Kate Flynn Jacobs brings 30 years of professional writing, corporate communications, media relations and public relations experience to her current role as writing teacher and communications consultant. Jacobs began her career in San Francisco with Pacific Bell (now AT&T), joining the corporate communications department as an assistant editor on the company’s internal newspaper. From there, she moved on to San Diego and then Los Angeles where she managed media relations. In addition to her work as a corporate spokesperson and news writer, she handled executive speechwriting, communications planning and crisis communications. She received the Pacific Bell Award of Excellence for individual contribution to Pacific Bell’s success.
Originally from New Jersey, Jacobs took an opportunity to return to her East Coast roots and spent three years at Bellcore, a telecommunications research corporation, handling strategic communications planning, executive speechwriting, annual report writing and production, and corporate newspaper editing. She received the Bellcore Award of Excellence for individual contribution to Bellcore’s success. A multiple award winner, Jacobs earned accolades from the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators.
Since 1994, Jacobs has worked as a communications consultant specializing in strategic communications, writing coaching, media training, targeting and pitching the media, and developing media collateral. Clients include Microsoft, Johnson and Johnson, AT&T, Aramark, General Mills, Sears, Budget Rental Cars, The Consumer Attorneys of California, USC’s Keck School of Medicine, Intel Corporation, Econ One, DiabetesMine, Pacific Park, Southern California Gas and USC’s Auxiliary Services.
Jacobs’ education includes a bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State University, Fresno, where she was named outstanding graduate in broadcast news writing; and a master’s degree in communications management from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication.
In addition to her public relations career, Jacobs teaches at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. For 20 years, she has led public relations undergraduate and graduate students through introductory and advanced courses of Public Relations theory and writing. See my full work experience here.
Fíric spraoi (fun fact in Irish): She has dual Irish/American citizenship. 🍀🇨🇮