Kevin Wandra Email & Phone Number

As the company’s first hire, I have built Carmel Communications’ media relations department from the ground up, developing it into a highly productive operation that is frequently praised by clients and members of the media alike for its effectiveness and professionalism. I have served as the agency’s lead senior publicist on numerous high-level accounts, managing press, communications and strategy for projects from Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lionsgate, NBC, CNN, Solidarity HealthShare, and Ignatius Press, among others. My job duties include pitching and placing stories with national, regional and local media outlets (TV, online, print and radio); drafting press materials (press releases, pitch letters, email blasts, tip and fact sheets, media lists, suggested interview questions, bios and social media content); and strategic planning. I have served as the agency's lead publicist on the following highly successful campaigns:• Five nationwide movie releases that landed among the top three highest grossing films on their respective opening weekends: “Heaven is for Real” (No. 2); “I Can Only Imagine” (No. 3); “Hacksaw Ridge” (No. 3), which was nominated for six Academy Awards; “Miracles From Heaven” (No. 3); and “RISEN” (No. 3).• “The Sound of Music Live!” on NBC (Dec. 5, 2013), which had 18.5 million viewers, and, at the time, marked NBC’s most-watched Thursday broadcast (excluding sports) since 2004.• CNN Original Series “Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History,” which debuted as the No. 1 cable news program in its time period March 11, 2018.• CNN Original Series “Finding Jesus: Faith, Fact, Forgery,” which debuted as the No. 1 cable news show in its time period March 1, 2015. It was the second-highest rated CNN Original Series premiere ever in total viewers.

Efficiently and effectively executed publicity campaigns for clients by pitching and shaping stories; facilitating interviews and other media requests; monitoring press coverage for multiple clients’ accounts; and drafting press materials, including press releases, pitch letters and email blasts. I served as the agency's lead publicist on the following highly successful campaigns:• “Courageous,” the top-selling DVD in the country (January 2012).• “Indivisible,” a book that debuted on The New York Times Best Seller list (March 2012).• “Advent at Ephesus” CD, which was No. 1 on Billboard’s Traditional Classical Music Chart music chart for five consecutive weeks (Nov. 29-Dec. 25, 2012) and No. 1 on Barnes and Noble’s overall music chart (Dec. 5, 2012).• “For Greater Glory” and “October Baby,” which debuted as top-10 movie releases on their respective opening weekends (June 1, 2012, and Oct. 28, 2011).

Managed all front-end employees and ensured each was providing exceptional customer service. In addition, I handled all cashier duties, including processing payments and returns. I consistently increased sales of products and sign-ups for store membership cards, and was frequently lauded as one of the top salesmen in the district for the ability to significantly increase sales of extended warranties and store membership registrations.

Wrote compelling, thought-provoking articles on religion, politics and sports that were published by Georgia Right to Life, That's Just Peachy and Bleacher Report.

Versatile journalist who wrote in-depth articles and blogs about local news and events, including features on politics, religion, music, businesses, and professional, college and high school sports. I also co-hosted the highly regarded “The Citizen Sports Blitz,” an award-winning twice-weekly local high school sports talk YouTube show sponsored by Chick-fil-A that increased advertising revenue for the newspaper and drew a significant number of viewers to its Web site. Moreover, I provided color commentary for the “Game of the Week,” an award-winning weekly TV broadcast of a local high school sporting event that regularly appeared on Comcast Sports Southeast, and co-hosted “Sidelines,” a weekly podcast on which professional and college sports were debated, discussed and analyzed. My other duties included designing the newspaper using InDesign publishing software; proofreading and editing news and sports stories; recording and editing video of high school football games; and taking pictures of news and sporting events.Awards: helped The Citizen Newspaper take first place in the 2008 Suburban Newspapers of America’s “Best Multimedia Initiative” category. “The Citizen Sports Blitz” and the “Game of the Week” were praised for making www.thecitizen.com “a local hot spot for sports information.”

Journalist who wrote informative articles about local news and events, including features on politics, local businesses, education and high school sports. I Interviewed everybody from politicians and public officials to business leaders and high school coaches and athletes. I also was a staff photographer, covering news and sporting events.

Tended to customers’ various needs, including answering phones, scheduling personal trainer appointments and receiving and processing payments for workout supplements, apparel and tanning bed sessions. Provided helpful health and nutrition tips to gym members.

Wrote witty, thought-provoking columns about professional and college sports, and supplied readers with intriguing sports information.