Jessica Breazeale Consulting (JBC), a public relations and marketing firm in Wesson, was recently invited to participate in Strategic Communications Week at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in Hattiesburg.
Wesson resident Jessica Breazeale, JBC owner, served as guest speaker for the week’s “PR Day” held on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Breazeale presented on “Real World, Real Talk – PR and Marketing” to communication majors on campus. The seminar focused on addressing Jessica’s unique work journey, lessons learned and tips and tricks for rising professionals to utilize.
Other guest presenters included Kelsey Hester, Marketing Director of Jones Power;
April Jordan, Assistant Director of Marketing/Public Relations for Southern Miss
Recreation; and KaTrisha Roberson, Communications Coordinator for the Dubard
School of Language Disorders at USM.
After presentations, guest speakers gathered with faculty and staff from USM’s School
of Media & Communications to discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges facing current student success and future endeavors in the communications field.
Oliva Fleming of Bude, communications major at USM, was in attendance during Breazeale’s presentation. Fleming is a former student of Breazeale’s and recently moved to Hattiesburg after transferring from Co-Lin Wesson. When Breazeale had a job opening at JBC, she remembered a former stand-out student from her class.
“My favorite things about StratComm Week would be the opportunity I’ve been given to listen to real life strat comm professionals. I got to learn more about what they do, the challenges they face, etc. I think it’s really nice to be able to hear these perspectives, so I have insight into my future as a strat comm professional!” said Fleming.
Fleming has been an employee at JBC since July, and now she even gets college credit
as her intern.
“I had no idea my employee would be in the audience. It was nice to see Olivia sitting
there soaking it all in. We are usually in work-mode, so she probably hadn’t heard any
of the stories I shared before. The guard was down, my journey was an open book in
hopes that I might help some students avoid some of the hard lessons I had to learn,”
said Breazeale. “USM did not have a Strat Comm division when I was a student. I
absolutely love what they’re doing now.”
Strategic Communications could potentially set these students apart from other
communications majors – this program has a deeper focus on strategy, something the
profession currently needs facing ethical concerns in the digital world and the ever-
evolving artificial intelligence.
The school is doing big things; it houses the undergrad programs of strategic communication, digital journalism, communication studies, and media and
entertainment arts, as well as graduate programs in communication and public relations (online).
The school has a Student Media Center called SM2, a place where students can find their “voice” and collaborate with USM faculty and professionals. SM2 houses five divisions, the newest being the Charles Scarborough TV studio in Southern Hall. Here,
students are able to report, shoot and edit the weekly newscast known as SMTV.
Student Printz, another division, was founded in 1927 and has traditionally served as
the heart of student media at USM. Over the years, the Printz has launched numerous
careers, won many awards, and added digital services such as a website, video and
social media.
WUSM FM 88.5 radio station, another school division, launched in 1954 and is a
student-led program with news shows such as Southern Miss Today and Fourth Street
Sports.
The Creative Division does live-streaming events such as the Hattiesburg Christmas
parade. In addition to special events, students work on producing advertising for the
news and digital products.
The school’s newest addition is Strategic Communications. This division is aimed at
educating and training the next generation of public relations, media sales and
marketing professionals.
Students work on paid media advertising placements, public relations campaigns, and
social media management for the Center and for outside clients. The school has paid
positions, practicums, work-study, ways to volunteer, etc.
Miss Teen USA, Addie Carver of Monticello, asked to job shadow Breazeale at USM for PR Day.
“Hearing Mrs. Jessica’s journey from success stories to failures was super insightful! I learned that in this field, I will continue to learn and grow through my journey. I loved her advice about getting more involved with organizations and getting internships for my future resume,” explained Carver.
Carver is a senior at Lawrence County High School and plans to major in communications. She has already been accepted to USM. She already does plenty of PR and marketing experience now as Miss Teen USA serving as an official
spokesperson.
“Small towns don’t typically have very many opportunities for PR/Marketing
professionals, so it’s important to learn how to find your own way and carve your own
path, said Breazeale. “That’s what I learned to do and have never been happier.”
Breazeale often helps mentor USM students by evaluating their senior portfolios, giving feedback, speaking to classes, etc. She also teaches public speaking courses at Co-Lin.
“The goal is to create, inspire and inform the rising communication stars, because it’s
important to have a cheerleader routing for you,” said Breazeale. “JBC is doing just
that.”
Breazeale in “Real World, Real Talk”