Sonia Tucker
Founder and CEO, Global Media Connection
Global Media Connection is a dynamic hub for storytellers, media trainers and subject matter experts worldwide. Rooted in journalism fundamentals, it specializes in media training
and content acquisition empowering next-generation and seasoned creators alike to elevate their craft, build impactful stories, and stay ahead in a shifting media landscape. Our mission is to empower companies, industries, and universities with cutting-edge skills and strategies they need to make an impact in today’s multimedia environment.
Tucker recently launched U.S. Insiders hosted by former CNNI anchor Jonathan Mann, making the first digital storytelling hub in the Middle East and North Africa. Global Media Connection continues to collaborate with the U.S. Department of State providing expertise on combating misinformation and leading workshops for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).
Founded by Sonia Tucker, a CNN alumnus with over 25 years of experience and a bevy of worldwide connections, Global Media Connection caters to leaders across all sectors adapting to ever-evolving media consumption landscape. Tucker, a global strategist and innovator, honed this model at CNN, where she played a pivotal role in the CNN Journalism Fellowship, founded by media mogul and philanthropist, Ted Turner in 1989.
Tucker’s groundbreaking contributions include founding CNN Academy, establishing CNN Bootcamps, and creating CNN’s first-ever Digital & Executive Fellowship in 2014. Her efforts have facilitated partnerships with leading platforms like Meta (Facebook), Instagram, YouTube, Twitter (X), Google, and Netflix. Over her tenure, Tucker trained more than 1,200 journalists from 136 media outlets across 400 countries.
As a passionate communicator, leader, and innovator, Tucker’s mission is to “bring the world together “by leveraging media training to enhance communication strategies, support business needs for both domestic and international stakeholders. Tucker believes that media has no boundaries, and with the connection between consumer and brand, major business initiatives can be amplified through partnerships, cultural awareness, and emerging technologies.
Before founding Global Media Connection, Tucker served as CNN’s Chief Protocol Officer, where she led diplomatic relations and cultural exchange. She developed media training programs and fostered relationships on a global scale. Her leadership extended to oversee diplomatic visits, and host government officials, business leaders and dignitaries to exchange initiatives and share best practices. Tucker has organized protocol visits for HRH Prince Andrew, Former President Bill Clinton, Former Vice President Al Gore, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Queen Noor al-Hussein of Jordan, King Abdullah II of Jordan, H.R.H Princess Wijdan Ali of Jordan, U.S. Chief of Protocol Amb. Capricia Penavic Marshall, John Donahoe, CEO eBay, General David Petraeus, Former President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, Former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev, Former President Jimmy Carter, U.N. War Crime Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State, Colin Powell, Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, Hungarian President Arpad Goni, President of Ivory Coast Henri Konan Bedie, President of United Nations, Timothy Wirth, National Drug Policy Director, Barry R. McCaffrey, Secretary of the Navy, John Dalton and many others.