Marketing strategy lead for Purdue Global - School of Nursing, Health Sciences, and Law School

Led a central MarComm team responsible for creative design and messaging, advertising, institutional branding, content creation, social media, internal and external communications, events, and the on-campus print shop.

• Create and execute the annual sales & marketing plan to maximize utilization of the 900,000 sq.ft. facility, increase awareness of the convention center, and generate event revenue. • Manage the marketing, advertising, and promotional activities for the convention center including print, electronic, direct mail, sales collateral, presentations, email campaigns, web management, digital marketing, social media content and more as applicable.• Manage the Convention Center sales/marketing annual expense and revenue budgets. • Guide public relations efforts to increase community/political awareness of the economic impact of the facility and maximize positive media publicity.• Generate new sales leads, maintain a positive relationship with third-party clients and patrons, and work collaboratively with hoteliers and the Convention & Visitors Bureau to promote the City as a destination to host large-scale conventions, sporting, and corporate events.• Direct oversight and guidance for sales and marketing team: create key performance measures and operating procedures, maintain CRM and booking software system, establish rental rates and discounts, and approve license and booking agreements.• Represent the facility and SMG Management in hospitality-related events and associations on a national, regional and local level. Conduct facility tours, FAM trips, and meetings with prospective clients.

• Manage the marketing plan for Peoria County’s skilled care home: advertising contracts, graphic design, public events, newsletter, social media, website maintenance, digital marketing plan, press conferences/releases and magazine articles.• A leader on the creation of the "Shop Local" campaign - working jointly with the City, Chamber of Commerce, EDC and CVB. Created official logos, graphics, advertisements, billboards and publications. Managed website, social media, and promotions for the campaign. • Assist in planning & execution of annual events such as the State of the County Address and Emergency Expo.• Assist in conducting public affairs & social media content for the Peoria County Sheriff's Office.

Remote-based marketing including graphic design, copywriting, event planning, print production, B2B and B2C marketing strategy, branding and and product space management. Clients were primarily professional sports teams/leagues and media firms. Client list included:Chicagoland Speedway (NASCAR)Durham Bulls Baseball Club Grand Rapids Griffins HockeyJoliet JackHammers Baseball ClubCapitol Broadcasting CompanyLowell LockMonsters HockeyMcClatchey Broadcasting CompanyMyrtle Beach PelicansNew Orleans ZephyrsOshkosh NorthwesternPeoria Riverman HockeyMiller Brewing CompanyE&F Distributing CompanyRiver City Rascals Baseball ClubTennessee Smokies Baseball ClubUnited Hockey LeagueUniversal BroadcastingVermont Expos Baseball ClubTimber Rattlers Baseball Club

• Managed sales planning and client relations with chain retailers for the Miller Brewing Co distributor in the greater Peoria market. Top accounts were Walmart, Kroger, Schnucks, Circle K, and Caseys.• Analyzed category trends and developed promotions with regional chains to increase product placement, displays and retail sales.• Creation of marketing tools for sales team to implement promotions at store level throughout the three-county market.• Presentations to regional and local decision-makers on sales, promotions and marketing strategy recaps.

Started with Miller Brewing Co as an on-premise promotions rep in one of the top tourist markets (Myrtle Beach, SC). Quickly promoted to the Territory Manager of North and South Carolina, managing on-premise sales/promotions team in the cities of Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Wilmington. • Created sales-driven promotions for the top on-premise businesses in high-volume markets.• Hired, trained and supervised a team of 10 representatives across a two-state region. • Analyzed sales trends to evaluate ROI of promotional events.In 2001, corporate relocation to Central Illinois as the Sales Manager for 7 independent distributors in central Illinois and northeast Missouri. • Monthly presentations to distributorship sales teams on upcoming corporate promotions.• Advised distributor owners on annual marketing plan and led purchasing of media contract buys, mainly radio.• Assisted each distributorship in writing their annual business plan to ensure correspondence with national corporate objectives and goals.• Instruct training sessions for local sales/marketing teams.• Work in-market with sales team for promotional sell-in and capture successful sales stories.Promoted to Chain Sales Analyst in the St. Louis regional office, specializing in space sales management and advisement to top Midwest chain stores on effective product distribution, promotion and space management.

Spearheaded media relations for the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. • Wrote team press releases, managed the press box and media credentials, coordinated interview requests with baseball personnel. • Produced media guide, including design layout, research, writing and editing. • Produced daily media kits with current team/league news, game recaps, roster transactions, stat packs, and lineup cards. • Editor and graphic designer of the souvenir program and daily magazine. • Conduct stadium tours for public groups. • Assist the marketing and sponsorship department in various capacities, particularly with graphic design support.

Managed all gameday promotions for the Single-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners (at that time). • Coordinate pre-game activities and on-field promotions including radio remotes. Create daily promotions schedule for each game to ensure fulfillment of sponsorship contracts. • Train and manage game day promotions staff and team mascot. • Advise sponsorship sales team on promotional proposals, execution of sold promotions and recaps. • Hire outside entertainment for game days and order custom promotional items (giveaways)• Created Reading Club program with community schools to boost ticket sales.• Coordinate mascot and player visits in the community. Conduct stadium tours.• Assist Marketing Director in graphic design projects.

Began as a Graphic Artist:• Graphic design of advertisements for daily newspaper. • Assisted in final proofing of paper layout and the evening transfer to press. Promoted quickly to the Promotions/Marketing department:• Designed company promotional materials, newspaper special sections, white papers, sell sheets and the monthly employee newsletter. • Assisted Director on planning and implementation of special events - most notably the creation of the first annual Baby Expo (which the next year, I was hired back freelance to advise on the event).

• Event planning for on-campus Rec Center: sporting games, billiard/dart/foosball tournaments, hiking and ski trips, etc.• Managed all marketing efforts for Rec Center programming, including design of advertisements, flyers, posters and booth in Union.• Earned Campus Merit Award for outstanding student employment.

Membership Recruitment

Media Relations