communications manager

KATIE REXRODE

**** ******* ***** • Okemos, Michigan • 48864

517-***-**** • *********@*****.***

Qualifications

Driven leader with proven success in formulating and implementing strategic communications projects. Excellent written and verbal communicator with experience leading communications team for international franchise company including all corporate communications, public relations and social media campaigns.

Experience

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®/INTERNATIONAL, Inc. Lansing, Mich. 2005–2011

The largest franchised moving company in North America with more than 200 locations and 1,300 trucks worldwide.

Media Relations/Communications Manager 2005–2011

• Led on conversion of three corporate newsletters to award-winning company SharePoint extranet – single source of information for 200-plus franchises across United States, Canada and United Kingdom – including design, organization.

• Managed editorial calendar of corporate initiatives; developed and edited all content published to extranet.

• Strategic partner with department leadership to assist in roll out of all company initiatives; worked closely with executive team on strategically communicating sensitive company information.

• Led in creation and organization of national charity campaign Movers for Moms®, which connects franchises with local shelters to raise awareness, collect items for mothers in need.

o 65,000 items in 2011 with 3,200 media mentions, 15 media markets.

o Managed expansion of program for 2012.

• Developed communications strategy for $9 million company-wide technology launch.

• Managed national public relations firm to pitch stories to media outlets. Successfully pitched and helped coordinate television segments on NBC News, CNNBusiness, CNBC, 700 Club, The Today Show.

• Assisted in development and administration of $1.5 million department budget.

• Managed communications team.

• Participated in selection and management of national third-party strategic partners.

• Maintained/oversaw social media campaign to maximize impact on customers/franchisees including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, while increasing visibility organically.

• Updated and edited content on corporate website.

• Supported franchises on all internal and external communications needs.

• Expert in crisis communications, directing external and internal communication for all franchises and corporate headquarters in times of crisis.

• Oversaw creation and distribution of all press releases from corporate headquarters.

• Trained franchises on all aspects of communications including internal, public relations and social media.

THE LIMITED CORP. Okemos, Mich. 2002-2005

Assistant Store Manager

• Led team of 15 sales associates, exceeded sales expectations, led on training staff, planned schedule.

LANSING STATE JOURNAL Lansing, Mich. 2000-2002

Crime Reporter

• Award-winning journalist on courts and cops beat, uncovered an underage prostitution ring in mid-Michigan.

THE DAILY ITEM Sumter, S.C. 1999-2000

Reporter

• Covered local politics at city, county, state level including interviewing all Republican presidential candidates and the national debate held in Columbia, S.C.

THE OAKLAND PRESS Pontiac, Mich. 1999

Entertainment Reporter/Columnist

• Wrote feature and entertainment stories; created/wrote weekly column critiquing area hangouts.

THE STATE NEWS East Lansing, MI 1997-1999

Opinion Editor/Features Editor/Entertainment Reporter

• Led team in discussing and composing daily editorials at Michigan State University; wrote columns; designed pages; wrote feature/entertainment stories.

Education

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY East Lansing, Mich. Graduated 1999

Journalism, specialization in English

Awards

CMPRSA Award of Excellence for company extranet 2011

CMPRSA Pinnacle Award for e-newsletter 2009

CMPRSA Pinnacle Award for media tracking system 2007

Michigan Press Association award for reporting 2002

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