Briana M. Gowing 512.550.6106

Briana.M.Gowing@gmail.com

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

Creative, resourceful and persuasive public affairs and social/media relations strategist with 20

years of results based on finding the right audience and using the correct medium. Strong expertise in crisis management, community relations and government outreach. Experience as corporate media spokesperson and in coaching executives for interviews.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Media Relations Consultant - Artech Communications, Austin, TX (Jan. 2013 to Feb. 2015)

Increased awareness for client AT&T’s initiatives, like new GigaPower 1G Internet access service, with initial launch coverage on all local TV newscasts; the Statesman; local tech and arts magazine;

and social media resulting in thousands of impressions. o http://www.kvue.com/story/news/2014/05/25/2421138/ o Created AT&T Austin’s Tumblr page, used Twitter to share news.

Developed strategic communication plans that increased AT&T’s visibility locally, including: o Several KVUE (ABC) Tech Tuesday segments, including sweeps week cool, untold AT&T

technology story about AT&T technology at the Circuit of the Americas track.

o http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2014/05/25/2423654/

Established new weekly tech Tuesday segment on KBTX (Bryan) featuring AT&T products and services that helped make that market #1 for accessories sales.

http://www.kbtx.com/bvtm/techtuesday

External Affairs Manager – Verizon-MD Government Relations, Baltimore, MD (2005-2011)

Successfully represented Verizon before state, county and city hearings, community groups and HOA meetings; improved community relations and developed multiple communications and consumer advocacy campaigns resulting in:

o Verizon winning its first cable TV franchise in Montgomery County and a contentious

cable TV franchise in Rockville and Gaithersburg (largest municipalities in Montgomery County) - worth millions of dollars and enabled VZ to make its numbers to Wall Street.

Built strong third-party network and ran Verizon Maryland consumer advisory panel. Assisted

non-profit organizations looking for grant advice and networking assistance. o Persuaded representatives of third-party non-profit organizations to send support letters

for pro-Verizon initiatives to defeat several bills and pass statewide legislation freeing

Verizon from multi-million dollar mandatory white pages distribution obligation.

Wrote newsletter and Website articles; used Facebook to increase outreach.

Media Relations Manager – Verizon/GTE, Irving, TX (1995-2004)

Drove favorable press coverage and internal communications about Verizon’s consumer products, services and regulatory positions, resulting in hundreds of clips and TV coverage (two

examples): o “Gadget Guru” featured new GTE Tele-go phone – combination cordless and cellular

phone – on NBC Today show and in his weekly syndicated column seen in hundreds of

papers. o Used irony of AT&T increasing long-distance rates as new competition launches for

feature USA Today technology story (Dec. 2002 article with 7M readership).

Established Verizon experts as the go-to technology source for local, national print and electronic media. Coached and prepared top executives for interviews. Served as national spokesperson.

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Developed communication media plans for maximum positive coverage while minimizing negative

stories. Coordinated dozens of media briefings and press conferences.

Chosen for General Counsel Bill Barr’s “cable open access” communications project. Set up

editorial boards from San Francisco to Miami to brief editors on issues and current court cases.

EDUCATION

The University of Texas – Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television-Film

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT/AWARDS

Women Communicators of Austin – 2015 Board of Directors Experience :

Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce – 2006-2009 George B. Thomas Learning Academy – 2006-2011

Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy – 2007-2011, Personnel Committee Chair

Leadership Montgomery – 2009-2011 Awards :

Verizon Chairman’s Leadership Award – 1999 Verizon Excellence Award finalist – 2003 Verizon Individual Achievement Award – 1995, 1996

FCC Incentive Awards – 1990, 1992, 1993