Communications Manager Information Officer

Bentley Washington

********@*********.*** • 901-***-****

LinkedIn • Bartlett, TN

Communications Manager / Media Relations Director Profile

Dedicated and innovative communications professional with extensive industry experience leading internal & external communications activities for government, private, and news broadcasting companies. Creative problem-solver with keen eye for detail and proven success leading conceptualization, development, and execution of internal communication, PR, and media relations strategies. Results-driven leader, ready to collaborate with high-performing teams to ensure success of organizational goals and initiate improvements in overall communication efforts.

Areas of Expertise

Communications Strategy Development

Crisis Communication

Public Relations Management

TV Broadcasting

Digital & Print Marketing

Relationship Management

Copy Writing & Editing

Community Engagement

Quality Assurance

Website Development

Staff Training & Development

Social Media Management

Media Content Creation

Public Speaking

Brand Development

Career Experience

Shelby County Health Department, Memphis, TN July/2020 – Present

Public Information Officer & Communications Lead – COVID-19 Response Team

Develop media strategies to disseminate information on COVID-19 pandemic regarding statistics, precautionary measures, and news updates. Disseminate information on daily statistical updates for internal and external audiences. Supervise Public Information Specialists to ensure effective management of daily productions of media relations, social media platforms, and website. Coordinate media interviews and Joint Task Force briefings for City & Government officials. Oversee operations of call center staff and implement regulatory policies & compliance measures. Prepare press releases, write content for social media posts, and compose articles.

Hired as first Public Information Officer & Communications Lead within Shelby County Health Department.

Act as Media Consultant & Advisor to Deputy Director to guide strategic decision-making regarding public communication activities.

Headed recruitment of call center staff and Public Communication Specialists to build high-performing team.

Introduced internal communication initiatives to disseminate information on news and events for all on-site staff.

Memphis Light Gas & Water (MLGW), Memphis, TN November/2016 – June/2020

Senior Communications Specialist – Corporate Communications & Public Relations

Conceptualized, wrote, and edited content for company information brochures, newsletters, press releases, and speeches. Coordinated distribution of relevant communications materials through variety of channels to promote organization services. Established and maintained content schedules for development and release of informative programs, social media posts, and website content. Prepared visual content and photography to accompany written content. Provide public records information through customer account research and submitting release requests. Generated story ideas, analyzed media coverage, coordinated interviews, and conducted media calls to support success of media relations operations. Facilitated coaching and mentoring for staff.

Collaborated on Power Up Memphis TV program as co-producer and creator. Power Up Memphis is a half-hour television program that features important news from Memphis Light, Gas and Water. Hosted by MLGW Vice President of Community & External Affairs Gale Jones Carson, each edition of Power Up Memphis features interviews on a wide range of subjects such as energy-saving information, vital safety tips, utility industry news and information on customer assistance programs. MLGW is proud to provide this essential information to our customers.

Acted as Creative Director, Producer, and Reporter for Memphis Moments feature stories.

Performed Executive Producer role for production of Memphis Energized TV program. Memphis Energized is a half-hour television program that features important news from Memphis Light, Gas and Water. Each edition of Memphis Energized features energy-saving information, vital safety tips, utility industry news and information on customer assistance programs.

It received a MARCOM Gold award of excellence in 2019.

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Memphis, TN October/2010 – April/2016

Public Information Officer & Communications Manager

Performed role as primary Media Spokesperson to disseminate information to media. Led development of marketing design and branding for agency collateral materials for community involvement. Created and maintained website and Facebook page. Delivered consultations to advise on media communications management with regards to internal crises such as jail escapes, fires, or critical injury incidents. Facilitated crisis communications training sessions for executives. Prepared detailed media reports, marketing materials, and press releases. Compiled comprehensive reports on media activity.

Led website transformation initiative to improve overall visual appeal and user experience.

Introduced weekly email distribution to entire agency to ensure employees remained informed on news and updates.

Built in-house divisional committee to gather feedback from employees on how to improve overall communication efforts.

WMC-TV5, Memphis, TN March/2008 – September/2010

Video Journalist, Reporter, & Weather Anchor

Produced all stories for weekday evening newscasts. Coordinated video shoots, wrote content, and edited videos. Performed research to identify new stories and conducted interviews to gather information. Recorded footage with focus on high quality sound and video.

Performed role as substitute Anchor to assist with channel operations.

Additional Experience

Internal Communications Specialist, Tenaris Global Services, Blytheville, AR

Copywriter – Direct Mail Marketing, Harrah’s Entertainment Inc, Tunica, MS

Communications & Marketing Specialist, American Cancer Society, Memphis, TN

Media Relations & News Manager, Tougaloo College, Jackson, MS

Director of Communications, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Jackson, MS

Communications Coordinator, Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau, Jackson, MS

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communications

California State Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA

Certifications

Certified Master Public Information Officer, Chris Ryan Seminars

Certificate of Completion in Media & Public Relations – FBI LEEDA, Charles Robb, Executive Director, FBI-LEEDA

Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, Issued by – Judy Pal, Trainer LEEDA

Affiliations & Awards

Gold MARCOM Award, MLGW Tom Lee Storm, 2017

Honorable Mention MARCOM Award, MLGW Kiosk Glitch, 2017

Executive Producer & Radio Show Host, Real Talk Memphis with Chip Washington – 91.7 FM (WYXR.org), August 2019 – Present

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