Communications, PR, Media Relations, Writing-Editing

John D. Elmore

P.O. Box ***** Cell: 616-***-****

Grand Rapids, MI 49516 Email: ****.******@*****.***

CAREER SUMMARY

Communications professional with extensive experience in strategic planning, team-building, coaching key people for interviews, and managing projects that exceed expectations. Applied significant expertise in public and media relations to raise visibility, crafted marketing content, writing and editing, graphic design oversight, and branding. Successfully handled project management with multiple deadlines, social media, crisis communications, and print and electronic communications, both external and internal.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Public Relations Coordinator - Jan. 2005-Jan. 2012 – LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF MICHIGAN

Managed public relations and communications activities for Central and West Michigan programs in support of a $90 million organization with 1,700 employees.

• Strengthened brand awareness by implementing media relations and strategic communications plans

o Supported foster care, refugee services, senior adults and persons with disabilities

o Enjoyed positive communications with top executives, leadership and hourly staff

o Drafted opinion editorial pieces for president’s approval and by-line

o Carried out multi-year publicity and promotional efforts surrounding the $32 million rebuilding and rebranding of MapleCreek senior living community

o Advised marketing directors on value of advertising opportunities and budget input

o Maintained quality control of branding, look, details, accuracy and editorial flow

o Participated in capital campaign fund-raising committee meetings and activities

• Provided expert writing, editing, rewriting and proofing of communications content and layout

o Reviewed/edited print, email and online content for accuracy, clarity, grammar, spelling

o Provided content and photography for internal communications vehicles

o Wrote content and supervised design, printing and mailing of monthly newsletter

o Developed text and layout concepts for capital campaign materials and marketing pieces

o Produced and distributed monthly column for publication in external newsletters

• Managed media relations efforts statewide, with a focus on Central and West Michigan

o Built productive relationships with TV, radio and newspaper editors across Michigan

o Wrote feature articles published by business publications

o Provided guidance, coaching and consultation to staff in media relations activities

o Arranged for interviews and media opportunities for lead staff and clients

o Acted as spokesman for on-camera, radio, print interviews

o Coordinated media-related events; responded quickly to media requests

o Assisted in managing crisis communications and responding to negative media

o Promoted organizational representatives statewide

• Managed production of marketing videos and testimonial video clips

• Served as photographer for publications, social media, website, public relations, special events

• Led or participated on planning teams for special events and capital campaigns

• Served as special events liaison to federal, state, county, and local legislators

• Utilized social media such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and online event calendars

Coordinator, Public Relations / Senior Writer - July 1997-Jan. 2005 – CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY

Expanded visibility via media relations and propelled branding and communications projects for private university with an enrollment of 2,412 undergraduate and graduate students for fall 2004.

• Developed media relations contacts and strategies to support the university’s institutional goals

• Formed solid relationships with university leadership, faculty, staff and students to identify stories

• Wrote news stories to pitch to media, to post on website or to use in print communications

John D. Elmore

CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY (continued)

• Arranged for interviews and media opportunities for faculty and staff; hosted TV crews on campus; represented the university in on-camera, radio and newspaper interviews

• Served as managing editor and writer for quarterly university magazine

• Wrote / edited / proofed university annual reports, view books, brochures, academic catalogs, direct mail, printed pieces, capital campaign materials, radio and print ads, alumni and website content

• Wrote sections of material and edited other content for accuracy for foundation grant proposals

• Provided editorial and letter writing services for the Office of the President

• Researched bio details, wrote text and oversaw production and mounting of naming plaques for buildings and spaces on campus; researched and wrote presentations for university alumnus of the year, honorary alumnus of the year awards; researched and wrote history overview of the university

• Served as photographer for photo archive, publications, website, public relations and special events

• Screened advertising opportunities; handled ad space reservation

• Involved in brainstorming for university marketing and imaging strategies; worked with a marketing/advertising firm, The Image Group-Holland, Michigan

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

MA, Communications – Wheaton College Graduate School – Wheaton, Illinois

BFA, Dramatic Arts (TV-Film), English minor – University of Connecticut – Storrs, Connecticut

Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District V Conference – Chicago, Illinois

Michigan PRSA State Conference – metro-Detroit, Michigan

Lutheran Communicators Conference – St. Louis, Missouri

MILITARY

United States Air Force / Enlisted, reached rank of Sergeant – Texas, Germany, Arizona

CIVIC AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Public Relations Society of America, West Michigan Chapter – member since 1997

Interchange, the Association of West Michigan Communication Professionals –Board member / Communications Director, 2009-2012

Evangelical Choral Society – member since 1998; Board member / Secretary-Publicist since 2008

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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