Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
VOLUNTEER WORK
Generic

Kelly Brown

Bryan,Texas

Summary

Extensive experience in communications with a proven track record of overseeing comprehensive communications efforts at the nation's largest university. Manage crisis/issues communications and news communications. Robust skillset includes overseeing social media and visual media, as well as television and radio production. Strong leadership skills with ability to inspire teams toward achieving strategic goals. Successful collaboration with stakeholders to accurately present brand in print and online media. Strong writing and communication skills with a commitment to creativity and innovation.

Overview

34
34
years of professional experience

Work History

Associate Vice President

Texas A&M University
04.2023 - Current
  • Crisis and issues communication: Strategize, plan and execute effective communication during times of crisis or emergencies impacting the university community. Role involves comprehensive approach to manage and mitigate the negative effects of crises on the university's reputation, operations and relationships with stakeholders. Collaborate with the administration, division/department leaders and external parties to ensure timely and accurate dissemination of information, fostering transparency, trust and effective problem-solving. Craft clear, concise and empathetic messages that provide accurate information and guidance to the university community. Establish cross-functional crisis communication contacts to ensure unified and coordinated approach.
  • Media relations: Cultivate relationships with journalists and editors to pitch story ideas and secure coverage. Strong understanding of public relations, excellent communication skills and ability to navigate complex media landscapes. Prepare other communicators and professors for media interactions, including interviews, press conferences and panel discussions. Collaborate with internal teams to ensure consistent messaging across all channels. Coordinate with other departments to identify newsworthy stories and opportunities for media coverage.
  • Oversee news team, which writes and edits content for Texas A&M Today, as well as for press releases and expert guides.

Associate Vice President

Texas A&M University
02.2018 - 04.2023
  • Collaborated with senior management in marketing and communications, as well as the administration, to develop strategic initiatives and long-term goals.
  • Oversaw diverse group of content creators and managers, ensuring individual channel operation in best-in-class and cross-channel communication. Teams included news, visual and social media, as well as KAMU-TV and radio.
  • KAMU: While over Texas A&M's public media outlet (PBS and NPR, respectively), established short and long-term goals while reinventing the station to be a more effective university and community partner. Played pivotal role in shaping content, quality, engagement and outreach to ensure goals aligned with university's mission and values.
  • KAMU: Created and produced a TV program (Texas A&M Today) that airs on our local PBS station, as well as online with companion story pieces. First season included more than 80 interviewees spread across 30-plus stories in six episodes. Season Two underway.
  • Reintroduced public events and engagement initiatives at KAMU to involve the community.
  • Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.
  • Identified and resolved issues between employees, promoting better collaboration and mutual respect.
  • Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
  • Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.

Editor-in-Chief

The Bryan-College Station Eagle
05.2010 - 01.2018
  • Oversaw a national award-winning newsroom of 30, while guiding coverage for an eight-county region; ensured high quality and accurate content relevant to readership. Heavily involved in community relations.
  • Assigned, rewrote and edited articles to improve readability and impact.
  • Reviewed articles for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, accuracy.
  • Led and managed multiple projects from conceptual stage through to launch.
  • Established editorial direction, as well as publication policies and procedures, while monitoring and maintaining excellent reputation for fairness and consistency.
  • Developed strategic plan for publication website, daily content and social media presence.
  • Solicited and encouraged public reviews and commentaries on trending topics and subjects of topical interest.

Managing Editor

The Eagle
01.2002 - 01.2009
  • Oversaw the assignments and work of reporters, sports writers, photographers and designers as we produced a newspaper covering the Brazos Valley.
  • Oversaw publication of digital and print products, aligning multi-media content strategies to maintain cohesive brand identity.
  • Pitched content strategies in collaboration with advertising, and managed asset acquisition.

Senior reporter

The Eagle
01.1996 - 01.2001
  • Chased stories ranging from fun features about unique people to tragic events that changed everything for those involved, and from investigative/watchdog reporting to providing a voice for people who didn't have one.
  • Covered state and federal courts
  • Maintained current understanding of events from local level up to international news.
  • Partnered with media executives to produce compelling stories.
  • Established and maintained contacts with variety of government offices, public agencies and community organizations.

Private Investigator

Mays Investigations
01.1994 - 01.1996
  • Gathered information for clients who wanted answers or solutions to problems; produced professional reports outlining findings.
  • Work included corporate investigations, gathering evidence to support legal cases and conducting surveillance.
  • Tracked claimants through routine and notable activities and documented findings with videos, photographs and audio recordings.
  • Operated in full compliance with Texas laws covering interactions with individuals, records searches and allowable surveillance techniques.
  • Supported civil cases by collecting exhaustive notes and offering sworn testimony in depositions and open court.

Freelance writer

Newspapers & Magazines
01.1994 - 01.1996
  • Wrote and edited high-quality feature content and news stories for newspapers throughout the south, including the Associated Press, Dallas, Houston Chronicle, Cosmo and legal publications.

City Editor & Reporter

Bryan-College Station Eagle
11.1991 - 06.1994
  • Oversaw reporter desk: Assigned, edited and supervised long-range enterprise stories.
  • Handled multiple editing assignments under strict deadlines.
  • Collaborated with fellow assigning editors, copy desk, page designers, reporters and press room.
  • Wrote and created content for various topics and mediums.
  • Generated and maintained style guides to encourage consistent quality of content.

Reporter

Harte-Hanks Community Newspapers
01.1990 - 11.1991
  • Wrote 15 to 20 accurate, engaging and fact-checked stories a week for eight newspapers.
  • Collaborated with other journalists and departments to produce well-rounded and comprehensive news coverage.
  • Built strong relationships with sources to gain access to exclusive information.
  • Responded quickly to emergencies and other breaking news stories.
  • Investigated important community issues and put together well-received reports.
  • Communicated with and responded to audiences to build trust and enhance impact of news coverage.
  • Adhered to ethical and legal standards to maintain credibility and trust with audiences.
  • Reported from field locations and wrote stories under tight deadlines.
  • Planned and conducted research and pitched long-form stories to promote investigative news topics.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Journalism

Texas A&M University
College Station
12.1989

Skills

  • Leadership & team management
  • Brand management
  • Communications expert
  • Crisis communication
  • Media and public relations
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Budget management
  • Strategic thinker and innovator
  • Project management

Timeline

Associate Vice President

Texas A&M University
04.2023 - Current

Associate Vice President

Texas A&M University
02.2018 - 04.2023

Editor-in-Chief

The Bryan-College Station Eagle
05.2010 - 01.2018

Managing Editor

The Eagle
01.2002 - 01.2009

Senior reporter

The Eagle
01.1996 - 01.2001

Private Investigator

Mays Investigations
01.1994 - 01.1996

Freelance writer

Newspapers & Magazines
01.1994 - 01.1996

City Editor & Reporter

Bryan-College Station Eagle
11.1991 - 06.1994

Reporter

Harte-Hanks Community Newspapers
01.1990 - 11.1991

Bachelor of Science - Journalism

Texas A&M University

VOLUNTEER WORK

• Unlimited Potential, 2023-current, board of directors

• Texas Associate Press Managing Editors, 2007- 2018 (president, 2010; board, 2006-2017)

• Sexual Assault Resource Center, 1998-2011, board of directors

• Texas A&M  Former Journalism Student Association,  1998-current. (president, 2003; Hall of Honor inductee - 2018) 

• Society of Professional Journalists: 1996-2005 board of directors (president, 2004) 

• Junior Achievement, 1997

• HOST reading program, Bryan ISD, 1992-1995

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