Solving the information puzzle: Talking communications with Nicolette Brennan, public information manager for the City of Cape Girardeau

As public information manager for the City of Cape Girardeau, Nicolette Brennan is something of a vehicle between city operations and the community. Whether she's sending news releases and coordinating media interviews or fixing website bugs and programming errors, her goal is to provide access to all the information people need to make wise decisions and improve their quality of life.

Read on as Nicolette shares why she was drawn to a career in public relations and how we can all be better communicators.

__BT: First, some background: Where did you grow up and go to school? Where else have you worked?__

__NB:__ I hail from a goat farm in Jefferson County, Missouri. I studied information technology at Jefferson College, mass media at Southeast Missouri State University, and I took a few a la carte classes from University of Missouri - St. Louis, Mizzou, FEMA and elsewhere. I started my first job in a music store when I was 14. I was also a substitute teacher before moving to Cape Girardeau. Locally, I've worked downtown at Shivelbine's Music Store and United Way.

__BT: Why did you choose communications as your career? What do you love about it?__

__NB:__ I'm not sure I have chosen my career yet! But in school and in the years since, I did fall in love with the idea of what an informed public does for society. People with the right information at the right time can make smart decisions for their families, make sound decisions at the polls and take targeted actions in their communities to make life better for all of us. Any opportunity I have, however small, to contribute to that is an honor.

__BT: How did you land in your role as public information manager for the City of Cape Girardeau?__

__NB:__ Funny you should ask, because I always credit the Southeast Missourian. And I say this mostly in jest, but what sent me down the public information and relations career path was not getting a Southeast Missourian internship. Instead, I started a part-time job programming the public access television station at the City of Cape, and a career was born.

__BT: What's a typical day for you?__

__NB:__ Puzzles. Every day is full of a variety of puzzles piling up faster than we can solve them: How can we get more people to prepare for emergencies? Engage more residents in policymaking and planning? Who broke the Internet? Why is our programming off schedule? How is it that this webpage fell to pieces yet "nobody touched it?" How can we serve the city better, faster, cheaper? Yes, I restarted the computer -- why is it still locking up?

Cutline:Nicolette Brennan's job isn't an easy one, but she strives to do it with style. (Laura Simon)

__BT: What is your favorite part of your job?__

__NB:__ My favorite is a tie between the puzzles and the people. I get to work with passionate, intelligent and driven professionals from the departments of parks and recreation, public works, fire, police and city hall. Most of the people I work with are really quite amazing, and they inspire me. They are always pushing me to up my game.

__BT: How have city communications evolved over time? Most notably, how has technology changed the way you work and share information with the community?__

__NB:__ It's less of a lecture anymore and more conversational. Technology has torn down a lot of barriers for people. They have more access than ever to information and opportunities to really drive their government. It is so much easier to get our message out, and more importantly, is so much easier to listen. The volume of requests, inquiries, complaints, challenges and every other type interaction is growing. The pace is ever-quickening. It is increasingly more challenging and exciting.

__BT: What is your best marketing or communications advice to other people in business?__

Nicolette Brennan, Public Information Manager with the City of Cape Girardeau, poses inside her office inside City Hall, Thursday, April 9, 2015. (Laura Simon)

__NB:__ I'm typically more in the business of seeking advice and mentoring from others, so I might not have a "greatest hits of advice" yet! I do believe that if you cut through the fancy language, shiny new technologies, politics and other distractions, it really all boils down to sales and customer service. We have to give people what they want or need. We have to talk in terms of how our service, idea or product enhances their life or work somehow. It is all about the customer, and we can never lose sight of that.

__BT: You're also involved in a number of community and volunteer organizations. Could you tell us more about that? Why is community involvement important to you?__

__NB:__ I do everything in my power to surround myself with people who are smarter than me. That's why I love volunteering for the Tristate Advertising and Marketing Professionals board, and I'm proud to be a founding member of the fledgling SEMO Information Officers Association. In both groups, we're working to enhance education and networking opportunities for the people providing critical services related to bolstering the economy and protecting life and property in the region.

__BT: How do you spend your time when you're not working?__

__NB:__ My 4-year-old really likes to go to our "rusty old barn" in Madison County. We have a little cabin out there, and we like to go fishing and critter-hunting. On the rare occasions we get time anymore, my fiance and I like to cook for our friends and explore other cities in the region.

__BT: Anything else you'd like people to know about City of Cape?__

__NB:__ Just like the whole city of Cape itself, the "City of Cape" government organization is filled with great people who want to improve the quality of life here. Most civic clubs, city offices and social service agencies need someone to provide their time or talent. If you're not already plugged in, try it.