I have worked in television, radio and print marketing, sales, advertising and promotions for over 15 years. In this capacity I have been responsible for developing the branding, communications and public relations campaigns of some of the biggest companies in the country including Wal-Mart, McDonald’s and the Cleveland Clinic. I have been a newspaper Advertising Manager managing a team of Account Executives that sell both marketing and advertising packages throughout Northeast Ohio. Currently I am an Agent and Promotions Manager for Jerry Bruno Productions, Northeast Ohio's largest live music entertainment company..
I have also spent a lifetime immersed in the performing arts as a singer, songwriter, theatre director and performer and also have extensive audio and video production experience. I served for two years as the President of the Board and Public Relations Manager of Cassidy Theatre, Inc. in Parma Heights, Ohio (www.cassidytheatre.com). I also have served as Marketing Director for Olmsted Performing Arts in Olmsted Falls, Ohio (www.olmstedperformingarts.com) and am also the Bandleader of The Avenue all-event show band (http://jerrybruno.com/bands/Avenue/Avenue.asp), coordinating and consulting entertainment with bands, event planners and clients.
I produce and host a video series seen on cable TV and online called “Call-Back”. “Call-Back” is dedicated to Cleveland community theatre. I am familiar with non-linear editing methods and use systems like Final Cut Pro and Photoshop extensively to produce “Call-Back”. I have also been the co-host of the local Emmy nominated weekly television segment called “Cheap Date” seen Fridays on WKYC’s (Cleveland NBC affiliate) Good Company Program. “Cheap Date” is produced on an Avid system and we have produced over 25 segments. In addition to video production systems, I also have extensive audio production experience and am familiar with industry standard audio platforms such as Pro Tools.
"That's great and everything, but what has this 'unique combination of skills' accomplished?"
A few examples...
• Acquired new business partnerships with large hospital systems including Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital for Bio-Safe International.
• Generated over $50,000 in new business with corporate sponsorship for local TV weekly on-air segment “Cheap Date”.
• Generated over $30,000 in cash sponsorships and over $50,000 in in-kind services and partnerships for Cassidy Theatre and Olmsted Performing Arts using customer-focused programs and presentations. Also was instrumental in securing over $30,000 in grants for the Cassidy Theatre. Current Board President and Public Relations Manager for Cassidy Theater.
• Organized full radio broadcast remotes and promotions at events like Cleveland International Auto Show, Great American Rib Cook-Off, 1995 World Series pep rallies and parades (Member of Cleveland Mayor Michael White’s 1995 Indians’ Post-Season Task Force for World Series) and the opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Generated an average 1.5 increase in ratings over previous year.
• Organized and directed multiple full-scale musical theatre productions including, casting, scheduling of rehearsals and performances, set and lighting designing, etc.
• Organized annual Cleveland Indians Spring Training trip to Winterhaven, Florida in conjunction with the Cleveland Indians.
• Developed extensive media campaign for Cleveland musical group Partners in Rhyme, including television, radio and print culminating in regular appearances on Cleveland’s number-one rated morning show WMJI 105.7 FM with John Lanigan. (2000-2002), a front page News Sun article (2000) and major-venue performances including opening for Grammy-Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Isaac Hayes (Cain Park, 2002) and the 2001 and 2002 Moondog Coronation Ball concerts at the Cleveland State University Convocation Center with Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Leslie Gore, Jay and the Americans, The Grass Roots, the Association, The Turtles, Little Anthony and the Imperials and others.
Some of My Philosophies...
Listen...
An eyewitness is being questioned at a trial for a man accused of biting the ear off of another man. The defense attorney asks the witness "Did you actually see my client bite off the victim's ear?". The witness replies "No".
Instead of stopping there, the attorney asks one more question.
"Then how do you know he did it?" to which the witness replied "Because I saw him spit it out".
How many times have we talked ourselves right out of a deal by talking instead of listening. I believe if we always remain customer-focused and LISTEN to their needs instead of talking about ourselves, we create win-win situations.
Bring Me Solutions Not Problems...
An excerpt from my blog "Call-Back":
I've said it to casts before and I will again- don't bring me problems, bring me solutions. If you let yourself enjoy the challenge of it, finding those solutions is the fun part of producing a show. I choose to work with the people I do because they are brilliant, creative performers and yes - problem solvers. Yes, the director is the leader of the project and needs to approve changes or ideas, but we also need great problem solvers around us. Great ideas don't come from just one person and if an idea will make things smoother or better - no matter where it comes from - give it to me! I love it when someone says "I was thinking about it and I wondered if it would work better to have me come in from stage left instead of stage right because now that the actual chair is sitting there it's in the way" as opposed to "I don't know how I'm ever going to make my entrance here with this chair in the way".
The same holds true for any business situation or staff. I also believe that if a challenging situation arises with a project or account, have viable solutions prepared before getting on the phone with the affected client or customer. That way I am bringing them solutions, not problems. Read the rest of this blog entry here
Problems Can Be Fun!
That's because they're not "problems"...they're "challenges"! I think of them as puzzles that I have to creatively solve. Who doesn't love a good challenge?
