PARISA SAFARZADEH
Oakland,CA
Summary
Highly skilled and accomplished public relations professional with a successful track record in managing and leading communications for both private and public sectors. Seeking to leverage over 10 years of extensive experience and expertise to lead strategic communication and media initiatives.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Press Secretary & Deputy Communications Director
OFFICE OF MAYOR LONDON BREED
06.2022 - Current
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for Mayor Breed, providing strategic counsel on communication matters
- Develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies to promote the Mayor's initiatives and policies
- Prepare and distribute press releases, statements, and media advisories on behalf of the Mayor's Office
- Responsible for drafting talking points, compiling media briefings, and contributing to speech preparation for Mayor Breed
- Cultivate relationships with local, national, and international media reporters and outlets to maximize positive coverage
- Manage and coordinate media interviews, press conferences, and public events
- Monitor media coverage and respond to inquiries from journalists in a timely and accurate manner
- Collaborate with internal departments to ensure consistent messaging across all communication channels
- Advisor to key City Department leaders for strategic communication priorities
- Provide media training to staff members and elected officials to enhance their communication skills
- Coordinate with outside consultants and public affair agencies to ensure continuity for the City's economic recovery narrative campaign.
Communications Manager
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
02.2021 - 05.2022
- Led San Francisco's communication efforts during the City's Covid-19 response, ensuring accurate and timely information dissemination for residents, businesses, stakeholders and City leadership
- Developed and implemented crisis and strategic communication plans to inform the public about Covid-19-related updates, guidelines, and policies
- Coordinated with various City departments to align messaging and ensure consistency in communications
- Drafted press releases, blog posts, and social media content to keep the public informed about Covid-19 developments on behalf of the City & County of San Francisco
- Managed crisis communications during challenging situations, providing guidance to City officials and staff
- Monitored social media platforms for public sentiment and addressed concerns promptly
- Oversaw the creation and maintenance of the City's Covid-19 informational website, Citywide public education advertising campaigns, and other key communication channels
- Conducted media briefings and served as a spokesperson for the City
- Built and fostered partnerships with local, national, and international reporters and outlets
- Responded to thousands of national and international press inquiries as the City's spokesperson for Covid-19 response.
Founder of Communications Consulting Company
P.S. CONSULTING
08.2020 - 08.2021
- Established and managed a successful communications strategy consulting company
- Developed and implemented comprehensive communication strategies for clients who served as elected officials
- Conducted thorough research and analysis to identify communication gaps and opportunities
- Provided strategic guidance to clients on messaging, branding, and reputation management
- Created and executed targeted communication plans to reach key stakeholders and achieve client objectives
- Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with clients, ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty
- Stayed up-to-date with industry trends and best practices to continuously enhance service offerings
- Implemented social media strategies to integrate with overall marketing tactics.
Government and Public Agency Communications Manager
Nextdoor (.com)
03.2019 - 06.2020
- Led the Government and Public Agency Team's strategic communication priorities, including expanding Nextdoor's footprint across public and private public entities throughout the U.S
- And Canada
- Created and implemented resources to engage public agencies and promote collaboration with Nextdoor
- Collaborated with government officials and agencies to identify opportunities for partnership and mutual benefit, to include product and policy input
- Coordinated cross-functionally with internal teams, including product and engineering, to inform product enhancements suitable for partner needs
- Tracked and reported on key metrics related to government partnerships and engagement
- Liaised with the company's Public Relations team to support national media campaigns, including giving input to proactive media campaigns
- Produced variety of external messaging to include press releases, blog-writing, campaign copywriting, and social media copy
- Worked in coordination with Nextdoor's Legal + Policy Team to draft and introduce new policies and revise existing
- Established streamlined resources and messaging for all U.S
- Public agency partners to utilize
- Launched Nextdoor for Public Agencies in Canada, Spain and Italy.
Social Media Manager
Nextdoor (.com)
05.2018 - 03.2019
- Managed digital media strategies and campaigns for Nextdoor, a social media company
- Developed and executed comprehensive PR plans to enhance brand visibility and reputation
- Created compelling content for digital platforms, including social media, blogs, and websites
- Monitored and analyzed digital media performance, providing insights and recommendations for optimization
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align messaging and ensure consistent brand representation
- Built and maintained relationships with media outlets and influencers to maximize positive coverage
- Responded to media inquiries and managed crisis communications when necessary
- Conducted social media training for Nextdoor CEO and leadership, and outside-facing brand reps to enhance Nextdoor's digital brand reputation.
Digital Media Manager
OFFICE OF SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ, HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
05.2017 - 05.2018
- Developed and implemented digital media strategies to enhance the online presence and engagement of the Harris County Sheriff's Office for over 4 million constituents
- Managed social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, to disseminate information and engage with the community
- Created compelling content, including graphics, videos, and written posts, to effectively communicate key messages to the public
- Monitored social media channels for public sentiment and responded to inquiries and comments in a timely and professional manner
- Collaborated with internal departments to ensure consistent messaging and accurate information during crisis situations
- Conducted regular analysis of social media performance, providing insights and recommendations for optimization
- Oversaw the maintenance of the Sheriff's Office website, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information for the public
- Drafted press releases, statements, and media advisories on behalf of the Sheriff's Office when needed
- Facilitated digital media training for law enforcement personnel to enhance their online communication skills and to aid investigations
- Managed crisis communications during critical incidents, providing accurate and timely updates to the public.
Director of Public Relations
BERING'S CORPORATE
09.2016 - 09.2017
- Executed public relations campaigns, driving brand awareness and customer engagement
- Cultivated relationships with media outlets and influencers, securing positive coverage for the company
- Conducted market research and monitored industry trends to identify opportunities for brand promotion
- Pitched extensively to local and national lifestyle and culture outlets to secure positive and consistent brand placement and coverage
- Collaborated with marketing and advertising teams to align messaging and maximize brand exposure
- Managed social media platforms, developing engaging content and fostering customer engagement
- Coordinated media interviews for the CEO and President.
Digital Media Manager
OFFICE OF SHERIFF ADRIAN GARCIA, HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
06.2012 - 09.2016
- Created and led digital media team for Sheriff Adrian Garcia
- Served as a deputy 'digital' spokesperson for the Harris County Sheriff's Office, providing timely and accurate information to the media and the public on the Department's social media
- Developed and implemented comprehensive digital communication plans for various law enforcement initiatives and campaigns
- Drafted press releases, statements, and media advisories on behalf of the Sheriff's Office when needed
- Produced pre-recorded video series of Sheriff Garcia for internal and external communication needs
- Conducted digital media training for law enforcement personnel to enhance their communication skills
- Monitored social media coverage and responded to online inquiries in a prompt and professional manner
- Managed crisis communications during critical incidents, providing accurate and timely updates to the public
- Built and maintained relationships with media representatives and community stakeholders.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Houston
Houston, TXSkills
- Strategic Communications
- Media Relations
- Brand positioning
- Message development
- Policy analysis
- Speechwriting
- Social media management
- Crisis management
- Government relations
Affiliations
SAN FRANCISCO WOMEN'S POLITICAL COMMITTEE, San Francisco, CA
January 2022 - January 2023
• Served as the Communications Co-Chair for the SFWPC to advocate for women's rights and political representation, and the advancement of women's political leadership and social justice initiatives.
Timeline
Press Secretary & Deputy Communications Director
OFFICE OF MAYOR LONDON BREED
06.2022 - Current
Communications Manager
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
02.2021 - 05.2022
Founder of Communications Consulting Company
P.S. CONSULTING
08.2020 - 08.2021
Government and Public Agency Communications Manager
Nextdoor (.com)
03.2019 - 06.2020
Social Media Manager
Nextdoor (.com)
05.2018 - 03.2019
Digital Media Manager
OFFICE OF SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ, HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
05.2017 - 05.2018
Director of Public Relations
BERING'S CORPORATE
09.2016 - 09.2017
Digital Media Manager
OFFICE OF SHERIFF ADRIAN GARCIA, HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
06.2012 - 09.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Houston
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