JAY CROFT, EDITORIAL & CONTENT DIRECTOR

404-771-7378
Jay_Croft@comcast.net

Atlanta, GA 30306
SUMMARY

Expert communications leader with extensive experience developing and executing complex
communications programs for large corporations and general audiences. Key strengths include:
Award-Winning Storyteller
Lead Multi-Function Teams
Deep Media Awareness

Content Strategy, Creation

Digital and Print
Issues/Crisis Management

Employee Engagement
Executive Communications
Social Media, Blogging

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT Atlanta, GA
From Aug 2013
Free-lance and Contract; Coca-Cola, Verizon, Various Clients
Digital-based consultancy providing counsel and content for leading brands and independent
businesses. Focus on creative content, superior execution across all media to drive business goals.
Highlights include:
The Coca-Cola Company. In-house contract as communications consultant in global HR
department, Feb. Dec. 2015. Provided digital content, strategic counsel, internal social
media. Planned and produced executive Town Halls broadcast live to Coke locations around
the world. Provided strategic counsel and support to Global Workplace Rights team.
Continue to write features for public-facing company website on internal and external topics.
Verizon. Provide digital content about internal and external programs and services on
Verizon.com.
Cox Media Group. Provide digital content for general-interest Rare.us website.
Invited to lead digital marketing as volunteer member of Board of Directors for Actors
Express theater company.
Appointed co-chair of website committee for state chapter of Public Relations Society of
America. Updating procedures and content as organization prepares to host global
conference.
Built audience of more than 3,000 subscribers to personal blog about storytelling, social
media, communications and Atlanta, storycroft.com.
COX ENTERPRISES, INC. Atlanta, GA
Apr 2007-Aug 2013
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Managed internal communications team for national communications, media and automotive services
company (50,000-80,000 employees) with $15 billion annual revenues.
Shaped communications strategies for executives and senior management.
Drove employee engagement by establishing creative direction, content, institutional voice
and procedures for enterprises-wide communications in print publications, digital formats
and special projects.
Elevated executive magazine into vibrant, employee-focused quarterly. Cut costs, increased
readership and engagement, and established green printing and distribution. Created
marketing programs via digital newsletters, web sites and print collateral. Won PRSA, IABC
awards for writing, publications.

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Wrote CEO quarterly letter to employees; consulted on C-suite town halls; provided direct
feedback about enterprise initiatives, communications.
Managed four-member, in-house team, plus multiple contractors, freelance writers and
photographers, vendors and million-dollar budget.
Crafted new direction for annual reports, successfully campaigning for shift to digital format
to improve mission, credibility and to save money, persuading executives to and including
CEO.
Created and built from ground up an enterprises-wide system to gather employee feedback on
communications effectiveness and to inform content. From marketing focus groups and
more, used results to enliven strategy with new channels, two-way communication.
Developed program to photograph employees across country for editorial use; established
Digital Asset Management system for photos and videos.
Created impactful communications for external stakeholders and community relations,
including brochures and handbooks on social responsibility, diversity, sustainability and
public affairs.

ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION Atlanta, GA

Nov 1996-Apr 2007
Assistant Features Editor / Metro News Reporter
Leading journalist at Top 20 U.S. daily newspaper. Consistently moved up ranks of Features
Department editing staff after successful run as award-winning Metro News reporter. High-pressure,
fast-paced scenarios regularly in all roles.
Editor, Living Section (2005-2007)
Supervised 40-member staff, selected and assigned stories, developed projects, represented
department in front page and Sunday meetings.
Founding Editor, AccessAtlanta, Print Entertainment Section (2003-2005)
Led seven-member team to create and produce innovative weekly tabloid focusing on restaurants,
concerts, sports, festivals and more across metro Atlanta.
Online Editor, ajc.com (2000-2003)
Planned coverage, developed procedures, updated content, wrote column. Created pre-blog email
interactive feature with readers. Managed three direct reports.
Metro reporter (1996-2000)
Wrote daily and weekly stories on justice issues, criminal and civil trials, state regulatory issues in
Fulton County Courthouse. Also covered JonBenet Ramsey case, Atlanta City Hall.
PRIOR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Reporter, Copy Editor at various newspapers Alaska, Florida
Aug 1986-Nov 1996
Reporter, copy editor at Palm Beach Post, Port St. Lucie Tribune, Anchorage Daily News and
Anchorage Times. Numerous industry awards throughout newspaper career.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO
Phi Beta Kappa. Minor in English.