Mandy Bartus Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

As a Director of Brand & Digital Marketing, I led the brand strategy and oversee the development of integrated marketing campaigns across digital and traditional channels. My role involved administering a large marketing budget, ensuring its optimal allocation to maximize impact and return on investment.I cultivated productive relationships with cross-departmental teams, creative marketing agencies, and vendors, fostering a collaborative environment that encouraged innovation and growth. I strategized our online presence, including managing social media and our award-winning website, and recommended digital content strategies to meet user needs and enhance engagement. My leadership ensured our marketing efforts engaged our general and targeted audiences, supporting the mission of the Greater Chicago Food Depository to end hunger.Notable Contributions:• Served as marketing lead pioneering transition to Microsoft Dynamics CRM, achieving views of over 760K organizations and individuals, significantly enhancing supporter relationship understanding and engagement.• Drove revenue growth by successfully launching marketing automation software and conversion-focused fundraising platform.• Executed digital holiday campaign while developing and implementing effective conversion strategies that contributed to online revenue of nearly $5.2M during the holiday season of 2023.• Reduced percentage of individuals lacking food assistance from 27% in 2021 to 19% in 2023, as per findings from annual brand tracking survey by leading bilingual omnichannel advertising campaign.• Enhanced organizational competency in digital analytics through the creation of automated Google Looker Studio reports, broadening the scope of executive insights, and initiating regular cross-departmental strategy sessions.

As the Marketing Manager, I was responsible for managing the brand image and voice across all marketing initiatives, ensuring consistency and impact. My role encompassed overseeing integrated advertising campaigns, direct response fundraising, digital content management, and brand activations. I steered the content strategy for our online presence, utilizing website and social media analytics to refine and enhance our digital engagement and reach. Through my leadership, we achieved significant advancements in our marketing efforts, enhancing the visibility and impact of the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s mission to end hunger. My strategic approach to marketing and digital engagement contributed to increased awareness and support for our cause, demonstrating my commitment to leveraging marketing strategies for social impact.Notable Contributions:• Spearheaded discovery and redesign of bilingual website aimed at attracting over 893K users in 2023, amplified organic search traffic by 15%, and elevated the sitewide average engagement time by 15 seconds within first year.• Enhanced the user experience of award-winning food locator map while setting pivotal performance metrics that doubled year-over-year engagement metrics by 99.5%.• Launched peer-to-peer platform, volunteer platform, and nutrition information section on the website by overseeing branding, user testing, creation of standard operating procedures, training initiatives, and establishment of key performance metrics.• Implemented process improvements across the organization, including the introduction of photo management software and system, the creation of marketing editorial calendars, and the development of brand and messaging training programs for staff.

Chicago, Illinois

As a Marketing Specialist, I played a pivotal role in overseeing the brand's presence and ensuring consistency across the organization. My responsibilities included spearheading marketing campaigns and managing digital channels to improve the visibility and impact of the country's second-largest food bank.I led marketing and design initiatives that stimulated engagement and action among targeted demographics, contributing significantly to the organization's mission to end hunger. Additionally, I managed the daily operations of digital platforms, ensuring active and strategic communication. My efforts in these areas were instrumental in enhancing the Food Depository's reach and effectiveness, underscoring my commitment to leveraging marketing strategies to make a tangible difference in the community.Notable Contributions:• Directed rollout of new brand identity across the organization, marketing assets, and channels.• Authored and designed public benefits campaigns, achieving statewide distribution through collaboration with nonprofits, state leaders, and politicians; campaigns' success led to adoption by food banks across the nation.• Expanded organization's digital footprint and audience interaction by increasing social media engagement, including boosting Facebook engagement by 415%, Instagram impressions by 1619%, LinkedIn engagement by 890%, and X post clicks by 74%.• Implemented streamlined process for graphic design projects aimed at enhancing clarity on marketing objectives and fostering better interdepartmental communication.

Notable Projects:• Logo design for Kappel Realty Group• Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce 116th Annual Meeting marketing materials including social media images, program book, and presentation slides for leadership and board of directors, mayor of Chicago, and panel featuring leadership from Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Cubs• 2020 Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Small Business Outlook Survey brochure and event materials highlighting results of survey conducted by Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business and exploring the landscape, concerns, and needs of small business owners across Chicagoland

Greater Chicago Area

As a Graphic Designer, I played a crucial role in crafting and curating marketing materials for over 150 programs and more than 40 annual fundraisers. My work aligned with the branding and communication goals of the Midwest's largest social service agency, contributing significantly to its mission and outreach efforts. I managed a weekly workload of 60+ projects, coordinating tasks among three graphic designers and overseeing relationships with printing vendors to ensure timely and cost-effective production. My efforts were instrumental in enhancing the visual communication and impact of Catholic Charities, demonstrating my ability to manage high-volume projects effectively and deliver compelling design solutions that support organizational objectives.Notable Contributions:• Increased 72% social media followers, boosted 70% website traffic, raised 75% in new volunteers, and generated $385K in new donations by launching first large-scale advertising campaign during the organization's 100th anniversary year.• Revolutionized the quarterly media report for executive leadership while enhancing the report's scope to include regional focus, categorization by program/event, earned media value, detailed project breakdowns, and audience demographics.• Designed print and digital campaign for Christmas gift program resulting in record-breaking donations and ad engagement rate at 65%+ above industry standards.

Greater Chicago Area

As the Communication Assistant and Editor, I brought a strategic and creative touch to the Keenager News publication delivered monthly to 215,000 senior citizens. With a strategic focus, I increased the senior newspaper's distribution, negotiated cost-effective printing contracts, and managed a $300K budget and a team of four writers. Beyond editorial responsibilities, I led community engagement initiatives, solicited advertisers, and nurtured partnerships. My multifaceted role extended to crafting content for the agency's employee newsletter and parish communications, producing press releases for fundraisers, and scripting radio shows to highlight agency programs and address Chicago's challenges.Notable Contributions:• Increased distribution of senior newspaper to community partners by 12%.• Negotiated new printing contracts, gaining full-color printing for first time in paper’s history and reducing annual newspaper printing costs by 15%.• Redesigned newspaper for two consecutive special anniversary years, including Catholic Charities 100th anniversary and 50th year of newspaper, featuring new reader and client testimonies.

Spring Arbor, Mi

As an Office Assistant and Radio DJ, I served as a vital link between station managers and listeners by orchestrating seamless event promotion, merchandise distribution, and community engagement initiatives. My strategic focus on targeting women aged 18 to 49 involved curating compelling social media content, delivering relevant news broadcasts, and producing effective commercial advertisements for partner agencies and paid advertisers. Beyond on-air responsibilities, I efficiently managed a comprehensive community calendar encompassing private and corporate business events, community activities, and job opportunities. My creative touch extended to crafting and recording commercials and underwriting spots for station sponsors, while also contributing to the station's online presence through the creation of engaging digital graphics for promotional events on social media and various web platforms.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Communication And Media Studies, 3.98 Gpa

Activities and Societies: Forensics and Debate Team, Center for Autism Spectrum Enrichment Elementary Mentor, Relay for Life.

Communications