Biography
Jennifer Hollett is an award winning cross-platform journalist with
range. Not many reporters can say they have been tear gassed alongside
Israeli conscientious objectors in Palestine and flustered Beyonce in
an interview.
Jenn has over a decade of experience in television, interviewing hundreds of big names - including rock stars, prime ministers and royalty. Her most memorable interviews as a MuchMusic VJ include Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Gwen Stefani and Coldplay. Back in 2002, Jenn travelled with MuchMusic to Kabul to host A MuchMusic Special: Afghanistan. The documentary won a Gold Ribbon Award from C.A.B., a Bronze Award at the New York Festivals, and was nominated for a Gemini. Jenn also reported from Live 8 in London, and travelled to Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia to cover the tsunami for MuchNews and The New Music.
A digital and social media maven, Jenn has contributed a variety of content (blogs, chats, articles, videos) to numerous news websites, and was a national digital media columnist for CBC News. At CBC, she reported for Connect, The National, and CBC NN as well as managed Connect's social media presence. During Toronto's G20 Summit, Jenn hosted CBC's G20: Street Level blog, which won Best Community Feature at the Canadian Online Publishing Awards. While at CBC News, Jenn also covered social media's role in international stories, including the earthquake in Haiti, and the uprisings in Egypt and Libya.
Jenn's career began at Sony Music Canada, where she became a Manager of New Media, the youngest manager in the company's history. This webgrrl has been online since 1994, created her first website in 1995 and started blogging before it was called blogging. More recently, Jenn managed e-communications and developed a social media strategy for the international development organization Plan Canada.
Social issues are extremely important to Jenn. As founder of YouthCARE, she created a youth engagement program at CARE Canada. In 2007 and 2008, Jenn worked with jhr (Journalists for Human Rights) in Freetown, Sierra Leone where she trained reporters in war-torn newsrooms. Jenn was recently recognized by Amnesty International Canada with a 2009 Media Award for her CBC Radio story on Israeli conscientious objectors. She also moderated the G(irls) 20 Summit in Toronto (2010) and Paris (2011).
Dance is also a passion of Jenn's. She is a founding member of shebang! breakdance crew, and has performed with Beastie Boys, Nelly Furtado and Kool Herc. While living in Sierra Leone, she performed with the Biana Players West African dance troupe.
Jenn has her Bachelor of Arts, With Distinction in Journalism and Communications from Concordia University in Montreal. At present, she is attending Harvard University for a Master in Public Administration, which she likes to call "a degree in creating a better world."
Jenn has over a decade of experience in television, interviewing hundreds of big names - including rock stars, prime ministers and royalty. Her most memorable interviews as a MuchMusic VJ include Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Gwen Stefani and Coldplay. Back in 2002, Jenn travelled with MuchMusic to Kabul to host A MuchMusic Special: Afghanistan. The documentary won a Gold Ribbon Award from C.A.B., a Bronze Award at the New York Festivals, and was nominated for a Gemini. Jenn also reported from Live 8 in London, and travelled to Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia to cover the tsunami for MuchNews and The New Music.
A digital and social media maven, Jenn has contributed a variety of content (blogs, chats, articles, videos) to numerous news websites, and was a national digital media columnist for CBC News. At CBC, she reported for Connect, The National, and CBC NN as well as managed Connect's social media presence. During Toronto's G20 Summit, Jenn hosted CBC's G20: Street Level blog, which won Best Community Feature at the Canadian Online Publishing Awards. While at CBC News, Jenn also covered social media's role in international stories, including the earthquake in Haiti, and the uprisings in Egypt and Libya.
Jenn's career began at Sony Music Canada, where she became a Manager of New Media, the youngest manager in the company's history. This webgrrl has been online since 1994, created her first website in 1995 and started blogging before it was called blogging. More recently, Jenn managed e-communications and developed a social media strategy for the international development organization Plan Canada.
Social issues are extremely important to Jenn. As founder of YouthCARE, she created a youth engagement program at CARE Canada. In 2007 and 2008, Jenn worked with jhr (Journalists for Human Rights) in Freetown, Sierra Leone where she trained reporters in war-torn newsrooms. Jenn was recently recognized by Amnesty International Canada with a 2009 Media Award for her CBC Radio story on Israeli conscientious objectors. She also moderated the G(irls) 20 Summit in Toronto (2010) and Paris (2011).
Dance is also a passion of Jenn's. She is a founding member of shebang! breakdance crew, and has performed with Beastie Boys, Nelly Furtado and Kool Herc. While living in Sierra Leone, she performed with the Biana Players West African dance troupe.
Jenn has her Bachelor of Arts, With Distinction in Journalism and Communications from Concordia University in Montreal. At present, she is attending Harvard University for a Master in Public Administration, which she likes to call "a degree in creating a better world."
Portfolio
Broadcast
yourcompanysucks.com - Connect, CBC News Network
My hometown tragedy revisited - Connect, CBC News Network
It Gets Better with Dan Savage - Connect, CBC News Network(segment producer and reporter)
G20 summit clashes - Connect, CBC News Network
War porn - Connect, CBC News Network
Social media road trip - Connect, CBC News Network
12-year-old YouTube star - Connect, CBC News Network
Israel's conscientious objectors - Dispatches, CBC Radio (Amnesty International Media Award winner)
The business of female genital mutilation - Current TVSierra Leone reborn - Current TV
Celebrity explosion! - MuchMusic interview highlights
Writing
Woman in Hip Hop on Women in Hip Hop - cbc.ca
Turning the page on books - Globetechnology.comViral video cashing in or selling out? - Globetechnology.com
Smashing global warming with greener design - The Globe and Mail
Festival fosters cultural exchange in the desert - IPS
Holiday lights give hope to Sierra Leone - The Toronto Star
My online identity crisis - Globe and Mail Update
Spreading the word in a wired world - The Toronto Star
Rebels jailed for 'heinous' crimes - The Toronto Star
Breakdances and boxed lunches on Oprah - National Post
Oh, a bridge ... - Globe and Mail Update
Gorilla Thrill in Rwanda - NOW Magazine
Updates
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@acoyne Women. See http://t.co/PT8dRc8U14 hours ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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@jmcguirecbc Great to connect here on Twitter!14 hours ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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Graphic nonfiction meets local news in El Salvador http://t.co/zJnwPU0i via @ijnet16 hours ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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Chomsky is taking on all the taboo topics, including the extermination of Native Americans so we could be here.
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@LO_TEK Ha! His delivery is very monotone and matter of fact.
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Chomsky says Saudi Arabia is at the root of Islamic fundamentalism. US strongly supports this, against secular nationalism.
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Chomsky: Democracy is dangerous, even at home. Look at the Republican primaries.
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Best question asked to Noam Chomsky, by my friend Jenn. Does the US have any good intentions?
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Chomsky mentions The Monitor Group at Harvard Business School. Basically a PR project for Libya. More at http://t.co/Noo50KSi
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@elanamatic My thoughts exactly! Wish you were here e.
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Rock star lecture! Full house at the Kennedy School to hear Noam Chomsky. Not a strong speaker but an incredible mind. http://t.co/RQpawVfg
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@Wallabina Thanks Sandra! Love your new profile pic as well.43 hours ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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"Commitment is healthiest when it is not without doubt, but in spite of doubt." From the book The Courage to Create44 hours ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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I'm always pumped after a Skype with my girl @sarahlesniewski #modelunforlife46 hours ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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My Tumblr on Apple's labor conditions in China. http://t.co/6nmmwPhj Tweet me with any info or links!2 days ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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@seanward Toronto police and hugging Batman are my favourite parts!2 days ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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@seanward Loved your Batman's Night Out! It really captures Torontonians. VIDEO: http://t.co/OrZ4L8oO2 days ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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@carr2n Just read your Jeremy Lin article, and it reminded me I have Carrsanity.2 days ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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@HannahSung Wow. I can't recall the last time I heard anyone say "Chink in the Armor" other than a great documentary on Asian stereotypes.2 days ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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Iran's female ninjas. Yup. http://t.co/vrHpOzEr2 days ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
