Christopher Mims Email & Phone Number

Jackson, Mississippi, United States

Jackson, Mississippi Area

• Develop and implement marketing communications plans that promote the American Heart Association’s cause initiatives, programs, products, services, and fundraising activities through traditional, non-traditional and social media in the Metro Jackson, MS market• Manage the communications directors in Memphis, TN and Birmingham, AL • Cultivate local media relationships, create and distribute news releases, pitch and place stories, broker interviews, and train spokespeople• Manage corporate sponsor public and media relations benefits and activities• Work with government relations staff to develop media advocacy strategies to encourage legislative support of policies that promote the cardiovascular health of Mississippians • Responsible for brand management of the overall American Heart Association/American Stroke Association brand within the market • Provide communications counsel to local staff and volunteers; as well as work with affiliate vice president of communications and metro vice president to manage crisis communications

Jackson, Mississippi Area

Oversee media advocacy for the state of Mississippi and manage communications, public relations and marketing efforts for the Jackson, Mississippi market. Serve as local brand manager for the American Heart Association. Work with sponsors in developing co-branding opportunities. Key Achievements: • Generated more than 150 million media impressions in both earned and paid media placements in the first year. The marketing mix included radio, television, billboards, magazines, online ads and newspapers. • Negotiate approximately $300,000 in donated media placements annually.• Created new engagement actives to support the American Heart Association's icon days and local initiatives.

Developed and implemented all communications strategies, policies and processes for the Mayor and the nine city departments. Served as a senior advisor for communications and chief spokesperson for the City of Jackson and the Mayor. Lead team of staff members who employed communications activities for the City of Jackson, including assisting senior department directors in drafting speeches, arranging interviews, maintaining the City’s website and engaging social media platforms. Developed and conducted communications and media relations training for city staff, and oversaw internal communications for more than 2,500 city employees. Managed the City’s 311 Center, whose staff provides service to approximately 50,000 citizens annually who phone in or log in non-emergency City service requests. Key Achievements: • Led the implementation of the City’s 311 System. The $1 million-plus system centralizes public service requests and remains the largest system of its kind in the state of Mississippi. It includes a fully staffed call center and a web portal. • Negotiated three ongoing weekly radio shows with local radio stations, enabling the Mayor and city staff to share important city programs and initiatives. • Established social media presence for the City of Jackson and the Mayor and deployed effective social media campaign, increasing awareness of city programs, events and the Administration’s initiatives. • Launched City-wide newsletter and e-newsletters, and led the launch of the City of Jackson’s CodeRED Emergency Response System. • Oversaw Crisis Communications efforts during 2010 Water System Emergency, 2011 Tornado Emergency, 2011 Summer Water System Emergency, 2011 Downtown Gas Line Rupture and Evacuation. As part of these efforts, I was interviewed by CNN, the New York Times, the Weather Channel, MSNBC and other national and regional media outlets. • Led the implementation of the LifeSize multi-point video conferencing system and video center.

Jackson, Mississippi Area

Coordinated all marketing and public relations efforts to promote Zoo and build Zoo awareness and attendance. Created and implemented plans for annual campaign. Provided support for Zoo Director solicitations, including preparing proposal packages, providing follow up information to prospects, and assisting with solicitation calls and visits. Secured sponsorships for major fundraising events. Supervised Zoo membership program and special/fundraising events. Coordinated all media relations and acted as spokesperson for Zoo. Wrote and managed grants related to the marketing needs annually. Key Achievements: • Increased attendance by 41,705 the first year I served as Marketing and Public Relations Director. • Zoo was awarded Travel Attraction of the Year by the Mississippi Commission on Tourism and the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau. • Zoo was consistently recognized as a top attraction by publications such as Mississippi Magazine, the Jackson Free Press, Parents and Kids Magazine and AAA Magazine (which named the Zoo a Southern Travel Treasure).• Employed reputation management strategies to bolster the Zoo’s standing as a top-notch education facility and one dedicated to wildlife conservation efforts.• Oversaw crisis communications efforts during multiple dog attacks at the facility and animal deaths.• Introduced new special events to the Zoo including Zoo Brew, Boo at the Zoo, Dream Night and I revived the Zoo Day tradition. • Initiated social media efforts for the Zoo and launched zoo e-newsletter.• Developed comprehensive Annual Report for the Zoo.• Wrote grants resulting in funding for marketing efforts.• Revamped Zoo collateral materials.

Jackson, Mississippi Area

Served as a spokesperson for the City of Jackson. Developed public relations materials shared with members of the media and public outlining the City of Jackson’s programs and the Mayor’s initiatives. Also served as editor of the City of Jackson newsletter, and was a co-producer for the Mayor’s television show, “Jackson: Best of the New South.” Developed speeches for various city department directors and edited all collateral materials and publications produced by departments. Provided media relations guidance to department directors in the nine City departments and served as website content editor. Key Achievements: • Led efforts to create comprehensive Annual Report to Citizens. • Served as Chief Spokesperson for the Department of Public Works and Department of Parks and Recreation. • Organized multi-agency press conferences, including Metro Parkway completion, grand opening of the Union Station Multi-Modal Transportation Center and High Street ribbon cutting

Business Advantage Program

Master'S Degree, Strategic Communication

Ba, English