Janene Tate is the assistant vice president of the Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing at The University of New Orleans. She is responsible for the branding and marketing of the institution, by directing and implementing multimedia campaigns and public affairs situations.
Prior to her tenure at UNO, she was the interim director for communications, public relations and marketing at Tuskegee University in Alabama. She was responsible for the image and marketing of the historically black institution founded by Booker T. Washington. She also played a lead role in the marketing of the George Lucas film, Red Tails.
Tate has an extensive background in print journalism, having worked for newspapers and magazines across the country, including publications in California, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana and New York. She was also a part of the inaugural class of the prestigious New York Times Student Journalism Institute. She has won several regional and national awards for her work in feature writing.
Tate is the executive editor of On WAX magazine, an online and print publication focusing on underground and mainstream music, and cultural, newsworthy topics. The magazine has covered Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, Raheem DeVaughn, Birdman and others. It also frequently covers music festivals such as SXSW.
Tate has also worked on marketing and public relations projects for recording labels and major companies, including Atlantic Records.
Tate has volunteered with several organizations over the years. She has been a counselor and volunteer public relations consultant with Camp Butterfly, an organization that focuses on at-risk girls, ages 11-17 in Chicago, Ill.; a fundraiser and volunteer public relations consultant for the Sista Project, an HIV/AIDS prevention organization in Columbus, Ga.; and other community non-profit organizations. She is currently a board member of Project Butterfly NOLA, an organization that focuses on scholarship, self-esteem and pride, working with teen girls in New Orleans.
Tate is a past member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. She is an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists, and Public Relations Society of America. She is a past board member of the Black College Communication Association; Montgomery AIDS Outreach; and LIFE AIDS, a college organization affiliated with the Black AIDS Institute.
Tate holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication with a concentration in print journalism and a Master of Arts degree in mass communication with a concentration in public relations, both from Southern University at Baton Rouge, La. She is a native of Franklinton, La.
At UNO:
More than doubled earned media value within six months (Over $6 million)
Won prestigious "Telly" award for stop motion animation recruitment commercial that also included interactive component for the viewer
Developed and reinforced the University's new brand "The Heartbeat of the Crescent City."
Assistant Vice President, Communications, PR and Marketing|
University of New Orleans
From January 2012 to Current • 14 year(s)
Responsible for branding, communication and public perception of the university; create and execute advertising campaigns, special events, and manage staffs for website, public relations, marketing and radio station.
Public Affairs Specialist|
Tuskegee University
From January 2007 to January 2012 • 5 year(s)
Distribute press releases to media outlets; write and edit material for University Web site and publications; develop advertising campaigns and served as adviser to student newspaper.
News copy editor/designer|
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
From January 2006 to January 2007 • 1 year(s)
Edit news articles for content and grammar according to Associated Press guidelines; design the Metro section of daily newspaper and weekly publication.
Chair of Public Relations|
LIFE AIDS
From January 2004 to January 2006 • 2 year(s)
Work with Black AIDS Institute to create press materials, plan events, and arrange speaker appearances; also served as speaker/presenter.
Public Affairs Intern|
Southern University System Office of the President
From June 2005 to August 2005 • 0 year(s)
Responsible for content and copy editing of The Jaguar Nation Magazine; assisted with event promotion, press releases, and media contacts.
Editor in Chief|
The Southern Digest
From January 1999 to January 2005 • 6 year(s)
Served as editor in chief of official newspaper of Southern University-Baton Rouge; supervised staff of 25 and responsible for copy editing, layout, and reporting.
Knight-Ridder Intern|
Belleville News-Democrat
From June 2004 to August 2004 • 0 year(s)
Responsible for copy editing and headline writing of two-edition publication; assisted with pagination of select sections.
Features Editor|
YARDStyle magazine
From January 2003 to January 2004 • 1 year(s)
Compiled information about entertainment, educational and cultural issues concerning black college students; responsible for features section content and copy editing.
Writer|
Look Magazine
From January 2003 to January 2004 • 1 year(s)
Wrote articles on education, entertainment and culture for quarterly magazine targeting black college students.
Editor in Chief|
The Jaguar yearbook
From January 2002 to January 2004 • 2 year(s)
Served as editor in chief for 288-page publication for Southern University-Baton Rouge; supervised staff of 15 and responsible for copy editing, layout, and research.
Contributor|
The Louisiana Weekly
From January 2002 to January 2004 • 2 year(s)
Wrote articles on issues concerning minorities in Louisiana.
Contributor|
Black College Wire
From January 2000 to January 2004 • 4 year(s)
Wrote articles on education and lifestyles of black college students for website.
Student Journalism Institute Participant|
New York Times
From June 2003 to August 2003 • 0 year(s)
Chosen as one of 35 students from across the U.S. for summer program; responsibilities included reporting and copy editing.
Lifestyles Writer|
The Westside Journal
From January 2002 to January 2003 • 1 year(s)
Responsible for content, copy editing and layout of lifestyles section for weekly newspaper.
College Representative|
Atlantic Records
From January 2000 to January 2002 • 2 year(s)
Planned events, assisted with artist appearances and concerts, and helped strategize distribution of press materials and products.
