Experience -- Education -- Professional Affiliations/Awards
Summary
A well-rounded communications and marketing professional with experience in internal and external communications, media relations, publication editing and management, Web and intranet development, and direct marketing.
- Experience developing strategic communications plans, processes and tactics
- Project and personnel management experience and the ability to meet deadlines and budgetary targets
- HR/employee benefits communications experience and knowledge of insurance and benefits products
- Experience managing outside agencies in support of communications and marketing programs
- A history of identifying and implementing technology solutions to meet communications challenges
- Experience developing strong, collaborative working relationships with diverse personalities and all levels of staff
- A master's degree in journalism, with coursework in communication theory and research
- Diverse hands-on skills, including research, interviewing, writing, editing, computer graphics and photography
Experience
Corporate/Internal Communications Specialist; IKEA North America; Conshohocken, Pa. 2006-Present.
Develop strategic plans and programs to communicate operational objectives and information to 11,000 IKEA employees in the USA. Responsibilities include intranet site content development, "Best place to work" applications, HR/benefits information communication, and change management.
- Co-wrote the annual "Fortune Best Companies to Work For" application, resulting in IKEA being named to the Top-100 list
- Produced a benefits open enrollment campaign that resulted in a 35 percent increase in plan participants
Senior Communications Associate; American College of Physicians; Philadelphia, Pa. 2000-2006.
Developed and managed internal and external communications programs for the world's largest medical specialty society. Used superior project management, strategic and interpersonal skills to communicate organizational activities to employees, media, consumers and 119,000 members worldwide.
- Served as the single point of contact for conveying organizational news to staff, members and leadership
- Served as a senior writer, with responsibility for high-profile projects such as Web and intranet sites, the annual report, newsletters, videos and executive-level presentations (samples available online)
- Participated in senior-level task forces and drafted communication plans and working papers
- Provided communications counsel to internal clients, including CEO, executive management and other leaders
- Represented the organization at external meetings and events
- Developed and edited a highly successful monthly electronic newsletter with a circulation of 60,000
- Edited and produced an award-winning consumer Web site
- Planned and produced an intranet portal highlighting communications department resources
- Researched, developed and implemented a communications plan to educate globally dispersed leaders and members about a new and controversial organizational initiative; tactics included a Web site, educational video, speaker's training video and Web site, PowerPoint presentation, FAQs, and follow-up communications (all completed within a three-week timeframe)
(Full-Time Graduate Student in Journalism 1998-1999)
Director of Communications; International Teams; Elgin, Ill. 1996-1997.
Directed internal and external communications, marketing, public relations, and advertising activities for an international humanitarian organization. Responsible for communications strategy, implementation and budget development. Managed two direct-reports and selected and managed creative agencies and vendors.
- Consulted with internal clients worldwide to develop materials for internal and external audiences
- Edited a 10,000-circulation donor newsletter and managed direct-mail activities
Marketing Associate; American College of Physicians; Philadelphia, Pa. 1995-1996.
Developed and produced direct marketing materials (ads, brochures, catalogs, etc.) for programs, products and events. Developed concepts, wrote copy, designed publications and managed external consultants.
Marketing and Communications Consultant; Wasson Communications. 1994-1995/1998-1999.
Provided marketing and communications counsel, publication consulting, copywriting, photography and graphic design services to organizations, small businesses and a university. Projects included magazine articles, catalogs, handbooks, alumni newsletters, brochures and direct mail pieces.
Marketing-Communications Associate; USI Colburn Insurance Service; Philadelphia, Pa. 1991-1994.
Developed, wrote, designed and managed the production of communications materials for an employee benefits / insurance administrator. Translated complex information into easily understood materials designed to educate staff about their benefits options. Managed multiple projects and freelance creative providers.
Education
M.A. Journalism, 1999. Regent University, Virginia Beach,Va. 4.0 GPA. Professional writing-magazine journalism emphasis. Additional coursework in photography, video and mass communication research/theory.
B.A. English Literature, magna cum laude, 1989. West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, Pa. Professional writing emphasis.
Ongoing professional development seminars in advanced computer graphics, public relations, writing and editing, interpersonal communications, etc.
Additional Experience
Retail Manager; Outback Outdoor Specialty Store; Norristown, Pa. 1989-1991.
Managed employees and operations; wrote promotional pieces and a 3,000-circulation customer newsletter.
Program Director; West Chester University Outdoor Program; West Chester, Pa. 1987-1989.
Supervised a university-funded program while pursuing a degree full time. Managed five employees and office operations. Designed, staffed and promoted programs.
Professional Affiliations/Awards
Member, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
- PRSA Philadelphia Chapter 2002 "Pepperpot" award for the ACP Annual Report
- Judge for local and national PRSA award competitions
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
- IABC U.S. District One 2003 "Silver Quill" award for Internet site
- Judge for local and regional IABC award competitions
Other
- Experience developing and presenting training workshops for a variety of audiences
- A history of effectively collaborating with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds
- Cross-cultural travel experience
- Conversational language ability in German
My production and technology skills are detailed on this page
View my online portfolio of communications projects
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