Lyn Briggs is the new director of marketing for Downtown Vision, Inc.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“We have several programs like the [Downtown] Ambassadors and working with downtown businesses. My role is to take things they [DVI] are doing and communicate them.”
WHO ARE YOU
TRYING TO REACH?
“Not only workers downtown but also folks in the surrounding area that might be interested in, say, dining downtown instead of in San Marco.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF DVI’S EFFORTS SO FAR?
“Giving it [FridayFest] a theme is a good idea. The challenge is to keep it neutral to attract all different demographics. The farmers market is really neat. We’re going to be doing more things similar to that. We will be working with downtown businesses to set up displays in their lobbies, advertising events, parking and DVI to let people know we’re available.”
DO YOU HAVE
A STRATEGIC PLAN?
“My first day was Monday. I’m still soaking things in to see what we’re doing and then I’ll proceed.”
WHAT DO YOU
LOOK FORWARD TO?
“Being able to look back, have tangible results and say that I made it happen. I think it’s going to be fun. Once the property owners, building managers and other agencies realize what I’m here for, they’ll be glad because I’m here to help them.”
WHAT CHALLENGES
DO YOU EXPECT?
“Changing the perceptions of people who work downtown and those who live around it. We can bring restaurants down here and create events but until we tell them about it and convince them to come, that will be the biggest challenge. It’s persuading them to get in their cars and come down here.”
COLLEGE
Briggs earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.
QUICK RESUME
Briggs grew up in Atlanta where she worked as the marketing assistant for Willingway Hospital. Eager to jumpstart her career, Briggs secured a position at the Jacksonville Citibank office as a marketing copywriter. Her inkling to stay close to her college major compelled her to take a position as a public relations account executive at The Dalton Agency.
WHY JOIN DVI?
“I wanted to be in an organization where the focus is on that organization’s goals and objectives. It’s best for me to be on the inside. When I moved to Jacksonville, I lived in San Marco and I would go on walks. It was amazing how few people are here. This is a great organization that’s doing a wonderful job but we have a lot left to do. I want to be here to bring all those people together [advocates of downtown revitalization] to make downtown what it should be. This place could definitely be a Savannah.”
BORN
Thomasville, Ga.
WHAT GROUPS ARE YOU AFFILIATED WITH?
“I’m a member of the Public Relations Society of America. There is also a national downtown marketing directors association that I’m looking into joining.”
HOME
Briggs and her husband Shannon live in the Deerwood area.
HOBBIES
Gardening, cooking, traveling, playing the piano and reading John Grisham novels are her pastimes. She also enjoys dining at Pom’s Thai restaurant, tuning into “Frasier” or watching “Pulp Fiction.” Her all-time favorite thing is a little less active. “My parents live on a farm. They have a quiet little fishing pond I like to sit by it and watch the ducks. It’s serene.”
CLOSEST
BRUSH WITH FAME?
“My husband’s sister [an artist from Waycross, Ga.] used to date Emilio Estevez. I talked to him [the actor] on the phone. She still lives in Malibu.”
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
Briggs chose Holly Smith, a co-worker from her days at Dalton. “She’s a young, single mom who’s great at what she does and her son is well-adjusted. It’s remarkable how she keeps everything together. That, in my mind, is heroic.”
— by Monica Chamness