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Alum plays PR Role in Cinci Zoo’s #TeamFiona

October 23, 2017

Alum plays PR Role in Cinci Zoo’s #TeamFiona

Fiona the Hippo from The Cincinnati Zoo

In 2015, School of Communication alumna Angela Hatke (BA, strategic communication, 2007) landed her dream job at the Cincinnati Zoo working in the marketing and public relations department. When Fiona, the premature baby hippo and internet sensation, was born in January, Hatke was there to share her journey to the world every step of the way.

“We were ready for her birth and the keepers were ready and had backup plans, but we weren’t prepared for her to be six weeks premature. So, the marketing department’s job was to decide how to tell her story,” Hatke said.

From day one, Hatke worked closely with the keepers and the veterinary staff and the zookeepers to get access and information about Fiona so they could share with all of the Cincinnati Zoo’s followers. They posted updates every day on Fiona’s progress and how she was doing.

As time went on, Hatke took on an even bigger role with Team Fiona when she got the opportunity to babysit her. Hatke spent evenings with her and times during the day taking notes and keeping an eye on her, with the help of zookeepers and veterinarians closeby.

Hatke’s daily tasks range from working with the press and media and also works on the website. She also works on the Cincinnati Zoo’s Baby Hippo blog as well as their social media.

Hatke owes her success to Ohio State’s School of Communication. “I am so thankful for the education I received at the School of Communication. I wouldn’t be where I am today having my dream job at the Cincinnati Zoo without it,” she says.

Image used courtesy of The Cincinnati Zoo Instagram (@cincinnatizoo).