Sam Byrd Email & Phone Number

Houston, TX, US

Houston, TX

• Mine for relevant and timely story ideas
• Collaborate with the editorial board as well as a network of business and community leaders to report newsworthy events.
• Draft and edit articles for the publication’s print and online editions.
• Manage weekly deadlines and facilitate interviews with a variety of subject matter experts.

• Compose a daily e-newsletter to 11,000 UH faculty and staff members.
• Write copy for magazines, reports, brochures, a microsite and additional collateral material.
• Curate department-owned web pages, averaging a total of 50 updates per month.
• Oversee printed and promotional materials produced by the university to ensure cohesiveness within the brand identity, averaging 50 items per week.
• Facilitate online and print advertising campaigns on a local, regional and national scale with a multi-million-dollar budget.

Houston, TX

• Proactively developed, wrote and edited press releases, media alerts, and story pitches to media regarding all main stage shows and institutional announcements.
• Executed the public relations/media relations efforts that resulted in surpassing company goals each season.
• Cultured and enhanced relationships with new and established media contacts.
• Managed the content, creation and execution for all TUTS' 40-page Playbills, which averaged 10 per season.
• Secured strategic partnerships with key local organizations to promote the theatre and its mission.
• Interfaced with journalists to secure interviews in print, broadcast and online media coverage regarding TUTS' productions as well as institutional and development initiatives.

• Serviced accounts, including the following:
• Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: Coordinated and executed a statewide media relations plan to raise awareness for new menu items, wine dinners, and special events via media relations; secured several media.
• Highland Tower: Developed and implemented a public relations plan to secure media tours and press coverage of the building’s progress; aided the planning and execution of special events.

MMI

• Coordinated public relations for consumer clients, including the following:
• Mosaic on Hermann Park: Coordinated public relations, marketing and special events for a new residential development, resulting in 70% of units sold; mined for and pitched story ideas to industry publications; drafted.
• Memorial City Mall: Significantly contributed to PR efforts for the mall and its tenants which earned more than $580K in media value in one year. Pitched newsworthy events; prepared press releases and crisis statements.
• Military OneSource: Coordinated nationwide efforts to introduce a web site to military families. Within one week of launching, the web site secured more than 200 television stories and 750,000 search results on Google.

• Serviced consumer accounts, including the following:
• Chamberlain Hrdlicka: Facilitated a media relations plan that included pitching interview opportunities, aiding placement of by-lined articles, and providing media coaching to a distinguished law firm.
• Hotel Derek: Coordinated public relations and special events campaigns for a boutique hotel resulting in $80K in media value in one year. Created and executed a rolling quarterly marketing plan; drafted/distributed.
• bistro moderne: Executed public relations and special events campaigns for the restaurant and its celebrity chef which generated major local and national media coverage. Wrote monthly newsletter copy; facilitated.
• Houston Polo Club: Executed a public relations campaign over three seasons which produced major local media coverage. Sought and invited key media to the matches; recruited judges for special events involving the club.

Doctor Of Business Administration Candidate

Masters Of Business Administration, Certificate In Leadership Development

Communication, Journalism

Bba, Double Major In Marketing And Business Administration

Activities and Societies: Newspaper staff

Education record