A Bit About Me
Hi there! I'm Jason Brandon – and I'm obsessed with all things digital media.
Having been an integral member of communications teams in higher education, collaborative leadership is a trait that helps bring each new project to fruition and strategy to implementation.
Since December 2021, I've worked in the Office of University Equity and Inclusion at Rutgers University, where I've focused my time on brining the University Diversity Strategic Plan to life through original multimedia content and sustained community engagement. I started as the Public Relations Specialist, and became the Sr. Edit/Media Specialist in June 2022.
Prior to this role, I worked in the Center for Business Communications at American University to produce content that elevated the Center's visibility. Our video on audience dogs even went on to become one of the New York Times' most-viewed videos of 2016.
I graduated from American University with a major in Film/Media Arts and certificate in Spanish Translation. I am currently enrolled in the Master of Communication and Media program at Rutgers University and am an active member of the University Photographers’ Association of America.
Education
Rutgers University
School of Communication and Information
New Brunswick, NJ
Anticipated graduation of 2024
American University
School of Communication
Washington, DC
Graduated spring 2020
Master of Communication and Media Candidate
Specialization in Strategic Organizational and Leadership Communication
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I anticipate graduating in Spring 2024.
Bachelor of Arts in Film & Media Studies
Minor in Entrepreneurship
Certificate in Spanish translation
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Studying in DC was a privilege that allowed me to gain a wealth of experience in various genres of photography, from photojournalism to fine art. My favorite (and final) course was large format photography, which exposed me to the magic of "slow seeing."
Experience
Rutgers University
Office of University Equity and Inclusion
New Brunswick, NJ
December 2021 – Present
​As the senior edit/media specialist in the University Equity and Inclusion Office, I execute strategic communications through visually-forward designs, helping shape a shared sense of community and commitment to diversity.​​​
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Serve as communications lead for university-wide diversity initiatives, managing vendors in the creation of new website tools and design collateral
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Produce digital content and implement digital strategy that advances institutional diversity priorities and positions executives as thought leaders
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Exercise creative leadership through creation of brand communications guide comprising verbal and visual identities, art directing all visual assets for large events
American University
Kogod Center for Business Communications
Washington, DC
January 2016 – May 2020
As the multimedia consultant, I contributed to campaigns that boosted the public profile of the business school and captured community events, fostering a cohesive and elevated brand image.
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Spearheaded agency-quality photo/video projects advertising student services in line with branding guidelines for publication in news outlets; featured on New York Times' most-viewed video list of 2016, generating over 2.4 million views and enhancing public profile of CBC
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Created farewell videos for deans before news broke to campus, exercising discretion; took headshots of over 30 employees each semester and filmed business school competitions as needed
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Grew social media platform followings by 67% and increased organic impressions by 178%; worked with communications director to keep messaging aligned with visuals
Jason Brandon Photography
Commercial photography and headshots
Princeton, NJ
May 2020 – Present
I run my own photography business and specialize in portrait and art photography.
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Employ unique strobe lighting techniques to showcase client's brand identity and establish authoritative visual records
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Assemble portfolios with original photography for artists looking to get into gallery and museum collections, serving as designer and photographer
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
TrailLink.com
Washington, DC
January 2020 – May 2020
Google sponsored TrailLink.com to create a digital Great American Rail-Trail project. I served as the photo specialist intern responsible for curating and indexing all visual assets.
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Formatted text/media in ArcGIS StoryMaps to inform over 200,000 TrailLink app users of trail history as part of the Great American Rail-Trail project; collaborated with historian to bring project to life and presented weekly progress to CTO
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Researched wide variety of databases for relevant media; conducted outreach to photographers to license photos for print and web, staying under budget by primarily seeking Creative Commons media
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Developed a digital asset management system for collaboration among various departments; instructed colleagues on best archiving practices in Adobe Bridge during transition to a virtual work environment amid pandemic
Skills
Web and data
Editing
Production
Content management systems (Drupal, Wordpress)
Customer relationship management (Active Campaign, Agile CRM, Salesforce)
Digital asset management (Bridge, Extensis Portfolio)
Social media and email analytics (Google/YouTube Analytics, Hootsuite, Mailchimp)
Adobe CC (AEM, AfterEffects, InDesign, Lightroom, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Spark)
Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word)
Photogrammetry (Agisoft Metashape, MicMac)
Retouching (Luminar Artificial Intelligence, Photoshop)
35mm and medium format digital systems
Complex storytelling and visual branding
Conceptualization, contracts, and collaboration
Image capture software and quality control (Capture One, Photo Mechanic, Lightroom)
Management of third-party vendors and freelancers
Project planning and timeline management
Studio lighting (continuous, strobe)