Julianne Breitbeil
Fairfax,VA
Summary
Accomplished Senior Media Relations Specialist with a proven track record at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, enhancing public awareness through strategic communications and crisis management. Spearheaded impactful campaigns, achieving a 65% increase in web traffic, and demonstrated expertise in media outreach and partnership development.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Media Relations Specialist
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Washington, DC
02.2016 - Current
- Project manager for the FDIC’s “Know Your Risk. Protect Your Money.” Deposit Insurance public awareness campaign, a multi-year, multi-million-dollar effort. Advertisements ran on various digital and social media channels in English and Spanish, and appeared on public transit systems in New York City and Washington, D.C. Ads were targeted towards unbanked consumers, college-age consumers, and those who may be considering financial products and services that do not have deposit insurance coverage. In 2024, traffic to the FDIC’s deposit insurance webpages increased 65% percent from the previous year, and ads met or exceeded industry benchmarks in nearly every category. Managed messaging of ads, as well as consumer and educations materials related to deposit insurance working with a cross-functional team.
- Communications manager for the FDIC’s Get Banked public awareness campaign to promote the benefits of safe, affordable bank accounts for unbanked household. The digital advertising campaign ran in two phases in 5 pilot cities, garnering hundreds of media mentions in both national and regional media. Collaborated with the Department of Treasury and IRS to increase reach.
- Act as spokesperson for the FDIC, responding to media inquiries concerning bank regulations and FDIC activities. Lead media relations specialist for the Quarterly Banking Profile press conferences.
- Write, develop and manage materials for public dissemination. Prepared executives for major media interviews.
- Recipient of two Chairman’s Awards for work on economic inclusion and crisis communications related to bank failures.
National Media Relations Public Affairs Specialist
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Washington, DC
02.2011 - 02.2016
- Act as spokesperson for the IRS, responding to media inquiries concerning complex tax law and IRS activities, policies, and procedures. Work with senior agency officials in the formulation of national policy and programs, and provide counsel to senior officials on media implications of policies and decisions under agency consideration.
- Write, develop and manage materials, including releases, fact sheets, talking points, web material and YouTube videos, to help the public comply with tax law. Coordinate media interviews and prepare Service officials, includes preparation of talking points and background materials. Conduct interviews and work with media to advance the agency’s priorities.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive communication and media strategy through cross-function coordination to address tax-related identity theft issues. Produced educational materials, including a Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft, a fact sheet, releases, tax tips and YouTube videos, which were developed, disseminated and posted to IRS.gov to help ID theft victims. These documents have been used as a reference point on almost all identity theft communications since their creation and to help influence several high profile, national identity theft stories. Awarded an IRS Commissioner’s Award for the body of work.
- Managed a comprehensive communication strategy for the national media office to handle taxpayer expectations related to refund timing. Developed talking points, fact sheets and other materials to address issues experienced at the start of the filing season, including development of a YouTube video that has received nearly 700,000 views.
Communications Director
U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD)
Washington, DC
05.2003 - 02.2011
- Managed a three-person press team for a Senator on the Banking, Appropriations, Energy and Indian Affairs Committees. Member also serves as the Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veteran Affairs. Functioned as official spokesperson and media liaison working with both local and national media. Hired employees and train staffers in press work and Member management. Fostered staff development and supervised tasks given to my team.
- Worked directly with Senator to ensure message reaches desired audiences. Planned media events and wrote press releases, columns and talking points, ensuring consistency of messaging and priorities. Supervised content of the Member’s website, including redesigns.
- At a time with an equally divided Senate, developed and implemented response strategy for national and state press inquiries during Senator’s sudden and life-threatening illness and subsequent recovery through his successful re-election cycle.
Press Secretary
U.S. Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND-At Large)
Washington, DC
12.2000 - 05.2003
- Acted as spokesperson and media liaison for active member of the House Agriculture and Ways and Means Committees.
- Developed and implemented communications strategy for Member, including media outreach at the national and state level through press events, interviews, talking points and columns on a variety of issues. This included promoting the Member’s top issues, such as Internet safety and Social Security solvency.
Communications Director
Pomeroy for Congress (D-ND-At Large)
Bismarck, ND
09.2002 - 11.2002
- Coordinated and administered communications strategy for congressional candidate at top of the ticket in a statewide election of national interest. Won NRCC targeted race with 52% of the vote.
Campaign Manager
Glenn Pomeroy for Attorney General
Bismarck, ND
07.2000 - 11.2000
- Executed campaign plan, including raising and administering a budget of more than $300,000.
- Managed the earned and paid media campaigns.
Legislative Assistant
U.S. Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND-At Large)
Washington, DC
01.2000 - 07.2000
- Managed legislative activities in the areas of technology, communications, labor and government reform
Assistant to the Staff Director & Office Manager
U.S. Senate Committee on Finance - Minority Staff
Washington, DC
09.1998 - 12.1999
- Performed research for the Staff Director and the Committee’s ranking member U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (NY).
- Managed office operations, including an annual budget of more than one million dollars.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
The American University
Washington, DC05.1998
Skills
- Strategic communications
- Crisis management
- Media outreach
- Brand messaging
- Press release writing
- Partnership development
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Media Relations Specialist
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
02.2016 - Current
National Media Relations Public Affairs Specialist
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
02.2011 - 02.2016
Communications Director
U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD)
05.2003 - 02.2011
Communications Director
Pomeroy for Congress (D-ND-At Large)
09.2002 - 11.2002
Press Secretary
U.S. Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND-At Large)
12.2000 - 05.2003
Campaign Manager
Glenn Pomeroy for Attorney General
07.2000 - 11.2000
Legislative Assistant
U.S. Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND-At Large)
01.2000 - 07.2000
Assistant to the Staff Director & Office Manager
U.S. Senate Committee on Finance - Minority Staff
09.1998 - 12.1999
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
The American University
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