Implemented, managed and delivered external communications, public relations, social media and events plans with excellence and superior customer service to support business objectives.Initiated stories and gained publication in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and USA Today. Reached 1.3 million impressions on Twitter and 515,787 on Facebook . Increased likes on Facebook by 1,083.Wrote across all mediums, including press releases, magazines, newsletters, ads, brochures, web pages, social media accounts and media bylines.

Developed and directed news staff. Responsible for day-to-day operations of the newsroom. Edited all local news to ensure clarity, credibility and adherence to Associated Press Style Guide. Collaborated with advertising department to publish niche publications. Implemented annual budget. Created and pushed social media and email plans for newsroom.

Developed marketing plans/objectives and established strategic communication goals.Translated company’s goals and objectives into digital marketing programs, including SEO, social, mobile, email, online media, website strategy and other digital components. Collaborated with internal and external teams to create online and email marketing strategies.

Created messages for online, email and print advertisements. Coordinated, evaluated and negotiated advertising placement. Led integration of marketing campaigns into social media platforms Led development of marketing materials to guide the growth of the university’s online programs. Wrote and edited press releases for traditional and social media. Wrote and posted content for the RSS feeds, blogs, and website. Coordinated online relationship-building efforts to increase search engine rankings. Collaborated with editors on content for print and online alumni publication. Consistently provided comprehensive, relevant and fresh marketing collateral to student recruiters. Published academic article in the newsletter of the United States Distance Learning Association. Initiated and developed recruitment strategies for online, print, email, and social media campaigns. Higher-profile examples include the following: Launched pre-conference email campaign that garnered nearly 40 prospective student leads Created full-page, full-color advertisement in a national publication. Created marketing materials for two new corporate partnerships, including web page and supporting print materials. Established three degree-specific LinkedIn groups, one of which has more than 600 members.

Manage external and internal corporate communications with an emphasis in marketing materials. Write and edit newsletters. Initiate story pitches to media and distribute press releases through email and social media. Consult with executives in handling media inquiries. Manage corporate Web site and those of Heartland Financial’s 10 banks.Pitched stories have appeared in local, regional and national publications including U.S. News and World Report.

Managed reporters, news clerks and lead the newspaper’s freelance team. Responsible for local content, including front page and local news. Wrote and edited hard news and feature stories on a tight daily deadline. Collaborate with other departments to publish feature pages and other publications. Update Web site with breaking news.