Communications Manager

Addison Whitney - Charlotte, NC                                                                                                               2014 – 2017

Managed internal and external communications efforts for the global branding firm, including public and media relations, social media, and corporate communications. Served as main content creator for company website and blog site via content management system and HTML coding. Contributed writing and editing blog posts, website maintenance, and managing content editorial calendar. Served on main team for company website redesign.[MOU1] 

• Designed and led public relations strategies, developed pitch content, delivered pitches to media outlets and created necessary content to advance goals of increasing brand awareness in local and national markets.

• Contributed to committee tasked with redesigning and creating content for company intranet and SharePoint sites.

• Assisted Business Development teams with various material creation and marketing efforts.

 

 

Manager of Public Relations and Communications

Rent-A-Center, Inc. -  Plano, TX                                                                                                                 2012 – 2014     

Served as the key partner to CEO and Executive Team for all public relations and internal communications, while creating, monitoring, and shaping messages to franchisees, stores, and external media outlets. Managed franchise division ad design and media placement in print, online, video and radio outlets.  Key media partners include the Wall Street Journal, Sirius/XM radio, CNNMoney.com, and Yahoo Finance.

• Created and executed strategies for corporate communications through various channels and outlets, while serving as the point of contact for all franchisee needs related to public relations.

• Managed content, news and press section and lead website redesign for business development website, which serves as a major communication vehicle for potential franchisees, in addition to building website design and functionality through HTML and back-end coding work.

• Owned social media strategy and content creation.  Initiated the first industry-wide LinkedIn discussion group, with recent recognition by industry leaders for creating a channel to share best practices.

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Corporate Communications Specialist

ACCENT Marketing Services, Louisville, KY                                                                                         2011 – 2012

Led internal communications, social media, and public relations support to enhance employee engagement, shape and reinforce culture, and support the company’s business objectives. Benchmarked, tracked, and measured the effectiveness of all communications initiatives to develop best practices and continuous process improvements.

• Created and implemented a company-wide social media strategy across various platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.  Oversaw and contributed to company’s internal social media site, Yammer, as a mechanism for increasing employee participation and interaction.

• Managed major media event involving an appearance from the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.  Created media kits and coordinated interviews with national, regional and local media outlets.

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Field Marketing Specialist

PPG Industries, Inc., Louisville, KY                                                                                                          2010 – 2011

Served as the primary marketing contact for 150+ company-owned stores and 200+ sales representatives for the PPG Pittsburgh and PPG Porter Paints brands, leading the development of strategic marketing plans.

Managed art direction and supply chain of promotional and marketing materials for stores, while serving as the stores’ first line of support for all day-to-day marketing and public relations projects and activities.

• Designed and executed year-end customer-centered promotion, with over 40,000 direct mailings sent nationally and totaling over $900,000 in sales for a one-month period.

• Selected to serve on New Market Entry Committee for all new store openings, providing marketing strategy and direction for the committee and driving large-scale entry into new markets.

 

Communications Resource Manager

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Louisville, KY                                                                                     2009-2010

Served as chief correspondent to local and regional media outlets (print, television, radio, and online forms) to publicize activities and ensure media coverage at events.

• Managed all social media initiatives, including content creation and video development, resulting in increased weekly viewership by 110%.

• Instituted an informational and news-directed site, while increasing traffic on Chapter and event websites through regular maintenance and updates via Content Management Systems.

• Increased community visibility and outreach efforts for the Kentucky Chapter while securing high-publicity radio interviews for the Chapter President and designing high-traffic area billboards.

 

Assistant Sports Information Director

Davidson College, Davidson, NC                                                                                                              2008 – 2009

Led sports information and media relations efforts for 21 teams within the Davidson Athletic Department, while organizing press coverage and conferences, and writing press releases. Created news stories, shot and edited videos and created visual content for publishing on digital outlets. Designed and authored media guides, game programs, and quarterly newsletters to inform and assist media, as well as alumni supporters, of team activities.