Olivia Petersen

Head of Communications for The Washington Post | PRWeek’s Women to Watch 2022

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

About

Experience

  • Vice President, Communications at The Washington Post
    Sep 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 11 mos

  • Morning Consult (3 yrs 10 mos)
    • Vice President & Head of Communications
      Apr 2021 - Aug 2023 · 2 yrs 5 mos

    • Head Of Communications
      Nov 2019 - Apr 2021 · 1 yr 6 mos

  • Global Director, Corporate Communications at Whole Foods Market
    Sep 2018 - Nov 2019 · 1 yr 3 mos

    I executed crisis communications daily, including legal issues featured in national media, store support for more than 500 stores, protest guidance, food safety and recall messaging and coordination with the FDA. I also drafted corporate messaging and positioning as well as streamlined and created internal processes for social media, speaking engagements and more.

  • NBC News ()
    • Senior Director of Communications
      Jan 2017 - Aug 2018 · 1 yr 8 mos

      Co-managed the NBC News network PR team and publicity of all hard news for NBC News; led communications strategy and execution on hard news for the network, including "TODAY," "Nightly News," and "Meet the Press"; co-led on-the-ground promotion of NBC News’ 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics coverage; led all promotion for "Meet the Press with Chuck Todd," the #1 most-watched Sunday show as well as the NBC News Washington bureau, its produced content and its deep bench of correspondents, including Andrea Mitchell, Hallie Jackson, Kristen Welker, Peter Alexander and more; drafted internal and executive communications.

    • Communications Director
      Feb 2015 - Jan 2017 · 2 yrs

      Drove the overall press strategy as well as media relations for NBC News'​ Washington bureau including the longest-running television show in history, "Meet the Press," and Washington-based correspondents including Andrea Mitchell, Tom Costello, Kristen Welker and others; worked closely with the NBC News PR team on breaking news, special reports & digital initiatives as well as all 2016 election efforts

  • POLITICO (3 yrs 6 mos)
    • Public Relations Director
      Dec 2013 - Feb 2015 · 1 yr 3 mos

      Led all communications efforts; oversaw and managed the media booking unit, producing up to 500+ hits a month; developed personal branding strategies for leadership and editorial; promotional liaison between business and editorial; advised internal communication and social media strategies; led all award entries; oversaw development of house ads

    • Media & Marketing Manager
      Jan 2013 - Dec 2013 · 1 yr

      Assisted in creation of marketing department, sales collateral, branding and messaging effort, including development of POLITICO.com/about; led public relations collateral; supervised earned media efforts, including television and radio booking and media training of editorial; assisted in all partnership efforts

    • Media Relations Manager
      May 2012 - Jan 2013 · 9 mos

      More than doubled daily television & radio appearances; led promotional efforts for 2012 conventions and presidential election; organized and launched 11 battleground polls in partnership with The George Washington University; launched four eBooks in partnership with Random House.