Megan Connelly Gaffney Email & Phone Number

Austin, Tx, Us

San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco, California

San Francisco Bay Area

Aventura & Miami, Florida

• Created, planned, and executed 450+ special events each year ranging from 5-person specialized parties to 500-person designer personal appearances/fashion shows; All with the goal of heightening customer experience, strengthening client loyalty, and driving sales for flagship and #1 branch store in the country• Spearheaded media relations outreach through regular pitching and creating buzz-worthy events and acted as brand spokesperson for local online, print, and broadcast outlets• Directed all internal and external communication including press releases, proposals, community letters, invitations, email blasts, social media posts, signage, and online calendar listings • Hired, trained, and managed direct report and 8 university interns over 4 year period. Served as member of 8-person Senior Leadership Team regularly presenting PR results to corporate management • Managed and grew budget by securing event sponsorships and co-branding opportunities by leveraging business and community relationships, as well as negotiating funding from vendors• Collaborated cross-functionally with corporate, local management, employees, and brand vendors to develop and execute sales-driving, brand-right promotional campaigns• Identified and cultivated new relationships and strategic alliances with key influencers, clients, non-profits, media partners, and local businesses to drive win-win buzz marketing efforts • Developed community relations strategy involving outside event sponsorships, in-store events, and charitable giving to grow local brand awareness and further Bloomingdale’s philanthropic mission • Conceptualized unique event concepts such as the Stiletto Strut, Rock the Runway, Modern Men of Miami Fashion Show, Cupcake Wars, and Handbag Hunt; many of which have been replicated in other markets• Awarded inaugural Public Relations Excellence Award for the Southeast & Midwest Region in 2012

• Served as primary public relations representative for high-profile clients specializing in the following industries: retail, hospitality, luxury residential real estate, non-profit, healthcare, education, technology, and professional services • Developed news-worthy stories and managed extensive local and national print, TV, radio, and online media outreach • Created event concepts, managed planning and logistics, and was responsible for media relations for client events • Spearheaded social networking movement and online media outreach for O&G, creating and managing Facebook pages for Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza and Aventura Mall, earning a ranking of #10 among 1,842 U.S. shopping centers in the Alexander Babbage 2010 Social Media Benchmark Report • Functioned as Aventura Mall primary PR and crisis communications representative responsible for daily media relations on a local, national, and international level and liasing with more than 100 local, national, and international retailers to create media-worthy stories and assist with in-store events • Served as on-site event PR point person for Fontainebleau Miami Beach Resort and W Hotel Fort Lauderdale Grand Opening events, coordinating pre and post media outreach, and conducting extensive media tours

• Developed article abstracts, researched relevant publications, and pitched to journalists for clients Hewlett Packard, Goodwin Procter law firm, and TeleAtlas digital mapping • Managed the compilation of relevant editorial opportunities for 3Com and SunGard Availability Services, including article discovering, researching, and pursuing, and created an industry-specific analyst briefings database for TeleAtlas

• Brainstormed event idea and logistics of a product showcase for Skype, including liaising with media, developing press kit pieces, and provided on-site assistance at the event • Participated in the planning, researching, and presenting for new business pitches, Sony Ericsson and Initial Washrooms Solutions • Developed media lists and pitched to journalists from nationals to trade magazines to online bloggers for clients such as Skype and Hanover Housing

• Managed the travel incentives program, a key part of the promotions campaign for clients such as Sky Active, 94.7 Highveld Stereo, and Young’s Bluecrest • Contributed to promotions concept development for clients including Budweiser, McDonald’s, Sky Active, and Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life • Aided in the preparation for the 2006 FIFA World Cup event marketing program

• Authored client press releases for distribution in media outlets of target markets • Collaborated in planning and strategy meetings with clients • Assisted in event coordination and media relations for Fortune 500 clients Clear Channel, Pfizer, and Tiffany and Co.