Why I Started The Marine Mammal Media Network
I’m Audra Hessenflow, a microbiologist-turned-marketer with a lifelong passion for marine life and ocean conservation.
This journey began clear back in high school, where I started researching Brucella ceti, a bacterial pathogen causing endemic brucellosis in cetaceans. This research, started as a high-school science fair project, fueled my interest in studying microbiology and the since persistent drive to make a difference in these crucial species and their environments.
My very first marine mammal encounter; a wild dolphin playfully swimming around our kayaks in southwest Florida.
But growing up, and later working in the heart of the Midwest, I often felt a world away from the ocean. After seven years living in the most landlocked state in the U.S. and now being back in my home, mid-western state, I realized I may never study marine life in the field. So I turned my focus to where science meets people: marketing and communications.
In Húsavík, Iceland, suiting up for my first of many humpback whale encounters.
Building a career in bioscience marketing gave me a news lens on impact and my purpose; where storytelling, education, and strategy can make science accessible and actionable. In my career thus far, I’ve found the most fulfillment in translating complex science into clear, engaging pieces of content; and in helping organizations strengthen their visibility and marketing impact.
A raft of Southern Sea Otters, photographed during a visit to Monterey this past summer.
These realizations brought me back to where I started: marine life. I constantly found myself drawn to stories of conservation, research, and rescue, and the organizations behind them. However, frustrations grew realizing how few marketing resources these organizations had access to and how a unified space to celebrate their successes, raise awareness to ocean policy and science, and relay industry-specific marketing strategies was non-existent. I wanted to help change this by bridging the gaps between my backgrounds and passion in science and ocean stewardship with communications.
Nothing in science has any value to society if it is not communicated
— Anne Roe
That vision is now The Marine Mammal Media Network, a space dedicated to unifying marine mammal and ocean conservation stories, updates, and resources, organized by six curated topics: Education, Conservation, Marketing & Communications, Science & Research, Policy & Advocacy, and Inside MMMN.
What You’ll Find Here
Whether you’re an expert in the field, a student, an enthusiast, or my family who wants to know what I’m up to, my goal is that you’ll walk away from the free monthly newsletter feeling informed, inspired, and more connected to the world of marine mammal conservation than before. Every issue will feature a curated mix of up to six topics, blending science, policy, communication, and conservation in one place.
Conservation: Highlighting efforts to protect marine species and habitats through rescue, rehabilitation, and sustainable ocean stewardship.
Education: Inspiring learning and awareness through marine science resources, outreach initiatives, and opportunities to engage the next generation of ocean stewards.
Marketing & Communications: Sharing strategies, storytelling, and digital tools that help nonprofits and advocates amplify their message and inspire action for marine life.
Policy & Advocacy: Covering marine protection laws, environmental policy developments, and the organizations driving change for ocean conservation.
Science & Research: Exploring the latest discoveries, fieldwork, and scientific studies that deepen our understanding of marine mammals and ocean ecosystems.
Inside MMMN: A look inside the Marine Mammal Media Network. Insights from the founder, team updates, and what's next for our growing community.
As MMMN grows, I’m looking forward to sharing exclusive marketing and communication tips for organizations involved in marine research, conservation, education, and outreach, as well as collaborations with experts and groups making a difference for marine life.
Be on the Lookout
As MMMN takes shape, I’m excited to share what’s in store for the coming months:
Science & Storytelling: Exploring how communication is more than just relaying information, it’s a powerful tool for shaping understanding, and how this understanding can influence conservation outcomes.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act: As proposed legislative changes to the MMPA are being considered once again, we’ll be reflecting on this critically important piece of legislation and what you can do to help.
From Microbes to Marine Mammals: Dissecting recent publications on marine microbiology to help us better understand the connection between the ocean and marine mammal health.
The Power of Clear Communication for Non-Profit Organizations: Lessons in marketing and communications for teams working to make complex science and conservation topics more accessible and impactful.
Careers in Marine Mammal Science: A look at the many paths, including academic, nonprofit, policy, creative, and everything in between that help protect and understand marine life.
These are just a glimpse of what you can expect in the coming months of the newsletter. If you’d like to suggest a topic or be featured as a guest or collaborator, please reach out to [email protected].
Thank You for Being Here
Finally, thank you for being here at the very start of the Marine Mammal Media Network. My hope is that this becomes a unified space for curiosity, collaboration, and action, and where my two passions, science and communication, come together to strengthen our understanding of the over 130 incredible species of marine mammals.
If you have enjoyed reading this far, I invite you to subscribe if you haven’t already, and please share with others who would find our work insightful. The more people who engage, the stronger impact we can make together.
— Audra Hessenflow
Image Credit
Website Thumbnail: Right whale and calf, courtesy of NOAA photo library