Jeff Heckelman brings 20 years of experience as a strategic marketing and communications professional with expertise in external and internal corporate communications, crisis/issues management, high-level media relations, digital and social media, grant writing and executive/talent reputation management.
Jeff launched his own consulting practice in 2020, providing services for clients across a wide range of industries, including media and entertainment (Paramount Media Networks and MTV Entertainment Studios), sports business (777 Partners, Athletes Unlimited, Just Women’s Sports), education (Columbia University), healthcare (The Gold Foundation) and non-profit (International Association of Better Business Bureaus, Team IMPACT, Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University and The Leo Baeck Institute). Jeff is particularly passionate about doing meaningful, purpose-driven work, using his skills to achieve social impact and improve society whenever possible.
Prior to launching his own firm, Jeff worked both in-house and at multiple agencies for some of the top brands and organizations in the world. As a Vice President at Finsbury, a leading firm specializing in corporate reputation and crisis communications, he provided strategic communications counsel, internal communications and litigation support for clients across wide range of industries, including finance/banking, B2B, media, retail, labor and sports. His top clients included adidas, Toyota, Citi, Cognizant and the NBA Players Association.
Jeff began his career in the business of sports and entertainment, focusing on external and internal corporate communications around sponsorship, television, marketing/advertising, licensing and social media. As Director of Business Public Relations for Major League Baseball for seven years, Jeff served as primary communications liaison for multiple business units within the MLB Commissioner’s Office. He was part of the core team that developed and managed the award-winning MLB Fan Cave social media marketing initiative. He also helped launch the Emmy-winning MLB Network, the largest cable network launch in history at the time. An early adopter of social media, Jeff created and managed the @MLB_PR Twitter feed, among the most successful PR-driven feeds in or out of sports. Jeff launched his career as a public relations coordinator for the U.S. Tennis Association, and also spent two years at Edelman as a Senior Account Executive, where his clients included Prudential Center, Canon, 24 Hour Fitness, USA Gymnastics and Aflac.
Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology from Swarthmore College, where he was editor-in-chief of the pioneering digital newspaper, The Daily Gazette. He lives in Manhattan with his wife, Jennifer and baby daughter, Abigail.
Core Values
Honesty: The second you lie to a client, a journalist or anyone else, your credibility is gone forever. I believe it’s more than possible to be successful at this work while being honest. It’s imperative.
Integrity: Moral principles are too often in short supply in this industry. I have a firm grasp on the difference between right and wrong, and look to work with organizations and individuals who share my values.
Excellence: My reputation depends on the quality of my work. I hold myself to the highest standards and believe it shows in my work.
Reliability: If I say I’m going to do something, I do it. If I say I’m going to be somewhere, I’ll be there. I strive to be someone that everyone in my life can count on.
Compassion: It’s important to always care for others, especially the disadvantaged among us. I’m trying to do my part to leave this world a better place than it was when I arrived.
Service: Expert strategic communications counsel should be available to every organization, regardless of budget. I want to devote my skills to organizations working to improve society.
Community: I try to never lose sight of the impact my work has on those around me. I try to be a good neighbor and a solid citizen.
Relationships: Our relationships are everything in this business. I’ve always tried to be a helpful, constructive colleague and friend to everyone with whom I do business.