Rick Mercier Email & Phone Number

Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Area

As Garner's first full-time PIO and now communications manager, I have established the position as an essential part of the Town's management team.Responsibilities include:• Writing press releases, newsletters and television/video scripts; writing talking points, letters to the editor and producing other materials including advertorials and guides. • Creating content for town’s website and social media.• Designing print materials. • Formulating and providing… Show more As Garner's first full-time PIO and now communications manager, I have established the position as an essential part of the Town's management team.Responsibilities include:• Writing press releases, newsletters and television/video scripts; writing talking points, letters to the editor and producing other materials including advertorials and guides. • Creating content for town’s website and social media.• Designing print materials. • Formulating and providing accurate, authoritative responses to media inquiries; acting as consultant to management and staff in development of media responses.• Serving as spokesperson and liaison to news media; providing broadcast and print interviews; serving as on-air "talent" for government access programming.• Briefing upper management and elected officials on media and public relations issues.• Managing $300,000 annual budget and supervising communications specialist.• Shooting photographs and video.• Developing/implementing communications plans.• Partnering with stakeholder groups in community to enhance Garner's image.Achievements include:• Writing and editing five-essay application that resulted in Garner being selected as 2013 All-America City finalist. Wrote script that got Garner selected All-America City in 2013. Also wrote script and produced winning video contest entry featuring country music star Scotty McCreery.• Helping lead public outreach effort in successful $35.7 million bond referendum.• Helping with messaging effort with public and General Assembly to get law passed banning 540 Triangle Expressway “red route” through Garner.• Creating or being project lead on dozens of award-winning projects since 2011.• Co-leading (with IT director) redesign of town's website. Show less

B.A., History

M.A., Journalism

Education record

School Of Government Certificate, Municipal And County Adminstration