Candidates Archive - Ragan Communications

Media relations executive with over 15 years experience in high-level public relations and strategic communications.

Chicago

Media relations executive with over 20 years experience in high-level public relations and strategic communications. Deep expertise in professional sports (NFL) and celebrity communications; played a role in digital transformation as a member of Chicago Bears communications team. Leader in implementing organizational messages and P.R. strategies for startups and internationally-known brands. Experience with crisis communication, writing, editing, desktop publishing, event management, press conference messaging, media training, social media monitoring and content creation. Excels in high-pressure, deadline-driven, collaborative environments.

EXPERIENCE

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois 2020-Current

Associate Athletic Director - Communications & Digital Media

Lead operations related to Athletic Communications; including media relations, creative solutions, social media and digital networks.

Deliver new creative digital communications strategies including website, social media and digital publications.
Manage publicity for the Athletic Department, including media relations and media training for student-athletes and coaches.
Develop and implement creative media/public relations strategies.

XFL SEATTLE DRAGONS

Seattle, Washington 2019-2020

Director, Communications & Media Relations

Key member of five-person senior leadership team launching a new professional American football league (XFL) in the Seattle market. Conceived and executed local and regional communications and media relations strategy, which consisted of the cultivation and day-to-day management of media and local influencer relationships to raise corporate, team and individual player visibility in the Seattle market. Coordinated operations team focused on communications for special events and game days.

Collaboratively achieved a top-three ranking in number of total fans, media share of voice and social media growth through building a brand and effective marketing, content and PR strategy.
Delivered on multiple strategies in support of marketing programs to increase the XFL’s fan base and viewership (Seattle’s coverage spiked dramatically during the season opener, doubling the amount of coverage from the previous six months--August to January-- in under a two-week span).
Crafted messaging and oversaw coordination of player/staff interviews at training camp, media days and on game days.
Directed press box and game day media operations, serviced home and visiting media and supervised a six-person staff.
Defined League standards for content and production quality of team materials, game notes, weekly updates, statistics and records.

Independent Media Consulting

Nationwide 2017-2019

Specialized in early stage consulting for sports related ventures. Facilitated athlete acquisition for new product and event promotions, advise in all aspects of communications, including press release and biography writing, logo design, fundraising and event management. Projects included:

Jarrett Payton Foundation – sourced celebrity attendees, solicited auction items, secured photographer and Anthem singer and assisted with foundation’s anti-bullying campaign.
Beth Heller Consulting – created company logo and wrote executive bios for startup connection firm.
Big Game Air/Next Level Tix/Triumph Jets – assisted in launch and marketing efforts of three sole-ownership companies offering exclusive access to select sporting events.
Kra – assisted with influencer/athlete contact to retain as spokespeople for locally-produced sports drinks.
Worked with NFL, NCAA, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN SportsTicker, Midwest Sports Channel and USA Network.

Chicago Bears Football Team

Lake Forest, Illinois 2001-2017

Media Relations Manager, 2004-2017

Assistant Director of Public Relations, 2001-2004

Senior member of a four-person communications leadership team in the NFL’s second-largest market with leadership responsibilities in both business and football operations, creating story ideas, pitches, press releases and social media content for both groups, including player and organization community involvement.

Strategic Initiatives

Created digital media strategies and pitches for annual season ticket delivery and back-to-football campaigns.
Jointly implemented an integrated communications strategy focused on providing fans with engaging content and consistent messaging across all traditional and digital communications platforms.
Worked in concert with corporate communications and club sponsors on strategic planning to ensure timely distribution of information and announcements.

Public Relations

Assisted Bears players and coaches with weekly interviews, including local media, conference calls, production meetings, national media requests and post-game availability. Produced talking points for consistent messaging.
Project lead on the team’s media guide and responsible for all writing, editing, photo selection and print production and transitioned the guide from black and white to color and increased the historical information through statistical research.
Coordinated interviews and video content that effectively enhanced the Bears brand, including placement of stories in traditional and non-traditional media both on the local and national levels.
Served as a club spokesperson when applicable.
Worked closely with members of the media relations department on staff/player bios, updating all records and historical information while working with various department heads to ensure completion of most accurate information.

Special Events Planning and Game Day Operations

Led the department’s recruitment, screening, interviewing and hiring of seasonal interns and game day staff.
Managed scheduling, assignments and payroll for 15-person game day staff and stats crew.
Managed press box setup, credential distribution and enforcement, point of contact for visiting media, national radio & TV.
Primary network media contact for organization, facilitating credential/ticket requests, camera locations and production meetings.
Developed credentialing system and was point of contact for every credential issued (team and each internal department, opposing team, all media, broadcast TV and radio networks).
Selected by National Football League (NFL) to work NFC Championship Game following 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2015, and 2016 seasons, assisting the home team with credentialing, media arrangements and game-day operations.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, Assistant Sports Information Director 1998-2001

BIG TEN CONFERENCE, Communications Intern 1997-1998

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, Media Relations Intern, Men’s Athletics 1995-1997

EDUCATION

NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, Fargo, North Dakota

B.A., Mass Communication

LINKEDIN PROFILE

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

Senior Level Corporate Healthcare/Government Communications & Media Professional | Public Sector - Lead US Federal Government communications | Diversity Champion | Curious about generations | Citizen of the world |

NJ-DC

– US Citizen – TS Clearance

Areas of Expertise

Corporate/Government Communications
Public Relations
Crisis & Reputation Management
Communications Planning
Internal Communications
Media Relations
& Management
Leadership Management
& Mentorship

Career Highlights include:

Communications executive with multinational experience in corporate and government
Executive level communications coach and crafted messages for C-Suite executives
Proven success leading business transformation and change initiatives with emphasis
on engaging stakeholders and building new allegiances
Led navigation successfully through global PR crisis – as spokesperson and media lead
Based on emerging issues, built narratives, and creating stories driving both interest
and reputational momentum for brands
Engaging with employee affinity groups to build an inclusive and professional workplace

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
US Department of Energy - March 2021- Present

Engagement Lead (contractor)

Leading team to overcome global challenges by positioning the organization as a thought leader and highlight the expertise of program staff through targeted stakeholder engagement and content

Building new integrated communications plans and solutions to support outreach with Federal, state, international, and local governments
Establish daily workload priorities to enhance outreach and engagement with private sector
Launching new campaign for FY 2021-2022 on security and safety measures, and its impact on residents.

US Office of Personnel Management - March 2018 – January 2021
Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Senior Executive Service (SES)

Recruited by former private sector client to lead communications, and act as chief spokesperson, for the Federal agency, which engages with 12.6 million employees, retirees, Congress, and third parties. As a SES, I was serving in a key position, reporting directly to two top Presidential appointees. I was responsible for creation of a new strategic plan, multi-year budgets, and operational strategies, reshaping department, hired, and trained new staff, improved infrastructure, introduced new technologies, and multi-media communications. Counseled senior leadership on communications strategies.

Notable accomplishments:

Led 21 professionals on all Agency external and internal communications, which included:
- crisis communications plans provided on-going council to Agency leadership, and defended Agency against press, and other critics, including 2018-2019 Government Lapse in Appropriations
- throughout Covid-19 pandemic, co-hosted CDC daily briefings to inform government federal employees about the federal government’s response program
- launched a new employee intra-net communications portal and tv news style program.
- media trained Agency leadership and senior leaders to best frame stories and prepare strategic briefing documents to ensure successful interviews and press coverage
Ensured successful confirmation of OPM Director
Managed communications efforts for yearly government-wide, employee driven charitable giving – the Combined Federal Campaign – record breaking 2019 campaign of $85 million dollars
Improved media relations with an increase of placed news stories net increase of 30% year over year
Built monthly communications plan for employee communications centered on employee wellness, agency/employee engagement and agency goals
Manage key performance indicators and implement organizational wide metrics, analytics, and reporting methods to measure communications success and reputation

Art Craft Health (patient education and advocacy) - March 2013 – December 2017

Vice President – Client Services

Led the building and launch of customized communications solutions to engage diverse audience groups throughout the patient care continuum.

Built 9-member account services team which led to $21 million growth of new and organic business
Sanofi Genzyme’s Jevtana – built 50 state grassroots advocacy effort on delivery restrictions
Sanofi’s FluZone – launched successful 50 state program to engage with state Medicaid program to reimburse costs passed to patients
Bristol Meyers-Squibb Ixempra’s launch targeted to Healthcare Professionals and Patients—$2 billion in sales 18-months post launch

The 9.8 Group - January 2011 – March 2013

Senior Director Corporate Affairs

Developed and implemented a company-wide corporate affairs strategy for multi-cultural, healthcare communications holding company which led to global expansion for corporate interests.

Led and represented the Company’s public policy and lobbying efforts including:
- Developed strategic relationships with media and acted as company spokesperson
- Led and managed Federal and 50 state efforts for corporate interests
- Developed policy positions on emerging regulatory issues impacting company and assist in development of overall strategy, including development of thought leadership
- Monitor and analyze key regulatory proceedings and developments impacting the company’s clients at Federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, especially regarding trade, tax, and small business growth

New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce - May 2008 – January 2011
Vice President Communications and Public Affairs
Managed 360 communications program for a statewide business advocacy association.

Responsibilities included grassroots coalition building, message development, issues management, media relations, social media, publications, events management, and board relations
Managed staff of 3 and worked with all departments to meet communications needs
Developed press relations, pitched news stories, and was chief spokesperson

WPP, plc - March 2002 – May 2008
Grey Group Advertising - May 2004 – May 2008

Director Corporate Relations

Led the new strategy and creation of new campaigns to both healthcare professionals and consumers which led to winning of $18.5 million of global launch business:

GlaxoSmthiKline – vaccine line, included flu vaccines at height of worst epidemic in 100 years
Pfizer – Lybrel – new class or oral contraceptives to overcome negative bias in marketplace, which ended with over $500 million in sales
Bristol-Myers Squibb - Orencia – introduced new once a week, at home treatment and overcame barriers and objections on delivery system

Brand Union - March 2002 – May 2004
Senior Vice President Branding
Led global healthcare branding and corporate reputation practice in 8 countries on 3 continents

Led global brand positioning and naming assignments for clients such as: Wyeth, Bank of America and Verizon and development/execution of integrated branding and marketing plans
Built both internal and external roll out communication and launch plans on new global brand identities

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals - April 1999 - March 2002
Director – Community Relations and Public Affairs

Managed patient engagement programs for ethical product line and responsible for meeting with communities and patient groups on adverse events and litigation.

Developed, designed, and managed corporate grassroots/ advocacy plan in response to the Phen-Fen diet drug litigation which assisted the company in drafting settlement options at a fraction of the estimated trial damages
- Managed community relations and patient advocacy issues
- Prepared legislative analysis, summaries, and presentations for internal stakeholders

Ivax Corporation - May 1995 - April 1999
Director –Government Relations

Reporting to President and CEO, led the company’s public-facing advocacy efforts.

Developed and implemented the Company’s public policy and lobbying efforts
- Principal lead for ensuring that the Company’s lobbying and political action committee (PAC) are compliant with all appropriate federal and state regulatory agencies
Led 50 state strategy on regulatory and legislative matters affecting generic drug industry
Member of the US-EU Trans-Atlantic Dialogue - US Pharma Working Group Lead
- Led legislative efforts for Congressional passage on pharmaceutical harmonization laws
Led generic drug industry efforts to work with Congress on FDA Modernization Act passage
Generic Pharmaceutical Organization Board Member – 1995-1999

SELECTED CONSULTING

Medulan Consulting – Marketing and communications services - December 2017- March 2018

Built marketing communications plans for Nestle Nutrition and Bristol Myers Squibb.

Reviewed global communications plans for in-country, cultural relevance
Managed several brand projects, maintained client relationship, managed budgets coordinated development of communications, and launch materials

DIGITAL/SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERTISE
Marketing Skills: Social Media Management, Content Marketing, SEO Marketing Automation
Technical: Microsoft, CRM and CMS, Adobe (Connect and Design), SharePoint, Smug Mug, WordPress, and Google marketing (Analytics, Tag Manager, Search Console, Optimize), Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook

EDUCATION

Fairleigh Dickinson University MBA (in progress)

Mississippi State University BA Political Science – minor in Mass Media

Crisis Communications Georgetown University

Fluent in Italian and working knowledge of Spanish.

LINKEDIN PROFILE

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

CANDIDATES & FREELANCERS