ELIZABETH R. MAYER

716-***-**** [mobile] acgh6o@r.postjobfree.com

Public relations and marketing professional with outstanding communication and relationship building skills.

History of forging strong connections with traditional media; creating, coordinating, managing on and offsite

events including publicity and promotions; writing and issuing communications for distribution to the media,

chambers of commerce and other stakeholders. Proven track record in crisis management with a focus on

strengthening, protecting and maintaining the reputation and consistent image of the business.

Areas of Expertise

Media Relations Press Releases

Effective Spokesperson Public Speaking & Presentations

Promotional Activities Sponsor Development

Celebrities and VIPs

Event Planning

Website Content & Management

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Key point of contact for public relations and marketing at a premier motorsport facility for 90+ events including

NASCAR and IMSA series races at a 35,000 seat stadium as well as for private parties, social gatherings and

corporate events for up to 200 people and chamber of commerce events and regional promotions open to the

community at large.

• Regularly collaborate with NASCAR, IMSA and other sanctioning bodies providing updates and messaging,

maximizing opportunities to insert Watkins Glen International into their narrative to elevate the brand throughout

the motorsports industry.

• Ensure outstanding service to all media members and sponsors at Watkins Glen International events and its

sister locations including Daytona International Speedway (Florida), Martinsville Speedway (Virginia) and

Homestead-Miami Speedway (Florida) by providing rapid distribution of information, courteous and friendly

service, clean environment, working amenities, ample workstations, clear audio video service and other

technical aspects, comfortable settings and filling special requests as they arise.

• Managed a project team of 10 web developers to update and redesign the content and user friendliness of the

official websites of Watkins Glen International (www.TheGlen.com and www.FLWineFest.com). The project was

completed in two months and greatly broadened audience appeal resulting in a 15% increase in web traffic and

an increase in ticket sales.

• Key team member designing comprehensive plans aimed at generating revenue around renewing season

ticket holders and group sales efforts.

• Successfully executed crisis management after NASCAR Driver and Team Owner Tony Stewart’s 2014 fatal

accident with another driver at a nearby speedway, responding to a national media blitz (CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS

etc.) ensuring accurate news coverage, social media postings, and prompt responses on direct calls about

where the accident took place and whether Tony Stewart would race at Watkins Glen International (his next

scheduled racing event after the accident). Simultaneously, protected the reputation of Watkins Glen

International by supplying talking points and countering in a positive and factual manner to the same media

about a different NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver’s released statements about his safety concerns with the

facility

Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, NY April 2011-Present

Senior Manager, Public and Community Relations

• Plan, organize and coordinate the public relations activities of a premier motorsport facility. Develop innovative

promotions and positive media relations to increase recognition, credibility and revenue. Manage and develop

crisis communication strategy, messaging and response by anticipating potential media issues. Work

seamlessly across sanctioning bodies and the facility’s organization, including: marketing, sales, track

operations and senior management.

• Write feature stories, press releases, newsletters and brochures for traditional media and overall use, and,

announcements for social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook to maintain and increase brand

recognition in the local and national main stream

• Create, coordinate, and manage press conferences, presentations, festivals, tours and visits for publicity and

promotional purposes

• Supervise the facility’s website content, design, and updates

• Provide sponsors with information about new promotional opportunities and current campaigns in progress and

evaluate incoming sponsorship proposals

• Approve media and dignitary passes to events and coordinate email replies to fans

• Manage pre-race shows to ensure venue event readiness such as participants and dignitaries being aware of

their roles and responsibilities and ensuring each event is timed to coincide with broadcast television and

radio’s schedule and advertising flyovers

• Perform crisis management by developing and implementing strategic plans to protect and maintain facility’s

reputation during periods of crisis

• Provide formal training and guidance to interns including assisting in reviewing and editing their work for

content, clarity and accuracy

Promoted from Public Relations Manager, June 2014

Awarded Distinguished Young Alumna Award from Ithaca College, October 2013

University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT September 2008-July 2010

Athletic Communications Assistant

Designed and produced media guides, press releases, and game notes and programs for nationally ranked

basketball teams as well as volleyball, women’s ice hockey, tennis, and lacrosse. Updated website

(www.UConnHuskies.com) and telephone hotline with game results and distributed game recaps and highlights to

local and national media.

Lafayette College, Easton, Pa. July 2007-September 2008

Athletic Communications Assistant

Primary sports media contact for the college’s sporting events. Issued press releases, created broadcasting

guides, recorded game recaps on telephone hotlines and distributed them to the media. Posted sports recaps on

school’s website (www.GoLeopards.com).

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Barnes & Nobles, Amherst, NY August 2010–March 2011

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Amherst NY

Buffalo Bills, Orchard Park, NY

Tim Horton, Tonawanda, NY

Customer Service Representative working part time at four establishments providing friendly and helpful

experience for customers increasing consumer loyalty and store sales revenue.

EDUCATION

Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY 2007

Bachelor of Science, Sports Media

Award: Professional Excellence in Sports Media

Contact this candidate