Jane Applegate Email & Phone Number

Business and not-for-profit consultant specializing in multi-channel marketing, public relations, digital media, and development of corporate and community projects, programs, and events.ExitZero began with goals to act as an extension of client staff; provide exceptional service, and meet expectations by completing assignments on time, on target and within budget.I've been fortunate to serve companies large and small, not-for-profit organizations and quasi-governmental agencies, and provide project management services to a wide variety of companies. These include industry leaders in the workforce solutions, insurance, healthcare, post-secondary education, banking, start up, and arts sectors.Prior to that, I was an account executive at a full-service advertising agency, and have sold and produced video production services. These include television commercials, corporate videos, training tools, and interactive communications. Listening to input provided by corporate CEOs, to technical people, to factory workers has led to an extremely diverse knowledge-base and network from which to draw upon.My work has helped to form the first maker space in Indiana. It has also help change the mission of the workforce system in Indiana and secure a contract in Southern California allowing my client to grow their business by 25%. Most recently, I've been consulting with a boutique SEO link-building business at which a process-improvement idea I put forth generated a $1.4mil dollar return for the client.I assemble the right team of professionals for each project to get the job done at a fraction of the cost of traditional models. I've also lead teams of volunteers representing extremely diverse backgrounds.My mission is to provide innovative solutions to client needs through creative thinking, initiative, dedication, passion, and hard work.

Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

This event is a forum to showcase makers, their projects and prototypes. The goal is to connect makers with each other and connecting Northeast Indiana to the international maker movement. My goal is to help bring new products to market. Tinkerers, inventors, artisans, craftspeople and others are invited to exhibit at this unique family-friendly event. Exhibitors are asked to make onsite, offer an interactive component to their exhibit, or to convey information about tools, materials and processes used in their projects. In a franchise now exceeding 130 Faires globally, ours was the 8th or so to go online. It's modeled after the Detroit Maker Faire and includes most of the same elements such as attractions to draw public interest, interactive learning, locally grown food, and entertainment throughout. 8 states were represented in our first year.Fort Wayne is an official stop on the Power Racing Series. This feature pits teams from across the country as they race modified electric kids cars. Other official stops include Maker Faires in San Mateo, CA, Kansas City, Chicago, and World Maker Faire New York. After attending the inaugural Detroit Faire, I proposed a Fort Wayne version but had to first be approved by Dale Dougherty, founder of Makezine and the Maker Faire Franchise. Makezine is the voice of the Do-It-Yourself or maker movement and Mr. Dougherty has twice been noted by CNN's Next list as someone changing the world today. His inspiration led to my efforts to educate people about, and help grow maker nation in Northeast Indiana.I've lead a volunteer team to deliver five Fort Wayne Maker Faires. My company is responsible for all outcomes related to the event beginning with the budget and ending when the last bill is paid. Duties include brand design; developing marketing materials and digital tools; writing all content; PR; sponsorship, and ticket sales.I'm now seeking a not-for-profit partner to produce the 2017 event.

Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

Managed all responsibilities related to Kevin Eubanks performances on behalf of Great KIDS make Great Communities Annual Conference on Youth. Mr. Eubanks served as conference keynote speaker; performed a public concert, and taught a Master Class for high school and college students at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). He, is the former band leader of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and served as Artistic Director of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz' national Jazz in the Classroom program. Duties include working with the executive staff of IPFW's Visual and Performing Arts Department. This includes all contractual elements are met and management of all pre-event and onsite logistics needs for Mr. Eubanks. These include flight, hotel, transportation, meals, A/V equipment rental, scheduling, and ensuring arrival to all destinations on time for performances.Also managed all public relations and marketing related to the public events. Duties include writing and distribution of press releases, management of media interviews, and overseeing development of print and online tools for ticket sales to the public and student registration for the Master Class.

Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

Fort Wayne's only membership-based art and technology maker space designed to allow community members access to tools, technologies and mentors.As a founding member, I took on duties of brand development; creation and production of marketing materials; public relations activities; fundraising, and event development and execution.Our first major event was the Chain Reaction Challenge. Teams comprised of families, students or friends were invited to build contraptions that move a golf ball 1-inch. Teams then joined us at the Downtown Allen County Public Library (ACPL) to form a true community chain reaction showcasing fun and interesting ways of solving engineering problems. My service on the committee included brand development, securing design and production of all marketing materials, PR, and developing methods for securing teams and attendees from the public.TekVenture didn't have a home but the event was so successful in it's first year, we met library fire code issues. The size of the venue limited the number of participants and guests we could have. It was determined a larger event was needed to educate the public about TekVenture's mission.After attending the inaugural 2010 Detroit Maker Faire, I proposed a Fort Wayne version to TekVenture's board of directors. ExitZero was then contracted to design and produce the event.At the inaugural 2011 Fort Wayne Regional Maker Faire, we rolled out the Maker Station, a prototype of what was to come for TekVenture. A 50' trailer housed a variety of tools for making projects and prototypes. It was then relocated to the Downtown ACPL.This partnership is studied nationally and led to maker spaces being developed in libraries all over Northeast Indiana.TekVenture moved to 1800 Broadway in early 2014. Volunteers have worked to clean out the building and bring it to code. TekVenture now offers the community workshops and access to the widest variety of tools available at any maker space in the Midwest.

Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

I have consulted with and provided a variety of services to three of the four presidents of the Downtown Improvement District (DID) over the last 15 years.The last assignment includes production and management of the 2013 Holly Trolley.This annual event is held the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend and is designed to encourage shopping at local downtown retailers. I was responsible for vendor recruitment, participation, communication, and post-event follow up; managed event logistics, and oversaw production of marketing materials including print, web and television production.This DID assignment also included event management of the 2014 Ground Hog Open. This indoor golf tournament was designed to engage members of the business community with DID programs.Specifically, it was a beautification initiative in partnership with the City of Fort Wayne's Parks Department to raise funds for downtown planters.144 "golfers" played a course laid out between three indoor venues in downtown Fort Wayne. Sponsors designed each of the 18 holes on the course.Project duties include securing and communications with sponsors; ensuring sponsor payment; booking teams; managing design and production of marketing materials and signage; securing and communications with volunteers; coordinating refreshments; securing donations for participant goody bags; managing event logistics, and all duties related to the event while onsite.I managed and executed two press conferences to promote the event including one hosted by the Mayor of the City of Fort Wayne. As I wrote all press release content, this included coordination with City public relations staff to ensure approval.In order to create excitement about the event, I also created and managed a breakfast event to kick of the outing featuring a keynote speaker and comments from Mayor Henry.

Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

In essence my company was contracted to serve as the marketing and public relations departments. As a consultant, duties include all marketing; public relations; event management, and related services. These include brand management; print development and production; media relations; media buying, website design, and digital media development.Developed and delivered Navigator Initiative funded by the United States Department of Labor throughout Indiana and well as the San Diego market leading to the direct hire of those with disabilities. This initiative resulted in client securing an additional $250,000 contract from the California Department of Workforce Development.The Navigator initiative also led to local industry leaders to change design of their manufacturing environments in order to grow hiring of those with disabilities.Developed and delivered Operation Hire a Hero Initiative leading to the employment of military personnel returning to the workforce.Designed and executed full-service marketing campaigns; designed and delivered several job fairs targeting specific employment sectors and markets such as an outreach program for employing youth.I also consulted with client funders and client staff on customer service strategies. This ultimately led to the transition from places to seek unemployment checks, to places to receive employment skills and services.Duties also include writing RFPs (Request for Proposals) and vendor selection.Over the course of this assignment, I managed and maintained all budget related items and all materials needed for project completion in San Diego County and 65 counties throughout Indiana. These include samples of all marketing materials, digital files, vendor quotes and billing records, etc.Though an outstanding partnership, this assignment ended when the economy weakened. The Federal Government no longer included marketing line items in their budget so there were no funds for my assigned tasks.

Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

I began volunteering for the Fort Wayne Museum of Art in order to support my love of the visual arts. After founding Club Art, a monthly social event including music, food and fun activities, I was voted to lead the Main Street Articulates (MSA.)MSA was created as an outreach organization to engage people in their 20's, 30's and 40's with the Museum. In my year of leadership, I managed a group of volunteers as we produced 15 events on behalf of the Museum.Once that assignment was complete, ExitZero was contracted to create and produce an event using chalk art as the medium. The mission of the event was to create exposure and engage the general public with the Museum. Volunteers were recruited and the first annual Main Street Chalk Walk was created. Artists of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience come together during the first weekend of Three Rivers Festival to create masterpieces on Main Street using only chalk, tempura, and imagination.ExitZero is no longer responsible for the event but during my tenure, it was the largest of its kind in the nation in terms of the number of participating artists.Chalk Walk is still thriving today and often mentioned as one of the best art events in the region.During that period I also served on the Museum's board of directors and for an entire year we went through a visioning process in order to build a ten year plan for the Museum.

Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

ExitZero was contracted to execute a capital campaign in order to secure a new building for the Northeast Indiana BBB corporate office. Campaign success lead to the local BBB affiliate expanding and they now serve the entire Northern Indiana district.Duties include campaign design and execution on all levels; developing campaign brand; execution of all print materials; working with the board to define responsibilities; sales training for board members; tracking commitments along with income generated; campaign follow up communications, and more.

Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

Contracted to produce and deliver Parkview Hospital's 125 Anniversary Celebration and 50 years at the Randallia Campus. Parkview Health is the largest employer in Allen County Indiana.This event was the 3rd largest held at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum that year. It was designed to thank physicians, partners, and stakeholders for their work and commitment to Parkview's growth and success.Hundreds of people gathered for this black-tie dinner event at which the Samaritan helicopter was shown. Guests were presented with an audio/visual extravaganza and got to experience how far things have come in healthcare over the 50 years prior. Through a partnership with the Indiana Medical History Museum that I brokered, an exhibit featuring a 50 year old versus a modern hospital room was presented. An original iron lung, medical equipment, patient beds, tools and other items were presented.My company was responsible for theme development; brand management; exhibit design and execution; logistics; vendor selection; design and execution of print materials; video production; guest experience and more.

Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I was downsized as senior account executive for a video and corporate event production company. I founded ExitZero Communications the following week and secured my first assignment on the first day of my new business. This assignment was to produce and deliver the Latinos County Community Summit.The summit was designed to create awareness about the interests of the Latino community and create opportunities for this audience within the business community throughout the region.Responsibilities include research about the needs of the Latino community; sponsorship sales; production of marketing materials; public relations services; ticket sales; securing payments from sponsors and attendees, vendor selection; venue selection; logistics; equipment rentals, and more.

Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

Was responsible for developing leads and managing assigned customer base. Interfaced with clients to produce television commercials, corporate and training videos, and interactive communication tools.Was responsible for developing relationship for a $3M account, the largest sale in company history at the the time.

Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

Responsible for managing client relationships and developing new business for this full-service strategic marketing, media planning, advertising and public relations firm.Managed Norwest Bank/Wells Fargo, Indiana Ohio region account including implementation of advertising and media plans, campaign execution, and PR tasks including the first investment campaign for Wells Fargo corporate post deregulation. Responsibilities include negotiations between creative team, the legal department of Wells Fargo bank, and the legal department of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).Managed Luther Health Network account where we initiated and developed roll out of the Lutheran Children's Hospital, now a leader in the nation for children's health services.Managed Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne account where we developed roll out of a new university brand. This includes the redesign of branding standards, way finding signage, and all print and electronic tools. Was also responsible for implementation of a marketing campaign to communicate the new brand via a multi-channel marketing plan including television and radio commercials, print ads, direct mail initiatives, and more.

Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

Secured new business throughout Northeast Indiana for this video and multimedia communications company along with maintenance of assigned customer base. Was the first to sell one half million in annual sales. Was also the first to sell and produce a fully interactive multimedia communications training program created on behalf of Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana. This program is still being used to train professional arborists throughout the United States.