Mark Ray Email & Phone Number

Sugarbush Resort, Waitsfield, Vermont

Shelburne, Vermont, United States

Burlington, Vermont Area

We build stories that motivate and inspire. Need content that keeps your stakeholders engaged? Considering launching a capital campaign? Looking for more customers? Not enough hours in the day to get it all done? Let's talk. Select clients include the Vermont Community Foundation, the Vermont Business Roundtable, Shelburne Farms, Champlain College, Let's Grow Kids, the Curtis Fund, Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, Mater Christi School, Virtual Peaker, and Holcroft on Hudson.

Burlington, Vermont Area

Working closely with partners Tere Gade and Scott McArdle, Mark gathers -- and then transforms -- information culled from key internal and external stakeholders into copy for successful capital campaign case materials. An agile writer and articulate storyteller, Mark believes that decisions are made with the brain, but commitments come from the heart.

Burlington, Vermont Area

Directed integrated, multi-channel communications effort that played key role in boosting $500 million Move Mountains comprehensive campaign by more than $150 million in 18 months.o Spearheaded announcement of UVM’s largest-ever gift; produced video; drafted materials for university-wide event; cultivated local, national, and trade media; coverage included front-page Boston Globe story, Chronicle of Philanthropy’s annual Philanthropy 50 edition, and 400+ more stories.o Produced multiple videos, including “It’s Time” to build the Multi-Purpose Center.o Drafted remarks delivered by UVM and UVM Foundation senior leadership.o Developed print case statements to support fundraising efforts on specific projects.o Designed and launched monthly internal e-newsletter to encourage collaboration.o Wrote and produced two highly-acclaimed annual reports for the UVM Foundation, and the philanthropy sections for the UVM President’s annual reports.o Promoted rentals of UVM Alumni House via VPR on-air underwriting and digital banners, media tours and a social media-based wedding contest.o As member of Senior Leadership team, supervised freelancers, interns and staff.

Burlington, Vermont Area

Led one of the largest public relations/social media practices in Vermont, with annual billings of up to $500,000, at integrated marketing agency based in Burlington. Oversaw strategic program development for clients, crafted media materials, and pitched stories with impact. Also managed client budgets and group finances, and supervised and trained colleagues.o Developed public relations programs for clients including PC Construction and Efficiency Vermont that resulted in news stories placed, on average, every 2-3 days.o Wrote business-themed opinion pieces for The Burlington Free Press. o Designed and led twice-a-year nonprofit donation contest leveraging social media and media relations to build goodwill and create business opportunities for PC Construction in markets it serves across the eastern United States.o Introduced Pier 1 Imports to Vermont, leveraging relationships with more than two dozen dignitaries that garnered significant media coverage to kick-off national campaign for the international retailer.o Pitched local, regional and national media; award-winning placements include stories in The Wall Street Journal, Business Week and USA Today.o Directed team at KSV that achieved Benefit Corporation (B Corps) certification status.

Burlington, Vermont Area

Developed public relations programs, pitched stories and orchestrated events to boost awareness and sales. o Competing against agencies across the region, garnered 14 “Bell Ringer” awards recognizing excellence in public relations from the Publicity Club of New England.o Created communications protocol and produced daily content for social media initiatives for National Grid, Efficiency Vermont, FairPoint, and the Vermont Department of Health.o Served on-site as chief communications director during client acquisitions including Green Mountain Power/Gaz Metro and Chittenden/People’s United Bank deals; GMP announcement alone garnered more than 200 stories.o Media trained more than 20 Efficiency Vermont employees, building a diverse stable of interviewees placed in more than 1,000 stories.o Organized Keurig Green Mountain event with Dr. Jane Goodall in New York City that attracted top-tier media including Fast Company, Backpacker and The New York Times.o Managed national corporate responsibility program for Unicel to reduce cyber bullying featuring 60 in-school presentations to more than 21,000 middle school students that generated more than 400 news stories around the country.

Burlington, Vermont Area

o Partnered with race car driver to promote the Vermont Health Department’s Quit Line by showing how quitting helped the ex- smoker became a winner on the track.o Developed “coffee and connections” integrated marketing program introducing Unicel to new markets that became the standard plan for the wireless carrier.

Burlington, Vermont Area

o Garnered eight “Bell Ringer” regional awards from the Publicity Club of New England for clients including Geographic Data Technology, Vermont Department of Economic Development, and Heat ‘N’ Glo Fireplace Products.

Burlington, Vermont Area

o Instructor for MCM-405, Issues in Public Relations.o Invited high-level corporate and media contacts to share experiences as guest speakers with students.

New York, Ny

o Supervised consumer-focused hepatitis B prevention campaigns for SmithKline Beecham with responsibility for annual budget of $800,000.o Conducted national satellite media tour with (and accompanied to select markets) celebrity author Dr. Ruth Westheimer that aired on more than 50 news programs.o Developed television PSAs and conducted New York-area publicity tour with NFL and NBA athletes targeting high school students.o Drafted physician-bylined articles.

New York, Ny

o Managed accounts for clients including Pfizer (biotechnology product), Johnson & Johnson (blood-screening test), Astra Pharmaceuticals (hypertension drug) and the American Diabetes Association.o Wrote and edited 60-page press kit in two weeks that garnered significant publicity for biotech product prior to FDA approval.o Developed event on historic train in Los Angeles for more than 150 physicians that led satisfied client to expand activities.o Recruited diverse group of patients with diabetes for a PSA campaign that garnered a national Gold Quill award from the International Association of Business Communicators for the American Diabetes Association.

New York, Ny

o Implemented public relations programs for clients including Schering (antihistamine), Searle Pharmaceuticals (ulcer medication), SmithKline Beecham (feminine hygiene product) and The Partnership for Organ Donation.o Coordinated press conferences and managed media tours.o Taught physicians how to increase organ donations.o Participated on team that won a national Silver Anvil award from the Public Relations Society of America.

Greater Boston Area

o Conducted interviews and researched, wrote and edited stories for the Harvard-teaching hospital's nationally distributed Wellbeing magazine.