Danny N. Blanton

**** ******* *****

Jackson, MS 39211

Cell: 601-***-****

ad2l1r@r.postjobfree.com

Experienced Strategic Communications Advisor

Social Media Content Creation Social Media Analysis and Reporting Social Media Planning and Scheduling Writing & Editing Research Executive Communications Strategic Advisor on Communications Issues Communications Planning Media Relations Government Relations

Public Affairs Creative Development Event Management Strategic Planning

Speechwriting Web Management

Profile

25 years of experience in all facets of communications, working in higher education, military, corporate, political, and non-profit sectors

Served as advisor to chief executives in higher education, government, military, and corporate sectors

Twice received the Silver Anvil Award of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America

24 years of active and reserve military experience, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel; Awarded the Bronze Star Medal during Operation Iraqi Freedom

Experience

Communications Consultant Sep. 2019 – Present

Assist clients in addressing crisis situations with strategic communications

Provide counsel to chief executives in media relations and internal and external communications

Lead communications team in simulation exercises, drilling crisis situations such as nuclear attacks

Provide media training, including mock interviews and development of talking points

Applied Training Solutions, LLC: Media Planner/Broadcast Journalist Oct. 2021 – Present

Assisted in the execution of Vibrant Response 2022 exercise at Fort Carson, Colorado, April 21 – May 14.

Provided input, advice, training, and feedback in the execution of all public affairs capacities during a disaster scenario.

Served as script writer, newscast anchor, and broadcast journalist.

Interviewed commanding generals and primary staff during the exercise and provided immediate feedback on areas to sustain and areas to improve.

Assisted U.S. Army North’s PAO in conduct of interviews, helping demonstrate how to put interviewees at ease for interviews and advise junior soldiers in how to conduct interviews.

Mississippi Department of Human Services: Chief Communications Officer Sep. 2019 – Aug 2021

Increased earned media by 73 percent and tripled social media reach during first year

Serves as strategic communications advisor for the Executive Director and leadership team with regard to crisis communications, preparing for media interviews, and managing internal and external issues

Provided strategic council in crisis communications during a $94 million embezzlement scandal that resulted in seven indictments, including the former executive director and another employee of the agency

Changed the narrative from largely negative media tone in the 2nd quarter 2020 to 73 percent positive and 2 percent negative during the 4th quarter 2020

Oversaw complete rebranding of the agency, to include website redesign

Served as primary contact in development of executive, internal, and external communications • Writes and edits press releases, opinion pieces, letters, talking points, and speeches

Served as primary spokesperson for the agency, handling all media relations

Developed long-term and short-term strategic communications plans in support of the agency’s goals

Oversaw brand management, website development and maintenance, digital media strategy, creative services, and development of monthly newsletter to agency staff

Managed a staff of 5 public relations professionals, to include communications specialists, social media, web presence and videography

Communications Consultant Feb. 2016-Sep. 2019

Assist clients in addressing crisis situations with strategic communications; crisis situations include officer-involved shootings and financial disaster

Provide counsel to chief executives in media relations and internal and external communications

Develop and implement communications strategies for political campaigns

Provide media training, including mock interviews and development of talking points

Direct social media content, execution, and analysis, to achieve desired goals

Worked with the City of Tupelo to navigate through an officer involved shooting in 2016

Jackson State University: Interim Executive Director of University Communications Nov. 2016-Aug. 2017

On this time-limited assignment, provided strategic counsel during a financial crisis that affected the university internationally and externally

Worked closely with the University President, providing assistance in speechwriting, media relations, messaging, and developing written communications for alumni, faculty, and other key stakeholders

Managed internal and external communications in support of Jackson State University’s mission as a major research institution and the state’s only urban university

Developed long-term and short-term strategic communications plans in support of the university’s goals

Managed a staff of public relations and marketing professionals, including writers, graphic designers, photographers,

University of Mississippi: Director of Public Relations Aug. 2012 – Feb. 2016

Served as strategic communications advisor for the chancellor and cabinet members with regard to crisis communications, preparing for media interviews, and managing internal and external issues

Served as primary contact in development of executive communications for the chancellor and other senior cabinet

members

Was a primary advisor for crisis communications relating to the 2012 Presidential Election Night Riot, vandalism of

the James Meredith Statue, and removal of the State Flag from campus

Managed a staff of 15 public relations professionals, to include communications specialists, social media, web pres-

ence and videography

Transformed the public relations department into a strategic communications vehicle, increasing the earned media

rate from 3 percent to 24 percent within the first six months.

Managed the development of one of the most respected social media accounts in the nation

oThe Ole Miss Facebook page was named one of the most “Engaging Facebook Pages” by Varsity Outreach in January 2013

oThe official Twitter account @OleMissRebels was consistently named one of the top 50 most-engaging Twit- ter accounts for colleges and universities

oThe UM Pinterest account grew to become the third largest university page in the country since its launch in 2012. The page received a 2013 Southern Public Relations Federation Lantern Award

oThe Ole Miss Instagram account was one of the top 10 most-followed college and university Instagram ac- counts in the country and was named one of the top 100 most engaging brands in the world on the platform

oReceived two PR Daily Awards for Best Use of Instagram and Best Use of Pinterest. We were selected over such national brands as Proctor and Gamble and Elizabeth Arden to receive the accolades

NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, Public Affairs Advisor to Afghan Ministry of Defense Dec. 2011 – Aug. 2012

Served as advisor to senior commanders, specifically Chief of Army Staff Gen. Sher Mohammad Karimi, in strategic

communications issues for use at home and throughout NATO

Developed speeches for Gen. Karimi, including the speech he delivered at the 2012 NATO Strategic Partnership

Conference, which resulted in NATO committing $7 billion dollars in aid to Afghanistan

Advised and coached the MoD to develop effective relationships with Afghan and international media; established

credentialing system; facilitated and streamlined media engagements by providing a written example of an SOP for working with the media

Developed organizational capability to conduct public affairs operations, including long and short term planning and

budget and supply execution

Trained, advised, and worked with the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to develop and publish long-term strategic commu-

nication plans, event-specific Public Affairs Goals, and written Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) and policies regarding communications efforts, media relations, community relations and humanitarian aid

New York Life Insurance Company: Agent July 2010 – Dec. 2011

Advised clients on insurance and investment options. Conducted situation analysis and developed strategies to meet

financial objectives

Entergy Corporation: Manager, Nuclear Communications Jan. 2007 – July 2010

Developed speeches and presentations for nuclear executives

Served as senior assistant to the Chief Nuclear Officer for development of communications for sensitive issues, in-

cluding planning and execution of all-employee meetings at 11 nuclear plants in seven states

Oversaw the strategic, timely, accurate, and effective production and dissemination of materials about the company

to all internal and external audiences including serving as a spokesperson to media

Served in senior leadership role at Entergy Nuclear, managing communications, including personnel, budgets and

projects, at four nuclear plants in three states

Streamlined outage communications at each of the sites and coached the site communicators to become more

proactive, creative and effective in their communications efforts and increased customer satisfaction scores in- creased from 3.1 to 4.1 among site vice presidents

Mississippi Military Department: Public Affairs Officer 2006-2007, 2000-2004, 1999-2000

Wrote and edited text for speeches, printed publications, scripts for radio and television production, advertising copy, news releases, brochures, and other presentations

Served as Editor-in-Chief of Guard Detail magazine and as the senior editor for written material produced for the mass media and many military publications

Planned the homecoming celebration for the 155th Brigade Combat Team as the soldiers returned from Iraq, the vet-eran’s memorial in downtown Jackson and other special events

Established and maintained close working relationship with representatives of various civic, media, veterans, and community groups, as well as state and local government officials and defense contractors.

155th Brigade Combat Team, F.O.B. Kalsu, Iraq: Information Operations Officer Aug. 2004 – Jan. 2006

Served as senior advisor to the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Augustus Collins, for development of

speeches and other communications geared to key stakeholders in country and back home

Developed speech delivered by BG Collins to the Pentagon Press Corps upon redeployment

Developed, implemented and evaluated strategic communications plans to reach target audiences with key mes-

sages and reach objectives

Developed and executed a successful plan to train Iraqi media on the fundamentals of journalism ethics and the

business of journalism so they could become self-sufficient without having to rely on government subsidies.

102nd Public Affairs Detachment, Eagle Base, Bosnia: Information Operations Officer April 2000 – Nov. 2000

Developed speeches given at weekly press conferences to the Bosnian media

Developed all communications to Bosnian community, governmental leadership, Europe, and U.S.

Education

University of Mississippi, B.A. in Journalism Holmes Community College, A.A.

Defense Information School, Public Affairs Officer Qualification Course

Military Experience

U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard – Retired as Lieutenant Colonel 2007

Other Activities

President, College Public Relations Association of Mississippi

Vice President, Public Relations Association of Mississippi, Central Chapter

Member, Southern Public Relations Federation

Board of Governors, Capital Club of Mississippi

Member, American Nuclear Society

Member, Jackson Yacht Club

Contact this candidate