Experience

WURD Radio
• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Guest Host "Rachel Recommends"

  • Apr 2023 - Present


LOVE + GRIT

• Creator, Executive Producer & Co-host

  • Feb 2020 - Apr 2023

  A culture/lifestyle brand and podcast— showcasing the authentic, inspiring and diverse stories from Philadelphia while giving listeners insider intel on the Philadelphians they should know, the foods they should try and the places they should visit. Collaborations and episode appearances by Philly legends: Questlove, music icon Kenny Gamble, musical mastermind Adam Blackstone, the magnificent DJ Jazzy Jeff, international DJ Rich Medina, artist Pink Sweat$, 76ers announcer Kate Scott, husband-and-wife music duo Kindred the Family Soul, DJ Aktive, entertainment industry pioneer Charlie Mack, DJ Diamond Kuts and more! Show less



Visit Philadelphia

• United States
• Travel Arrangements
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Innovation & Global Diversity Officer

  • Jul 2019 - Apr 2023

  Rachel Ferguson is VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s chief innovation and global diversity officer. In this role, she is charged with helping to grow the leisure tourism segment by identifying and leading marketing programs focused on multicultural and multigenerational travelers and new geographic markets. Ferguson leads revenue-generating partnerships, the diversity, equity and inclusion programs and communications. Additionally, she serves as the company’s chief spokesperson.Under Ferguson’s leadership, the organization launched award-winning campaigns to attract Latino travelers (Filadelfia — You Gotta Feel It), LGBTQ audiences (Philadelphia Pioneers on the Road to Stonewall), women (City of Sisterly Love) and African-American travelers (Love + Grit podcast that she co-hosts). In 2022, Ferguson launched the Visit Philadelphia: Black Greek Edition Golf outing. The outing was part of the groundbreaking marketing program Ferguson launched in 2021, titled Visit Philadelphia: Black Greek Edition to encourage the more than two million members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council® (NPHC) – an umbrella organization composed of nine historically Black fraternities and sororities known as the Divine Nine – and Black leisure travelers, to visit Philadelphia to experience the region’s history, culture, food, drink and fun. In 2021, Ferguson led VISIT PHILADELPHIA's partnership with WaWa Welcome America and the African American Museum in Philadelphia to establish an inclusive Freedom-Liberty commemoration, establishing Juneteenth as the beginning of the Philadelphia's annual Independence Day festival and ending with the 4th of July. She played an integral role in the formation of the company's Diversity Fellowship Program, designed to increase the number of diverse professionals in the hospitality industry. Show less

• Vice President, Innovation & Diverse Marketing

  • Feb 2019 - Jul 2019

  Charged with leading VISIT PHILADELPHIA's marketing efforts in innovation and diversity. Elevate marketing programs focused on African-American, Latino and LGBTQ segments. Develop the company’s strategic plan. Establish an integrated and collaborative approach to the company's diversity and inclusion efforts. Implement new and innovative ways for the company to remain competitive in the highly changing marketplace.



WCBS | CBS New York

• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director, Communications & Public Affairs

  • Jul 2012 - Feb 2019

  Secured local and national partnerships, worked collaboratively with executives to align with company goals and developed and implemented comprehensive communications and public relations plans that generated brand awareness. Also oversaw the stations’ numerous public service initiatives and launched campaigns that highlighted vital community issues. Created the inaugural SISTERS FOR THE CURE brunch in New York City, an event that raised awareness of the startling breast cancer disparities for African-American women. Served on the CBS Corporation Diversity Council and the company’s Diversity Employee Networking Group. Show less



Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation

• Media Relations Manager

  • Dec 2008 - Jul 2012

  Generated media placements about Philadelphia’s burgeoning creative activity to mainstream media in order to build visitation and the image of the city. Planned press conferences, media luncheons and receptions. Organized national journalists press trips. Coordinated logistics as project manager for 3,000 journalists during 2011 National Association of Black Journalists annual convention. Maintained local media partnerships. Scheduled television/radio interviews and write speaking points for GPTMC’s president/CEO and GRAMMY® Award-winning and nominated artists associated with GPTMC campaigns. Booked celebrity talent for video shoots, media spots, photo shoots. Served as spokesperson on television and radio interviews. Managed social media components to connect with consumers and media. Fostered new relationships with cultural entrepreneurs, artists, producers, designers and entertainment executives to promote Philadelphia’s creative scene. Show less



CBS Philadelphia

• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Public Affairs Coordinator

  • Nov 2005 - Nov 2008

  Served as lead PR contact for anchors/reporters’ public appearances. Composed press materials and speaking points for news anchors. Coordinated press tours/radio interviews for CBS actors, CBS 3 anchors and CW Crew. Supervised station premiere parties/events/receptions. Scheduled guests to appear on CW public affairs show. Recurrent field producer for live news shots. Assisted with the creation and execution of public service announcements and vignettes. Developed press releases for newspapers and CBS newsletter. Speaker during media access workshops. Maintained community event calendars for CBS 3 website. Created and updated biographies for anchors and directors. Show less