Communications Manager

MICHELLE M. MERRITT *******.**@*****.***

COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL

Developer of effective, multi-channel communications strategies that generate, secure and sustain targeted brand recognition and visibility – on message, on time and on budget.

CAREER SUMMARY

Dynamic communications and administrative professional with a proven record of accomplishment in strategic marketing communications, event management, public relations, office operations, technical support, and management in telecommunications, public health and development. I develop strategic messages that garner community support, increase awareness and convey messages for business, nonprofit organization and program promotion. I have also completed post-graduate coursework in cutting-edge media research and psychological theories to evaluate the influence of multi-channel media communication platforms on human behavior to inform marketing communication planning and execution. I possess excellent leadership and organizational skills that support various-sized operations and achieve desired goals with optimal, timely and efficient outcomes.

Core Competencies:

 Project Management

 Report Preparation

 Strategic Planning

 Professional Presentations

 Budget Development / Management

 Scheduling

 Media / Marketing Communications

 Planning and Logistics

 Multi-media Communications

 Office Administration

 Event Production

 Accounting/Bookkeeping

 Operations Management

 Supervision

SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 Strategic communications plan development and implementation for nonprofit organizations.

 Efficiently constructed and optimized nonprofit office operations and served as development team lead for communications and event management.

 Financially and promotionally successful educational, fundraising and marketing event production.

 Increased awareness and heightened visibility of public health program through Internet presence, collateral material development and media relations.

 Produced outreach communication deliverables instrumental in securing in excess of $1 million in funding for public health and cultural organizations.

 Re-established public health community relations and education program.

 Management of payroll payments to staff, crews, and individuals, including regular and contracted staff and groups of up to several hundred persons on a regular or recurring basis.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MARKETING CONSULTANT, Detroit, MI

INTRINSIC MANAGEMENT , LLC 2002-2005 / 2007-Present

Innovative marketing communications and management consulting.

Intrinsic Management (formerly PerfectMarketing) is a re-branded entrepreneurial consulting venture specializing in content development to successfully achieve promotional communications goals for businesses, educational and nonprofit organizations. I provide marketing communications services, including brand architecture, cause-related marketing, graphic design, direct mail, media kits, presentations, and training materials.

HEALTH EDUCATOR, Detroit, MI

SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN HEALTH ASSOCIATION 2005-2007

Fiduciary organization for grant-funded healthcare programs.

Promoted program; ensured compliance with outreach education requirements; lead collaborative communication

committees; heightened community awareness of available services; increased departmental visibility; developed, updated

and enhanced collateral materials, Web presence and media campaign to promote program to professional and consumer audiences. Produced outreach communication plan essential in obtaining $1.6 million in program funding. Performed outreach communications for Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion Family Planning Program serving over 6,000 patient-consumers. Provided outreach and publicity through presentations, classes and training. Collected data and generated qualitative and quantitative reports for needs assessment and patient care planning.

DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR, Detroit, MI

CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY 1998-2002

World’s largest African-American cultural museum.

Designed, developed, or supervised fundraising program and campaign collaterals production, design and development; managed direct mail programs, wrote press releases, created presentations and organizational reports. Composed donor communication and grant proposals; wrote and edited talking points, newsletter articles, and radio/print advertising copy. Performed media relations, editing and media placement. Promoted and produced events; managed budgets; executed and negotiated contracts; supervised staff and volunteers.

Key Contributions and Accomplishments:

 Coordinated appropriations lobbying activities: Meetings with Detroit legislators and trips to the Michigan capitol during the 1999-2001 Arts Advocacy Days.

 Coordinated and produced the first three annual Ford Freedom Award ceremonies and events (1999 to 2001), honoring Ambassador Andrew Young, Gregory Hines and Dr. Sonia Sanchez, respectively; including specials broadcast by ABC affiliate WXZY-7.

 Produced first Dr. Charles H. Wright Awards for Excellence; the first Detroit Mason’s Day membership drive; and the first large-scale fashion production for the African World Festival Kick-off Reception.

EDUCATION

Fielding Graduate University; Santa Barbara, CA Two-plus years of Ph.D. coursework (Media Psychology Specialization)

University of Detroit Mercy; Detroit, MI Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies)

Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute; Detroit, MI

Sheila Sloan Public Relations; Bingham Farms, MI Account Executive Intern

Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion; Detroit, MI Public Health Communications Intern

PRESENTATIONS

 Detroit Department of Health & Wellness Promotion Bureau of Clinical Services & Population Health Family Planning Advisory/Education Committee

 Detroit Nurse Family Partnership

 Michigan Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Project

 Michigan Maternal and Infant Health Project

 NAPWA Ryan White National Youth Conference

 SourceOne Technologies, Inc.

 St. John Health Abstinence Coalition Teen Pregnancy Prevention Conference

 Wayne State University Detroit Orientation Institute

AFFILIATIONS

 Central States Communication Association

 Former Chair, Detroit Department of Health & Wellness Promotion Bureau of Clinical Services & Population Health

Family Planning Advisory/Education Committee

 Former Public Relations Chair, Belle Isle Optimists International Charter Chapter

 Michigan Society for Healthcare Planning and Marketing

 Infant Vitality Action Network – Community Education & Promotion and Program/Policy Improvement Teams

 Michigan HIV/AIDS Program Advisory Committee

 Michigan Infant Mortality Review and Michigan Perinatal HIV/AIDS Mortality Review Teams

 Michigan Psychological Association

 University of Detroit Mercy Leadership Development Institute

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