Manager Management

Debbie Baratz

Chicago, Illinois

Email: ************@*****.***

Phone: 773-***-****

Expertise in Media Relations and Strategy ( Corporate and Freelance

Writing

Internal and External Communications ( Web Content ( Event Planning and

Promotion

Freelance Experience

Hair Foundation: Communications Manager (3/2010 - Present)

. Create and edit corporate writings such as video scripts, newsletter

articles, talking points, and key messages

. Manage corporate blog; write blog posts and coordinate posts from

subject matter experts

. Pitch media on senior team, events and articles

. Handle incoming media inquiries

AerysSports: Senior NCAA Editor and Writer (2/2011 - 6/2011)

. Oversee NCAA writers; update landing pages and review content for AP

style

. Write timely and relevant NCAA stories

Littelfuse: Corporate Communications Writer (7/2011 - 9/2011)

. Produced internal and external communication writings such as press

releases, executive communications, internal memos, brochure copy and

corporate presentations

. Edited copy for clear writing, corporate guidelines and AP style

The Harbinger Group: Business Media Relations Specialist (3/2010 - 7/2010)

. Handled incoming media requests for agency accounts and arranged

interviews

. Prepared executives for interviews and organized site visits

. Pitched local, national and trade media on client news, events and

subject matter experts

. Create media reports and contact lists

Media Relations

Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE): Director, Corporate Communications

(8/2007 - 3/2008)

. Directed media relations by acting as corporate spokesperson

through fielding media calls; organizing and staffing interviews

with senior management; developing and distributing press releases

and statements for corporate initiatives, new product launches and

trading volume records and coordinating and interfacing with

Business Development, Internet, Investor Relations, and Legal

departments.

. Promoted CBOE and its products through local, national, and

international print, broadcast and radio coverage. Managed,

facilitated and counseled CBOE senior management, traders and

industry experts for media interviews by conducting background

research, reviewing potential questions, writing talking points,

coaching executives and experts prior to interviews, following-up

with reporters and distributing coverage. Organized and attended

media tours for senior management. Accompanied executives to

interviews and photo shoots. Prepared executive communications for

speeches, key messaging, talking points and presentations.

. Managed media and interfaced with key partners at special events,

conferences and news conferences hosted by

CBOE. Prepared communication plans, initiated and monitored press

coverage through pitches and reports, attended conferences,

prepared presentations and Q and A's and served as primary media

contact for the events.

Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT): Manager, Communications (11/2006 - 8/2007)

(Position eliminated due to corporate merger.)

. Acted as corporate spokesperson to the media.

. Developed and distributed media materials such as press releases

and statements for Exchange initiatives, new product launches and

trading volume records. Coordinated materials and messages with

CBOT internal groups such as Business Development, Investor

Relations, Legal, Marketing, Web team and external Public Relations

agency for merger communications.

. Facilitated media interviews for CBOT executives and prepared them

by writing talking points, coaching prior to interviews by offering

proper guidance and background for interview, following up with

reporters after interview and obtaining and distributing copies of

article.

. Pitched and managed the Exchange's relationships with key national,

regional and international business media through regular and

consistent contact with reporters, tracked Exchange stories and

ascertained stories garnering attention among the media.

. Prepared executive communications by writing op-ed articles,

speeches, key messages, and talking points.

. Managed media for special events and news conferences hosted by

CBOT.

. Supervised administrative staff and intern.

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago: Specialist, Media Relations (1/2005 -

11/2006)

. Acted as Bank spokesperson to the media.

. Facilitated responses to media inquiries by gathering requisite

information and scheduling media interviews.

. Oversaw briefing process for Bank president in advance of public

appearances by creating briefing books, collaborating with senior

economic research staff for the creation of Q and A's and serving

as primary media contact for president's speeches.

. Provided advice to senior executives and subject matter experts on

handling media inquiries by preparing them for interviews, writing

talking points and key messages and providing background on

relevant media.

. Managed media for regional Bank public policy conferences and

external education and corporate initiatives by preparing strategic

communication plans, initiating and monitoring press coverage

through pitches and reports, attending conferences and serving as

primary media contact.

. Promoted Bank's economic research and activities through press

releases, media interviews and pitches. Garner coverage with trade

publications, local and national media through print and broadcast

outlets.

. Supervised external public relations agency for large, high profile

corporate initiative, Money Smart Week.

. Developed content for Bank's external and internal Web sites.

Managed online pressroom.

. Interfaced with Web team for launch of new pages, content and

projects.

. Coordinated Speaker's Bureau by obtaining online speech requests

and matching them with relevant Bank experts. Prepare subject

matter experts for interviews and speeches.

The Options Clearing Corporation/The Options Industry Council:

Senior Public Relations Specialist (8/1999 - 1/2005)

. Created and implemented public relations strategies for new product

launches, corporate events, annual strategic plan, international

public relations efforts and corporate projects; and acted as

company spokesperson.

. Wrote press releases and pitch letters to local, national and

international media.

. Managed special events for the media and corporate celebrations.

Successfully oversaw product launch of inaugural options book,

which included creating the public relations strategy, supervising

all aspects of launch party, and acting as a media contact through

the entire launch and follow up.

. Prepared executive communications including key messages, speaking

points, presentations, internal communications, and Q and A's.

Managed and attended editorial visits and interviews for senior

management.

. Wrote content for corporate Internet site and industry educational

site for consumers.

. Managed vendor relationships to support projects including

quarterly external newsletter and special corporate events.

. Created and managed two online pressrooms.

. Contributed writings to corporate online, print newsletters and bi-

monthly byline column. Acted as editor for quarterly newsletter in

print and monthly online.

. Handled supporting PR materials including nationwide and

international network of financial press contacts, editorial

calendars, press kits, brochures, press clip binders and quarterly

report.

. Managed intern.

Education

. Master of Arts in Writing - DePaul University - Chicago, Illinois.

Emphasis: Business and Professional Writing

. Lawyer's Assistant Program - Roosevelt University - Chicago, Illinois.

Emphasis: Litigation and Domestic Law

. Bachelor of Business Administration - University of Iowa - Iowa

City, Iowa. Major: Business Administration

Contact this candidate