summary   •   experience   •   skills   •   education   •   activities   •   letters of reference
Passionate and enthusiastic marketing and public relations manager dedicated to improving the community. Exhibits strategic knowledge and judgment. Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, and has a skill for problem solving. Works independently with a highly productive approach. Extremely organized, dependable person who takes pride in her work.

EXPERIENCE
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Communications Rep      May 2010 – Present
Palmdale, Calif. site employee communications lead.
Develops site-wide employee communications with site VP and Communications Director
Manages special projects, including website copywriting, brand videos and event planning
Manages written and multimedia communications for intranet, employee emails, fliers and digital signage and internal videos
Continuously seeks to improve an aged intranet site and introduce best practices to Aero-wide employee communications
Supports ADP communications, the new business division of LM where the environment is classified
Develops strategy and talking points for EVP quarterly webcasts to internal audiences

Freelance Experience, Contract Marketing Manager      May 2009 – May 2010
Worked with an independent Los Angeles-based PR practitioner focused in travel (DMO) and hospitality industries:
Developed media and blogger relations for target outlets
Developed social media plans, including drafting blog and twitter posts and developing social network engagement tactics
Managed promotional communications and tactics, including developing webisode shoots and storylines
Worked with a small Los Angeles-based, full service public relations and marketing firm:
Conducted research and developed a water public information outreach campaign, including focus group research
Conducted B2B research for a national wholesale flooring company
Worked with a local university:
Conducted research and developed VIP target contact databases

Broad and Cassel, Marketing Coordinator      August 2006 – August 2009
Managed Web site content; analyzed web statistics; and redesigned from design concept through development of communication plans and SEO
Developed online professional networking firm policy, strategy and roll out plan
Assisted with dozens of marketing plans, including firm-wide, office, industry and individual plans, which includes research, interviewing of key attorneys, developing official plans and supporting implementation
Managed firm brand diligently by upholding it across various channels
Managed firm advertising, which included researching opportunities, utilizing industry knowledge, developing insertion plans, managing graphic designers, ensuring placement and handling Bar approval process
Developed hundreds of various marketing materials, from industry to attorney specific, including RFP responses, press releases, newsletters, informational and promotional emails to clients, announcements
Built relationships with attorneys to improve communication with the marketing department
Managed dozens of sponsorships and community involvement opportunities
Designed presentations for various events and audiences, including Orlando’s video wall (12 Plasma HDTVs in office lobby)
Maintained more than 20 current databases of information, including Firm, attorney, office, practice area and client data
Results & Achievements:
Coordinated two successful firm-wide business development and CLE credited retreats:
2007: 3-day business meeting with 160 attorneys and their guests. Assisted COO in planning entire retreat, which included presentation design, agenda development, event coordination, room assignments, serving as hotel contact and on-site coordinator, managed attorney gifts and was responsible for the event team.
2008: 2-day business development meeting with 150 attorneys. Managed event from development of agenda to day of transportation; ran weekly meetings during development process to update COO and event team; managed budget, communication plan, hotel contract, attendance, menu selection and many other details.
Increased readership and participation of firm intranet by developing new, more relevant, daily content.
Re-launched and managed marketing internship program to include real world training for communication students interested in the professional service industry after college.

PUSH, Public Relations Intern      February 2006 – April 2006
Mid-sized full service advertising and public relations agency.
Supported Public Relations campaigns with research, news releases and other projects
Industries Served: Film festival, interior design, fast casual dining and commercial real estate.

Consensus Communications
     August 2005 – February 2006

Small public relations and political communication firm with strong crisis communication specialty; rated #1 PR firm in Orlando.
Special Event Coordinator: Promoted from PR intern to plan a county-wide event for a local Commissioner.
Coordinated event from planning and budget development through execution
Facilitated media partnerships, sponsors and community leader participation
Developed media lists and wrote pitch letters, press releases, sponsor packets, scripts and talking points
Managed development of event logo and advertisements, and designed event program
Researched data and developed post-event case study
Results & Achievements:
Secured 20 sponsors who set up interactive displays at the event that promoted bicycle safety and engaged attendees
Involved 27 VIP participants, including community leaders, to open the event with a bike ride through local trails
Event attracted over 600 attendees, exceeding projections and expectations
Public Relations Intern: Supported Account Executive.
Researched various industries and data for client business development plans and competitor analysis reports
Developed and updated approximately 20 media lists
Wrote more than 40 press releases and marketing materials, and designed three electronic press kits
Researched and developed multiple case studies for clients
Industries Served: Convention center, architecture, local politics, big box retail and public relations.

Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Public Relations Intern      May 2005 – August 2005
Economic development agency of the Orlando area of Florida, including 5 area counties.
Assisted Director of Public Relations with dozens of marketing and communication projects
Wrote more than 15 press releases, newsletter articles and media alerts
Researched and developed multiple case studies for clients

Universal Orlando Resort, Publicity Department Intern      January 2005 – May 2005
Universal Studios development made of two theme parks, restaurant, bar and shopping area, and three hotels.
Wrote 10 event media alerts, monitored hundreds of clips and updated dozens of media lists
Attended five photo/video shoots and media personality visits
Assisted in researching and event planning
Organized media gifts and promotional give-a-ways

Darden Restaurants, Market Research Contractor      June 2004 – May 2006
Fortune 500 parent company of Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52 and, at the time, Smokey Bones.
Market research for the various brands, which involved analysis of thousands of media clips for each brand and recording of each article into a customized media analysis database. Resulting statistics were developed into executive presentations to demonstrate overall media perception of Darden brands and to assign a monetary value to these media pick-ups.

SKILLS & INTERESTS
Familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook
Proficient in Adobe Photoshop
Internet savvy, familiar with CMS, Web 2.0, social media and SEO tools and strategy, basic HTML knowledge
Familiar with major social media outlets, niche social media environments, popular blogs, social bookmarking outlets and video portals in addition to proven social media marketing analytic tools and measurement best practices
Strong communicator with exceptional writing skills
Proven ability to develop lasting professional relationships
Special event coordination and logistics
Familiar with LexisNexis, Vocus Public Relations, Cision Media Source and Online Photo Galleries
Enjoys constant education in our expanding industry, currently very interested in learning more about mobile marketing

EDUCATION
University of Central Florida      Orlando, FL
Bachelor of Arts in Advertising/Public Relations, Cum Laude
Involved in many clubs on campus, event volunteer and recipient of distinctive awards:
Quotes Board Member: PR Director
PRSA Outstanding Future P.R. Professional Award Recipient
Knight Images Awards: Placed in 5 categories
Roast and Toast Scholarship Recipient

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Green Lifestyle Film Festival, Marketing Director       FY 2009 – 2010
Served as Marketing Director for the 2010 event; managed all marketing, media and social media activities and PR interns

Florida Public Relations Association, Orlando Area Chapter       Member since 2004, Board Member since 2007
Treasurer, 2008 – 2009. Updated previous year's budget; managed checking account, from deposits to cutting checks and statement reconciliation; managed monthly event registration, payments and discrepancies.
Roast and Toast V.P., 2007 – 2008. Raised $33,000+ for student scholarships. Managed entire event for 200+ guests and VIPs, including venue search and budget development, theme and graphic development, committee and sub-committee leader recruitment, communications, securing numerous in-kind donations and sponsors for event production, VIP reception, silent auction and general reception programming, post-event follow up and much more.
Served on various committees, including the Image Awards (3 year event volunteer) and PR Professional of the Year (managed the tribute video production, to introduce honoree at event: secured videographer (in-kind), scheduled senior practitioners and family interviews, wrote phantom script to ensure real emotion and developed design of final video).
Attended Florida Public Relations Association's Annual Conference (2005, 2006, 2008)

Credit Abuse Resistance Education (C.A.R.E.) Program, Marketing Chair       August 2008 – December 2008
Non-profit created under the Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association to educate young adults about financial literacy.
Assisted in launching organization to local market, including designing high school presentation, organizing meeting and teaching session for volunteer professors and assisting Founding Chairs with committee communications.
Developed marketing plan, budget and website.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2007 Food and Wine Festival Media Co-Chair       October 2006 – May 2007
Assisted with developing a new media strategy to involve media in event, including a Blue Ribbon Panel

Legal Marketing Association, Member

LETTERS OF REFERENCE
Broad and Cassel Director of Marketing Reference
Broad and Cassel Chief Operating Officer Reference
Consensus Communications Account Executive Reference
Metro Orlando EDC Director of Public Relations Reference
Visit my LinkedIn profile for more references      

 

 

 

 

© Laura S. Kern 2009website by Allison Jones