Social-Media Mavens

Jennifer Levine, B.A.’93

Sharing The Fun

By Jim Sciancalepore, M.A.’93

“I get to work and have fun,” explained Jennifer Levine, vice president of Communications for Sprout, NBC’s cable TV and online network for preschool-aged kids.

Levine helms Sprout’s communications team in generating buzz for Sprout and NBC Kids brands through an integrated combination of marketing, public relations and social media. Sprout’s programming includes well-known shows such as “The Chica Show,”  “Caillou” and “The Berenstain Bears.”

Levine also coordinates the recruitment of celebrity guests for Sprout’s live morning show, “Sunny Side Up.” They range from Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) to first lady Michelle Obama to William Shatner (“Star Trek”).

More recently, she was finalizing efforts for “Sproutnado,” the network’s fun, educational take on SyFy’s “Sharknado” (both Sprout and SyFy are part of NBCUniversal) – including a guest stint from “Sharknado” star Ian Ziering. “With the many affiliated properties of NBCUniversal, we have access to so much talent,” explained Levine.

The mother of two can trace her career track back to a UAlbany connection. Upon graduation, a sorority sister helped her land her first job in the entertainment industry at Atlantic Records. It would lead to stints at Disney; Nickelodeon; and, eventually, NBC.

“I’m very grateful ... I really fell into this,” said Levine. “Every day, I can leave work and walk out with a smile on my face.”

Next: Keith Garber, B.S.’97