Experienced, accomplished wine communications pro specialized copywriting, wine education, brand voice development, marketing communications (print, web, social media), content strategy and public relations strategy. • Instructor at San Francisco Wine Center• Lead author of 3 editions of FOOD & WINE magazine’s Wine Guide, a popular, 350-page pocket guide to the world’s best wines and wineries• Storyteller, strategist and creative thinker. I help wine brands find their unique voice, and create multi-platform communications strategies to amplify that voice with maximum reach, coherence and impact

Writer and tasting panel member for the country's leading boutique wine club provider. I helped evaluate wines for purchase, then wrote about the stories and regions behind them for partners such as The Washington Post, FOOD & WINE, The New York Times and The Michael Mina Wine Club.

Led public relations and corporate communications for $885 million wine company. Portfolio included Clos du Bois, then the country’s #2 super-premium domestic brand; Geyser Peak, Buena Vista and Wild Horse wines; Cockburn’s Ports and Harveys Sherry. Corporate Communications:• Directed strategy and execution of communications to all stakeholders (media, distributors, retail trade, employees) around critical company announcements, such as the sale of William Hill winery, BWE alliance with Lion Nathan Wine Group and the acquisition of Wild Horse Winery.• Worked closely with BWE parent companies, Beam Global Spirits & Wine and Fortune Brands (NYSE: FO), as part of global corporate communications team to announce global acquisitions, divestitures and restructurings, such as the purchase of Allied Domecq PLC and the sale of Beam Wine Estates to Constellation Brands. • Acted as company spokesperson to trade, business and consumer media.Brand PR:Managed three-person in-house team and budgets totaling $1.1 million. Supervised agency relationships and execution against deliverables. Developed and executed cost-effective and influential communications campaigns for media, consumer and trade targets. • Led successful media/blogger campaign to drive consumer interaction with Clos du Bois online platform (“GenerousPour.com”); created “Marlstone 25th Anniversary Celebrations” to re-establish Clos du Bois quality halo. Event collateral won “Gold/Best of Division” at SF Addy Awards. • Created Geyser Peak food editor press kit and consumer brochure giveaway, which generated 14,300+ requests and 54 million media impressions.• Created multi-year communications program for Geyser Peak to change perception and create buzz around new brand positioning. Media outreach led to an average of 520 placements and 278 MM impressions per year.

Directed public relations efforts to drive awareness and build brand equity with targeted audiences for wine/ food clients. Developed brand messaging and strategic positioning.o Partial client list includes Kraft Foods, Unilever, Jim Beam Brands, The National Pork Board, Weber Grills and St. Francis Vineyards & Winery.o Managed multiple teams of up to five account staff each. Responsible for client contact, high-level media relations, writing press kits/consumer educational materials; planning/executing events.o Planned and executed press trips for high-profile wine and food writers. o Conducted media tours to secure interviews on television and radio and in print and online outlets.Accomplishments include:o Developed concept for and launched “America’s Grilling Champ” consumer contest to promote Kraft barbecue brands. Generated 40,000+ entries, the greatest number of entries in a year-one contest in Kraft history.o Wrote consumer brochure, “Weber’s Book of Grilled Pizza”, which generated 56 million consumer impressions and 50,000 consumer requests. Won “Best in Show” and Gold Award for “Best Consumer Brochure” at Galaxy Awards (International marketing/communications industry awards.)o Planned and executed “Big Red”, a high-visibility consumer event designed to position St. Francis Winery as super-premium red wine market leader.o Recognized as agency media relations standout: named to agency-wide committee to improve media relations; led staff seminars and training efforts.

Developed and implemented marketing strategies for French trade organization: planned and executed promotional tours; worked on development of ad creative and POS for $5 million French wine campaign; promoted French presence at international food shows.