Candidates Archive - Ragan Communications

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Accomplished Communications Leader with 15+ Years Experience Seeking Sr. PR Role

Phoenix, Arizona

Accomplished marketing communications professional with extensive experience in effectively translating business goals into strategic, integrated, and meaningful marketing communications for various audiences. Possesses a significant and unique blend of senior executive-level administrative and communications experience supporting CEOs and senior leaders. Dynamic background in numerous high-growth industries and workplace cultures, including higher education, government, healthcare, non-profit, retail, solid waste/recycling services, and tourism. Adept at discovering and defining customer needs and offering strategic multi-dimensional, creative problem-solving approaches to marketing communications programs. A servant leader passionate about inspiring individuals and empowering employees to achieve goals and celebrate success.

OBJECTIVE: To secure a challenging yet meaningful position in a reputable organization to expand my learnings, knowledge, and skills as a professional communicator and team leader while also making a significant contribution to the success of the company.

Professional Portfolio: https://www.tinamillercommpro.com/

Marketing & Public Relations Director - MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGES: PARADISE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Tempe, AZ (2019 - Present)

Report to the College President and serve as a member of the President's Leadership Team—developing and executing marketing strategies with a $250,000 annual budget to increase brand awareness, inquiry generation, and positive student outcomes. Drive digital marketing through paid search, paid social, and new lead generation channels. Serve as an adjunct professor teaching Introduction to Business. Act as Public Information Officer and spokesperson for all media inquiries.

Marketing & Public Relations Director - MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGES: RIO SALADO COLLEGE Tempe AZ (July 2018 – July 2019)

Reported to Vice President of Student Affairs and provided leadership in planning and implementing local and national strategic marketing, public relations, and branding plans to promote Rio Salado College to its various stakeholders, increase enrollment, ensure student success, and advance the programs and services. Led a team of ten professionals to execute the strategic direction of all marketing and communications activities. Oversaw development of college-level marketing communication plans, including advertising, media buying, brand management, web strategy, content marketing, digital advertising, social media, UI/UX, CRM, audio/visual, vendor relations, special events, and public relations.

Communications Director | PLEXUS WORLDWIDE, Scottsdale, AZ (2017- 2018)

Reported to Vice President of Global Sales while leading communications and public relations strategies and activities. Oversaw media relations, public affairs, crisis and issues management, executive messaging, and corporate communications efforts. Created a high-performance team responsible for communications to more than 600,000 independent sales representatives. Hired and negotiated contract for the company’s first-ever Canadian public relations agency, which positioned the company to successfully launch Plexus business in Canada.

Marketing & Communications Managing Director | BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO PHOENIX, Phoenix, AZ (2015-2017)

Reported to Chief Executive Officer as a member of the senior executive team. Oversaw branding, marketing collateral, graphic design, social media, digital marketing, public relations, and communications. Consolidated data for economic impact report, oversaw the design and content of corresponding collateral, and hosted a community town hall with guest speakers, including Governor of Arizona and Mayor of Phoenix, to present findings that heightened the Clubs' credibility, expanded service areas and resulted in $200,000 in new donations. Created and implemented a marketing communications strategy to maintain the organization's positive reputation in the community.

Brand Communications Director | REPUBLIC SERVICES, Phoenix, AZ (2014- 2015)

Reported to the Senior Vice President of Communications and employed initiatives to grow a newly defined brand, increasing customer loyalty through channels such as news media, digital presence, employee engagement, and community enrichment. Promoted the company's corporate responsibility goals through the "Blue Planet" sustainability initiative. Served as a speechwriter for senior management; wrote for a variety of corporate initiatives, including press releases, talking points and scripts, key messaging documents, and annual report. Served as the media spokesperson for Earth Day, recycling, and sustainability initiatives.

Public Relations Director | UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC., Phoenix, AZ (2010 - 2014)

Reported to the Vice President of Corporate Communications. Planned, executed, and managed all external communications, including implementing a strategic "One Voice" communications plan. Researched, negotiated contracts and hired the nine public relations agencies representing eleven campuses to supplement national marketing strategy, which earned 600 media placements within one year, and equaled $3.5M in comparable advertising costs. Facilitated medium to large-scale media and special events, including campaign stop at NASCAR Technical Institute by presumptive U.S. presidential and vice-presidential candidates, which generated more than 150 million media impressions.

Education:

Master of Business Administration (University of Phoenix)

Bachelor of Journalism (University of Missouri - Columbia)

Technical Skills:

Social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter), Paid ads for social media, Google Products (Ads, Analytics, Gmail, Documents, Drive, Sheets, My Business, Chat, Meet, Forms, Hangout), Podcasts, Adobe Acrobat, Wrike project management system, Basecamp, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), Canva, Adobe Suite, Canvas (learning management system)

LINKEDIN PROFILE

Send a message to this candidate and please reference the Ragan Talent Hub

Communications and Marketing Executive with 20 Years Experience in Entertainment, Technology, Lifestyle and Consumer Products

Los Angeles, CA

EILEEN MERCOLINO

310.663.1024 • eileen@emercolinomarketing.com • https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-mercolino/ SUMMARY

A highly accomplished and strategically minded Senior Marketing and Partnerships Executive with a long-standing history of success in generating growth opportunities, managing projects, and building teams for global companies that create and market music and films, produce large-scale events, create unique technology solutions and manufacture innovative consumer products. Proven capabilities in creating 360-degree marketing programs that include experiential, social, digital, and MarCom elements. Large network of contacts in music, film, tech, CPG, QSR and consumer electronics. A creative connector and true marketer who develops and directs scalable plans in collaboration with internal and external partners. A forward-thinking team leader who thrives in dynamic, ever-evolving global markets and possesses the analytical ability to identify consumer and audience growth opportunities.

EXPERIENCE

EXECUTIVE MARKETING CONSULTANT, Los Angeles, California March 2021-Present

My specialty is solving problems and creating opportunities. I foster synergy between brands, artists, and executives, formulating strategies to forge new and groundbreaking partnerships to amplify each entity's unique image and meet marketing goals. I love solving problems and creating opportunities for my clients through an innate ability to form the right connections.

Madeium, November 2021-Present (Peer-to-Peer NFT Design Platform)
Leading Marketing and PR for new NFT design platform. PR and Marketing Strategy, press release writing, marketing communications, media relations, social media strategy

4D Fun, Inc., June 2021-Present (Music Technology Company)
Hired as a consultant to formulate and activate PR, Marketing Strategic Partnerships and Artist Relations activities for new and groundbreaking technology company. 4D Fun offers services in volumetric capture, artificial intelligence, NFTs, spatial computing, VR, AR and XR experiences and gaming. 4D Fun, Inc. also provides a new way to share live performances and creates 3D/4D assets for NFTs for immersive multi-player worlds where fans can participate directly with their favorite music artist's performances. By utilizing my extensive network in the music industry, I am conducting outreach and bringing in in top level talent to create volumetric performances.

Buttercup Company, March 2021 – July 2021 (Cause Marketing Agency)
Consultant for start-up cause marketing agency led by a music and brand industry leader. Hired to work on Buttercup’s cause marketing campaign for Covenant House California and Wayfarer Foundation called Sweet Summer, I focused on hiring and placing key staff, vendor sourcing, creative development and internal process.

20TH CENTURY FOX/THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, Century City, California and Burbank, California Executive Director, Global Marketing Partnerships and Promotions, In-Home, 2017-2020

Developed strategies and executed key brand partner agreements to drive innovative domestic and international, physical and digital, multi-channel marketing and promotional campaign aspects, including social media, experiential, mobile, and retail. Led and managed third-party brand partnership development for 20th Century Fox home entertainment releases, including The Greatest Showman, Deadpool 2, The Predator, Bohemian Rhapsody, and others. Collaborated, planned, and executed promotional campaigns with internal Fox marketing teams and external territory marketing partners, retailers, and media agencies. Pitched, presented, negotiated, and facilitated compelling promotions for new release and catalogue titles to potential brand partners.

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Eileen Mercolino, Page 2

Closed partnership deals, including Old Spice with Deadpool 2, Ubisoft with Bohemian Rhapsody, and MLB with The Sandlot 25th anniversary, as well as global digital catalog campaigns with Pringles and Energizer, resulting in significant revenue to home entertainment division.
Delivered high-value promotional opportunities that produced significant return on investment for both studio and partners.
DANNY WIMMER PRESENTS, Century City, California (Major Music Festival Producer) Vice President, Marketing and Brand Partnerships, 2015-2016

Nurtured existing brand and media partnerships and used data to improve efficiencies at scale for major music festival producer. Prospected, negotiated, and established new regional partnerships and media promotions. Delivered measurable results with partner-clients, such as Brown-Forman, SoundExchange, Zippo, MillerCoors, FYE, Monster Energy, Bud Light, Orig3n, Alternative Press, MetroPCS, Marshall, ESP Guitars, D’Angelico Guitars, Gibson Guitars, Monster Cable, Toyota, and Dodge.

Created and directed marketing programs that drove audience engagement and attendance for 12 large-scale, U.S. festivals, including Rock on the Range, Louder than Life, Aftershock, Chicago Open Air, and Welcome to Rockville.
Closed lucrative sponsorship deals with newly prospected brands, such as SoundExchange and Origins. MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT, Los Angeles, California
2013-2015

Sunset Strip Music Festival: Sourced agencies, managed production timeline, developed collateral, and liaised with artists (ticketing for sold-out 2013 three day multi artist and multi stage event with headliner Linkin Park).
Fuse Events: Led three-person team and managed $5,000,000 account for Zippo’s music marketing initiatives including a national concert tour with Papa Roach.

Symantec: Managed public relations and enhanced media and consumer image. Handled PR for one of the biggest new cybercrime methods of that year, phishing, receiving top-line media coverage in all major technology publications and outlets. Forty-Seven Communications/Bender Helper Impact: Oversaw public relations efforts for Vivendi Universal Games, Buena Vista Games, Square Enix, and more. Secured media coverage for PlayStation 2 proprietary titles, including Kinetic, MediEvil, Sly 3, etc.

HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL, Los Angeles, California Senior Brand Marketing and Events Manager, 2011-2012

Envisioned and led branding effort to establish both LA locations as marquee destinations. Cultivated and collaborated on philanthropic activities with Los Angeles Youth Network, Adopt the Arts Foundation, Noreen Fraser Foundation, MusiCares, and VH1 Save the Music Foundation. Planned and activated revenue-generating live music events, such as local music nights, Grammy parties, charity events, and artist in residence programs. Represented Hard Rock in the entertainment industry as chief liaison with record companies, film and TV studios, artist managers, and the media.

Generated over $10,000,000 in global media exposure with events like Slash’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony and intimate performance with Slash and Myles Kennedy .
Booked major artists, including Heart, Slash, Everclear, and others to perform inside the cafes, enhancing incremental media exposure, foot traffic, and food and beverage and retail sales.
GIBSON GUITARS, Beverly Hills, California,
Senior Manager, Brand Partnerships, Entertainment Marketing and Artist Relations, 2007-2011.

Managed relationships with artists, including Slash, Weezer, Gary Clark, Jr., Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Black Eyed Peas, Sheryl Crow, Foo Fighters, Blink-182, Incubus, Motley Crue, 30 Seconds to Mars, Joan Jett, and more. Directed retail channel marketing programs and artist integration for brand divisions (Epiphone, Kramer, Gibson USA, Gibson Custom). Developed marketing plans and integration opportunities with high-profile events, such as Revolver Golden Gods Awards, Rock on the Range, Coachella Music Festival, Stagecoach Festival, and Sunset Strip Music Festival. Functioned as chief brand partnership representative, activating marketing partnership programs for Gibson with

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Eileen Mercolino, Page 3

Experian Free Credit Score campaign, Jack Daniel’s, Louis Vuitton, Harley-Davidson, Anheuser-Busch, Monster Energy, Patron, JVC, and Monster Cable.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

CLEAR CHANNEL INC./LIVE NATION, Los Angeles, California, Director of Sales and Marketing, 2003-2004. Created and executed brand partnerships for the CCE tours with companies, such as Suzuki, Virgin Megastore, Slim Jim, Macy’s West, Apple, and Best Buy.

MARKETING FACTORY, Venice, California, Director of Media Relations and Special Events, 2002. Managed all aspects of Honda Civic sponsorship for Incubus concert tour, including press releases, media advisories, public speeches, and Civic Tour talking points, and secured multi-channel placements. Oversaw Honda car giveaway events with radio stations in four U.S. cities.

VANS WARPED TOUR, Los Angeles, California, Director of Partnership Marketing and Sponsorships, 2000-2002. Managed $4,000,000 in sponsorships, on tour marketing activation, and media aspects with 25 partner brands, such as PlayStation 2, Coca-Cola, Gillette, Target, Sony Electronics, etc. Implemented street and guerilla marketing, which increased ticket sales by $100,000 in one year.

ASCAP, Los Angeles, California, Senior Membership Executive
GOLD MOUNTAIN ENTERTAINMENT, Los Angeles, CA, Director of Music Publishing (EMI co-venture) and Artist Manager WORLD’S END ENTERTAIMENT, Director of Music Publishing (co-venture with Warner-Chappell Music), Producer and Engineer Manager

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, Los Angeles, California

Bachelor of Arts, Art History PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

GIES COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, Champaign-Urbana, IL (online): Marketing in a Digital World (certification course)

LINKEDIN PROFILE

Send a message to this candidate and please reference the Ragan Talent Hub

CANDIDATES & FREELANCERS

Beta Launch: Candidate and Freelance Postings