Jody Shiroma, Vice President of Communications at PBS Hawaiʻi.

Meet Jody Shiroma

Jody Shiroma is a strategic leader with a rich background in communications. She directs marketing and communication strategies for PBS Hawai’i’s General Audience programming, managing the station’s brand and digital presence across various platforms. 

She has orchestrated groundbreaking initiatives such as the station’s launch of the PBS KIDS 24/7 streaming channel and its expansion onto multiple platforms, including YouTube TV, HULU TV, Local Now, and DIRECTV.

Noteworthy among her achievements is the successful execution of a comprehensive brand refresh, solidifying PBS Hawaiʻi’s digital presence and increasing its audience engagement.

Jody’s passion for storytelling extends beyond conventional mediums. She is the driver behind PBS Hawaiʻiʻs digital landscape, where she spearheads innovative strategies and has pioneered compelling narratives across the station’s digital platforms. Her direction has led to the development of digital-exclusive content, podcasts, and livestreams, enriching the viewer experience, fostering deeper community connections, and driving engagement.

She champions culturally significant projects, serving as the executive producer of an eagerly anticipated Hawaiʻi-based reggae documentary slated to release in 2024, the Alanui mele podcast, which explores the rich tapestry of Hawaiʻi’s hip-hop culture, and What School You Went, which explores the traditions and stories that make up the modern-day culture of Hawaiʻi.

Her impact was also seen when she helped orchestrate a groundbreaking digital fundraiser at PBS Hawaiʻi, surpassing its goal and earning national recognition.

Before her tenure at PBS Hawaiʻi, Jody left an indelible mark on Aloha United Way, where she developed award-winning advertising campaigns and marketing partnerships that elevated the organization’s community standing. She played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Aloha United Way brand among millennials and Gen X leaders, orchestrating campaigns that raised over $700,000 and investing over 1,000 hours of volunteer service. 

Jody has received praise from her peers, earning her the prestigious title of AAF-Hawaii’s 2020 Person of the Year and recognition on a national level as a 2023 AdWeek Future is Female winner.

A graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Jody is deeply ingrained in various organizations, serving on boards and committees, including AAF-Hawaiʻi and HUGS Hawaiʻi. She chairs the national PBS Marketing Advisory Council and contributes to the PBS Digital Marketing Advisory Council and Hawai’i Department of Health’s Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Workgroup. 

As the Co-Chair of the AAF-Hawaiʻi Education Committee, she is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of advertising talent through the development of the innovative program, Two Scoops, where she has connected key leaders and professionals with students.

Beyond her professional accolades, Jody’s commitment to mentorship shines through her role as a former mentor for AD2 Hawaiʻi and a current one for the American Marketing Association, as well as serving as a judge for AMAʻs national scholarship programs.

Outside of PBS Hawaiʻi, Jody served in a dual role as executive producer and publicist for the film Growing Up Local. There, she worked to ensure that the film authentically captured the essence of local culture and crafted compelling narratives through a strategically executed publicity campaign, generating buzz and anticipation for the film release.