Brett Zongker
Chief of Media Relations @Library of Congress
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WORK HISTORY
Chief of Media Relations @Library of Congress
Washington, DC, US
Leadership: Leads media team and collaborates with colleagues across institution to execute coordinated communications campaigns to promote signature programs, collections and events.• Executive Communications: Drafts talking points and briefings for chief executive, the Librarian of Congress, while coordinating media requests, pitching and advising on media strategy. • Crisis Communications: Advises on and develops communications plans to respond to reputational issues for nonpartisan government and cultural institution. • External Relations and Partnerships: Develops partnerships with media, cultural institutions, federal agencies and citywide initiatives, fostering collaborations to reach new audiences.• Branding: Created brand strategy for Live! At the Library series to engage new audiences.• National Campaigns: Develops and executes media campaigns for major initiatives including National Book Festival; Gershwin Prize for Popular Song with PBS; U.S. Poets Laureate; and major exhibitions including Treasures Gallery, “Baseball Americana,” “Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight for the Vote” and “Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words.” • Media Content: Serves as lead writer and editor for creative cross-format media materials, press releases, digital, videos and brochures, ensuring quality and consistency; coaches colleagues on media writing and AP style. • Video and Film Production: Manages collaborations with stakeholders for film and video productions including PBS for national TV specials for Gershwin Prize and National Book Festival and national film and TV productions featuring Library’s collections and experts.• Media Training: Created media training program for curators, librarians and leaders to serve as spokespeople and tell the Library’s story in media interviews. • Awards: Team won 2024 Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil Award and two 2024 Webby Awards for Best Community Engagement in collaboration with NASA and U.S. Poet Laureate.
EDUCATION
American University
BA
American University
MA, Journalism and Public Affairs
SKILLS
ABOUT BRETT ZONGKER
Communications and media leader for one of the nation’s great cultural institutions with 20+ years experience, including more than a dozen years in national journalism for top-tier media. Strategic, trusted communications adviser. Part of a PRSA Silver Anvil Award-winning communications team and Webby Award-winning team for innovative community engagement. I also teach in the School of Communication at American University.Previously managed media relations at the George Washington University, focused on education, research, politics, the arts, museums and a billion-dollar capital campaign. Also managed crisis communications and served as a university spokesman.During my journalism career at The Associated Press, I reported extensively on museums, the arts, culture and the nonprofit sector, covering the Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, the Kennedy Center, cultural tourism, top charities and philanthropy. Also skilled at covering breaking news, crisis situations and trends of interest nationally. Specialties: multimedia storytelling; digital video photography and editing; writing and reporting for print, online and broadcast.
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