Creative Strategist & Political Communicator
I’m Kendall Duffy, a Corporate Communications and Public Affairs student at Southern Methodist University, specializing in political communication and minoring in Advertising. I have a strong interest in marketing, public relations, digital strategy, and public affairs.
I’ve gained experience studying abroad in London and Prague, interned in social media and communications in Prague, and worked on campaigns, branding, SEO, and social media projects as part of my coursework. I enjoy blending creativity with strategy to craft messages that resonate with audiences.
I’m seeking opportunities in marketing, communications, PR, or digital media where I can keep building my skills and contribute meaningful, engaging work.
(650) 216-8145
kendallduffy312@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/kendall-duffy-89913b327
Project Index
Booker Re-Election Campaign
Political Strategy
Public Affairs Strategy
Corporate Relations
Crisis Communications
Media Planning
Marketing & SEO Projects
Digital Strategy
The Problem I Tackled
I set out to address why Senator Booker should be re-elected. This campaign focused mainly on making public transportation feel important and relevant to New Jersey voters on a personal level. While it’s often seen as an issue just for commuters, my campaign reframed transit as essential to quality of life, tying it to safety, affordability, opportunity, and happiness for all. A related challenge was connecting this issue to Cory Booker in a way that would increase his name recognition and build support. I wanted voters to see not just the value of public transportation, but also that Booker is actively working to improve the lives of New Jersey families.
My Approach
1. Photo Essay: First, I used visual storytelling through a photo essay. It started with images that tie together to tell a 10-image story about why Senator Booker should be re-elected, based on his public transportation initiatives. The story sets out to tell the overall message that Senator Booker is fighting for New Jersey families, students, workers, and young people to afford to live, work, and build a future.
2. Podcast: Second, I increased engagement through a podcast. By framing the campaign’s message as a conversation, the podcast made the topic more inviting for younger audiences. It connected public transportation to everyday routines, safety, work, and opportunity, rather than sounding like a formal political pitch.
3. Multi-Platform Media: Third, I built a multi-platform media strategy. For Google, Instagram, and YouTube, I tailored ads to fit how people use each platform. The Google ad reached those searching for transit info. The Instagram ad linked Booker to themes like unity and happiness. The YouTube ad delivered a fast, urgent message with animation, perfect for a skippable video format.
4. Infographic: Fourth, I made data simple and accessible. The infographic boiled the numbers down to a few key stats and a clear chart, driving home the point that “Transit = Economic growth / No transit = higher living costs”—an argument that’s easy to grasp at a glance.
5. Organic Social Strategy: Fifth, I developed a strategy for organic social media. For Instagram, I planned one or two posts featuring different campaign slogans and a third post as an impromptu poll to gather feedback from constituents. For X, I suggested a post for Booker's personal account to promote another campaign slogan. For TikTok, I created content targeting people affected by traffic or those using public transit to avoid it. Each post was designed to be platform-appropriate and reinforce the campaign’s core messages.
Putting the Strategies to Work
The photo essay captured the emotional stakes and benefits of public transportation in a compelling narrative. The paid media suite used different channels and messages tailored to how people search, scroll, or watch online. The infographic turned complex economic arguments into a visual that’s quick to read and remember. The podcast turned the campaign’s message into an approachable, relatable discussion. Each of these pieces played a clear role: capturing attention, creating an emotional connection, simplifying the issue, and linking Cory Booker to public transportation and quality of life for New Jerseyans.
The Funnel
Awareness
The first step is awareness, making public transportation feel relevant and urgent to New Jersey voters. Instagram and YouTube grab attention with vivid visuals and striking statistics, connecting Cory Booker to themes like unity and opportunity.
Engagement
Next comes engagement. The goal is to get people to spend more time thinking about the issue. Digital ads and an in-depth podcast make public transportation an everyday topic, connecting it to safety, work, school, and family routines.
Conviction
Finally, the campaign focuses on conviction. We help people see why better public transportation matters through infographics that break down the economic impact into simple, memorable points, making the argument clear at a glance.