AUTUMN BROWN

Cell Phone: 769-***-**** E-mail: ad2ti2@r.postjobfree.com

OBJECTIVE

I am a highly driven recent Broadcasting and Merchandising graduate seeking a full-time position where I can lend my knowledge in communications, journalism, marketing analytics, and retailing to enhance the profitability of your organization.

EDUCATION

●University of North Texas Denton, TX Master of Science, December 2020 Major: Merchandising

GPA: 4.00/4.00

●The University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS Bachelor of Arts Summa Cum Laude, May 2017 Major: Broadcast Journalism, Minor: Merchandising GPA: 3.78/4.00

●Holmes Community College Ridgeland, MS Associate of Arts, May 2015 Major: General Studies

GPA: 3.69/4.00

Research Experience

Problem in Lieu of Thesis: Targeted Effectiveness of Black-Owned and Non-Black-Owned Hair Care Brands

Advisor: Sanjukta Pookulangara, Ph.D.

Location: University of North Texas, Denton, TX (Pending Publishing)

During this study, I investigated targeted marketing efforts of hair care brands, specifically the use of hair texture in advertisements from Black-owned hair care brands and Multinational (Not Black-owned) hair care brands with ethnic product lines targeting Black women. This is a new context in marketing research, as well as a worthy one to explore as Black women reportedly accounted for 85% of total money spent on hair care brands.

To gather data, I conducted a mixed methods study using both quantitative and qualitative methods. First, I conducted a pilot study with a focus group to gauge Black women’s responses to questions on survey (gathered from previous research.). Next, I conducted an online survey through Qualtrics by purchasing a sample of 210 Black women from all over the U.S. for the full launch survey. After collecting data, I used the SPSS system to run statistical analyses with Crosstabs, ANOVA, Correlations, Multiple Regression, Factor Analysis to analyze the data gathered.

CURRICULUM VITAE

CMHT 5100: Introduction to Research CMHT 5300: Research Methods

CMHT 5400: Research Applications MDSE 5500: Merchandising Strategies

MDSE 5770: Digital Channel Strategies CMHT 5350: Issues & Trends

MDSE 5600: Managing Consumer Experiences MDSE 5850: Brand Development

MDSE 5560: Sustainable Strategies in Merchandising MDSE 5920: Problem in Lieu of Thesis

MDSE 5750: Digital Retailing

GRADUATE WORK EXPERIENCE

College of Merchandising, Hospitality, and Tourism, University of North Texas, Denton, TX

Graduate Teaching Assistant January 2019-May 2020

Served as Teaching Assistant for a variety of Merchandising and Digital Retailing courses, including MDSE 3510: Profit Centered Merchandising, MDSE 3370: Social Psychology of Dress, and MDSE 3750: Consumer Studies, and MDSE 3950: Creating Consumer Experiences

Evaluated student essays, projects, tests, daily activities and other assessments according to rubric guidelines

Assisted professors with recordkeeping of approximately 350 students, such as tracking attendance, organizing ODA accommodations paperwork; helping students with grammar and APA formatting during office hours and via email; and making copies of exams, practice tests, and other course related documents.

Proctored exams as requested by the professors

College of Merchandising, Hospitality, and Tourism, University of North Texas, Denton, TX

Graduate Research Assistant September 2018-January 2019

Developed a website through Wix Web Editor for Meeting the Challenges of U.S. and Indian Fashion Retailing Industries graduate course, which was funded by the United States-India Education Foundation

Updated existing applications to meet functionality guidelines as outlined by the leading principal investigator and other faculty members

Implemented metrics that monitor the ongoing performance of the website and boost search rankings on Google

Optimized the website for desktop and beta-tested site for mobile

Uploaded educational materials (such as videos, PowerPoints, and PDF files) for online modules

Kept a line of communication via Zoom Conference Calls and emails with about 20 faculty members from the partner institutions (Iowa Stata University, Oklahoma State University, the University of North Texas, and the National Institute of Fashion Technology)

RETAIL EXPERIENCE

Jean Expert, American Eagle Outfitters, Ridgeland, MS & Denton, TX October 2017-January 2019

●Competed in sales-driven competitions to ensure excellent customer service and meet daily sales goals

●Assessed customers’ needs and providing assistance and information on our denim features and in-house stock; providing jean expertise in terms of fiber content and performance

●Opened at least two American Eagle credit cards and ten AEO Connected accounts (rewards program) per week;

●Designed floor sets according to AEO’s corporate visual merchandising standards

Seasonal Customer Support Associate, At Home, Jackson, MS November 2017-January 2018

●Built productive trust relationships with customers to build clientele

●Cultivated eye-catching fixtures to maximize customers’ shopping experience

●Assembled seasonal products (i.e. firepits and Christmas trees) to increase profitability and sales of products; changing displays to promote new product launches and reflect festive or seasonal themes

●Averaged three At Home credit cards and 10 Perks Member accounts (rewards program) per week

JOURNALISM, PUBLIC RELATIONS & WRITING EXPERIENCE

General News Reporter, USM Hub City TV, Hattiesburg, MS January 2017—May 2017

This news show aired twice a month where I worked as a backpack journalist. I reported on assigned news packages and vo/sots, as well as web stories.

This blog worked as an extension of packages and VO/SOTs that aired on HubCity TV. Within these blog post, I provided additional information about each story and uploaded the individual news packages. Furthermore, I uploaded full-length interviews to give the audience access to the entire interviews.

Reporter, The Student Printz Newspaper, Hattiesburg, MS March 2017—May 2017

Wrote for publication on a tight deadline; researched stories on my own or with an assigned reporter; built contacts and sources for use in future stories; created blog publications for stories assigned by publication; and utilized experience as a video journalist to provide video for web versions of print stories

Producer, WUSM 88.5 FM, Hattiesburg, MS August 2016—December 2016

Produced two weekly 45-minute shows; scheduled three guests per radio show (six guests per week); managed student news readers and logistics of scheduling people onto weekly shows; assured guests are comfortable before meeting host; and served as liaison between host and audio producer

RELEVANT SKILLS

Technical: Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Outlook; experience writing for print journalism, broadcast journalism, web, advertising, public relations, and as a Writing Center Tutor

Other: Mastered Adobe Premiere Pro CC Editing System, Adobe Photoshop, Audacity/Adobe Audition CC Audio Editing System, Visual Merchandising

SPSS—Crosstabs, ANOVA, Multiple Regression, Factor Analysis, Correlations

AWARDS

●Insight Paper, “Luxury Experiences in Synchronous Channels: Attribution of Satisfaction in the Consumer Journey” published on UNT’s Global Digital Retailing Research Center—2020

●Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award Nomination—2020

●Thesis/PILOT nominated for Best Research Paper with International Textile and Apparel Association, “Targeted Marketing Effectiveness of Hair Care Brands”—2020

●Phi Theta Kappa Academic Honor Society Membership and Scholarship Recipient—2016

●School of Mass Communication Academic Honor Society Kappa Tau Alpha Membership—2017

●Holmes Community College’s Outstanding Journalism Award—2015

●Golden Key International Honor Society Academic Honor Society Membership—2017

REFERENCES

References available upon request.

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