Kennedy Williams
Springfield,IL
Summary
Organized and detail oriented recent college graduate with proven success at managing multiple priorities in the areas of storytelling, social media management, public relations and corporate communications. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Communications Specialist
Illinois House of Representatives
04.2024 - Current
- Streamlined internal communication processes by implementing effective communication tools and platforms.
- Copyedited, proofread and revised company advertisements, print materials and press releases before dispersal.
- Created persuasive sales collateral that effectively communicated product benefits, resulting in increased lead generation efforts.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to create cohesive messaging for promotional materials and events.
- Ensured consistent brand messaging across all external communications channels, leading to a strong brand identity.
- Draft press releases detailing relevant newsworthy information and supporting brand image, and worked with news media to spread positions.
- Used various social media platforms for media and blogger outreach.
Content Manager
Saving Our Sons Ministries
08.2023 - 02.2024
- Developed a website.
- Suggested and implemented new features to increase brand awareness.
- Monitored online presence of company's brand to engage with users and strengthen relationships.
- First Annual Toy Giveaway Organizer.
- Approved, reviewed and edited content flowing to website.
- Utilized SEO techniques to optimize website content, improve search engine rankings, and increase traffic.
- Troubleshot issues with websites and fixed scripting and use issues.
- Photography for some web and social media content.
Marketing and Social Media Intern
Democrats For The Illinois House
10.2023 - 12.2023
- Assisted in creating written, video and image content for marketing channels.
- Sat with marketing team members to learn new tasks and determine the best tactics for solving challenges.
- Scheduled social media postings to advertise products and generate site traffic.
- Contributed to mock-ups, email campaigns, and social media content.
- Staffed the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives at various events.
- Created informative and entertaining posts for client's Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
Marketing and Digital Media Integrator
Western Illinois University ROTC
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Social Media engagement increased by 148% after one month.
- Created website and managed content on company Instagram by keeping abreast of current trends, including weekly Cadet feature posts.
- Analyzed media engagement and produced tracking reports.
- Created landing page for long and short form feature stories.
Public Relations Assistant
Western Illinois University Athletics Department
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Developed social media strategy, including photography/videography during games, increasing Twitter engagement/retweets.
- Created high quality press releases, blogs and newsletters.
- Managed website content, delivering prompt updates.
- Assisted with planning, development and implementation of projects.
News Director/Reporter and Anchor
NEWS3 Western Illinois University
09.2020 - 05.2023
- Directed team members during live newscasts.
- Created online publication site to post up to 15 news stories developed weekly.
- Edited stories and videos for live newscast.
- Cultivated relationships with community stakeholders to secure sources for stories.
- Reported stories with an emphasis on connecting history to present.
- Reported from field locations and wrote stories under tight deadlines.
Corporate Communications Intern
Walgreens
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Selected to pitch innovative healthcare idea to WBA CEO Roz Brewer on MasterClass.
- Developed, authored and published stories for Walgreens Newsroom.
- Compiled and drafted article for Chain Drug Review August 2022 issue on Annual Report of Retail Pharmacy.
- Wrote media angles and pitched reporters for National HIV Testing Day, securing more than 135 original media placements and over 67 local TV segments, generating 195 million earned media impressions.
- Reviewed and approved more than 15 pieces of influencer content(Instagram) for Walgreens brand vitamins.
- Compiled and presented recommendations for Walgreens Newsroom restructure. Reviewed competitor sites and industry best practices.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL05.2023
Skills
- Website Development & Administration
- Digital & Social Media Content and Marketing
- Reporting News
- Storytelling
- Public & Media Relations
- Project Management
- AP Style Writing
- Video Editing & Production
- Adobe Creative Suite & Premiere Pro
- Microsoft Suite
- Photography
- Social Media Management
- Newsgathering
Affiliations
- Public Relations Society of America
Certification
- Social Media Marketing, HubSpot Academy - 2/24-3/26
Timeline
Communications Specialist
Illinois House of Representatives
04.2024 - Current
Marketing and Social Media Intern
Democrats For The Illinois House
10.2023 - 12.2023
Content Manager
Saving Our Sons Ministries
08.2023 - 02.2024
Marketing and Digital Media Integrator
Western Illinois University ROTC
01.2023 - 05.2023
Public Relations Assistant
Western Illinois University Athletics Department
08.2022 - 05.2023
Corporate Communications Intern
Walgreens
06.2022 - 08.2022
News Director/Reporter and Anchor
NEWS3 Western Illinois University
09.2020 - 05.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Western Illinois University
- Social Media Marketing, HubSpot Academy - 2/24-3/26
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