1. JESSICA COPEN
th
510 W. 110 Street, Apt. 3B jessicopen@nyc.rr.com Phone:
646-684-4656
New York, NY 10025 http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacopen Cell: 646-584-7220
Executive Communications Professional
Specializing in Leadership Communications
Areas of expertise
Speechwriting Strategic Messaging Media positioning Video Scriptwriting
Crisis Communications Speech and Media Coaching Social Media Outreach Ghostwriting
Highly skilled at developing communication strategies for government, corporations and non-profit organizations
SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Provided strategic communications counsel to senior level public officials, including a Mayor and Governor;
top business executives; and law firms.
• Initiated and implemented high profile media strategies and programs that raised visibility for key public policy,
political advocacy and economic development initiatives.
• Proven expert at communicating innovative ideas through editorial content such as speeches, websites,
presentations, press releases, op-eds, and social media.
• Award-winning former journalist, published in national and local media (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago).
Expert at helping leaders express their ideas more powerfully through the written and spoken word.
Unique combination of creativity, writing ability, interpersonal skills and professionalism.
Singular talent for cutting through clutter and distilling complex ideas into clear and consistent messaging.
EXPERIENCE
Executive Communications and Public Relations Consultant 2007 - Present
Clients include:
Loeb & Loeb LLP
• Write articles and develop messaging.
Deloitte Services LP
• Developed internal multimedia communications strategy for messaging and positioning of Deloitte’s new
Leadership Center.
• Worked with integrated marketing and online teams to create messaging that effectively targeted employees
at different job and experience levels.
UNICEF
• Speechwriter for UNICEF's Executive Director. Also wrote video scripts and web content.
The Halo Group
• Directed public relations strategy for branding agency. Developed stories, pitched media, wrote articles
showcasing the firm.
NYS Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), New York, NY 2005 - 2007
Director of Communications
• Chief spokesperson for New York State’s main economic development agency and a primary point of
contact for the media.
• Directed media relations and crisis communications for high-profile economic development and real estate
projects, including Moynihan Station project, Atlantic Yards project, Yankee Stadium’s and Mets
Stadium’s renovation and the Empire Zone program.
• Negotiated and executed major public announcements and media appearances for ESDC Chairman.

2. • Advised ESDC Chairman on communications issues, wrote and edited speeches, press materials, talking
points and other key public documents.

3. Jessica Copen Page 2
Communications and Speechwriter Consultant 2001 - 2005
Clients included:
UCLA School of Law
• Writer and Editor of UCLA Law magazine.
http://www.law.ucla.edu/docs/winter_2004_magazine_final_lo.pdf
Weston Benshoof LLP
• Edited the legal handbook School Site Construction for California-based law firm focused on environmental
law and real estate development.
• Wrote articles on land use and environmental law.
State of California “Get Real about Teen Pregnancy” Project
• Researched and wrote policy report on teenage pregnancy for “Get Real About Teen Pregnancy” public
education program.
British Petroleum (BP)
• Wrote speeches on environment and business for senior-level executive.
Taylor and Mrsink LLP
• Created strategic marketing communications plan; developed website content and newsletter.
Publitas public relations
• Directed media campaign for launch of Zac Posen pregnancy wear.
Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan, Los Angeles, CA 1998 - 2001
Director of Communications
• Senior spokesperson on public policy and economic development issues.
• Researched and crafted public statements and news releases; managed crises; wrote and edited
speeches/talking points, op-ed pieces for Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles
Business Journal, and managed press office.
• Prepared Mayor’s 2000 State of the City speech. Initiated and executed communications strategies for
Mayor’s 1999 and 2000 Budget Release, including budget speeches, editorial board talking points, op-ed
articles, and background materials.
• Honored with PRSA Prism Award of Excellence for successful media campaign highlighting financial
impact of potential writers strike to the Los Angeles economy.
Cook County Clerk’s Office, Chicago, IL 1994 - 1997
Director of Communications
• Developed communications strategy for the Cook County Clerk’s Office, an office that served 5 million
people.
• Managed Communications staff, which included media, policy, voter registration and community outreach
units. Wrote major speeches, annual reports, newsletters and feature articles.
• Crafted and executed a two-year award-winning statewide media campaign to educate the public about
legal battle to implement Motor Voter in Illinois. Publicity Club Public Service and Issues Award for Orr
Motor Voter Media Campaign.
EDUCATION
Master’s of Science in Journalism, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature/Creative Writing, San Francisco State University
COURSES
 Blog Writing  Brand Writing  Cross-Platform Social Media Marketing
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Chicago Bar Association/Herman Kogan Journalism Award - Scholarship award for legal affairs and arts reporting.
Cited by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in Law Practice Management for ABA Journal article I
wrote concerning legal profession and technology.