Rob Merritt, APR 312-***-**** - cell

**** *. ********* ****. #****

Scottsdale, AZ. 85251

adlp0f@r.postjobfree.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-merritt-8320944/

Overview

Strategic, creative and award winning communications professional who has successfully created and implemented marketing, content, social media, branding, external and internal communications programs for national and international companies including Bayer Crop Science, Porsche, Corona, AirTran Airways, Golf Pride, Edwin Watts Golf, Sealy, Crocs, Payless, Sonic Drive-Ins, Sprint, CITGO, Coleman, University of Phoenix, Cruise America and numerous other brands.

Managed corporate communications programs, including functioning as in-house counsel, for companies including the Coleman Company, Vulcan Chemicals, Coastal Refining, Air Products, CITGO, Sealy and others. Responsibilities included crisis communications, managing employee communications and publications, community relations and events, executive media and presentation training, speech writing and Corporate Social Responsibility program development and management.

Led the public relations new business programs for agencies BIG YAM, Rhea + Kaiser, Cramer-Krasselt, Brunner and MARC USA. Responsibilities included management of prospecting strategy and implementation, preparation of new business materials, leading presentations and client contract negotiations.

Additional experience from the last six agency management positions includes creative and strategic planning and counsel, budgeting and business operations management, national crisis communications counsel and management, social media program implementation, brand planning and positioning, media relations, media training, event marketing, agency staff and public relations division management and extensive client service experience.

Professional Experience

May 2020 – Present

Communications/Marketing Consultant

June 2019 – May 2020 (Agency closed)

Vice President of Communications

BIG YAM, The Parsons Agency – Scottsdale, AZ.

www.bigyam.com

BIG YAM is an award-winning advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona, that delivers creative strategy, digital advertising, social media, public relations and web and software development services that empower brands to tell their story. As an independent agency, BIG YAM rallies seasoned creative, digital, public relations, development, and marketing professionals creating effective communications that are efficiently deployed for businesses across industries. Brand work included Cruise America, YAM Capital, Westgate Properties, Scottsdale National Golf Club, JSS Law, Estrella Mountain Ranch and Sneaky Big Productions.

Served as lead communications strategist for all agency clients.

Oversaw content, social media, media relations programs for all BIG YAM clients.

Led crisis communications strategy and managed executions for the agency and all clients.

Member of agency management team.

Led the new business efforts for the communications services of the agency.

February 2012 – May 2019

Vice President/Director of Public Relations & Digital

Rhea+Kaiser – Naperville, IL.

www.rkconnect.com

Rhea+Kaiser is an integrated, independently owned agency specializing in the agriculture, manufacturing and healthcare industries.

Implemented new social media, professional development and training programs for public relations staff.

Serve as lead strategist and crisis counselor for agency clients.

Responsible for management of public relations and digital staff and budgets.

Lead strategist and manager for all agency new business efforts.

Member of senior management committee.

May 2010 – November 2016

Owner, Merritt Distributors, LLC

dba Merritt Wines

www.robmerrittwines.com

Merritt Wines is an Illinois wine distribution business focused on providing restaurants, retail wine shops and wine bars with artisan, high-quality wines from the best wine growing regions in Europe. Founded in 2010, Merritt Wines, along with partner Savio Soares Selections in New York, works with small, independent growers who are dedicated to making wine as naturally as possible. Merritt Wines is proud to be featured on some of Chicago’s top restaurant wine lists, including Alinea, Grace, North Pond, Avec, Les Nomades, Longman & Eagle, Telegraph, Henri, Vie and many others.

April 2007 – May 2010

Sr. Vice President/Director of Public Relations

Cramer-Krasselt – Chicago, IL.

www.c-k.com

Cramer-Krasselt at the time was the second largest independently owned agency in the country with capitalized billings of almost $1 Billion. C-K is a fully integrated agency with advertising, public relations, interactive, direct and media in offices in Chicago, New York, Milwaukee and Phoenix. Brand experience at C-K includes Sealy, AirTran Airways, Corona, Porsche, Heinz, Crocs, University of Phoenix, Kenmore.com, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Transunion Interactive.

Implemented new social media, professional development and training programs for public relations staff.

Led implementation of new strategic planning process for public relations staff.

Led the successful public relations implementations of new, integrated branding programs for Sealy, Transunion Interactive, Crocs and AirTran Airways.

Served as lead strategic and crisis counselor for C-K clients.

Led the public relations efforts on new business acquisition of ten clients from April, 2007 to January, 2010, including Sealy, Crocs, TrueCredit, Porsche, Tork, Fleming’s, Roy’s and Color Lab.

Was responsible for management of all public relations staff, accounts, programs and budgets for the Chicago office of C-K.

Oversaw all public relations new business efforts and financial operations.

Member of senior management committee.

2006 to 2007

Vice President/Director of Public Relations

Brunner, Inc – Pittsburgh, PA.

www.brunnerworks.com

Brunner, Inc. is a fully integrated advertising, public relations, interactive, direct and design firm with offices in Atlanta, Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh. In 2007 Brunner had approximately $180 million in capitalized billings with 150 employees, and served national clients such as Dow, Anderson Floors, Zippo, Respironics, Cub Cadet, Golf Pride, Edwin Watts Golf and others.

Re-organized and staffed the public relations group to focus on integrated communications efforts for agency clients.

Grew incremental public relations client revenue by 25 percent in first year.

Managed public relations operations and financials for all public relations clients and integrated programs.

Led new business efforts for public relations and integrated opportunities, including acquisition of new clients Edwin Watts Golf, Golf Pride, Consol Energy and others.

2005 – 2006

Executive Vice President/Director of Public Relations

MARC USA – Pittsburgh, PA.

www.marcusa.com

MARC USA is a national, integrated advertising, public relations, marketing and interactive agency with offices in Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. MARC USA had approximately $400 million in capitalized billings with 275 employees, and served such national clients as Rite Aid pharmacies, Mohawk flooring, Moen faucets, Bryant Heating and Cooling, Checkers/Rally's and the Families of Flight 93 Foundation.

Managed the public relations operations for all MARC USA offices.

In first year of management, led public relations division to a 20 percent increase in revenue through new business acquisition and incremental client growth.

Direct responsibility for public relations new business program, as well as budgeting and billing for all accounts in conjunction with individual office leaders.

Responsible for all public relations client strategic planning and management of all agency public relations staff in conjunction with individual office leaders.

1996 – 2004

Sr. Vice President/COO, Public Relations

Barkley – Kansas City, MO.

www.barkleyus.com

Barkley (formerly Barkley Evergreen & Partners) is an integrated advertising, marketing, public relations and interactive agency, and in 2003 had billings of approximately $340 million and 265 employees. Barkley Public Relations is a full service public relations firm, serving local, regional and national clients. Client experience included Sonic Drive-Ins, Payless ShoeSource, Sprint, American Century, Blue Bunny Ice Cream, Farmland Industries, Vulcan Chemicals, Sprint Publishing, CITGO Petroleum Corp., Build-A-Bear Workshops, Monroe Shocks, Park City Group, Carstar, Western Auto Parts America, Pearle Vision Centers, Kansas Gas Service, Ram Mobile Data/Bell South, allergydirect.com, and the Kansas City Royals.

Managed the daily operations of 21 person public relations firm, including participation in the new business program, hiring personnel and recommending services and vendors.

Responsible for brand management, strategic planning and project implementation for public relations clients.

Develop and managed agency media training and crisis communications services.

Additional Experience

Vice President Client Service, Parris Communications - Kansas City, MO.

Vice President – Account Services/Director of Public Relations, Associated Advertising Agency, Inc. - Wichita, KS.

Vice President, Stephan Advertising Agency, Inc. - Wichita, KS.

Principal, Merritt Public Relations- Wichita, KS.

Public Relations Manager – The Coleman Company - Wichita, KS.

Media Relations Manager, Wichita State University – Wichita, KS.

News Reporter/News Anchor, KAKZ AM-FM – Wichita, KS.

Education

Bachelor of Science – Journalism from the William Allen White School of Journalism, The University of Kansas.

References available on request.

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