Dan Smaldone Email & Phone Number

Louisville, Ky

Responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the overall communications strategy for Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance. Charged with directing the company's statewide, multi-million dollar advertising campaign and promotional efforts; developing comprehensive and cohesive online, social and digital media strategies; leading brand management initiatives; launching public relations efforts designed to support organizational objectives; and enhancing the company's visibility and positive placement in the corporate community.

Louisville, Ky

Established and maintained strong relationships with Kentucky media by pitching stories aligned with KFB's mission, answering press inquiries and offering or coordinating interviews. Developed, planned and implemented all PR plans for the organization. Served as the resource for staff and volunteers to call upon for media response guidance, and as a trainer for media relations and communications strategies. Scheduled, wrote and distributed press releases for all KFB media pitches, and tracked resulting press coverage. Directed the organization's social media campaign as an extension of its public relations efforts. Selected Accomplishments:- Tripled the amount of positive media coverage earned annually by KFB through strategic and intentional relationship building with members of the press and a 50% increase in the amount of organizational news pitched to them.- Successfully pitched several key KFB events to media that attracted considerable attention not only from local and statewide members of the press, but also secured occasional attendance and coverage from national outlets, including: The New York Times, Bloomberg News, GQ magazine, Associated Press (Washington Bureau), C-SPAN, CNN, Politico and National Journal.- Helped guide efforts to plan, implement and launch a comprehensive, mulit-platform social media strategy into KFB's overall communication plan.

Successfully directed the health and welfare benefits accounts of two nationally based corporations with a combined population of 60,000 employees and contracts valued at more than $3 million. Coordinated and tracked the progress of ongoing administrative projects, communication needs, upgrades to operational systems and data feeds, ad hoc reporting and a variety of other client-requested deliverables. Facilitated regular client meetings and managed the workflow of my operational teams to guarantee that the overlapping deliverables of each client’s open enrollment period were met while also maintaining the expected standard of quality for their ongoing services.Selected Accomplishments: - Maintained each of my accounts at SHPS’ highest measurement of customer satisfaction levels to ensure that the clients remained strong references for the company’s efforts to win new business. - Guided SHPS to an additional $300,000 in annual revenue by leading the operational team through the efficient administration of a client’s complex benefit plans structures and communication needs. - Led the department’s first client through the launch of SHPS’ new web portal technology for employee benefits.

Managed a staff of four to develop and produce promotional materials for Kentucky State Fair Board-owned tradeshows, including copy and art for print media, web site text and design, and scripting for radio and television ads. Developed annual print advertising budgets, organized accompanying production schedules, and facilitated the creation and placement of those materials. Assisted with the implementation of strategic plans and advertising campaigns recommended by our partnering advertising agency. Answered media inquiries and offered interviews for print, radio and television outlets. Interviewed, hired and conducted personnel evaluations of departmental staff.Selected Accomplishments:- Managed $150,000 worth of printed promotional materials annually.- Doubled the advertising sales revenue for the Kentucky State Fair’s largest promotional publication.- Initiated the Kentucky State Fair’s first effort to brand its logo, theme, collateral and advertising materials.- Saved $25,000 by developing the Kentucky State Fair’s 2007 poster campaign through internal resources instead of continuing to utilize the services of an advertising agency.- Created an evaluation system to measure customer satisfaction levels of completed projects, set departmental goals and establish standards of quality.

Researched and wrote press releases, media kits, web site text, brochure copy, souvenir programs, public address announcements, advertisements and newsletters. Designed and edited a monthly electronic newsletter. Archived historical information and tracked key facts to promote milestone events. Photographed events for staff, client and web site uses.Selected Accomplishments:- Transitioned the contents of hardcopy media kits to digital versions on CDs, resulting in 75% cost savings.- Launched graphic and content redesigns of brochures, souvenir programs and newsletters.

Maintained dual responsibilities for Corporate Services team, including the delivery of internal communications through company-wide e-mails, newsletters and other promotional collateral, as well as logging and reporting the travel records of the company's business associates.

Ba, English

Magna Cum Laude graduate

Education record