RESUME
Overview
Experienced marketing and communications professional with 10+ years in non-profit, corporate and agency communications and marketing with emphasis on content creation, event and campaign management and media relations. Relevant skills and experience include graphic design; brand management; event planning and management; media relations; editorial, media and advertorial writing; vendor management; content production and distribution; social media management.
Experience
American Red Cross North Texas | Dallas, TX | redcross.org/northtexas
Regional Communications & Marketing Program Manager | August 2017 – present
The American Red Cross is the nation’s largest humanitarian aid nonprofit organization. The North Texas Region provides all five lines of service via seven chapters across 121 counties with an approx. population of 10 million.
Key responsibilities:
- Design and produce regional/chapter materials for disaster and non-disaster initiatives: event creative, donor materials, infographics, chapter profiles, editorial content, campaign promotion/awareness, advertorial (print/digital/outdoor), social media graphics, newsletters, donor materials
- Coordinate media requests as a Red Cross public affairs representative during blue/grey sky initiatives: broadcast/print media interviews, on-call rotation, draft/distribute media alerts/releases, manage media lists; serve as Red Cross blood services media representative; on-scene event photography, Red Cross client interviews
- Special Events: work with the Fund Development department and regional events specialist with all facets of event development and execution, oversee event creative and production, on-site event assistance, input/manage event data and reporting. Notable events: Swing for Relief golf tournament; Executive Breakfast (donor recognition event), All Staff annual employee retreat, Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, Sound the Alarm smoke detector installation events and Texas Public Affairs Institute
Magnolia Lodging, LLC ǀ Lewisville, TX ǀ magnolialodging.com
Director of Marketing | October 2009 – May 2017
Magnolia Lodging is a hospitality construction, development and management company headquartered in Lewisville, Texas. The company’s portfolio comprises Hilton- and Marriott-flagged properties located in the greater Dallas area.
Key responsibilities:
- Designed and produced all marketing, advertising and media relations initiatives for all Magnolia Lodging properties, management, and development companies. Included all property-level and corporate collateral; sales collateral; management and investment packets; corporate holiday creative; event creative and employee newsletters
- Sourced and maintained active vendor list for promotional items for property- and company-level initiatives; negotiated competitive pricing, designed item artwork and oversaw production and distribution of all purchase items
- Designed and produced advertising creative for all print and online advertorial placements
- Drafted and distributed all media alerts, press releases, announcements and marketing messages
- Worked with Hilton and Marriott marketing/eCommerce teams to implement brand initiatives at the property level
- Maintained brand.com websites, overhauled and maintained company corporate site
- Implemented and maintained affiliated social media and review sites
- Planned, coordinated and executed all property-level and company-wide events: grand openings, company holiday events, awards celebrations, annual employee appreciation picnic, hotel photography sessions, etc.
The Buzzell Company ǀ Dallas, TX ǀ buzzellco.com
Publicist | October 2008 – August 2009
Account Coordinator, Special Events | January 2007 – October 2008
The Buzzell Company is a Dallas-based boutique public relations firm specializing in upscale retail, hospitality, medical, and lifestyle clientele.
Key responsibilities:
- Pitched and coordinated local and national televised and radio appearances, including CBS “The Doctors” and “The Dr. Phil Show”
- Planned and coordinated media and client events, including restaurant launches and fashion events; acted as on-site event assistant and client representative
- Drafted and produced client press kits, press releases, media alerts, runs of show, menus, letters of agreement
Skills
Software: Adobe CC (emphasis on Illustrator, Acrobat, Photoshop, Spark); Adobe Experience Manager and Adobe Portal; Cision; Cvent; FilmicPro; Wordpress; proprietary corporate portals and software including American Red Cross RCView, The Exchange, Hilton Lobby, Marriott Global Source
Graphic design; content creation and production; event and campaign management; media relations; AP Style writer (editorial, media and blog content); social media management; MS Office; Adult/infant First aid-CPR-AED certified (through October 2019)
Education and Affiliations
B.A., Corporate Communications and Public Affairs December 2006
Southern Methodist University | Dallas, TX
North Texas Public Information Officers 2017 – present
Hilton Worldwide All Suites Sales and Marketing Task Force 2013 – 2016