August Rumblings🐝: WE’RE BACK FROM SUMMER VACATION, WITH A NEW FACE!
We are elated to welcome social media powerhouse, Danielle Shepard Collins, to the RumbleBuzz team.
This month, we sat down with Danielle to discuss how she’s gotten to where she is now, and all of her experience that has contributed to her success.
THE BUZZ ON DANIELLE
Tell us a little bit about who you are!
I am originally from Middle Georgia and moved to Tampa in 2017. I first began my career at ZooTampa, and then served as the Communications Specialist at the City of Tampa, where I led all digital marketing strategy efforts under Mayor Jane Castor. I have a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from UGA, and a Master of Mass Communication from UF. I love spending time with my husband Craig, being anywhere near the water, traveling, volunteering with the Junior League of Tampa, trying new local businesses, and hosting friends at our home.
What did you learn in your time working for the Mayor of Tampa?
No two days are the same in local government. Good social media strategy simultaneously develops both creative and critical thinking skills. My daily challenge was to create scroll-stopping content that explained boring or complex topics. Flexing these “muscles” for various industries (wastewater, engineering, finance, etc.) has helped me approach the use of trending content with a different mindset.
What are your top three tips for dealing with a crisis? What crisis did you learn the most from?
First, prepare with a thorough “doomsday brainstorm” to identify your worst-case-scenarios and predetermine the best strategies to address them. Second, you will inevitably need to work quickly and efficiently; but it's not about being first, it's about being accurate. Third, by nature, a crisis is intense and always involves fear or uncertainty. Take moments for yourself and protect your mental peace.
The 2024 back-to-back hurricanes were the most challenging crises of my career thus far. I had worked several hurricanes before, but I had not yet experienced 1) the severity of the devastation, 2) the record amount of recovery information that needed to get out, and 3) how to sensitively reincorporate “normal” messaging when so many people were still affected.
What was your biggest lesson learned while working at the iconic ZooTampa?
Working at ZooTampa was a formative experience that laid the foundation for my career. Overall, I saw how to transform a small, local amenity into an international tourism destination. The biggest lesson was the importance of traditional media management, especially during a crisis. Strong relationships with local media successfully promoted the Zoo as a veterinary oasis year-round. The transparency and trust we had built through our day-to-day work proved invaluable when countering sensationalized headlines.
Favorite spots in Tampa?
My all-time favorite meal is the butternut squash ravioli at Oggi Italian. For breakfast, the cinnamon roll from Sourdoughist and the Biscoff latte at Lull Cafe. The American Legion for drinks and waterfront sunset views. For activities: exploring JC Newman Cigar Factory, shopping at Hazel & Dot and Creme de la Creme, and walking on Bayshore.
What social media accounts are you loving right now?
Tampa International Airport, Fresh Kitchen, and Top Shelf Sports Lounge are local favorites. Aldi and Auntie Anne's are two of my favorite "out-of-pocket" approaches to social for big brands. I like Coca-Cola's commitment to regular user-generated content and UGA’s combination of aesthetic branding while staying relevant with trends.
What are you most excited about, starting your new role at RumbleBuzz?
I am looking forward to working with such an energetic, innovative team! Through both marketing strategy and event execution, the agency’s creativity is unmatched. I had the pleasure of working with Kristy, Andrea, and Sarah at ZooTampa, so I have seen their dedication to excellence firsthand. I’m excited to serve such talented clients and continue to celebrate what makes Tampa Bay special.