Meaghan Burns Email & Phone Number

Portland, Oregon, United States

Lead national, regional and local PR programs that are often part of integrated marketing programs for large CPG brands in the natural foods, health and wellness industries as well as restaurants and wineries. PR programs include media and influencer relations.Key Responsibilities:-Develop and recommend PR programs that align with clients' business goals, industry trends, and competitive landscapes.-Provide senior counsel and strategic direction for a diverse portfolio of clients-Inspire and lead a team by cultivating an innovative atmosphere that promotes exceptional results and high achievement-Manage client expectations by maintaining direct communication, seeking and acting on feedback, and adapting strategies to meet evolving client needs.-Support new business development by contributing to agency pitches and onboarding new clientsAgency Support & Development:-Assist staffing decisions, including serving as hiring manager, executing performance reviews and promotions-Foster team cohesion by mentoring members, providing constructive feedback, and setting clear expectations.-Stay updated on industry trends to ensure strategic decisions and client recommendations are current and relevant.-Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and a positive attitude, maintaining composure under pressure and supporting team members through challenges.

Portland, Oregon Metropolitan Area

-Develop communications plans for PR and marketing clients.-Analyze and implement paid, earned, owned and SEO opportunities and strategies for PR and marketing clients.-Write, pitch and distribute press releases.-Build strong relationships with clients, media and internal team.-Constantly monitor media to find new opportunities for clients.-Attend client meetings and prepare reports for clients.-Oversee account representatives.-Manage account budgets and fees.

Portland, Oregon, United States

Work on both PR and advertising accounts, interfacing with clients, managing projects and supporting accounts. *Set strategy for a client*Develop and implement PR and communications plans*Draft press releases, PR plans, op-eds, bylined articles, pitches and talking points*Pitch media proactively and reactively*Manage and coordinate production of materials such as media kits, brochures and advertising*Build and maintain effective relationships with community, business members and media important to clients*Use technology and online resources to generate opportunities for clients*Assist with planning and managing advertising campaigns*Create and maintain account budgets and fees*Supervise account representatives

Portland, Oregon Area

Mission driven PR consulting firm focused on public and community relations strategy and brand development for women and BIPOC led businesses*Develop and implement local and national communication plans for clients in the consumer lifestyle industry *Create and maintain consistent brand identity for clients*Create, implement and manage local and national public relations, social media strategy, community relations and digital strategy for clients*Integrate paid media, earned media and owned media tactics to assist clients with establishing authority Key accomplishments:*Developed and conducted a successful nationwide cookbook tour for Salt & Straw co-founder and head ice cream maker to build awareness and increase sales of the cookbook.*Coordinated public relations, community relations and social media to increase awareness and build excitement around new Salt & Straw ice cream shop openings in San Diego, Downtown Disney and the greater San Francisco area.*Secured strategic media placements that more than tripled sales of Mimi’s Fresh Tees.

Portland, Oregon, United States

*Streamlined communications strategies and tactics across four different markets to ensure continuity in brand messaging and PR strategies *Developed and executed public relations strategies and objectives that earn exposure for the brand and drives business *Managed four external PR agencies on market specific public relations strategiesKey accomplishments:*Directed campaign and public relations for National Ice Cream Day, which resulted in coverage in some of the country’s leading outlets as well as local outlets and resulted in higher than average sales company wide.*Worked with the national PR agency to develop and execute a national media relations strategy to announce Salt & Straw’s partnership with Union Square Hospitality Group which resulted in coverage in top tier national media outlets.

Portland, Oregon Area

*Coordinated and streamlined integrated communications strategies to maximize reach and effectiveness and create consistent messaging*Communication plan development and execution*Crisis communication plan development and executionKey accomplishments:*Created and executed a communications strategy, which included community relations, online media and traditional media relations tactics to increase awareness of Salt & Straw's fifth anniversary. *Managed company's internal employees and existing agencies to execute tactics and reach set objectives.*Developed measurement tools to report strategies return on investment.

Portland, Oregon Area

*Senior publicist for boutique PR firm representing hospitality clients in the Pacific Northwest*Managed PR for some of the Northwest’s most iconic food and beverage brands and events. *Developed and implemented public relations and branding strategies, systems and tools to support clients in promoting major events and business milestones as well as product launchesKey accomplishments:*Directed all public relations for Feast Portland in 2013, one of the country’s preeminent food and drink festivals. Integrated public relations campaign garnered 260 million+ media impressions, doubling coverage from 2012 and exceeding PR goals.*Launched and managed all communications for Salt & Straw; earned outstanding coverage including editor’s pick by Food & Wine Magazine, and features in the Wall Street Journal, Martha Stewart, O Magazine, Saveur, GQ, Portland Monthly, Time Magazine, The New York Times, Food Network Magazine, USA Today, Men’s Journal, The Cooking Channel's “Unique Sweets,” ABC’s “The Chew,” Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda, the Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods: Portland” and The Today Show *Helped Salt & Straw grow revenues in first three years of business through strategic communications campaigns.

*Publicist with a PR agency focused on retail clients with a special emphasis on using media campaigns to meet business goals.*Devised communications/branding strategies and campaigns to increase incremental profit for retail and hospitality clients*Streamlined Smashburger restaurant’s communications strategies and tactics across more than 15 different markets to ensure continuity in brand messaging and PR strategiesKey accomplishments:*Developed and executed social media initiatives and promotions for Smashburger, including a nationwide Twitter promotion during 4th of July weekend which increased sales by 7%.*Managed 17 external agencies for the execution of PR strategies and tactics and increased organization by creating a PR guide for each agency to use.

Denver, Co

*Account executive at a strategy firm with an integrated approach to marketing, communications and social media*Hired to assist in the development and execution of strategic communication plans for government programs such as Colorado's Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and Denver County's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) *Increased knowledge of each program and enrollment through strategic advertising, media relations and community relations*Collaborated on creation of print, television and website advertising and social media content to help clients differentiate themselves from competitors and develop a visual identity for their brand and program*Lead manager for multiple accounts, helping clients find creative ways to grow their brand, extend their offering and connect to their target audienceKey accomplishments:*Honored with PRSA Silver Pick Award for the Child Care Assistance Program marketing campaign.*Reached Denver’s Child Care Assistance Program’s goal of increasing their enrollment rates by 900 new families within three months instead of the planned nine months because of the strategies and tactics we developed and executed.

*Research, write, edit and rewrite media relations materials including media advisories, news releases, fact sheets and faculty bios*Pitch story ideas to various media outlets*Escort news personnel covering stories on campus• Write articles for the DU community newspaper, The Source• Write “Short Take” articles for The Source• Write DU Homepage stories• Participate in News & Public Affairs staff meetings and Source storyboard meetings

Mclean, Va

*Recruiter and Intern program coordinator for a company that delivers best-value services and solutions based on innovative applications of science and technology*Due to successful recruiting of a record number interns at job fairs I was tasked with creating and leading an internship program for my division*Practiced full-life cycle recruiting for Advanced Concepts Business Unit, aligning candidates who could best help the business achieve its goals while supporting internal staff growth.

Master Of Science, Communications

Bs, Human Services