Caroline Huston, Mba, Apr Email & Phone Number

Develop and implement integrated communications strategies that align with AMBFF’s strategic plans and priorities.Oversee the strategic direction and tone of all AMBFF external communications, messaging and branding, ensuring they remain clear, consistent, compelling and currentLead the development and execution of a crisis communications response planLead the development and execution of effective media strategies for campaigns, projects and eventsMaintain strong collaborative relationships with the media, proactively building a wide network of key contacts and interested journalistsDirect AMBFF’s press engagement including mapping, targeting and pitching to ensure timely coverage in relevant media markets to meet objectivesServe as AMBFF main copy editor and oversee work of external copy editor Collaborate with Chief of Staff on production of board materials

Designed and implemented strategies that amplified story content across a variety of channels, drove proactive media outreach, and built relationships with local, regional, and national media and grantees, with the end goal of advancing the foundation’s programmatic outcomesImplemented a quarterly strategic communications review process with foundation leadershipCreated and executed quarterly Board communications and monthly executive leadership communications about foundation activityManaged strategy and execution for major gift announcements, e.g., $7 million CARE grant, $50 million Babson grant, $10 million Spelman College grantManaged communications for Blank Family of Businesses corporate social responsibility programs, including launch of statewide campaigns to increase middle school girls physical fitness and grow accessibility to soccerCollaborated with foundation staff on thought leadership opportunities, including LinkedIn articles and speaking engagementsManaged foundation’s first-ever brand awareness and reputation research project

Greater Atlanta Area

Designed and implemented strategies that focus on the amplification of story content across a variety of channels, drive proactive media outreach, and built relationships with local, regional, and national media and grantees, with the end goal of advancing the Foundation’s programmatic outcomes.Created and executed quarterly Board communications and monthly executive leadership communications about Foundation activity. Managed strategy and execution for multi-million dollar gift announcements.Collaborated with Foundation staff on thought leadership opportunities, including LinkedIn articles and speaking engagements.

Greater Atlanta Area

Lead PR in the Americas region for one of the travel industry's most iconic hotel brands and the world's largest hotel loyalty program

Greater Atlanta Area

Manage communications for IHG’s corporate PR strategy, with a focus on implementing plans that support executive visibility for the Americas Chief Executive Officer, external communications and executive visibility for the Chief Development Officer and his organization, external communications for IHG's corporate responsibility programs and IHG’s financial communications including quarterly earnings. Managed introduction of new Americas CEO to regional media. Manage corporate and hotel-level crisis and incident communications.

Managed public relations activity for IHG’s two upscale brands. Responsibilities included the development and execution of PR plans for major brand projects and marquee hotel openings, crisis communications management, executive messaging and coaching, management of celebrity spokespeople, event management and agency management.Led media relations activity around the Crowne Plaza brand's sponsorship of the PGA TOUR and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial from 2012-2014, including celebrity brand ambassador and professional golfer Rickie Fowler.

Managed public relations activity for IHG’s two extended stay brands and its emerging businesses, including Holiday Inn Club Vacations, InterContinental Alliance Resorts and Holiday Inn Resort. Responsibilities included the development and execution of PR plans for major brand projects and marquee hotel openings, crisis communications management, executive messaging and coaching, management of celebrity spokespeople, fam trip organization, event management, agency management, and social media strategy and implementation.Co-led the launch of InterContinental Alliance Resorts, securing nearly 100 million media impressions, including an integration on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.Co-led execution of PR activity for the 2011 Crowne Plaza Challenge, securing nearly 200 million media impressions, executing IHG’s first-ever Facebook chat and managing the launch of contests on both Facebook and Twitter. PR activity included management of celebrity spokesperson.Earned Master in Business Administration (MBA) in May 2010, while working full-time.

NHOP PR Program: Drove top tier media coverage of key developments and the IHG growth message in Top 50 markets and key trade publications to further strengthen IHG and its family of brands. Provided PR support for hotel grand opening and ground break events.Holiday Inn Club Vacations: Drove top tier media coverage of official launch of Holiday Inn’s timeshare alliance and continued to drive coverage of newsworthy events beyond the launch.Brand PR Special Projects: Assisted brand PR managers and brand communications director with special projects to include press release writing, media pitching and crisis communications management.

NHOP PR Program: Drove top tier media coverage of key developments and the IHG growth message in Top 50 markets and key trade publications to further strengthen IHG and its family of brands. Provided PR support for hotel grand opening and ground break events.IHG Conference Press Management: Drove attendance of trade and consumer media to the annual IHG Investors & Leadership Conference, as well as managed onsite process to include press invites, press accommodations, press premiums, press lunch, press dinner, press room, registration, etc. Executive Visibility: Wrote and distributed new hire announcements, managed executive bio and photo program.

NHOP PR Program: Had oversight of NHOP PR Program to include new hotel opening/announcement press releases across six brands, with responsibility for pitching to local and trade publications. Provided PR support for hotel grand opening and ground break events.IHG Conference Press Management: Drove attendance of trade and consumer media to the annual IHG Investors & Leadership Conference, as well as managed onsite process to include press invites, press accommodations, press premiums, press lunch, press dinner, press room, registration, etc. Press Office Management/PR Photo Library: Ensured information was current for the Americas region on the global IHG press office (fact sheets, awards, photos, etc.). Posted brand press releases to press office. Managed department photo library. Company Store: Managed relaunch of online company store to include product selection, site launch and communications to employees.

Media Accommodation Requests: Served as corporate contact for Americas-based media accommodation requests. Worked with hotel employees and reporters to arrange accommodation. Daily News Watch: Managed daily news communication including proactive research and presentation of media coverage of the company and travel industry to all Americas-based employees. Direct administrative support to departmental vice president.

Abj, Journalism

Activities and Societies: Contributing opinions columnist at The Red & Black, UGA's student newspaper

Mba, Business Administration And Management, General

Attended classes to earn my MBA while working full time.