CLINTON, ILL., July 22, 2022 – Claire Masker-King has joined Rooster as public relations director.
In her new role, Masker-King will be assisting Rooster clients with public relations strategy and media relations, including message development, press outreach and engagement, interview preparedness, issues communication and earned media best practices.
To date, Masker-King’s career has focused on adding value at the farm level and building consumer trust in modern agriculture with farmer-led crop and livestock associations. She most recently was industry public relations director for the National Pork Board. She designed and initiated communications and outreach programs to highlight sustainable pork production, drive brand awareness and educate producers about the importance of Pork Checkoff investment in export market development. She has extensive experience with issues management and developing proactive pre-issue crisis plans.
Other experience includes serving as a production education consultant for Corteva and in communications manager positions with Iowa Corn and the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence. She is a graduate of Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture communications and animal science and a master’s degree in agriculture education.
During her career, Masker-King has also gained considerable experience in international marketing on behalf of corn and pork producers. She has supervised Iowa State University Study Abroad programs to China and Japan; participated in a global trade mission to Colombia, and coordinated similar trade missions to Panama, Colombia, South Korea and Vietnam.
Masker-King grew up on a diversified farm producing pork, beef, corn and soybeans in southwest Iowa. She was very active in 4-H and served on the state 4-H council. Today, she and her husband operate a small Iowa farm making direct-to-consumer meat sales from their Hereford herd.
“Rooster continues to see an increased demand for proactive ag media engagement and trade media relations expertise,” says Chief PR & Content Strategist Sally Krueger. “Claire’s personal and professional farming background, transformational approach to ag PR and her diverse communications skillsets are a wonderful fit for our fast-growing public relations and content practice.”