• Developed overall internal communications strategy to encourage two-way dialogue & engagement with team members; played key role in building a positive culture and sense of community across the company• Partnered with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to craft messaging and/or provide guidance communications planning for company initiatives• Directed the development, writing and editing of materials for internal distribution, including internal newsletters, personnel announcements, policy and procedural updates, HR news, systems issues and more; anticipated and proactively prepared for internal communications that resulted from external/industry news• Oversaw planning and execution of internal events, from company-wide Town Halls to major field meetings to culture-building activations• Oversaw content and updates on Toysrusinc.com and the Intranet; identified ways to ensure information was timely and newsworthy, and that the sites evolved along with industry expectations• Led internal comms team through one of the industry’s largest global restructuring efforts to ensure organization and accuracy of global team member communications and corporate website updates• Helped develop change management messaging to support internal communications through bankruptcy process and provided strategic feedback on leadership communications

• Led organization’s traditional PR efforts, crafting press releases, pitching and securing local media coverage, and managing on-site media and film crews (local & national)• Served as an organization representative at fundraising events, industry fairs and expositions• Managed scheduling, development and distribution of all external communications – e-newsletters, stewardship letters, weekly emails, daily social media posts, blog posts, fliers, brochures and more• Maintained ponypowernj.org, crafting all web copy and updating regularly; served as liaison between Pony Power and agency to trouble shoot web issues• Crafted development materials in support of key fundraising initiatives, including acknowledgement letters, sponsorship packages, grant proposals/reports, and solicitation letters for prospective private/corporate donors• Led the planning and execution of annual, record-breaking fundraising events, from budgeting and securing sponsorships, to design and distribution of event materials, setup, catering and staff assignments

• Developed media materials in support of key company initiatives, including meeting agendas, media plans, press releases, media alerts, calendar listings, social media copy and more• Pitched and secured top-tier broadcast and print coverage of the company’s key consumer initiatives – product launches, special events and philanthropic campaigns• Identified and nurtured relationships with key national and local media contacts, as well as vendor partners• Served as company spokesperson for regional print, online and radio media• Co-planned and promoted special events at company’s flagship stores in NYC; created and distributed media materials; escorted media/guests day-of; managed hired film crews and photographers on-site• Coordinated photo/video shoots and interviews requests with local, national and international media; reviewed media opportunities and crafted interview briefing documents for company spokespeople, including executives within corporate office and store managers nationwide

• Managed affiliate and reporter inquiries, arranging dozens of interviews daily• Weekend Feature Feed producer; edited/distributed more than 100 radio spots weekly• Assisted in production of newscasts by arranging broadcast interviews for feature and breaking news, and researching, while serving as liaison between radio and television sectors• Maintained contact with bureaus worldwide, monitored international correspondents and news coverage• Provided general administrative assistance by making travel arrangements, troubleshooting equipment issues and managing newsroom inventory