Contact Jaya Franklin
jrfranklin1@yahoo.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayafranklin
Communications Strategy | Brand Management | Change Agent
Seasoned digital communications professional with strengths in metrics-based decision-making, strategic multi-channel communications plan development, and exceeding business goals. A proven leader and storyteller with more than 15 years of experience in organizational communications, media relations, digital marketing, and social media – a people manager, known for leading and inspiring teams to high performance.
Professional Experience:
Director of Communications, Georgia State University College of Law, 2022 – present
Serves on the leadership team, develops and implements the internal and external marketing and communications strategy for the college. Leads a team of four communications professionals.
Accomplishments:
- Restructured the Communications department.
- Implemented a project management system for staff, students and faculty.
- Led the charge to transfer the Law Communications email marketing system from MailChimp to Marketing Cloud.
Communications Manager, Tahirih Justice Center, 2020-2021
Responsible for designing and implementing an integrated multi-channel communications strategy that supports public policy, communications, and fundraising objectives for the nonprofit organization.
Accomplishments:
- Transformed the organization’s internal and external messaging to focus on transparency, ensured voice and tone aligned with the Tahirih brand, focused on survivors’ stories and current issues that directly concern clients, stakeholders and the Tahirih staff.
- Studied target audiences, and analyzed user experience and data integrity to formulate communications strategies.
- Supported branding, marketing, and developed messaging for a Tahirih virtual event, and raised more than $1.3 million in online donations.
- Managed two direct reports and three volunteers.
Communications Manager, Association of People Supporting Employment First, 2019-2020
Expanded the organization’s online reach and shaped their digital footprint through social listening, strategic communications efforts and created thought leadership platforms for subject matter experts.
Accomplishments:
- Restructured the organization’s website making it accessible and user-friendly to all people with disabilities.
- Created and executed digital marketing campaigns for the organization to spread brand awareness and increase revenue.
Associate Director of Communications, Georgia State University College of Law, 2017—2019
Led the charge to raise the college’s online profile, increased enrollment numbers and media placements – positioning the college at the forefront of legal education.
Accomplishments:
- Helped direct media relations resulting in 7,121 media placements for law professors, a 70 percent media coverage increase for local, regional, and national in three years; coached faculty members for on-air interviews and assisted them with pitching news stories.
- Managed social media content, resulting in a 529 percent increase in Instagram followers; 72 percent in Twitter followers; 30 percent increase in Facebook visits and followers; and a 4 percent increase in LinkedIn followers, through the first quarter of 2018.
Assistant Director of Communications, Georgia State University College of Law, 2014—2017
Accomplishments:
- Designed a project management system to track and document communications/marketing requests submitted by internal clients; the team completed 400 projects each quarter.
- Maximized social media channels by increasing Twitter followers from 2,070 to 3,806; revitalized LinkedIn channel; launched an Instagram account and garnered more than 1,200 followers, boosted the Facebook page from 2,800 likes to more than 4,000 likes and 5,400 check-ins within one year.
- Trained professors/attorneys and staff on best practices for social media, resulting in more than 15 faculty members joining Twitter and LinkedIn.
Additional Experience:
Production Director/Editor, Visionary Artistry Online Magazine, 2010—present
- Launched an online arts magazine using WordPress CMS, generated 36,000 hits for the first year. Created the VA Mag Internship program for aspiring journalism students to receive college course credit.
Segment Producer, Fulton County Government Television, 2012—2013
- Disseminated information internally and externally about Fulton County government; conducted on-camera interviews for county commissioners & community leaders.
Television Producer, CAU-TV, 2009—2010
- Wrote, shot & edited material for Comcast 23 (CAU-TV Cable Access Channel), supervised college students, and coached recent graduates through the production process.
Government Reporter, Henry Daily Herald Newspaper, 2007—2008
- Wrote two news stories daily on deadline, attended city council meetings in four cities for story tips and breaking news. Maintained professional relationships with elected officials.
News Assistant/Reporter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2004—2007
- Served as a watchdog for breaking news. Monitored 5 & 6 p.m. news daily; alerted editors/reporters of any newsworthy events; wrote City Life stories on deadline, including A-1 story (front-page news).
Relevant Volunteer Experience:
Mentor/Co-Chair, Online News Association Student Projects, 2022-present
Mentor/Co-Chair, NABJ Student Multimedia Projects, 2019-present
Vice President of Digital Media, Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, 2016-2020
Professional Training/Certifications:
- Google Data Analytics Certification, August 2021
- Google Digital Marketing Certification, September 2019
- Google News Lab Training, August 2017 and Google Analytics Certification, June 2016
Leadership Training:
- Business Leadership Academy, University of Georgia, November 2022
- Georgia State University Executive Leadership Academy for Women, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Leadership Class Graduate, May 2017
Education:
- University of Georgia, Master of the Arts (Emerging Media), May 2025
- Clark Atlanta University, Bachelor of Arts, May 2006