No Budget? No Worries.
Earned Media provides a Big Impact
Media as Friend; Not Foe
To say that my professional growth in media relations has been tested under fire is an understatement. My goal has remained the same since day one however.… to provide the public accurate and timely information about organizational programs and services; to provide media/public relations counsel, direction, implementation and oversight as needed; and to provide communication plan direction for the leadership team; this includes a few high-profile and controversial projects.
I’ve served as the professional liaison and spokesperson with the media, and have worked extensively across organizational teams to integrate messaging, as assigned, across print, TV, website content, social media, and into online engagement and offline public outreach efforts. I am highly effective in establishing good working relationships with members of the media to facilitate timely, accurate, and positive coverage, and in answering information requests from the news media and the public as needed. I believe in HARO (helping a reporter out). When you take the time to craft a respectful and thoughtful statement or press release, the media will recognize that, and in my experience, they will oftentimes publish it, most times, as is. As a former fast-pitch, 12” softball player, we call this the sweet spot. My goal is to, “Manage the Message”.
My battle tested duties and responsibilities have included: Training staff in all levels of the organization on how to respond to the media and interview prep., writing news releases, newsletters, brochures, flyers, public service announcements, 3-D video walkthroughs, scripts, talking points, community engagement initiatives, foundation support, fundraising campaigns, sponsorships, public referendum campaigns, story pitches and placements, capital improvement projects, coordinating small and large grand opening ceremonies and public events (A Camelot Faire; Elevation Celebration), and Media Days (The Course Awakens), and other communications materials as needed.
I’m also versed in Meltwater Media Monitoring software tracking and reporting on negative, neutral, and positive sentiment, spotting trends in social media, showing ad value equivalents showing return on investment. See Media Release Archives and additional writing work by scrolling to the bottom of this page.
Featured Media and Direct Mail Campaigns
meaningful milestone celebrations
Challenge: Generate a year-long buzz about a 90th Anniversary (June 2015) by optimizing traditional media channels. We originated and distributed press releases to local newspaper outlets, before and during a year-long “birthday” celebration; resulted in great media exposure and we built awareness and excitement in the community. View 90th anniversary video. Check out our 85th Anniversary Timeline too!
Public relations campaign inspired by tragic accident deemed “proactive & transparent” by state association
CHALLENGE: The accidental death of Arlington Heights resident Barbara Pagano, as a result of a collision with a bicyclist as she walked the path at Lake Arlington in June 2013, prompted the Arlington Heights Park District to revisit the history of the path as it considered feasible options to minimize congestion between skaters, strollers, walkers and cyclists. As a result, the Park District committed to making progress in the areas of education, encouragement, evaluation and future planning to strengthen the use, design and safety at the Lake Arlington path. View press release.
short bold ask. big bold input.
CHALLENGE: Knowing that the community had an emotional connection to our only indoor swimming facility, marketing was tasked with carefully announcing and generating entries for a building renaming effort as the District renovated and expanded its nearly 50-year old existing indoor swim facility into a one-stop recreation/fitness center. Watch the short-form video we produced in-house to start the buzz!
MEDIA PLACEMENTS & PRESS RELEASES
WRITING - DIRECT MAIL, FUNDRAISING & ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
I’ve also created and executed content strategy on direct response, direct mail, fundraising and annual campaign content and developing new content for ad-hoc needs! See more of my recent work below!
