Marketing Communications Director

Mary Rose DeMarco

585-***-**** *************@*****.***

Senior Creative Management- Ideation - Marketing Communications Brand Building Promotional Development Creative Oversight Copywriting & Editing Social Marketing Event Marketing Leadership Coaching

“Mary creates an environment in which everyone feels that they, too, can elevate their game…leading to ideation, creativity, dedication to getting the job done and tremendous loyalty to the team…she is exceptional at managing external relationships, developing profitable business and positioning her clients’ brands in a manner that will lead to the greatest wow factor.” Scott Perkins, Vice President, Rochester Hearing & Speech Center

CREATIVE LEADER with a dynamic record of delivering award-winning marketing content. My journey includes working both the agency and client side, giving me a unique knack for bringing the unexpected, providing results that hit the sweet spot. Deeply creative, which helps me innovate and communicate across various industries, platforms, and mindsets. As an individual who leads from both her head and heart, I show up with an unwavering commitment to whatever project is in front of me. I have a reputation for a sharp creative eye and leading thought-provoking concepts, where I often sweat the details. I’m exceptional at developing and maintaining relationships, a sharp communicator with 28+ years of experience in marketing, strategizing, and orchestrating integrated creative solutions. Savvy copywriter, and a clever editor, too.

Off the cuff: I bring fun, disruption, originality, and wow factor to every creative project while introducing bold ideas that put brand voice and storytelling at the center of creative execution. Branding is my love language.

Professional Highlights

LIDESTRI FOOD AND DRINK, INC. Rochester, NY 2011-2023 Premier contract and private label manufacturer of food, beverage, and spirits Marketing Manager [2011 – 2017], Branding & Communications Director [2017 – 2023] Served as the creative and communications lead responsible for 15 proprietary brand’s creation, branding, packaging design, copy, website development, social media management, influencer outreach, and brand merch.

o Oversaw all creative work, including print collateral, sell-in tools, websites, digital and social initiatives, photography, video production/editing, television and radio advertising, outdoor, POS, as well as captivated tradeshow excitement

o Interfaced with internal/external designers, web programmers; wrote creative briefs, strategy plans, collaborative brainstorming. Created disruptive messaging and POS for liquor stores, retail, unforgettable launch events, tasting promotions, holiday driven promotions and interactive campaigns

o Write/edit all marketing communications for proprietary brands: Cask & Crew Whiskey, Recipe 21 liquors, Francesco Rinaldi pasta sauce, Zeigler’s Apple Cider, Spikes Salsa, including 10 additional proprietary brands across foods, spirits and functional beverages o Early AI adaptation on Francesco Rinaldi’s pasta sauce label o Managed and created content/messaging for all social media platforms o Directed all components of 15 brand-specific websites owned by the company o Oversaw ad creation and messaging as well as media planning/tracked metrics for digital paid ads o Displayed an exuberant work ethic and attention to detail, whether punctuating copy, answering a brief, or staying true to the brand’s tone and style Director role: Led corporate comms, developed brand guidelines, kept the LiDestri brand true, fresh, and forward. Directed, developed, and coordinated all the communications for the company. o Corporate comms – built brand awareness internally and externally. Created & distributed a bi- monthly “newsletter” companywide

o Developed corporate digital recruitment ads

o Quality Assurance: provide final review of files being released to outside vendors; proofread all communications.

*Taught leadership courses to employee groups which extended to companywide “coaching” for managers and supervisors

MASON SELKOWITZ MARKETING INC., Rochester, New York 2007–2011 VP, Account Service - Full-service marketing communications, advertising, and interactive media agency

●Branding/Marketing/Media Execution

LiDestri Foods & Spirits- Created new national brand, Spikes Salsa- label design, social media campaign, sales support & distributor collateral, award-winning website.Launched a new line of liqueur- Tuttobello Limoncello & Amaretto, including label design, website, seasonal packaging, local promotions, and sell-in materials.

Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning. Developed successful market awareness strategy for this Rochester HVAC leader in support of expansion into other markets. Created a media strategy, wrote TV and radio spots, website, banner ads, social media. Negotiated and oversaw a two-season sponsorship agreement with the Buffalo Bills.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, Cum Laude, St. Bonaventure University Awards & Community Involvement

Rochester Business Journal, Best of the Web Design Awards -Wet Planet Beverages Addy Awards- LiDestri’s Sangria packaging, LiDestri’s Pink Limoncello packaging Board Member Marketing, Rochester Hearing & Speech Center (2004–07) Marketing & Communications Board Member- Seneca Park Zoo (2007-2009) Board Member, Marketing, James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, URMC (2010 – 2019)

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