Jennifer Hollett

Jennifer Hollett
Hollett in 2015
Born (1975-09-16) September 16, 1975 (age 49)
Alma materHarvard University
Concordia University
Occupation(s)Media executive, politician
Political partyNew Democratic Party

Jennifer Hollett (born September 16, 1975) is a Canadian media executive and former television personality and political activist. She was the 2015 New Democratic Party's candidate in the new riding of University—Rosedale.[1] Hollett has a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Journalism and Communications from Concordia University in Montreal, and a Masters in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.[2]

Hollett was a contributor to CBC News Network's prime time show Connect with Mark Kelley and was formerly a MuchMusic VJ and videographer, she hosted MuchOnDemand, Much In Your Space, Combat Zone, Power Shift, Count Down, Live@Much and some specials until leaving the network in 2005. Hollett started out as a radio jockey at Concordia University.

Her working career started with Sony Music Canada in the New Media Division working on websites for artists such as Our Lady Peace, Prozzak and Céline Dion. She later moved up to CTV, then to MuchMusic. She hosted "The Chatroom" on TalkTV on the recommendation of a CTV producer she met at Sony. At the end of that year, she was hired by MuchMusic.[3]

In 2006, Hollett volunteered for CARE Canada, touring Canadian Secondary Schools and speaking to youth about her experiences in Kenya with the organization. Hollett has also managed e-communications for Plan Canada (2009), worked with Journalists for Human Rights (2007-2008) to train journalists in Sierra Leone. She is an advocate of girls' and women's rights, and has acted as the Official Summit Moderator for the G(irls)20 Summits in Toronto (2010), Paris (2011), Mexico City (2012), Moscow (2013), Sydney (2014).[4]

While at Harvard, Hollett developed the 'Super Pac App', which helped viewers better understand television campaign ads during the 2012 U.S. election.[5] By recording a snippet of audio from a television ad as it plays, a user can learn who paid for the ad, how much money that political group has raised and spent so far, and through links to nonpartisan news sources, learn about how truthful the claims in the ad are.

Hollett's past includes working with The Leading Change Network[6] to train community activists with Marshall Ganz, a strategist credited with helping to devise the successful grass roots organizing model and training for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

She was an Atkinson Associate on Civic Technology [7] and a Broadbent Leadership Fellow.[8]

Her public speaking appearances include the Hart House Hancock Lecture [9] and TEDx.[10]

In 2016, Hollett was appointed head of news and government for Twitter in Canada.[11] She became the executive director of the Walrus in June 2020.[12]

  1. ^ "Hollett set to take on Chrystia Freeland - iPolitics". 4 February 2015.
  2. ^ "About Jennifer - Jennifer Hollett for Toronto Centre". Archived from the original on 2013-07-28. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
  3. ^ "The Music Makers — Concordia University Magazine Features". magazine.concordia.ca. Archived from the original on 2014-03-18. Retrieved 2013-09-14.
  4. ^ "G(irls)20 Summit Official Website". G(irls)20 Summit. Macroblu. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  5. ^ "Is that ad Super Pac backed? This app will tell you". Forbes. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  6. ^ "The Leading Change Network". The Leading Change Network. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  7. ^ "What Activists and Startups Have In Common - Atkinson Foundation". atkinsonfoundation.ca. 3 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Jennifer Hollett | Training Progress". Archived from the original on 2015-03-03. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  9. ^ "2015 Hart House Hancock Lecture - Hart House". harthouse.ca.
  10. ^ "Redirecting". tedxtalks.ted.com.
  11. ^ "Twitter Canada hires Jennifer Hollett to lead company's news and government partnerships". Financial Post. 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  12. ^ "Reach, revenue and impact: Jennifer Hollett's goals for the Walrus". Media of Canada.