Candace Smith Email & Phone Number

Boulder, Co, Us

Boulder County, Colorado, United States

Direct multifaceted operations at premier research university related to editorial strategy, issues management, proactive media relations, athletics, strategic events, social media, and internal, strategic, executive, emergency, and crisis communications. Lead cross-functional teams of 29+ in product launches and reputation management. Devised and deployed integrated marketing communications campaigns aligning with university priorities, yielding significant increases in website traffic, media mentions, and social media followers. Oversee creation of communications road map, encompassing earned owned and paid strategies/tactics, testing, content, messaging, research stories, media outreach, op-eds, proactive pitching, and digital paid organic research campaigns launch. Administer development and launch of LinkedIn and newsletters with high open rates.• Achieved 5 million digital impressions and a conversion rate of 1.82% among other successful campaign tactics via management of communications strategy for two ballot initiatives in the university’s favor for a development project. • Boosted social media followers by 33%+ in past year and internal employee newsletter open rates to 61%+.• Managed and optimized university reputation through strategic marketing/communications for research and capitalizing on opportunities, such as hiring a celebrity football coach.• Championed creation of a strategic events team, orchestrating impactful events like the Right Here Right Now Global Climate Summit with UN Human Rights and 2023 National Science Writers Conference and presence at COP, AAAS.• Defined strategic crisis communications plan for seamless coordination of changes/updates to stakeholders, employees and customers during COVID-19 pandemic while minimizing negative coverage and employee layoffs.• Championed creation and implementation of AI guidelines for marketing/communications professionals and lead communications for a campus community of practice.

Boulder

Delivered exceptional leadership support to multiple teams consisting of 15 employees working on issues management, strategic, crisis, internal, and executive communications and proactive media relations. Aided members of senior leadership in communications initiatives. Established media training program for faculty and executives.• Restructured team and increased headcount to improve earned media coverage and minimize reputational risk.• Led development of data analytics tracking system/communications plans for schools, colleges, and university initiatives.

Washington Dc

Led full lifecycle of half and full-day media training sessions on crisis communication for diverse audiences, including university faculty, administrators, and students, Metro police, Montgomery County Police, Metro executives and directors, American Public Transportation Association, and transit and insurance executives in California.• Developed crisis communication messages for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.• Served as crisis communication consultant for insurance company representing multiple local governments in California.• Actively participated in Department of Homeland Security Terrorism and Pandemic Public/Media Affairs and Communication exercises.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Headed full spectrum of media relations team with 9 employees, including 3 part-time staff, handling hundreds of press announcements and managing thousands of media inquiries per year at a prestigious research university. Managed contracts and collaborations with media giants, like The Young Turks, BBC, CNN, and MSNBC for live campus events. Liaised with print partners such as Huffington Post and The Atlantic to feature GW experts. Oversaw and controlled budget worth $900K+. Led planning and implementation of university-wide media training program and social media tools.• Steered media relations strategy and team during crises, including leading media logistics for high-profile events involving the President, First Lady, and celebrities.• Functions as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine from 2009 to 2010, teaching a risk communications class for emergency managers and health professionals.• Aided university leadership and 14 schools via strategic media counsel and plans while managing communication plans for the university president and major announcements.

Taught a crisis communications class for professionals working on a degree in emergency management.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Provided strategic counsel to the general manager on Board of Directors communications and managed content for public presentations at the second largest transit agency in the U.S. Oversaw production of employee publications, managing nearly 500 news releases, and handling 8K+ press inquiries annually, including film requests. Managed media relations, strategic communications, and executive correspondence while responding to public VIPs on behalf of the general manager. Administered news conferences, media availabilities, and special events for Metro’s top managers and Board members, including state and local politicians.• Mitigated potential risks for Metro policies and safeguarded the organization’s reputation.• Pioneered the establishment of social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.• Developed and executed communications strategies and messages in both crisis and non-crisis situations.• Introduced media tools like a recorded breaking news line and packaged video and photos with interactive news releases.• Developed the communications plan model for the Authority and crafted the 2009 Presidential Inauguration communications plan for Metro.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Reporter, editor, producer for radio broadcast; wire; and wire service reporter covering local, national stories. Edward R. Murrow Award winner.

Journalism Highlights• Producer at NBC/Mutual Radio• Freelance Reporter and Producer at Feature Story; CNN, CBS, ABC Radio News; National Native News• Airborne and in-studio Traffic Reporter at Metro Networks in New York• Reporter and Anchor at Radio Stations in New Jersey and Northern and Central New York• Videographer; Producer; Copy Writer; DJ at TV and Radio Stations in Bismarck, ND

Master'S Degree, Organizational Leadership Pr/Marketing

Ba, Broadcast Journalism/International Relations