Providing communications and public relations support for nonprofit, association and business clients.

 

Current projects include:

2010 Amtrak National Train Day: responsible for oversight of advertising, communication and event management agencies to execute National Train Day, a nationwide day celebrating trains in the United States, including events in five major markets.

 

Directing media engagement and PR writing activities for the National Assoc. of Black Owned Broadcasters Annual Communications Dinner including Grammy winner Maxwell and legendary music producers Gamble & Huff:

 

• Wrote press release and media advisory
• Training support team on use of social media to enhance event visibility, including development of YouTube channel
• Pitching and securing media interviews before and during event
• Engaging bloggers and entertainment press to interview and cover awardees

 

• Developed strategic communication and marketing plans incorporating traditional, social media and non-traditional outreach for projects with corporate partners including NASCAR and Pitney Bowes
• Managed external relations with top-tier media outlets including CNN, AP, Washington Post, and NY Times, directing proactive and reactive media engagement, including crisis communications
• Successfully pitched increased diversity efforts following Hurricane Katrina, resulting in more than 50 positive top tier print and radio placements nationwide
• Trained more than 400 field staff on effective media relations, message development, diversity outreach and target audience marketing
• Created speaking opportunities for staff at major media conventions including Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ), National Assoc. of Black Journalists (NABJ) and UNITY Journalists Assoc.
• Coordinated events, publicity, interviews, and PSAs for celebrities including Sidney Poitier, Jimmy Smits, Fantasia, Dr. Phil McGraw, Raven Symone, Iyanla Vansant and Jermaine Dupri

 

DOMESTIC COVERAGE

• More than 500 stories published for RedCross.org, the flagship website of the Red Cross

• More than three weeks on-the-ground reporting during the 2004 Hurricane season in Florida

• Frequent nationwide travel covering breaking disasters including tornadoes, floods and wildfires

INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE

• Lead communicator, writer and photographer on measles and malaria prevention trips in Africa

• Significant editorial coverage of 2005 Southeast Asian tsunami

• Planned and hosted press conference with Sidney Poitier in Benin, West Africa for international media corps

 

• Significant coverage of hearings, committees and Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill
• Covered beats including medical technology, organ transplants and Medicare
• More than 300 stories published on daily and weekly deadlines
• Lead writer for Health Information Privacy publication

• Liaison between national media outlets and Red Cross experts
• Coordinated redesign of Biomedical Services intranet
• Traveled as spokesperson for the national Save a Life Tour promoting blood donation
• Directed media and student communications for NCAA collegiate blood drive initiative