For two decades, Jeff was my primary, go-to contact for smart and newsworthy stories out of Vermont, which I covered as part of my roving New England beat for The Boston Globe. Invariably, the stories were interesting. Often, they were delightfully quirky. And always, they helped give Globe readers a textured feel for our neighbor to the north. Jeff knew what we were looking for, and he delivered over and over and over again, directing me to compelling people and out-of-the-way places that brought these stories to life. Personally, Jeff was a delight to work with, as well. A true pro. I can't recommend him highly enough.

Jeff is one of the best college media pitch experts in the country. I first started working with Jeff several years ago when my organization, CFES, created a partnership for a school in the Bronx and UVM. Jeff parlayed that program into a front page story on the NY TIMES. In recent years, Jeff has helped me develop op-eds that he’s placed in USA TODAY, THE HILL, HECHINGER REPORT and UNIVERSITY BUSINESS. Great to work with. 

I've worked with many publicists, and Jeff is one of the best. His sense of what makes a good story and -- especially helpful -- what kind of stories I'm looking for is informed and imaginative. If my experience with him is any indication, he takes the time not only to read/watch/listen to the outlets he's pitching but also to figure out how his pitch connects to broader themes those outlets are covering. He makes connections that make my job easier. Not every idea works out, but I always return Jeff's calls promptly because I know he'll have something interesting to say.

Jeff Wakefield is one of the most organized and helpful communications professionals I have worked with. He helped me on a 2018 story for the CBS News national network morning program about special program at the University of Vermont that provided a Wellness Environment for students free of drugs and alcohol. Jeff worked with me to set up the shoot in advance and make sure we had access to everything we needed.

If you are looking to augment your writing and earned media capabilities, you should connect with Jeff Wakefield. Jeff is a highly experienced and professional communicator with a keen eye for stories that reporters at prominent publications want to write about. Jeff knows how to identify a story with potential placement possibilities, do the research to find the right trend elements, and successfully pitch it to reporters who typically find the stories so compelling that they want to be the ones to write them up. Jeff has amassed an extensive portfolio of stories he has placed in some of the most prominent media outlets. Jeff also possesses excellent writing skills for both long-form creative pieces, and nuts-and-bolts news announcements. Lastly, Jeff has great interpersonal skills, and has effectively established productive and long-lasting working relationships with clients and news reporters.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jeff for over 10 years, most recently on public relations for the University of Vermont Cancer Center. I’ve relied on Jeff’s experience in a variety of capacities – from writing press releases, amplifying stories, and advising on media strategy. Jeff knows his stuff – his curiosity, instincts, relationships, and knowledge of the current media landscape have led to measurable results. In one year, we saw a 200% increase in traffic to our website and over 50 media engagements. Jeff truly feels like a member of my team, and I am grateful to have his expertise supporting our communications goals.

Jeff worked as a professional writer with me and my team over a period of 5 years. We met monthly and discussed possible articles or press releases that stemmed from and directly supported the research work that I oversaw. He was quick to grasp the essential aspects of the work, provided a compelling hook for the story, met deadlines and did all with a great sense of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him and have found him hard to replace since he retired from his previous position. I would recommend him to anyone with the highest degree of enthusiasm.

It’s a pleasure to recommend Jeff Wakefield. I was a longtime professor at the University of Vermont where Jeff reported on my program of research for the U.S. National Park Service, covering much of the span of media; examples include local and national newspapers, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and a series of public radio commentaries syndicated nationally via PRX. He always took the time to learn about my research, even joining me in the field when possible. His subject matter bandwidth is wide, indeed, and he’s a polished writer.

Great news piece in VT Business Magazine highlighting all of the great things happening in VT's Northeast Kingdom region! Thanks so much for taking the time to speak to so many.