Denise Lessard Email & Phone Number

United States

Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

Develop and implement strategies to enhance the organization's reputation, manage public perception, and navigate political environments while ensuring alignment with the organization's goals and values.Use creative storytelling techniques to maximize the use of the media to successfully tell the McKinney story. Build meaningful relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets and reporters to ensure optimal media representation and brand awareness of the City of McKinney. Facilitate media relations and organizational communications in alignment with the city's marketing plan and brand strategy. This includes writing and editing news releases, media alerts, executive and organizational memos, and speaking points to ensure clear, consistent, and compelling messaging.Develop and implement crisis communication plans and protocols for the department and the organization to mitigate the impact of the crisis, protect the reputation of the city and the organization, and preserve the trust of important audiences. Provide communications and media guidance to city leaders and elected officials during crisis situations and serve as city spokesperson in appropriate situations.Lead communications efforts for elections, bond initiatives, and the city's boards and commissions, and draft speeches, presentations, and other communication materials for city leaders and elected officials.Develop and execute internal organizational communication strategies for HPO initiatives, All Hands meetings, cascades, and new employee orientation, as well as external events such as the annual State of the City address and Chamber awards banquet. Develop and implement comprehensive communications strategies and public relations efforts to promote the McKinney National Airport and McKinney Air Center, enhance its reputation, and engage with key stakeholders. Lead the award-winning video production team responsible for creating television and digital content.

Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

Collaborated proactively with the media to enhance McKinney's image and instill community confidence. Built and maintained productive, two-way relationships with both the media and the public, fostering positive and effective interactions between the city government and its residents.Facilitated comprehensive media relations in alignment with the city's marketing plan and brand strategy. This includes writing and editing of news releases, media alerts, executive memos, and speaking points to ensure clear, consistent messaging.Offered strategic messaging guidance and expertise on internal and external communications, ensuring cohesive and effective messaging across all channels and aligning with the city's overall goals and brand strategy.Oversaw the programming and streaming content for the City of McKinney's television channel, supervising video production staff to deliver award-winning, high-quality, engaging content that informs and educates the community.Coordinated crisis communications to ensure timely, accurate dissemination of information during emergencies.Served as the city spokesperson, providing speaking points and coaching other city spokespersons in media relations to maintain consistent and effective messaging.

Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

Managed the city's social media accounts to enhance engagement, promote transparency, and provide timely information to the community.Wrote and distributed the citywide e-newsletter and the internal employee e-newsletter, ensuring clear and consistent communication of important updates and initiatives.Developed content for various communication channels, including the city website, campaigns, and print materials.Played a key role in writing the city's award-winning annual report, highlighting achievements, financials, and strategic goals to inform and engage stakeholders.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Developed and implemented strategic public relations plans that met the short and long-term goals of our clients.Prepared written documents such as press releases, executive letters, media alerts, bylined articles and calendar announcements to distribute to local and national print, television and radio media.Served as a liaison between clients and creative staff to produce corporate videos, printed collateral, websites and mobile sites. Acted as the social media manager for clients to drive membership and engage constituents.Clients included Fisher & Phillips LLP, Energy Transfer, XTO Energy, Benning Power Electronics, SWACHA, and Swim Across America.*Granado Communications Group went in-house with Energy Transfer in 2017.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Supervised a team of more than 100 volunteers and managed events that raised more than $1.7 million for the American Cancer Society.Frequently acted as a local spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and represented the organization at community meetings, media interviews and corporate events.Wrote press releases, media alerts and copy for print ads, articles, web promotions and direct mail for all local events.

Master Of Arts - Ma, Mass Communication, Public Relations

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication

Activities and Societies: Zeta Tau Alpha