John Holmes Norton

Washington, DC 202-***-**** (cell) ad375i@r.postjobfree.com

PROFILE: Highly accomplished communications professional dedicated to presenting an organization or its causes in the best possible light. Those efforts are facilitated through print, broadcast, online and social media campaigns for trade associations, political organizations, advocacy groups and public relations firms.

SKILLS: Media Relations, Strategic Planning, Consultant Management, Op-Eds, Press Releases, News Articles, Issue Advocacy, Social Media, Events, Client Services, Web Content, Speech Writing, Media Tours, and Crisis Response.

Professional Highlights

FAMM (Families Against mandatory minimums) Washington, DC

Communications Manager 2022 - 2024

Focus was on state media outreach for our sentencing and prison reform advocacy efforts that are done in coordination with our policy team.

Wrote for FAMM’s blog.

Managed relationship with public relations firm brought in after the departure of the other media-outreach staffer due to massive workload that will only intensify in 2024.

Kept social media team apprised of articles we can highlight through our very active social media accounts.

Collaborated with policy team on our #VisitAPrison campaign designed to get lawmakers and other government officials to go on fact-finding tours of our federal and state prisons.

Led media pressure campaign to get the Department of Justice to investigate the prison abuses at Trousdale Turner Correction Facility.

Worked to generate local and national media interests about the success of the First Step Act, the most impactful criminal justice reform of the last decade, in an environment where the perceptions about the rise in crime is causing politicians to revisit the failed tough-on-crime policies of the past.

Educated the public about the reality that people who committed serious crimes when they were younger can earn their way to parole opportunities and be released safely back into their communities to be reunited with their families.

National Council On Problem Gambling (NCPG) Washington, DC

Communications Manager 2020 - 2022

Ran social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram) through Hootsuite. Facilitated those efforts by creating or modifying accompanying graphics in Canva.

Used Constant Contact system to email members and the press about organizational activities and developments.

Updated content organization’s website - ncpgambling.org - through WordPress.

Created and implemented communications marketing plans for the promotion of programs like the Gift Responsibly Campaign (December), Problems Gambling Awareness Month (March), two-part online national conference (June and July), and webinars that occur throughout the year.

Engaged in the project management of the NCPG National Awards using the Judgify system.

Served as press secretary.

Managed communications editorial calendar.

National Children’s campaign (NCC) Washington, DC

Vice President of Communications & Co-Founder 2019 - 2020

Helped create and manage website, using WordPress, and provided content to generate interests from potential donors, recruit youth activists, and increase search engine optimization of the site.

Provided communications support for The Schools for Climate Action Summit, which included Capitol Hill Visitor’s Center forum and 541 advocacy-focused visits to their offices. Articles written about the event established a media presence for Youth Executive Director, who was subsequently featured in over 30 articles.

Developed strategic communications plan for activities to raise awareness for issues affecting children during a Presidential election year, which had to be modified from in-person to virtual events due to COVID-19.

Portland Cement association (PCA) Washington, DC

Director of Media & Public Affairs 2018 - 2019

Directed PR consultant firm Bracewell’s promotion of the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub’s research efforts, which was were partially funded by PCA. The degree of separation was necessary when trying to generate media interests for the studies that served as the basis for policy solutions pushed at the local and state level.

Successfully pitched media on covering increased sustainability efforts, safety programs and economic benefits of cement production of member companies as a counter to the negative publicity they will naturally receive for being huge emitters greenhouse gases.

Helped arrange meetings with PCA CEO and transportation reporters for the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Politico, and Bloomberg to raise awareness about PCA’s positions on issues and offer expertise as a reliable expert for reporters going forward.

Provided daily content for social media managers to post about PCA’s advocacy efforts and issues of importance on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn daily.

Prepared short speeches given by Board of Directors during PCA event ceremonies.

National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Alexandria, VA

Director of Public Relations 2007 - 2018

Associate Director of Public Relations 2009 - 2012

Public Relations Manager 2007 - 2009

Ensured pharmacist policy perspective was included in health care reform debate from 2009 – 2010, where an overwhelming majority of the 242 releases issued during that time were advocacy focused. Efforts led to several pro-pharmacy provisions being included in the final bill.

Coordinated media conference calls with NCPA CEO, members of Congress, and community pharmacy owners to raise awareness after the introduction of pro-pharmacy bills. Provided logistical support, created and distributed talking points, invited media to participate through media advisory, and occasionally served as call’s moderator.

Provided crisis communications response when nationwide shipments of compounded steroid injections laced with fungal meningitis from New England Compounding Center threatened traditional compounding due to Congressional willingness to over-regulate the problem. Limited fallout by educating the media and lawmakers about legislative solution that focused on safety measures, while maintaining access to traditional compounded drugs.

Conducted regular interviews with local and national press to explain why there was a steady drop in the number of community pharmacies and provide legislative and regulatory solutions to sustain industry either at the federal or state level.

Wrote and placed advocacy-focused op-eds in mainstream health and trade publications, while also becoming featured contributor to The Hill’s Congress Blog. Collaborated with state pharmacy groups on op-eds designed to pressure members of Congress to support pending bills.

Helped write RFP, solicited bids, and picked the video production company that would produce three online videos about independent community pharmacies main business rivals - pharmacy benefit managers. Then assisted with the script writing, picking of actors, attended shoots, provided editing feedback, and then coordinated promotional efforts of this project with the media that generated more coverage and positive member feedback than any project we were involved in.

Followed approximately 100 reporters on Twitter to ascertain opportunities for further engagement.

Repurposed one-pagers on advocacy issues into laymen-friendly bullet points. Compiled talking points on PBM’s for interview with Barclay's Capital, outside general scope of NCPA’s focus. Received complimentary feedback from Barclay’s on thoroughness of call.

Carmen Group Inc. Washington, DC

Account Executive 2005 - 2007

Created RFP for major polling firms in Washington, DC area to conduct member survey and focus groups for Laborers International Union. Participated in submission review process and drafted survey and focus group questions for winning bid. Presented results to union’s leadership.

Underwent extensive process to get company on GSA schedule, overcoming an initial rejection based on a minor technicality.

Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Washington, DC

Press Secretary 2003 - 2004

Coordinated media advance efforts for press conference with keynote speaker, Elizabeth Edwards, at conference near Knoxville, Tennessee. Successfully partnered with Secret Service and triaged crush of interest from print and electronic media for flawless event.

Shepherded media interviews with policy subject matter experts serving as resource and liaison to clarify and message talking points.

Prior Experience

Democratic National Committee Director of Specialty Media (2002 – 2003) / Deputy Director of Specialty Media (1994)

ABC Sports Manager of Programming (2000 – 2001)

NBA Entertainment Editor / Production Assistant / Logger (1995 – 2000)

District Cablevision Production Assistant (1994 – 1995)

Education

B.A. Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, 1994

Social Media Certification, Market Motive, 2014

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