Jeff Bakken Email & Phone Number

Maple Grove, MN, US

Directed messaging and communications for Jeff Johnson, the 2014 Republican candidate for Minnesota governor. Developed and implemented the campaign’s messaging through paid and earned media, managing the campaign’s advertising agency and serving as Johnson’s press spokesperson (was quoted in proactive and reactive situations numerous times in media.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Connected, supported and advised communications personnel working for a network of 49 education reform advocacy organizations in 31 states. Regularly convened and provided communications and campaign support to these organizations as they sought to pass and protect pro-education reform laws in their state capitols. Managed an advertising agency retained to.

Co-founded and worked as a partner for a political and public affairs consulting firm specialized in providing strategy and communications services to candidates for office, non-profit organizations, trade associations and businesses. Produced numerous direct mailings, television ads and radio ads that helped elect several candidates, partnered with.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Managed public relations and communications for a 170-attorney law firm in Minneapolis. Developed and implemented strategic public relations plans to build the brand of the firm, its practice groups and individual attorneys; actively fostered relationships with key news media representatives to position the firm and its attorneys as top-of-mind media.

Worked on several accounts and campaigns as a member of the financial services practice group with the Twin Cities office of one of the world’s largest public relations agencies. Specialized in media relations, securing impactful story placements for clients in both their top consumer media targets (The Wall Street Journal and numerous regional daily.

Served as the spokesman and communications director for one of Minnesota’s largest law enforcement agencies. Led all sheriff’s office public relations activities, including media relations (was on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), employee communications, issues management, crisis communications, publications management, event management, speechwriting.

Provided political communications counsel and media relations services to members of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Served as press secretary for the speaker and majority leader. Developed strategies and messaging; wrote talking points, speeches, news releases, statements and newspaper commentaries; media and speech trained senior legislators.

Provided political communications counsel and media relations services to Mark Kennedy during his first successful campaign for Congress in Minnesota. Helped Kennedy defeat an incumbent member of the U.S. House of Representatives.