Bernard Watson Email & Phone Number

I serve as Director of Community and Media Relations for Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), the 11th largest school district in the nation, with more than 182,000 students and more than 24,000 employees. An award-winning veteran communications specialist with more than two decades of experience tailoring messages for broadcast, radio, and print media audiences, responsibilities include:-Serves as the primary media spokesperson for GCPS and the first point of contact for broadcast and print media journalists.-Provides crisis communication advisement and guidance to the district’s 142 principals-Crafts and disseminates news releases highlighting positive developments in GCPS-Consults and collaborates with the superintendent and other district leaders when coordinating crisis communication-Creates communication plans and sports media access policies-Executive Producer and host of “Teaching Gwinnett” (GCPS podcast)-Executive producer and host of “Connected” (Bi-monthly TV news program)-Collaborates with Human Resources to support recruitment efforts through media outreach efforts-Partners with Gwinnett’s School Resource Officers to enhance and promote community engagement-Manages crisis communication training for district leaders and support staff-Hosts district-level events and awards programs-Establishes, cultivates, and maintains relationships with key stakeholders in the community, including for-profit and not-for-profit businesses and organizations.-Serves as liaison between GCPS and county government as well as civic groups-Cultivates district relationships with local, state, and national news media outletsI am a seasoned communicator with superior deadline management and excellent writing skills. I have a proven track record of successfully using communication skills in innovative, creative, and effective ways. As a bridge-builder, I effectively connect and bond with people and groups with diverse backgrounds, skills, and education levels. I bring an exceptional ability to communicate with large crowds in pressure situations. Skilled in producing and disseminating content for all formats, my experience encompasses web, print, radio, video, and social media. I have the proven ability to examine, dissect, and understand new and complex information quickly in crisis situations, and then present it to diverse audiences in concise, easy-to-understand language.

Listed skills include Storytelling, Breaking News, Journalism, Television, and 46 others.