Joanne Tedesco
Phone: 573-***-**** acgv7v@r.postjobfree.com
**** ******** *****, **********, ** 46385
DRESNER CORPORATE SERVICES, Chicago, IL – Associate – 2013 to current
Public relations agency
Role & Responsibilities:
Account management and media relations
COLUMBIA COLLEGE, Columbia, MO – Senior Director of Public Relations -2009 – 2012
Private, non-profit, liberal arts college
Role & Responsibilities:
• Managed the Columbia College brand at the Columbia campus and at the 34 nationwide branch locations
• Managed public relations staff that consists of two service areas – Creative & Interactive Services (graphic design,
photography, social media staff) and Editorial Services (news bureau, publications, writing & editing staff)
• Developed and implement departmental best practices and standards to measure objectives/successes, deliver quality
results and brand the College
• Developed creative, editorial and social media strategies to promote the brand and exceed client expectations
• Managed a $2.3M budget
Key Accomplishments:
• Successfully branded Columbia College from RFP to execution stage
• Reinvented an underperforming department through the development of best practices; turned a tactical environment
into one of strategy
• Conducted employee job audit with Human Resources department and aligned staff skill sets; increased departmental
productivity; increased project efficiencies and overall staff morale
• Established metrics to define news value; secured nearly 4,000 news placements for the FY; garnered over nearly $3M
in ad value (earned media) for the College
• Established design project protocol; implemented a project management system; measured, assessed and reported
project data to key leadership
• Implemented a customer satisfaction survey to gather client data, manage client satisfaction and enhance services offered
• Increased publications standards and received industry award recognition
ELIAS-SAVION – Pittsburgh, PA – Director of Public Relations - 2005 – 2008
Full-service advertising, interactive and public relations agency
Role & Responsibilities:
• Managed client needs by providing targeted public and media relations/integrated marketing solutions
• Lead team of 5 and developed processes and a reporting structure to better serve clients
• Developed integrated communication plans to assist in driving bottom-line results that supported brand objectives and
initiatives
• Managed crisis situation for local law firm that resulted in national attention
RHEA & KAISER – Naperville, IL – Account Supervisor - 2001 – 2005
Full-service agency
Role & Responsibilities:
Managed client relations; fostered relationships and delivered media relations results to increase brand awareness
Secured national attention (Today Show, Good Morning America, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune)
Experience in transportation (GE Capital I-SIM) and securing awareness of the off road simulation benefits available to the
trucking industry, law enforcement and emergency responders
MANNING, SELVAGE & LEE – Chicago, IL – Account Supervisor – 1998-2001
One of the world’s leading communications firms
Role & Responsibilities:
Serviced an array of clients; utilized media and public relations, special events and promotion solutions to solve clients
communications/marketing challenges
Conducted local and national media relations/product launch efforts for a number of clients (Procter & Gamble)
BURSON-MARSTELLER – Chicago, IL - Account Supervisor - 1996 – 1998
Global public relations and communications firm
Role & Responsibilities:
Worked at client site (Andersen Consulting at the time, Accenture) to solely conduct media relations efforts for specific
partner/industry groups (healthcare/pharmaceutical/government industry groups)
RUDER FINN - Chicago, IL – Assistant Account Executive - 1992 – 1996
A leading independent communications agency
Role & Responsibilities:
Serviced an array of clients; utilized media and public relations, special events and promotion solutions to meet
marketing/communications needs
Secured quality media placements for National Sporting Goods Association, Odyssey Cruises, Illinois Horse Racing
Board, Magic Johnson Foundation
Developed and executed event concepts and negotiated with vendors for Paul Stuart, William Blair
RUDER FINN - Washington, DC – 1991 - INTERNSHIP
A leading independent communications agency
Relevant Work History
SIMILE CONSTRUCTION – Sacramento, CA – Account Executive - 7/2008 – 4/2009
Role & Responsibilities:
• Increased community and brand awareness in Sacramento market, worked with local vendors and secured sponsorship
opportunities
Education
University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, WI
Bachelor of Science, Communications, 1991