MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS ADVERTISING MANAGER

SKILLS

Strategic communications                        Marketing                       Corporate communications
Project management                                 Advertising                     Public and media relations
Creative Direction                                      Copywriting                   Video and audio production

EXPERIENCE

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING MANAGER
SOUL APPEAL  |  SEP 2005 – PRESENT

• Dynamic presenter and leader whose trainings inside corporations and schools have helped countless adults and teens develop leadership skills and confidence while rediscovering their creativity.
• Awarded coveted role of Camp Counselor at Camp Grounded – a digital detox camp where Grownups go to unplug, play and be kids again. Created engagement tools, games and icebreakers that rejuvenated participants who returned to daily life with new found energy, creative inspiration, and a refreshed approach to a balanced life in the digital age.
• Acquired placement for song Our Mother on Pete Seeger’s Album Growthbusters and as the theme song for Earth Day Network. A Million Laugh Lines is currently under consideration by the Newman Foundation.
• Placed and managed advertising and PR campaigns in print and electronic media. Measured impact.
• Drive content marketing strategy to maximize targeted traffic to all websites.
• Manage publicity, marketing communications, event planning, social media and inbound marketing for each song, workshop and event.

PROJECT MANAGER
GANDER MOUNTAIN  |  NOV 2006 – OCT 2007

• Designed promotion to collect e-mail addresses in-store prior to launch of Website. Acquired nearly 200,000 e-mail addresses of loyal customers.
• Achieved seamless communications between external project teams and internal teams, ensuring appropriate involvement and sign-offs through every step of development. Distilled complex technical info to decision makers. Managed production calendars, meetings and daily dashboard updates.
• Developed a strategic marketing plan and goals from inception through delivery. Hired and managed external development and creative teams. Managed the $1.7 million budget. UX design.
• Stylized the Gander Mountain “voice.” Wrote and edited copy for landing pages and e-mail campaigns. Created style guide to maintain brand identity and consistency.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND COPY MANAGER
COLDWATER CREEK  |  JAN 2004 – AUG 2005

• Created an e-mail campaign strategy that generated $4.5 million (50%) more than the goal. Program was adopted for all subsequent campaigns.
• Generated $65 million in sales annually using Inbound and e-mail marketing strategies and A/B testing. Measured results, adjusted appropriately. Team leader of 20+ writers, graphic designers, Dev and QA.
• Aggressive SEO program placed dozens of products in the number 1 spot in organic search.
• Collaborated across channels coordinating marketing, merchandising and communications plans.

EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
PIONEER HI-BRED, A DUPONT COMPANY  |  NOV 2000 – AUG 2002

• Created change management communications during the acquisition by DuPont. Designed and executed worldwide employee retention end engagement programs, including Living the Vision, which directly led to the retention of 96% which was significantly higher than the goal set by DuPont.
• Led the development and execution of high-impact integrated communications strategies that include thought leadership, branding, change management, issues and crisis management, presentations, company events and town hall meetings.
• Wrote messages and speeches for corporate officers and the CEOs of Pioneer and DuPont.
• Worked in tandem with Public Affairs manager to deliver messages to important stakeholders.
• Engaged country and regional managers to develop integrated, worldwide communications and crisis response plans.
• Created and managed worldwide employee engagement events including DuPont’s 200th Anniversary.

MARKETING AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR
STUDIO P2  |  JUL 1994 – JUN 2001

• Founded company after awarded 160k grant to write and produce a series of AIDS educational videos and training guides. Balancing the stringent requirements and outcomes of three clients- the AIDS Project, Dept of Education, and the CDC – the research was challenging, the content gut wrenching and producing exhilarating. Developed a theme, “Stop, Talk, Walk” encouraging middle-school viewers to avoid being pressured into sex or using drugs. The programs have been highly successful in accomplishing these goals.
• Worked closely with clients to develop scalable advertising and marketing plans through execution of those plans for clients such as: DuPont, Wells Fargo, Meredith Corporation, EAP, Wal-Mart, Northwest Airlines, Carnation, and the Des Moines Playhouse.
• Creative direction for Garden.com catalog, Kodak for Kids magazine and dozens of print and electronic advertising campaigns.
• Placed and managed advertising and PR campaigns in print and electronic media. Measured impact.
• Also managed marketing communications, branding, media and public relations, copy and script writing, new product launches, video and film production, event planning and Web Dev.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
EASTER SEALS SOCIETY OF IOWA  |  SEP 1991 – JUL 1994

• Acquired state and national corporate sponsors. Increased funds generated 255% my first year, 180% over that in my second year.
• Partnering with Upper Deck Trading Cards, recruited former MLB baseball stars- Reggie Jackson, Bob Feller, Fergie Jenkins and Vida Blue – to play a baseball game against movie stars – Kelsey Grammer, DB Sweeney, Dwier Brown and Meatloaf – on the Field of Dreams in Iowa. Recruited and led a 100 person team in marketing, ticket sales, travel, insurance, licensing, location set-up, memorabilia, etc. Aggressive media blitz garnered national media coverage which resulted in selling every ticket in 3 hours, generating $200,000. Also sold all available slots in the baseball camp with the pros (tickets $10k each).
• Conceptualized and planned events: Rock and Roll Memorabilia Auction (raised $75,000) and Heartland BrewFest (generated $200,000) . Produced two telethons.
• Implemented strategic marketing and creative plans for fundraising.
• Managed five employees. Developed comprehensive budgets.

PROMOTIONS AND PR DIRECTOR
RUAN GRAND PRIX  |  MAY 1989 – AUG 1991

• Influenced 500 media representatives to cover the event live.
• Effectively communicated large quantities of driver facts and figures to the media. Wrote ESPN segues.
• Spokesperson for the event.
• Wrote promotional videos, infomercials and vignettes for CNN.
• Recruited and directed more than 500 volunteers.
• Planned and promoted 20+ ancillary events prior to the Grand Prix including a Skywalk golf tourney, Fleetwood Mac concert, road rallies, and a Crosby, Stills and Nash concert. All were sold out to enthusiastic crowds.
• Obtained sponsorships from Proctor and Gamble, Kodak and Bula.

PUBLICITY AND MARKETING DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL MULTI-MEDIA PROMOTIONS  |  DEC 1986 – MAR 1989

• For client Scott Olson, inventor of Rollerblades, obtained coverage in Newsweek, on the Today Show and on Good Morning America, helping to make Rollerblades a household name.
• Got client George Kotalik placement in People Magazine for his Toy Ties. Jon Bon Jovi, David Letterman and Johnny Carson all promoted the ties.
• Organized national autograph and publicity tours for authors, inventors and bands. Booked client interviews on Good Morning America and the David Letterman Show.
• Negotiated sponsorships for national concert tours.

EDUCATION

BACHELOR OF ARTS – JOURNALISM AND BROADCAST COMMUNICATIONS
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY  |  GPA: 3.75

SERVICE AND CIVIC

Forrest Bird Charter School- Volunteer songwriting coach
Eureka Institute- Board member and events and advertising manager
Trout Unlimited – social media  and advertising manager
Digital Detox- Camp grounded mentor and leader
Pend Oreille Arts Council- board member, event coordinator
Member: PRSA, Nashville Songwriters Association