PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Allied Live Entertainment Marketing, Chicago, IL
Press and Marketing, March 2009 – present
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Art directed all materials for "Billy Elliot the Musical" national tour
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Managed and assisted with creation of branding elements for touring broadway shows
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Managed all press activities, special events and publications for touring Broadway shows
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Designed and managed in-house graphics and media for local Chicago shows
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Photographed special events and productions for "Billy Elliot the Musical" and "Million Dollar Quartet"
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Supported marketing efforts and planning for "Billy Elliot the Musical" and "STOMP"
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Served as public relations manager / national press rep for touring Broadway shows
Ball State University Department of Journalism, Muncie, Ind.
Public Relations Assistant / Promotions Team Leader, January 2006-May 2008
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Wrote and edited department’s printed Web content and photography meeting deadlines for 24-hour turnaround on event stories and department happenings for internal and external constituencies using university content management system.
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Planned and publicized more than 50 departmental events for 100+ journalism students and faculty focused on communications-related topics by developing publicity, pitching to local media and ensuring seamless event management and staffing
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Designed, planned, art-directed, wrote and edited message-specific, targeted alumni newspaper distributed to 6,000 journalism alumni to build stronger relationships and funding opportunities
Warrick Public Education Foundation, Newburgh, Ind.
Marketing Director, 2006-2007
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Spearheaded first-ever Web marketing and communications program for foundation and event by designing, writing and editing two focused Web sites connecting media communications, funding and development audiences and local community participants through Web blogs, Flash interactives, social networking and database technology
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Re-aligned advertising and developed tiered levels of sponsorship for program resulting in a 355 percent revenue increase exceeding $25,000
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Developed first strategic planning model for implementing brand awareness and identity, increasing corporate and media sponsorships and streamlining marketing and ticket sales processes for effective future growth and development within budgetary guidelines
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Re-branded program and foundation by designing, creating, pre-pressing and negotiating print contracts for collateral materials including annual report, community engagement brochure and other materials
Phantom of the Opera, Third National Tour, New York
Associate Company Manager, 2004-2005
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Managed and settled multi-thousand dollar advertising budget to ensure proper placement, schedules and advertising goals were met for each city media placement
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Created internal communication pieces for more than 100 company members including monthly brochure focused on city services and location information for touring show
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Coordinated communication efforts for media placement on site for touring show press spots and tours
Congressional Youth Leadership Council, Washington, D.C.
Associate Director of Programs, 2003-2004
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Managed, met and exceeded program goals for most profitable million-dollar program serving 200 plus middle school students weekly by organizing budgets, manifests, BEOs and event collateral and supply needs
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Decision maker and crisis plan manager overseeing event in Washington, D.C., ensuring proper action, communication and dissemination to participants, parents and press
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Developed, wrote and negotiated proposals to National Park Service, Smithsonian and similar entities in the Washington area for events and educational programming
Disney Theatrical Productions, New York
Guest Relations Manager, New Amsterdam Theatre
“Disney’s THE LION KING,” 2002-2003
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Launched new internal communications and branding program for 50 ushers to develop stronger relationships to Disney brand and corporate culture
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Hired as first stand-alone Guest Relations manager at the theatre to communicate effectively with patrons, lead crisis communications programs and facilitate stronger brand connection programming with visitors to the theatre
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Partnered with TicketMaster to communicate and implement new ticketing system
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Responded to all guest communication pieces sent to the theatre ensuring providing high levels of guest service while focused on brand, company and financial results
Walt Disney World, Orlando, Fla.
Guest Relations/Education Coordinator, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Fla., 1998-2002
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Selected to serve on team responsible for deciding and disseminating all crisis communication for the Walt Disney World resort during hurricanes and 9/11
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Prepared internal marketing programs for sales coordinators developing team initiatives focused on increased sales and key messages about the Walt Disney World Resort products and services
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Selected as spokesperson for Walt Disney World sales team for both internal and external clients about specific sales and marketing goals from partners at the resort
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Arranged, planned and implemented group visits, ticket sales and packaged programs for massed choir program and education events at the resort reaching audiences of 2,000 nightly during the holiday season.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.,
Instructor of Journalism Graphics, August 2006 – May 2008
University of Evansville, Evansville, Ind.,
Instructor of Communications, August 2008 – Dec 2008
Instructor of Continuing Education, August 2008 - Dec 2008
ITT Technical Institute
Instructor, August 2008 - Dec 2008
PROFESSIONAL / ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
PC/Mac: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Flash, After Effects, Premiere, Lightroom, Final Cut Pro, RAW, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Entourage, Keynote, FileMaker Pro, Digital SLR and Photo Editing
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Public Relations Society of America, Society for News Design, National Press Photographer's Association, Society of Professional Journalists
EDUCATION
Master of Arts, dual emphases: Public Relations and Journalism,
Ball State University, May 2008
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism (public relations/advertising),
Franklin College of Indiana, May 1998
Results-oriented integrated marketing communications professional with experience in successfully planning, implementing and managing projects based on objective setting and project management expertise. Recognized for facilitative and teaching-style leadership with skills in visual communication, interactive and new media public relations.
