Cindy Erickson Email & Phone Number

Strategic communications manager leading an internal team of senior-level communications consultants who support WFVC leaders in developing internal business operations communication plans, strategies, and messages. Collaborate with senior leaders or project teams on communications needs on WFVC division-level projects.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Lead an international team (US, Europe, India, China) to produce effective marketing communications deliverables for vertical marketing, and channel and product management teams to build global awareness and grow the business. This includes creatively applying effective branding to web, print, tradeshow, promotional, and technical publications, as well as being responsible for developing and executing PR strategies.

Promoted to lead and elevate dynamic team of eleven to deliver substantial savings to the company and its business units in producing branded, effective marketing and employee communications and collateral. This includes copywriting, graphic design, Web design, and video production projects of all kinds. Introduced, cultivated and revised processes that resulted in exponential efficiencies in project management within the team.

Served as a strategic partner with Schwan’s business units (Consumer Brands, Food Service, and Home Service) to reach their marketing communications’ goals and objectives with solid creative ideas for print collateral, video, photography, direct and digital advertising and Web. Effectively managed numerous projects simultaneously, concept through completion. Responsible for all aspects of client service including planning, copywriting, account management, budgeting, vendor negotiations, and evaluation of marketing programs.

Independent consultant for public relations, advertising, marketing, copywriting and desktop publishing. Notable accomplishments include:• Launched a new branding campaign for the largest privately owned bank in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, that delivered exceptional financial results.• Developed a marketing plan, new logo, brand statements, various marketing collateral for a commercial realtor that was utilized by the CEO to reposition the company’s image as a leader in the region.• Worked with a regional, large equipment dealer to review their culture and did a thorough communications audit of client touch points, resulting in the development of a new employee and client communications vehicles. The response was overwhelmingly positive from both employees and clients. Rebranding of company communications followed and was deemed as a significant contribution to employee engagement.• Worked on a direct mail campaign for automatic billing for an organization that delivered a response rate of 26% participation, far exceeding the expected results of 5-7%.• Served as adjunct instructor for writing and desktop publishing at Minnesota State University, Moorhead, MN.

Promoted to manage and lead the Marketing Communications team of writers and designers. Developed communications strategy to ensure that the strategic and creative direction of communications projects support the marketing vision of the company. Prepared internal and external executive communications, speeches and presentations for CEO and CMO. Ascertain that a high-quality, consistent brand message was presented across all channels. Coordinated life division communications to the field via the development of sales tools and marketing projects, including collateral development, presentations, video production, and web copy.

Coordinated national advertising programs, editor of monthly agent publications, and produced multimedia presentations for annual national conventions. Also wrote copy for print and electronic mediums. Involved in development of company Intranet. Core team leader for U.S. operations’ major initiative of name/brand change (formerly The Mutual Group).