What is your job title, and what does it mean?
I’m the Senior Communications Strategist for Flying Cork – my job is to develop and implement effective messaging strategies for our clients. I am also beginning my second year as the Head Writer for Tomorrow’s World Today.
What is your favorite part about working for Flying Cork?
Honestly, my team is amazing. I love brainstorming sessions. I love critical thinking. And when you have a team that you feel comfortable bouncing ideas off of and that is as passionate about client success as you are, it makes your job that much better.
Something that might surprise us about you/hidden talent/random fact?
I competed on (and won) an episode of a popular reality tv show. That is all I’ll say about it.
What is your most memorable advertisement that is not from Flying Cork? Why?
Definitely the David Letterman billboard campaign from the 1990s. There used to be a late night war and Jay Leno was winning the battle. So Leno rented a billboard right outside of the Ed Sullivan theater–where Letterman hosted his show–that was a photo of him captioned with “Number One in Late Night.” So what does Letterman’s team do? They rented an even bigger billboard right next to Leno’s, with a photo of Letterman telling the world he is number three in late night. Pure genius.
Favorite meal?
Anything on the menu at Pusadee’s Garden in Lawrenceville.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Anything that involves strategy and critical thinking. I love researching audiences to figure out not only what they want to hear, but how they want to hear it. Listening is one of the most underrated communication skills and having a chance to do this research helps us design more effective messages that our audience wants to engage with. I love that we have the opportunity to present newsworthy, factual information that sparks conversation– “I read online today that..”
First job or weirdest job you have had?
It wasn’t necessarily weird, but the most incredible job I ever had (before this one of course) was when I spent a summer working at a lodge in the middle of nowhere in McCarthy, Alaska. I spent my days off exploring the ghost town of Kennicott or hiking and ice climbing on glaciers. I met an amazing group of people that I still keep in touch with today.
My first job was dressing up as the one and only Charles Entertainment Cheese and dancing at kids’ birthday parties. The costume always smelled like thousand island dressing and I distinctly remember that we did not serve thousand island dressing at the restaurant. Also, in case you were wondering– you cannot go back to your hometown Chuck E. Cheese and flex that you used to work there. The staff is not impressed.
Best concert you’ve ever seen?
Charles Bradley when he played in Pittsburgh at the Arts Fest in 2016.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t sweat the small stuff…and it’s all small stuff.
What is a Cork Popping Moment you’ve experienced while working at Flying Cork?
Definitely the new positioning of Tomorrow’s World Today during Season Four. We have always put out incredible content to go with the show, but my team worked really hard on visibility and branding last season. The changes we made to how the show is presented to and received by our audience– from the graphics added to each episode to the weekly blog content and improved social media awareness– has been absolutely incredible. I’m excited to keep the momentum going for Season Five. (FYI– Season Five premiered on September 10!)
