Jessica Stammer
Transit Marketing Specialist 2
Metro Transit
- Alma Mater: University of Wisconsin
- Favorite Book: "Harry Potter" by J. K. Rowling
- Favorite TV Show: "Breaking Bad"
- Favorite Movie: "Dumb and Dumber"
- Favorite Hobby: Watching TV
When Jessica Stammer was a student at the University of Wisconsin, she never thought she’d be in the public transportation industry. However, in 2012, after the journalism student landed an internship with Metro Transit in Madison, Wisconsin, she suddenly found herself in a challenging industry evolving before her eyes.
In nine weeks as an intern, Stammer worked on bringing Metro’s advertising program in-house. She inventoried all ads on Metro buses, created a database of advertising information and set a priority list on targeting ads and advertisers for each bus.
Stammer also worked on the installation of QR codes at more than 300 bus stops for real-time bus arrival information; she participated in community marketing events and wrote press releases for Metro.
Stammer was hired full time at Metro in January 2013 and continued work on the advertising program to fine tune the inventory system and flowing advertising contacts from ad sales representatives to the finance department.
Stammer took the lead on Metro’s employer bus pass program, where she worked on promotion, contract management, billing and customer service.
Stammer overhauled Metro’s electronic communications by giving the agency a lighter tone on Twitter to reach younger audiences and set up Metro’s first Tweet Chat to supplement feedback from formal public hearings. Metro has doubled the number of active Twitter followers and more than 3,000 people are engaged with the account.
Stammer graduated from the APTA Early Career program and in March, she was promoted to a marketing supervisor position, where she oversees reception and the transit store.
“Five years ago, if you told me I’d be in the public transit industry, I would have called you crazy.”
“Every day is different; this is a completely unpredictable job. I come in every morning and I’m not really sure what I’m going to be doing.”
“It’s an evolving industry, especially in the Madison area. I can see it transforming before my eyes … and it’s a cool thing to be a part of.”
