Member Spotlight: Jamie Jackson
1.Tell me a little about yourself.
I grew up in central Iowa, close enough to Des Moines that it’s where you did all your shopping, movie going and prom dinners. After attending Iowa State University and spending a few years in NW Iowa and Kansas, I’ve called Des Moines home for the past 25+ years. My husband and I are ISU alums and proud Cyclones. We are also Johnston Dragon supporters and spend a lot of our free time cheering at activities. Our youngest daughter is a sophomore at JHS and our oldest is a senior at William Penn University.
2. What drew you to public relations in the first place?
I became interested in journalism in high school and chose broadcast news, or Electronic Media Studies (EMS) as it was called back then, as my emphasis. I didn’t really understand what “public relations” was until I worked in the newsroom and developed business friendships with several PR contacts. It was a natural transition to PR. Now I tell the stories that are important to and about my clients.
3. What has your career path looked like? What is your current role?
I spent a handful of years as a TV reporter and anchor in small markets. It was a dream come true! Exciting, demanding and all consuming, which made it difficult to balance a life outside of the newsroom. The pull of personal ties led me back to central Iowa and I pivoted to corporate communications where I spent more than a decade of my career. Eventually, I joined the agency world because of my love for timesheets. Kidding, of course! I love learning about new industries, surprising clients with the impact we can make for their businesses and working with super smart, creative people every day. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
4. How did you get involved with PRSA Iowa?
I became involved in PRSA Iowa through several colleagues that were members. I attended a few luncheons and immediately saw the value. Once I attended OctoPRfest, I was hooked. No other local organization supports my career quite like PRSA.
5. What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?
I’ve received several excellent pieces of advice in my career but the one that has served me best is: always take the high road. It has not always been easy, and it has taken me years of practice, but it is invariably the best approach. There have been many times when I have misread a situation or reacted defensively, especially early in my career. But I’ve found that responding with positive intent rather than frustration has strengthened professional relationships throughout my career.
6. What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I like to hang out with my family, which often includes sports of some variety. Recently, I’ve started watching old TV series that I never got around to watching when they were popular. I just completed 4 seasons of Veronica Mars. I also enjoy reading, cooking and traveling. I celebrated a milestone birthday this year with a Girls’ Trip to Sedona, Arizona.
