PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Motivated and detail-oriented communications professional who is flexible, versatile and
proficient at maintaining a sense of humor under pressure while advancing and achieving organizational strategies, goals and objectives.

SKILLS

-Adobe Creative Suite
-Joomla and WordPress
-PowerPoint and entire Microsoft Office platform
-Videography and video editing
-Social media management
-CRM software
-MailChimp, Constant Contact, and Express Pigeon
-Strong knowledge of Associated Press style

WORK HISTORY

08/2015 to Present
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
The Missner Group –Des Plaines, IL

• Create and execute content strategies for social media, website, advertising, and marketing execution.
• Design marketing and advertising materials for print and digital distribution.
• Manage multiple projects at various stages at once; assuring all forms of communication, marketing, and advertising are completed.
• Plan the entire year of advertising, budgeting for each project as they occur.
• Update the company website and social media channels.
• Coordinate and plan events for investors, clients, and industry members.
• Maintain internal and external communications to various audiences.

08/2014 to 08/2015
Public Relations and Marketing Manager
Spotlight Marketing –Chicago, IL

• Produced marketing decks for client presentations.
• Initiated market research studies and analyzed findings.
• Analyzed business developments and monitored market trends.
• Analyzed third-party data and investigated new growth opportunities.
• Collaborated with developers, advertisers and production managers to market products and services.
• Edited and packaged product placements for clients.
• Directed product development using in-depth knowledge of vendor landscape and industry insight.

06/2014 to 01/2015
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Lincoln Bark –Chicago, IL

• Wrote and distributed news releases, maintaining media relations and media strategies,
  resulting in placements in Petfood Industry, Pet Product News, Modern Dog Magazine, Animal Wellness    Magazine, Pet Business Magazine, and Pet Age Magazine.
• Wrote and pitched articles for trade publications and trade blogs Resulted in placements on Dog-Milk.com, PrettyFluffy.com, Tails Pet Magazine, and Modern Dog Magazine.
• Directed and coordinated marketing activities and policies to promote products and services.
• Completed quarterly forecasting and monthly financial reviews.
• Coordinated and participated in promotional activities and trade shows.
• Preserved brand integrity by monitoring the consistency and quality of marketing content.
• Traveled nationally to meet with customers and deliver clear company messages.
• Analyzed usage patterns to understand ways in which customers used company products and services.
• Developed and implemented campaigns for email, online advertising, search engines and direct mail.
• Defined and tracked campaign effectiveness and adjusted strategies accordingly.

09/20102 to 06/2014

Communications Coordinator
Michigan Association of Counties –Lansing, MI

• Coordinated news releases, media responses, press packets and placement of stories in national trade publications, resulting in placements in Crain’s Detroit Business, Detroit Free Press, MIRS News, Gongwer News Service, MLive, Detroit News, Dearborn Press & Guide, and other publications around Michigan On, as well as on air spots for legislative staff on the Big Show With Michael Patrick Shiels, The Tony Conley Morning Show, and Michigan Radio Network.
• Wrote and edited marketing emails, data sheets, and newsletters.
• Conducted market and public opinion research related to company’s reputation and positioning among key stakeholder audiences.
• Wrote and edited articles, web content, advertising copy, periodicals and publications for internal and external audiences.
• Leveraged technical resources to design and create campaign deliverables, including e-mail invitations, articles and marketing videos.
• Served as the primary point of contact for incoming media calls, including requests for meetings and interviews with company executives and experts.
• Created and maintained company web pages.
• Developed and managed communications strategies, plans and budgets.
• Drafted speeches for association executives and legislative team members.
• Conveyed noteworthy information about project successes and updates to members.
• Drafted and managed print, online and social media communications designed to promote company brand, image and values.
• Built and maintained media and coalition lists.

10/2010 to 09/2012
Membership Services Director/Communications Specialist
State of Fitness –East Lansing, MI

• Reviewed published materials and recommended revisions to scope, format and content.
• Wrote in several styles and voices for website, print and internal documents.
• Wrote and posted content for company blog, keeping customers updated and engaged.
• Wrote and edited long- and short-form copy for blogs, websites, social media, presentations, training materials and more.
• Translated client desires into compelling campaigns.

EDUCATION

Current
Master of Arts: Public Relations and Advertising
DePaul University – Chicago, IL
Public Relations and Advertising

• 3.9 GPA
• Coursework in Media Relations, Crisis Communications, PR Writing, Research Analysis, etc.

2008
Bachelor of Arts: Psychology
Michigan State University – East Lansing, MI

2007
Bachelor of Arts: Journalism
Michigan State University – East Lansing, MI

AWARDS

03/2016
Arthur W. Page Society Case Study Competition in Corporate Communication
Third Prize, Communications Category, Blue Bell, People Over Profit: An Analysis of Blue       Bell Creameries’ Listeriosis Crisis Response

09/2013
Michigan Society of Association Executive’s Diamond Award
Excellence in an E-Newsletter, Michigan Association of Counties Service Corporation E-Newsletter

 09/2013
Michigan Society of Association Executive’s Gold Award
Excellence in an E-Newsletter, Michigan Association of Counties E-Newsletter

04/2013
Public Relations Society of America, Central Michigan Chapter PACE Award
Outstanding Public Relations Success in a Public Affairs Campaign, Replace Don’t Erase