Bio
Christie Kennedy is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with extensive experience in strategic planning, content strategy, video production, and campaign execution. She currently serves as marketing manager for the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL, where she supports the needs of the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). In this role, Kennedy has streamlined and executed communication efforts with AMMTO and key industry stakeholders related to ORNL’s advanced manufacturing activities, refined MDF core messaging, developed marketing materials, reworked the MDF website, and fostered greater MDF branding consistency across platforms.
Kennedy has previously served as the director of research marketing and communication at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she led a team and initiatives that elevated the institution's national reputation for research in mobility, advanced materials and manufacturing, and energy systems. Efforts included website development and content creation, event campaigns for key research initiatives, and message and content strategy and development.
Prior to that, Kennedy led communications and marketing for the UT Tickle College of Engineering (TCE), where she oversaw the restructuring and rebranding of the college’s digital and print platforms, social media, internal communications efforts. She also established the college’s first major digital-first students recruitment initiatives and led content and branding efforts for the college’s newest academic facility, the Zeanah Engineering Complex. During this time, Kennedy and her team received the Circle of Excellence Teamwork Award for improving the college’s branding and content for all stakeholders.
With roots in television production, Kennedy spent several years as a post and field producer at Jupiter Entertainment where she worked on many episodic television series for major networks including A&E, National Geographic, the History Channel, Discovery, and others.
Kennedy holds a master’s in public relations and a bachelor’s in communications from UT. She has received numerous awards for writing and campaign execution, including distinctions from CASE and the American Advertising Federation.
Awards
2020
Circle of Excellence Team Award
Tickle College of Engineering Faculty and Staff Awards
Advocate in Advising: Friend to the Community Award.
TennACADA
2016
Blazing Trails: The UT Chancellor’s Annual Report
Role: co-writer, project manager
Council for Advancement & Support of Education (CASE) District III—Award of Excellence, Annual Report
American Advertising Federation, Knoxville (AAF)—Silver, Public Service
UT Experience Learning QEP Initiative Rollout Campaign
Role: short-form writer, project manager
AAF—Gold, Integrated Campaign
AAF—Silver, Newspaper Advertising
UT Make Orange Green Printed Calendar
Role: writer, project manager
AAF—Gold, Public Service
2015
UT Consent Campaign
Role: co-writer, project manager.
CASE District III—Award of Excellence, Total Advertising Campaign
AAF—Special Judges’ Award, Copy Writing
University and College Designers Assoc.—Award of Excellence, Campaign Strategy
Tennessee College Public Relations Assoc.—Gold, Communication Campaign
UT Make Orange Green Identity
Role: project manager
University and College Designers Assoc.—Award of Excellence, Identity Program
2014
UT McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture Website Redesign
Role: project manager
Tennessee Association of Museums Award of Excellence, Website Redesign
UT “T” Transit System Branding & Rollout Campaign
Role: project manager
CASE District III Grand Award, Overall Marketing/Branding Campaign
Education
MS Communication, public relations concentration and BS Communication, electronic media and video production concentration, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Professional Service
2024–present: President, UT School of Journalism and Media Alumni Advisory Board