10 Minutes with…Jenifer Johnson
10 Minutes at Annual Meeting with Jenifer Johnson, Idaho Public Television, Director of Development
How long have you been working in Public Television?
2 ½ years on this role.
Can you share with us details about a project you’re currently working on that really excites you?
We are currently planning our Fall Preview event for current and prospective corporate support partners, Sept. 14th in Boise, and PBS President Paula Kerger is our keynote speaker this year. We are tossing out the ‘old school’ print packets and creating customized micro flip wallets with USB flash drives for the digital presentations and videos to prospects and for take-aways.
What was your favorite part/session of Annual Meeting so far?
Talking to colleagues and gleaning ideas and information from the many creative brains and experienced professionals throughout the country. I enjoyed seeing previews of the upcoming programs, and my mind was spinning with ideas for integrating into corporate sponsorship, membership and community engagement.
What is your biggest Annual Meeting or DevDay takeaway or favorite part?
That no two stations and development departments operate alike. I came away from the meeting very proud of the quality and volume work being accomplished at the national and local levels, and committed to doing all that I can keep it moving forward by connecting donors to our mission, and positively impacting lives in the process.
What did you learn at the meeting that you plan to incorporate into your work back at your station?
Additional donor-centric scripts; better training for floor directors and on-camera talent; we might add a booth producer on some nights to keep on pace and prevent rambling dialogue; and we are adopting Sustainer best practices for retention and growth.
What is your favorite PBS series or program?
NOVA, Frontline, PBS NewsHour, and GlobeTrekker along with Masterpiece Theater’s Victoria and Poldark.
If you could switch places with any PBS character, who would it be and why?
I don’t know if you’d consider him a ‘character’, but I’d love to switch places with Rick Steves and travel the world! I’ve never had the opportunity to travel outside of the US, so I’d love to visit the places and meet the people from different cultures. Right now, I live vicariously through the travel shows.
On days that you’re feeling a little tired or overwhelmed, and you imagine going ‘off-the-grid”… what is your ideal situation? Where do you go?
Easy: To the lakes and mountains of northern Idaho with a good book and sunscreen. And wine. Or to a tropical beach anywhere in the world with a good book, and sunscreen. And wine.