Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Jennifer Cook (everyone calls me Jen) and I’m the Director of Communications, Engagement & Education for WUCF TV.
What does an average day look like for you?
There is no average! It typically starts with updating the website and social media around 7am. In between lots of meetings about upcoming events, projects or community partnership initiatives. It try to leave work by 4:30 to live my mom life of being a taxi service to my kids and their many sports. And typically ends with me catching up on email around 9pm while I’m about to fall asleep.
Where do you personally see your station going in the next year, next 3, 5 or 7 years?
WUCF is only about 5 years old as a station - we are the baby of the system. We have been growing substantially since we started. But for the first time in awhile, we are in a position to really grow - so the next few years will definitely be the path to greatness. I see us greatly expanding our community engagement and importance along with our local productions and becoming a serious player in the Orlando market.
What's your best professional fist bump and face palm?
Best professional fist bump happened when I worked in news. I had been trying to score a one-on-one interview with Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Finally, in the middle of a tropical storm, my contact called and said it would happen, but I had to make it happen now. I grabbed my political report, a sports reporter (to serve as videographer) and went down to the hotel, where we were escorted to a tiny closet to interview Obama. I was in a closet with the soon-to-be president about about 5 other people total. It was my career win.
My face palm came recently at the PBS Annual Meeting when talking to Current. I was happy to talk to them and take a picture for their social media. I face palmed when that photo was the main picture on their website. Above Paula Kerger’s photo - talk about embarrassing.
What’s the best lesson you've learned in your professional career?
Pick your battles - and when you’ve picked, don’t back down.
What does PBS offer that other streaming services and TV channels don’t?
We offer something different - but we need to work smarter and together.
For us to succeed - we need to make sure we are engaging the local community around this great content- no matter where you are getting it from. But even our national food shows should have some local engagement event.
What advice would you give someone going into or just starting a job in public media?
Be patient, be bold and be flexible. That combination will lead you to a great place.
If you could start doing one thing professionally what would it be? (i.e.: more collaborations, learn a new skill; or overscheduling, procrastinating, etc.)
Get better at networking. People think I’m an extrovert. Truth is, I’m an extroverted introvert. I am shy and awkward - until you know me, then I’m loud and rowdy. At the end of the day, however, I need my alone time to charge back up. Networking to me, is exhausting, but oh so valuable.
What would you say is your management style?
I have high expectations on my team - but we work hard, and play hard. I believe in transparency and surrounding myself with the smartest people around.
Do you leverage any resources to help you with your job (i.e.: certain podcasts, trade magazines or websites, conferences?)
There are so many resources that help in my job! Go to any conference you can - I learn something every day. It’s just a given of this ever-changing job. As our station is part of the University, I am also a member of our University’s social media manages group - that helps me stay in touch with upcoming apps that college students may be using.
I stay up-to-date with Social Media Observer: http://www.thesocialobserver.com/. I’m also a member of the Public Relations Society of America, which offers not only great content but great networking.
Who would play you in a bio-flick? And why?
Tina Fey. I’ll let you figure out why.
You recently spoke on the YoPro Talks panel at TechCon 2017, what was your key take away from TechCon?
My key take away from TechCon is that we need to just start moving on our digital strategy. I think we’re waiting to get it just right. Or waiting for more staff to help. But we can’t wait. We need to try some ideas and see what happens. We also need to engage PBS Digital Studios and see what resources they need to offer.
I also really need to start planning for Bento 3.0 and take this opportunity to redesign our entire website and drop pages that people aren’t using!
Rapid Fire Favorites
- PBS Show -Anything related to SPACE, BROADWAY, POP CULTURE or fuzzy animals with no death or grossness. And MAKERS - one of my favorites series ever.
- Vacation spot - Marco Island, Florida
- Podcast and/or Book - West Wing Weekly
- App - UberEats
- Social platform - Twitter
- Drink - Jameson and ginger ale - also called the “Jen Cook”
- Food - Shrimp Taco
