Special Assistant, Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor
NEW YORK (TIP): In his first role as a special assistant to the chief economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, Jason Kuruvilla was able to turn complex economic data into palatable sound bites and easy-todeliver and digest talking points-a rarity among people in the world of economics. He then-with no media relations or communications background-joined the office of public affairs’ team.

He led the effort to handle the logistics for and to develop the messaging around the release of the monthly employment situation report, more commonly known as the “job numbers.” This includes scheduling and coordinating more than 20 (in a single day) national television, radio and print interviews for the Secretary of Labor, and drafting talking points and statements.

Kuruvilla also develops creative messaging for the Employment and Training Administration’s efforts to reduce “improper payments” with the Unemployment Insurance Programpayment made in error to recipients not eligible to receive benefit payments. Kuruvilla developed creative messaging tools, including fact sheets, backgrounders and brief videos, to better inform the media, key stakeholders and the general public.