Rueckert named national media relations specialist

A familiar voice has joined University Communications.

Veronica Rueckert, former host of Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Central Time,” started as national media relations specialist for University Communications in November. The newly created position is designed to heighten the presence of University of Wisconsin–Madison stories and experts in the national media.

“UW-Madison is an incredible institution in Wisconsin and beyond, but more than that, it’s an engine for ideas, knowledge, and solutions,” Rueckert says. “Many of our researchers and professors are nationwide leaders in their fields, and I look forward to sharing their insights and expertise throughout the nation, and world.”

A Madison native, Rueckert has a bachelor’s degree from UW–Madison. She hosted the statewide call-in program, “The Veronica Rueckert Show” and was a producer on WPR’s program “To the Best of Our Knowledge,” distributed nationally by Public Radio International, for which she won a Peabody Award in 2004.

“Working on the media side of the equation has allowed me unique insight into what makes an effective pitch, how to approach the media, and how to seize opportunities to place experts in the right place for meaningful media exposure in response to current events,” Rueckert says.

Rueckert is also a writer whose work has been published in Wisconsin Trails Magazine, the Wisconsin State Journal and excerpted in Jon Winokur’s “The Big Book of Irony.” Her essays have run on NPR’s nationally-syndicated show “Day to Day” and on “To the Best of Our Knowledge.”

Rueckert has a background coaching academics, corporate communicators, and other professionals for events like keynotes and TEDx talks. She has a special interest in working with women to maximize the power and presence of their voices.

“I’m looking forward to deepening my relationship with UW–Madison faculty and staff and shining as bright a spotlight as possible on the outstanding work being done here,” Rueckert says.

For faculty and campus communicators who would like to consult on how to promote an idea, publicize a piece of research or share expertise in the national media, contact her at rueckert@wisc.edu.