Profile
Smart, strategic public relations professional with extensive public relations experience providing counsel, researching, planning, implementing and evaluating communication initiatives. Social media savvy with experience planning and implementing campaigns for clients including: blogging, social networks, online video, microblogging, podcasts, etc. Proven ability to lead teams, manage issues, prepare for and respond to crises, develop good media relations for local, regional, national and international organizations. In-demand speaker on issues around social media, social marketing, public relations and marketing communications for small and medium size business and nonprofit organizations.
Experience
Managing Director, Verve Northwest Communications, Eugene, Oregon 2002-2008
Manage all facets of a full-service public relations, marketing and design agency from business development through campaign evaluation. Provide strategic counsel, conduct research, plan, implement and evaluate all initiatives.
Key Results
- Planned, implemented and managed social media campaign including corporate blog and YouTube channel.
- Built readership in first six months to an average of 60 per day focusing on crafts and do-it-yourself products.
- Served as media liaison and crisis communications counselor after a helicopter accident involving wildland firefighters.
- Managed Web and blog content and updates.
- Maintained positive relationships with all stakeholders, including local and national media
- Worked in partnership with DCS Consulting president Leslie Habetler
- Served as media liaison and crisis communications counselor for a fatality van accident.
- Maintained positive relationships with all stakeholders, including local and national media.
- Advised on corporate strategies, statements, key messages for employees, media, government officials, and public agencies.
- Negotiated controversy and reversed negative public perception
- Successfully implemented North America headquarters shut-down and relocation with no disruption to the business or negative impact to the corporate reputation.
- Created strategic plan for relaunch of Intranet and corporate Web site.
- Implemented strategic plan through careful research and story development.
Community Health Centers of Lane County
- Increased awareness of low-income health clinic through implementation of strategic communication plan.
- Developed and produced all marketing communication material, special event plans and media relations programs.
- Increased brand awareness, differentiating CHCLC’s services from other “safety net” clinics
- Produced quarterly e-newsletter, consistently exceeding click-thru targets.
- Improved corporate reputation through Internet communications, speaking engagements and expanded interpersonal outreach opportunities.
- Increased awareness in trade and consumer media through media relations
Visiting Instructor, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 2002-2008
Teach public relations courses in the School of Journalism and Communication. Focus on theory, research, writing, planning and campaigns. Mentor and advise students on academic and professional career goals. Serve as adviser to the student-run public relations firm. Classes taught include: Principles of Public Relations, Advanced Public Relations Writing, Public Relations Plans & Problems, Public Relations Campaigns, Foundations of Strategic Communications (pdf).
Promoted from Graduate Teaching Fellow, 2004; 2004-2005 Adjunct Instructor of the Year
PR Account Manager, Public Relations Services, Eugene, OR 2001-2002
Provided public relations, marketing communications and event planning in a public relations agency.
Key Results
- Increased and broadened the quantity of quality of entries in a journalism ethics award program for the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon.
- Heightened awareness of the dangers of drunk driving on Super Bowl Sunday through media coverage for a nonprofit treatment center.
Other Professional Positions
Ghana Social Marketing Foundation; City of Eugene Planning and Development; City of Eugene City Manager’s Office; VoiceStream Wireless
Education
Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts
University of Oregon
Major: Journalism, Public Relations
Community Service
Eugene Airport Rotary - Board of Directors, Public Relations
Friendship Foundation for International Students - Board of Directors
United Way of Lane County Success by Six Initiative - Leadership Team
Research
Entertainment-Education: A Case Study of “Things We Do For Love” (2004)
This paper analyzes “Things We do for Love”, an entertainment-education soap opera from Ghana, West Africa, which aims to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS and change sexual behaviors.
Relationship Management, Ethics, and Organizational Culture for the Millennial Generation of Agency Practitioners (In process)
The study will investigate relationship management, ethics, and organizational culture from the perspectives of agency practitioners, ages 18 to 25, who represent the Millennial Generation
Presentations/Conferences
Marketing Basics - Oregon Association of Child Care Directors Spring Conference
Three-hour workshop on basic marketing tools for child care directors (2008)
Social Marketing Basics - Childcare Resource & Referral Network Statewide Conference
Three-hour workshop on behavior change communication (2007)
Social Media Workshop - Verve Northwest Communications
Half-day workshop on social media, including blogging, social networking, etc. for clients and potential clients (2007)
Women’s Institute on Leadership & Disability (WILD) - Mobility International USA
Half-day workshop on public relations and media relations basics for WILD delegates from 13 different countries around the world (2005)