Jason Selss

Past

Assistant Director of Communications at ORT America, Inc.
Media Relations Manager at New York Institute of Technology
Account Executive at Manning Selvage & Lee

Public Relations Director at Sid Jacobson JCC
Assistant Account Executive at The MWW Group

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Education

New York Institute of Technology-Old Westbury
State University of New York College at Oswego
John F Kennedy High School

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Recommended

4 people have recommended Jason

Connections

224 connections

Industry

Public Relations and Communications

Jason Selss’s Summary

Currently, I am an independent contractor and freelancer, and I am searching for a full-time job in the public relations, media relations and online marketing industries. Most recently, I was the assistant director of communications at ORT America, Inc., where I handled public relations, advertising, web development and online marketing initiatives.

Prior, I served as media relations manager at New York Institute of Technology, where I acted as chief spokesperson and primary liaison to media. I secured press coverage from top tier international, national and regional media, including: Associated Press, The New York Times, ABC World News, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, WCBS-TV, Newsday, WCBS-AM, WINS-AM.

I earned a Master of Arts in communication arts (graduated with Distinction) from NYIT (2008) and a Bachelor of Arts in public relations from SUNY Oswego (2000). I graduated from Oswego one semester early, and was the college's commencement speaker in December 1999.

Freelance work: Remarkable Search; Cigamate; GoShopUs.com; IXImport Wholesale & Drop Ship

Jason Selss’s Specialties:

Media pitching and story placement; public relations; online marketing; writing; editing; interpersonal communication; media training; interview preparation; consulting; strategic planning; branding; Web development/design; blogging; SEO; social media strategies.

Jason Selss’s Experience

Assistant Director of Communications

ORT America, Inc.

(Fund-Raising industry)

2008 — 2008 (less than a year)

Wrote and edited news and feature stories, press releases, pitch letters, fundraising proposals and marketing materials

Acted as primary webmaster; developed and disseminated eNewsletters, updates, surveys, and registration and fundraising forms

Developed search engine marketing and optimization campaign that increased Web site traffic and online fundraising figures

Coordinated, developed, wrote and edited ORT America Times print newsletter and 2007 Annual Report
Media Relations Manager

New York Institute of Technology

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

2005 — 2008 (3 years )

Acted as chief spokesperson and primary liaison to media; secured, performed, and facilitated interviews with press (i.e. Associated Press, The New York Times, ABC World News, CNN, Newsday, MSNBC, CNBC, WCBS-TV)

Wrote press releases, pitches, media alerts, key messages and talking points, and supporting communications materials

Performed media training and interview preparation with students, faculty and staff members

Developed NYIT’s first crisis management manual and first internal and external media policies

Contributed news articles to alumni publication NYIT Magazine, and eNewsletters Weekly Update and Student Update
Account Executive

Manning Selvage & Lee

(Public Company; Public Relations and Communications industry)

2004 — 2005 (1 year )

Acted as team media relations specialist, representing health care clients to national print, radio, broadcast and Internet outlets

Wrote pitches, media alerts, ANR scripts, news articles and case studies; developed b-roll footage and client highlights videos

Developed status reports, creative briefs, program recommendations and media results reports for clients

Conducted competitive research and monitor media for relevant news about client products and within respective industries
Public Relations Director

Sid Jacobson JCC

(Program Development industry)

2001 — 2004 (3 years )

Responsible for planning and developing public relations, marketing and advertising campaigns for all programs and events

Wrote and disseminated press releases, stories, media alerts and pitch letters; monitored status from conception to completion

Wrote and edited JCC Centerpiece newsletter; oversaw branding campaign; assisted in direct mail campaigns

Created and upgraded new JCC Web site and acted as primary webmaster
Assistant Account Executive

The MWW Group

(Public Company; IPG; Public Relations and Communications industry)

2000 — 2001 (1 year )

Wrote and disseminated press releases, media alerts and pitch letters, monitored status from conception to completion

Received media placements promoting clients in various business, Internet and trade publications

Conducted industry research relating to clients’ business needs and assisted in the production of new business presentation

Jason Selss’s Education

New York Institute of Technology-Old Westbury

MA , Communication Arts , 2005 — 2007

Summa Cum Laude

Activities and Societies:

NYIT Solar Decathlon team 2005 and 2007
State University of New York College at Oswego

BA , Public Relations , 1996 — 1999

Activities and Societies:

Director of Communications, Student Association
John F Kennedy High School