Objective

Seeking a challenging, full-time management level position in communications that draws upon my journalism, social media and public relations background.

Experience
Prologue LLC, Ferndale, Michigan
Owner: Founded and managing consumer-facing clients through a private company focused on PR, event promotion, social media advising, business consultation and writing projects.

February 2016 to present

Franco Public Relations Group, Detroit, Michigan

Account and Social Media Manager: A dual role managing consumer/retail and restaurant accounts and leading all digital strategies for clients across the agency. Drafting and presenting proposal. Business development presentations. Balancing multiple accounts with needs that range from solely social media marketing and events to media relations, branding, etc. Providing overall strategy for accounts, advising clients, editing materials, working closely with PR team and media to provide excellent client service. 

April 2013 to February 2016

Senior Account Executive: Managing traditional and social media relations, messaging and events for retail, event, restaurant, health care and professional clients in a fast-paced agency setting; crafting press and online materials; conceptualizing and executing media events; branding.

February 2011 to April 2013

The Urbane Way, Birmingham, Michigan

Director of Public Relations and Marketing: Creating and contributing daily content to client blogs and maintaining all related social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr; using keyword and SEO techniques to increase client visibility online; conceptualizing and managing events; writing press materials, securing media coverage and promoting the social media marketing company as well as its varied, growing clientele; promoting the agency's partners; seeking candidates to fill vacancies and freelance positions as needed.

March 2010 to February 2011

Publicity Works, Royal Oak, Michigan

Account Executive/Content Manager: Wrote original content for business proposals, client advertising and press materials, online content and client social media campaigns; pitched and worked with public relations manager to secure media coverage for clients; organized and executed promotional media events; wrote and posted blog entries; maintained social media outlets for our clients and the agency.

Jan. 2009 to March 2010

Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, Birmingham, Michigan 

Pop Culture and Features Writer: Wrote and coordinated daily feature stories and reviews on Detroit art, theater, music, film, fashion and home design; column writing; compiled and managed entertainment listings; assigned and edited freelance work; served as interim editor; updated Web site daily, proficient in Publicus media software.

1999 to 2001; 2006 to 2009

Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, Livonia, Michigan 

Education Writer and Business Writer: Covered news-intensive education beat in two area districts; contributed feature stories, profiles and a new businesses column for editions county-wide; proficient in NewsEdit and QuarkXpress programs.

2001 to 2006

Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, Clarkston, Michigan 

Staff Writer: Covered police and local government beats in Clarkston, Independence Township and Springfield Township; contributed feature stories to round out coverage.

1998 to 1999

Michigan State News, East Lansing, Michigan 

Staff Writer: Wrote weekly features on music, film and pop culture trends to broaden the daily newspaper’s scope as an entertainment reporter; wrote daily features and hard news stories covering campus community as a general assignment/administrative reporter.

1997 to 1998

Education

1994-1998: Michigan State University; Major: Journalism. Degree: B.A. in journalism, May 1998. Cumulative G.P.A.: 3.7941 1997 Participant in study abroad program, Mass Media in London.

Honors and Awards 

Recognized as a nominee for the Journalist of the Year Award, Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, 2007; Recognized by Suburban Newspaper Association in 2006 with a second place award for Best Coverage of Local Education/School District News, Livonia and Westland Observer newspapers; Recognized by SNA in 2005 with a first place award for Best Front Page, Redford Observer staff; Earned honors from both the SNA and Michigan Press Association for spot news reporting in 2003 and for entertainment and young people’s coverage in 2000; Dean’s Honor List - Michigan State University, every semester; Recipient of MSU School of Journalism 1997 Krieg Scholarship.

Related Work

Guest blog contributor focused on social media, PR tactics 2013 to present; Blog writing and coordination for Franco.com 2011 to present; Freelance contributor to Patch.com, December 2010 to 2011; Publicity committee volunteer, BravoBravo! Detroit Opera House major fundraiser, Spring 2010; Creator of the beauty review blog Pretty, please, launched 2009; Freelance contributor, stylist for Ambassador magazine, March 2009 to present; Freelance writer handling The Buzz-Detroit column in NWA WorldTraveler monthly magazine, 2006 to 2009; Freelance contributor to Metromix Detroit, February 2008; Freelance film critic for Detour-mag.com, 2007 to 2008; Copywriter for Publicity Works, 2003-2006; Copywriter for Barrett & Weston marketing and online design firm, 2006-2007; Mentor for O&E Teen Journalist Program, 2006-2007; Editor of the novel Jaded by Carla Gibson, 2006; Mentor for Focus: HOPE - Detroit’s Journalism Olympics; Compiled press materials as an office assistant at Ovonic Battery Co. in Troy, 1993-1997; Intern at the Rochester Clarion, Rochester, 1994.

References available upon request