With over 20 years in marketing and communications, Jessica Ireland has honed her skills in all facets of strategy, advertising, branding and public relations – from consumer brand building, nonprofit outreach and crisis management to strategic planning. She is uniquely experienced in developing data-driven integrated marketing strategies and executing campaigns designed to drive awareness, participation, and revenue.
In the middle of the pandemic, Jessica leaped into the largest achievement of her career by launching Sunshine & Bourbon, a woman-owned branding and creative agency, alongside her incredibly talented team members. As the Founder & CEO of Sunshine & Bourbon, Jessica is responsible for client relationships, business development, and operations. The agency strives to launch campaigns that showcase the people who are at the heart of every brand. Sunshine & Bourbon’s team prides itself on staying nimble, while ensuring we are true client partners by helping our clients to solve their everyday and greatest business challenges.
Her past and present clients include UPS, ESPN, SBC communications (now part of AT&T), Comcast, the Steve Case Foundation, Visit Phoenix, Visit SLO CAL (San Luis Obispo County, CA), Visit Galveston, Visit Billings (MT), the Virginia Tourism Corporation, Amelia Island CVB, Naples Marco Island Everglades CVB, Gatlinburg Department of Tourism, and the Virginia Aquarium, to name a few.
Jessica also worked with Fleishman-Hillard in Washington, D.C. and the St. Louis headquarters in the corporate and financial communications practice group. She also has served in director-level positions for the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Operation Smile, Virginia Beach Parks and & Recreation, and BCF advertising. Before joining the marketing world, she cut her teeth as a reporter for The Augusta Chronicle in Georgia.
Jessica received her MBA at Regent University with an emphasis in Marketing, and her undergrad at the University of Georgia. She is a member of Destinations International, the National Association of Women Business Owners, and the American Marketing Association. She previously served on the national Board of Directors for the Public Relations Society of America Travel/Tourism section as well as the Board of Directors for the Hampton Roads Chapter of PRSA. Her charitable contributions include work with the SPCA, Girl Scouts of the USA, and the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation.