Megan S. Thorpe

*** ********* **** z31djs@r.postjobfree.com

Columbia, SC 29212 202-***-**** (mobile)

WORK EXPERIENCE

INDEPENDENT PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT July 2011 to present

Communications, Advocacy, Event Planning & Web strategy•Developed short term media and advocacy plans for primary clients -- the UNC Center for Community Capital (CCC) and SC First.

•Planned and executed UNC CCC’s fall public event, book launch and coordinated Hill and administration outreach surrounding the text “Regaining the Dream.” Edited and revised written materials, drafted newsletter content and planned all aspects of the panel event held at the Center for American Progress.

CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS May 2010 to July 2011

Associate Director for Press Relations Washington, DC•Developed short and long term media plans around the economic, education and health care written products drafted by policy experts at the Center, some in coordination with various coalition partners.

•Created and collaborated on earned media strategies, including new and social media, to amplify progressive ideas in national print outlets and help market the Center’s policy work.

•Pitched press for media calls and interview opportunities surrounding budget, deficit, housing, poverty and health care policy items.

•Helped create media friendly events to amplify policy messages, pitched media to attend these events on site at the Center and in venues around Washington, DC, including press breakfasts, rallies, marches and expert panels.

•Cultivated reporter relationships and built long-term interaction with print reporters.

•Drafted press releases and media advisories.

June 2009 to May 2010

Communications Director, Doctors for America Washington, DC•Developed marketing, messaging, branding and earned media a 501(c)3 grassroots physicians organization pushing for healthcare reform.

•Created short term and long term media plans, which included training volunteers for earned media opportunities, creating public relations rollouts for online products, and pitching for medi.a coverage of national and local events.

•Advised, briefed and staffed the Executive Director, Vice President and President for public speaking engagements.

•Developed blog and editorial writing team that initiated and responded to news stories on health reform.

•Integrated the communications strategy with the field team, harvesting local and personal relationships to build larger networks in targeted states for grassroots advocacy efforts.

•Worked with members of Congress and their staff to develop events and capitalize on health reform media opportunities.

•Represented Doctors for America at meetings in the professional, government and policy communities.

•Maintained and updated web site, in conjunction with technical team and legal advisors, to ensure freshness of content and compliance with non-profit status.

NITOR GROUP February 2009 to June 2009

Communications Specialist (federal contract position) Washington, DC•Developed marketing, messaging and branding materials for my client, the Health and Human Services Department’s (HHS) Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) in the Office of the National Coordinator.

•Created short term and long term media plans to implement a new web site, host a national forum and represent the project at the nation’s largest health information technology conference.

•Advised, briefed and staffed the NHIN lead for media interviews and public speaking opportunities.

•Drafted press releases, "one pagers" and brochures for multi-agency federal efforts to achieve the network’s milestones.

U.S. SENATOR TIM JOHNSON June 2006 to January 2009

Deputy Communications Director Washington, DC•Developed and executed media plan under the guidance of the Communications Director.

•Drafted press releases, contacted media and spoke on the record regarding the Senator’s legislative positions and priorities and assisted updating press section of Web site to reflect most recent developments.

•Prepared talking points and media advisories for weekly conference calls and satellite interviews.

•Drafted and edited columns printed in daily and weekly local newspapers in South Dakota.

HOMEFRONT COMMUNICATIONS August 2005 to May 2006

Media Specialist AOL Contractor Washington, DC•Pitched, produced and booked client for weekly live “Online Buzz” television interviews in top 100 TV markets.

•Drafted and edited press kit, media plan and served as liaison with local news producers AOL’s “Online Buzz.”

ARKANSAS DEMOCRATIC COORDINATED CAMPAIGN August 2004 to October 2004

Press Secretary Little Rock, AR•Responsible for creating and executing weekly media plan; contacted media and spoke on the record for the campaign.

WCBD-TV, CHARLESTON September 2003 to July 2004

Producer Charleston, SC•Responsible for producing weekday Noon and weekend 6pm/11pm half-hour news shows. Responsibilities included writing scripts, prioritizing story order and selecting video to enhance the broadcast.

•Field Produced Decision 2004 Primary Debate coverage, “Rob on the Road:” field segments, and Decision 2003 Mayoral Forum.

Weekend Assignment Editor July to September, 2003

•Assigned news teams to stories, monitored scanners and the wire, took satellite feeds and co-wrote the Weekend news scripts.

AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION June to December, 2002

Legislative Representative Washington, DC•Drafted and edited internal and external communications, correspondence and Web content.

•Researched legislative vote history on general aviation issues for AOPA's Legislative Director.

U.S. SENATOR ERNEST F. HOLLINGS July 2001 to May 2002

Projects and Grants Assistant Washington, DC•Responsible for drafting and communicating constituent inquiries to federal agencies.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION June to December, 2000

Scheduler and Advance, Office of the Secretary Washington, DC•Scheduled and advanced events and travel for Secretary Richard W. Riley at meetings, conferences and speeches.

EDUCATION

TULANE UNIVERSITY January 2011

Master Certificate, Business/Marketing

FURMAN UNIVERSITY June 2001

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Greenville, SC

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