Communications Director
Resume:
MARCUS L. COOPER III
***********@*********.***
**** ***** ***** *****, ************, TX 78660
Deliver leading-edge communication strategies that drive organizational success.
SENIOR-LEVEL COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
STRATEGIC PLANNING
PUBLIC/MEDIA RELATIONS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
Corporate Communications
Journalism
Executive Coaching
Marketing
Leadership
Speech Writing
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Repeatedly recognized for delivering exceptional rather than expected results
Dynamic driving force behind the creation and implementation of high-visibility communication initiatives.
Highly accomplished, multifaceted executive armed with 12 years’ experience delivering innovative solutions and enforcing communication-related standards of excellence for high-level state government departments and local entities. Substantial history collaborating with multi-stakeholders to build communication infrastructure and enhance organizational image. Expertise in leading large-scale information projects and press events that garner national, regional, and statewide coverage.
Dynamic, trusted advisor who provides vision, support, and counsel to C-level executives. Anticipates emerging media issues to provide advice on high-volume response strategies. Ability to interface with the media and ensure message alignment with organizational, social, and environmental goals. Adept at influencing thinking, forging alliances, and tackling controversial issues.
Powerful public speaker and gifted writer who delivers winning presentations that translate vision into action. Earned respect as a senior spokesman with widespread media, intra-agency, and community relationships. Equipped with finely honed writing skills and talent to crystallize ideas into clear, actionable plans.
Presentations
Media Relations
Event Management
Staff Management
Branding
Press Releases
Account/Territory Management
Client Relations
Product Marketing
Change Management
Team Leadership
Web Content
IT Strategy
Social Media
Customer Service
Message Development
Project Management
Speechwriting
Executive Counseling
Regulatory Compliance
Strategic Planning
Broadcast Communications
Journalism
Public Relations
Corporate Communications
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CAREER PROGRESSION & PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Texas Department of Information Resources , Austin, TX, 2010 – 2011
DIR provides statewide management of information technology and is responsible for establishing policy, securing technology, and resources. The agency operates a $1.3B contracting system and web-portal generating 118M financial transactions.
Communications Director (01/2010 – 01/2011)
Position Scope: Assumed executive leadership role to oversee the agencies internal and external communications strategies. Served as agency-wide media coordinator and spokesman. Challenged to direct and create high-visibility communication initiatives for the agency. Provided executive support and decision-making input. Coached leaders on all aspects of message development as principal advisor to ED and top-tier management. Handled, media alerts, press conferences, and special events. Spearheaded agency-wide initiatives in areas of public relations, event planning, crisis management, social media, and change management.
Impact & Results:
*Dispelled rumors from press reports and restored confidence in agency stakeholders by creating a listserv to promote the agency’s interests, build relationships, and provide updates on the organization’s $863M data center consolidation initiative.
*Bridged communication across divisional boundaries, pinpointed information gaps, and increased collaboration by conducting the first-ever agency-wide audit.
*Linked networks with monthly meetings to ensure message alignment and watertight communication between ED, mid-level managers, and work groups.
*Streamlined executive presentations by developing a protocol to maintain consistent messaging, pinpoint discrepancies, and uncover contradictory statements.
*Championed large-scale events such as the 2010 Power to Purchase Technology Expo from writing the opening
presentation to organizing and marketing efforts across the Southwest.
*Overhauled the state’s official web portal and led a statewide media roll out and 2010 news conference for the new internet website: Texas.gov.
*Captured a 26.4% increase in online transactions and boosted public awareness with an aggressive 6-month marketing campaign to promote the state site to120 stations across 90 markets with 60+ media stories.
*Safeguarded 50+ concealed handgun owners from a website hacking and prevented destructive news headlines by implementing measures that put applicants at ease and reassured them of data security.
*Ranked Texas within the top 15% of 46 states for social media usage by personally promoting social media as a valuable tool for business purposes across 50 state agencies.
*Joined forces with IT Policy staff to investigate and report the best practices and programmatic impacts of social media use among agencies for the 2010 Digital State Survey.
*Steered agency through a large-scale communication transformation with seamless conversion to a new financial software system, enabling staff to access materials with project managers, train, and implement the change on deadline.
Texas Department of Transportation, Austin, TX, 2004 – 2010
Headquartered in Austin, TxDOT is one of the largest state agencies. Operating on a multibillion-dollar budget with 10,000+ employees, the agency is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of statewide transportation infrastructure.
Public Information Officer (2006 – 2010)
Position Scope: High-profile position as PIO and spokesman for the Austin District, spanning 11 counties. Functioned as the face and voice of the district. Charged with managing agency-wide communication initiatives such as media/public relations, press conferences, forums, special events, press releases, crises response, and speech writing. Supervised work teams, formulated plans, and procedures. Reported findings and information to staff, government, and public. Cultivated strategic relationships with elected officials.
Impact & Results:
*Rolled out a District-wide communications program to provide an effective response tool for officials and the media, as well as alert the public of traffic conditions affected by maintenance, weather, and construction.
*Earned year-after-year merit raises and high-performance evaluations ranked “superior” for work on public information issues, promoting compliance, and maintaining a professional, responsive, ethical approach.
*Embarked on an internal communications plan to cut inefficiencies such as redundant email and phone inquiries and eliminated communication barriers with up-to-date event listings for executive staff.
*Orchestrated high-visibility special events including an opening ceremony for the largest US road construction project in the last decade.
*Launched a groundbreaking Emergency Media Contingency Plan during Hurricane Ike in 2008, which included contacting the media to interface with staff at a storm shelter, and resulted in better TV/Radio coverage, simplified communication processes, and improved outreach to evacuees.
*Seized opportunity to create the first Austin District Twitter account and introduced an efficient communication tool to inform travelers of road conditions, provide safety tips, and public announcements. Followers increased from a dozen to 1150+ since 2008 media launch.
Public Relations Liaison/Media Spokesman (2004 – 2006)
Position Scope: Vital role within the GSD as spokesman and Public Relations Liaison for TxDOT’s Recycling Program. Operating on a limited budget, strategically managed statewide promotional efforts to increase awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of recycling. Developed networks, facilitated events, wrote press releases, media alerts, newsletters, and legislative reports. Created action plans and protocols to disseminate information to the staff, legislature, and public.
Impact & Results:
*Revolutionized strategies to advocate green technology as a source to build transportation infrastructure throughout Texas.
*Accelerated Goodwill Industries profit margins with 500 tons of donated reusable goods generated by the first-ever statewide TxDOT Reuse Roundup grassroots initiative.
*Grew a vast network of volunteers by partnering with “Keep Texas Beautiful” executives to promote the Recycling program.
*Fueled the operational success of Roundup by equipping participants with a strategic, results-based communications plan.
*Reduced costs by using in-house publishing and print shops to create marketing programs to target 14,000 TxDOT office employees.
Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX, 1999 – 2004
DSHS operates to protect Texas health by providing state-operated health care services, including hospitals, health centers, and health agencies. The agency works to increase the use of health information and sets state standards.
Public Relations Liaison/Media Spokesman (1999 – 2004)
Position Scope: Functioned within the DSHS as PIO and spokesman for the Office of Tobacco Prevention and Control. Managed a $5M budget and presided over 50 contractors in the execution of three advertising campaigns aimed at tobacco prevention across Southeastern Texas. Led efforts to conduct investigative research. Spoke to media, attended events, and conducted training seminars. Implemented action plans and protocols. Coordinated news conferences and media advisories. Edited website content and wrote press releases and newsletters. Informed TDH staff, Texas legislature, and the public of results.
Impact & Results:
*Slashed tobacco use by 36% in a pilot study resulting from a nine-month PR campaign findings were later employed by legislature to debate the prevention program expansion.
*Authored the original “Request-For-Offer” establishing Texas’ first state funded tobacco prevention marketing campaign.
*Worked closely with an ad agency to create hard-hitting marketing themes such as the “Tobacco is foul,” DUCK campaign targeted at preteens, and the “Worth It?” campaign for teens.
*Persuaded regional educators, health experts, local doctors, and hospital systems to get on board with the effort utilizing
baseline health study data from regional populations.
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ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Law Clerk, Travis County Attorney’s Office, Austin, TX
Police and Courts Reporter, Fill-in Anchor, KTBC TV (FOX Affiliate), Austin, TX
Police and Courts Reporter, Fill-in Anchor, Video Photographer, KWTX TV (CBS Affiliate), Waco, TX
Executive Producer, Weekly Community Affairs Show, KWTX TV, (CBS Affiliate), Waco, TX
Presentations
“How to work with the Media” designed to build grass roots volunteer confidence in engaging the media and public.
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EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Radio/Television and Journalism
Baylor University, Waco, TX
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COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
National Association of Black Journalists
Barbara Jordan Award for Outstanding Journalism, Nominee
Center for Action against Sexual Assault, Former Board Member
Waco Community Cancer Society, Former Board Member
Drug Resistance Awareness, Former Board Member
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