Media Relations Corporate Communications

Gene King

** **** ***** ******, *******, NJ *****

Mobile: 973-***-**** / email: *******@*******.***

Website: genekinglive.com / Linkedin.com: genekingnj

G2 Communications Co., Clifton, NJ, October, 2024 – Present, Owner

(SaaS, Financial Services, Cybersecurity, Non-Profit, & Media Clients)

Organized interim practice providing services for executives and departmental leaders including corporate communications, public and media relations, executive communications, branding, and writing for external and internal audiences.

Projects include writing and design of sales, pr and media materials, executive communications, brand building or resetting, and media or pr program creation. Created genekinglive.com and Mediums, Messages, and More, its related website, podcast, YouTube channel, and Substack channel. Also working on video editing projects as well as social media channel management for brand protection.

Solix, Inc., Parsippany, NJ, (BPO, B2B, B2C, Govt. & Commercial Clients)

March 2010 to June 2024, Director, Corporate Comms. & Public Affairs

Department leader and supervisor reporting to the CEO and collaborating with executive leadership of $110M+ company with responsibilities for concept, design and execution of

corporate communications, public relations; including media relations efforts, sales/marketing support, and brand reputation/representation duties. Also served key role in supporting internal and investor relations communications. Highlights include:

Built and managed media relations and external communications programs that greatly expanded brand visibility and services exposure resulting in top-tier and high value strategic media

Secured Congressional Hearing invite for CEO and subsequent positive media

Created and managed first national advertising campaign (USA Today)

Crafted library of wide-ranging materials coordinated event participation for sales and marketing efforts

Served in critical role for creation and execution of two brand refreshes and two corporate website updates

All above helped increase brand presence, identity and value proposition of services that boosted revenue $40M, expanded markets, strengthened existing customer relationships and interactions with public officials

E.W. King Comms, North Arlington, NJ April 2008 – March 2010, Owner (FinTech, SaaS, Banking, Manufacturing, & B2B Tech Clients)

Created interim private corporate communications practice with a broad portfolio of services. Served as trusted adviser and speechwriter for c-level executives. Provided creative, strategic and tactical support from concept to completion for a diverse set of projects including ghostwriting executive speeches, letters, or bylines; creating marketing documents, media relations and assisting sales support.

Keating & Company, Florham Park, NJ/ Manhattan, NYC

January 2003 – February 2008, GM, Account Director

(SaaS, FinTech, Manufacturing, Financial, Banking, B2C, Science)

Built and expanded general practice division to become the largest group at the agency with clients seeking broad communications services and support including Nikon, WithumSmith+Brown, and Investors Savings Bank. Also led accounts for variety of young tech companies and entrepreneurial start-ups. Highlights include:

Grew practice by $25M to become largest group by clientele and revenue

Secured first major media for numerous clients including Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, FoxNews and CNBC

Increased and diversified firm’s markets and range of clientele

Expanded services, played key role in new business development and support

TSI Comms. Worldwide, NYC, January 2000 – September 2001,

Sr. Account Exec. (IBM, Gartner, & 1-800-Flowers)

Successfully developed and executed from concept to completion the development and expansion of pr and media relations as well as executive communications to increase and diversify brand presence and promotion of IBM Server Division and its products.

Achievement led to assignment of and successful management of same duties for IBM Software and Consulting Practices. Led Gartner account team to greatly expand thought leadership and publicity efforts for key analysts and executives that brought increased brand visibility and resonance in target audiences.

Account success led 25% growth in contract/services

Successful execution of account duties resulted in greater internal collaboration and integration of cross-functionality that resulted in savings greater than $250k

Saint Peter’s University, Jersey City, NJ

March 1994 – January 2000, Associate Director of Public Affairs

Successfully created, built, and expanded new office of public affairs and communications as well as played key role in executing centralization of all university communications and rollout of rebranding campaign.

Secured major media including CBS News, C-SPAN, New York Times and ABC News as well as regional and local media

Successfully executed inaugurations of two presidents

Established speaker bureau and university as ‘go-to’ source for media which generated more than $250k in advertising space through earned media

Expanded admissions through broader media and pr market outreach

Collaborated with Development to create donor and alumni communications that resulted in, at that time, record single donations and collective annual fundraising that enabled aggressive expansion of campus

Additional Background

NBC News, NYC

Exit Pollster/Research Assistant for local, state and national elections

The Star-Ledger, Newark, NJ

General assignment correspondent. Political Reporter

The Jersey Journal, Jersey City, NJ

General Assignment Correspondent. Political reporter

Education

Rutgers University “Mini-MBA” Business Essentials Curriculum graduate

New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ (BA, English/Communications/Pol.Sci)

Contact this candidate