurate coverage with fewer corrections needed.
- Enhanced future event planning by creating and refining event management protocols, workback schedules, staffing plans, and debrief processes.
Internal Comms, Project and Events Specialist
Amazon Finance
New York, NY
01.2022 - 09.2022
- Spearheaded the organization’s first hybrid annual meeting for 18,000 employees, achieving record attendance by analyzing past attendee feedback to surpass engagement and participation goals from previous years. Managed content creation, agenda and script development, vendor coordination, swag procurement, volunteer management, post-event survey implementation, and secured participation from department leaders and affinity groups.
- Executed Amazon's Annual Shareholder Meeting in collaboration with legal, investor relations, external vendors, and communication teams, marking a first-time achievement by a communications team within a shortened planning timeframe.
- Collaborated with assistants, project managers, and technical advisors to uphold content calendars and communication channels for ten departments.
Corporate Communications Coordinator
Amazon
New York, NY
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Spearheaded submissions for high-profile Amazon-wide awards such as Fortune World's Most Admired Companies, TIME100 Most Influential Companies, and the Ranking of America's Most JUST Companies, while managing an agency to research, track, and flag relevant opportunities through a centralized awards calendar and company channels.
- Developed and executed award amplification plans to enhance global recognition of company-wide achievements through newsletters, websites, social channels, and on-site signage at offices and fulfillment centers.
- Led Intellectual Property (IP) PR initiatives by analyzing media coverage, monitoring trademark applications, and tracking patents to prepare media statements for all Amazon businesses.
- Project managed reactive efforts for Vox and CNN's Land of the Giants docuseries, coordinating executive and employee interviews, managing creative requests, and securing legal approvals for IP requests. Led fact-checking initiatives, addressed false narratives, and managed logistics for setting up interviews at office and fulfillment buildings.
- Served as the primary liaison for the Amazon Press Center and its external vendor, Business Wire, representing the communications organization. Trained team members on operating procedures, reducing discontent with publishing delays.
Office and Project Manager
Lobos 1707 Tequila
New York, NY
07.2020 - 01.2021
- Managed brand ambassadors and gifting program, fostering relationships with mixologists and barware vendors to enhance brand representation across online and broadcast media
- Secured Cocktail Kingdom as the glassware partner for the inaugural gift set program, boosting brand visibility and social engagement
- Orchestrated logistics for shipments to the NBA Bubble at Walt Disney World, leveraging the Lakers' 2020 NBA Finals win to generate organic, grassroots brand coverage by showcasing the bottle on the court
- Led board meeting preparation for the President, compiling business updates and drafting decks and presentations
Public Relations Manager and Social Media Specialist
Terlato Wines & Artisan Spirits
Hoboken, NJ And White Plains, NY
02.2017 - 07.2020
- Secured media placements in top wine, trade, and lifestyle publications through seasonal pitches, creative mailers, media trips, satellite tours, tasting events, and deskside meetings, with coverage in outlets like CNN, Forbes, PUNCH, TODAY, the Wall Street Journal, and major newspapers in the top 10 media markets, resulting in 200+ organic placements and reaching over 5.5 million potential customers.
- Ensured the timely submission of new products and vintage samples to key scoring publications by tracking editorial calendars and submission schedules. Managed and shared a scoring tracker with marketing and brand representatives to monitor results and strategize future submissions.
- Orchestrated a new collaboration process with Top Chef's production team to ensure timely shipments and thematic alignment with episodes, increasing on-screen product placements by 60%. Created a broadcast monitoring system that equipped sales teams with timely clips from the partnership, leading to commitments from Whole Foods and Total Wine.
- Led the launch of Nonino's Botanical Drink, organizing trade show appearances and samples to media, resulting in top-tier media placements, over 11K social impressions, and the 'Best Distillery of 2020' award from Wine Enthusiast.
- Cultivated a partnership with the Hamilton: An American Musical tour by executing regional events for VIP buyers and local media per show stop, leading to expanded coverage for The Federalist wine with local outlets and influencers.
- Managed agency sourcing, influencer vetting, and negotiations for the Seven Daughters 2018 'Unscrew It' campaign.
Executive Assistant to the Chief Communication, Digital, and Marketing Officers
Combs Enterprises
New York, NY
07.2015 - 02.2017
- Oversaw the company calendar, coordinating events across seven brands, five artists, and industry engagements with the support of four PR agencies and marketing teams to align on upcoming announcements and launch dates.
- Led and inaugurated pitching efforts to Black lifestyle outlets and blogs, including Bossip, Karen Civil, Madame Noire, The Shade Room, The Source, and VIBE, securing an additional 5 to 10 media placements per announcement.
- Collaborated with the CEO’s speechwriter to manage a statements database, ensuring consistent messaging and voice, and assisting in the creation of press briefing documents and talking points for the CEO’s appearances at trade events.
- Contributed to the rebranding of Combs Enterprises by participating in the development of the company's values and mission statements, building the press history page, and coordinating executive photoshoots.
- Drafted internal communications for key events, announcements, and leadership media interviews. Developed social strategies and curated visual assets, encouraging employees to amplify company news across personal social channels.
- Managed media relations for the Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour, overseeing press check-in, handling escalations, and coordinating pre- and post-event media alerts.
- Prepared celebrity and influencer hosts for the CÎROC Empowered Brunch Series, ensuring they were briefed on roles, responsibilities, event messaging, and venue details.
Assistant Publicist and Executive Assistant to the President
Sunshine Sachs
New York, NY
07.2013 - 07.2015
- Directed product pitching and managed press samples for Zady.com, securing coverage from high-status media outlets including Today.com, USA Today, LA Times, and Us Weekly.
- Developed and executed the communications strategy for GLG's inaugural Social Impact Fellows' welcome reception, securing the director's inclusion in the New York Business Journal's Women of Influence list.
- Fostered long-term relationships with editorial teams by organizing and pitching holiday gift guide placements to editors and producers across three offices for two consecutive years, securing multiple placements.
- Planned happy hour events with partner agencies and media houses, curating media lists from cross-company submissions, including junior reporters recommended by assistant teams, to further expand media lists across teams.
- Led the tracking and reporting of weekly media coverage for Harlem EatUp!, DuJour magazine, Apollo Theater, and Soul Train Awards clients.
- Tracked social media trends and produced daily reports for the 'Consumer Lifestyle' Facebook team, identifying mentions in Just Jared, PopSugar, Us Weekly, and Gawker blogs.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT05-2013
Skills
- Bilingual - Spanish
- Content Creation
- Coverage Tracking & Reporting
- Event Planning
- Internal Communications
- Media Relations
- Microsoft Office
- Project Management
- Strategic Communications
- Trends & Media Monitoring
Professional Organizations
- Programming Director, Hispanic PR Association - NYC Chapter, Spring 2020 - Present
- NYC Events & NABJ Conference Volunteer, Amazon Black Media Task Force, Summer 2024
- Deputy Membership Director, Caribbeans @ Amazon Group, Spring 2022 - Summer 2023
Certification
- International Wine Center, WSET Level 1 & 2 and Level 1 Spirits Certificate (2019 - 2021)
- Your Career Girl Inc., DEI Coaching Program (2020)
- Institute of Culinary Education, Professional Mixology Certificate (2019)
Accomplishments
- Comms All-Star Awards: Amazon Union Vote Task Force Volunteer (2021)
Internships
- Berk Communications, PR & Events Intern, Volunteer (Summer 2013)
- SiriusXM, Latin Music Intern (Spring 2013)
- U.S. Department of Labor, Chicago Bureau of Labor Statistics Intern (Summer 2012)
- NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, Press Office Intern (Summer 2011)
Timeline
Events, Owned Channels, and Exec Comms Specialist
Amazon Ads
09.2022 - Current
Internal Comms, Project and Events Specialist
Amazon Finance
01.2022 - 09.2022
Corporate Communications Coordinator
Amazon
01.2021 - 01.2022
Office and Project Manager
Lobos 1707 Tequila
07.2020 - 01.2021
Public Relations Manager and Social Media Specialist
Terlato Wines & Artisan Spirits
02.2017 - 07.2020
Executive Assistant to the Chief Communication, Digital, and Marketing Officers
Combs Enterprises
07.2015 - 02.2017
Assistant Publicist and Executive Assistant to the President
Sunshine Sachs
07.2013 - 07.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations
Quinnipiac University
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