Writer/Communications Professional

JACQUELINE FITZGERALD

*** ********* ***., **. *, Los Angeles, CA 90049

310-***-****, ********************@*****.***

Founder/editor of movie and style site: Film Noir Blonde filmnoirblonde.com

SUMMARY

Award-winning PR professional and accomplished journalist, formerly of the Chicago Tribune. Highly versatile communications professional with outstanding writing, editing and design background as well as media-relations expertise. Adept at brand building, project management and social media. Recognized for accuracy, creativity and innovation. My goal is to direct communications/media strategy for a company or non-profit organization.

EXPERIENCE

Public Relations Manager, Roll Global, Los Angeles. October, 2007-April 2011.

Roll owns Teleflora, FIJI Water, POM Wonderful and Paramount Agricultural Cos.

Strategized and managed PR/communications for Teleflora, the world’s leading flower-delivery service. Conducted national and local media outreach to increase brand awareness. In 2010, Teleflora PR efforts generated an estimated advertising value of more than $4 million. Raised $10,000 for local charities, donated on behalf of local florists.

Wrote communications from the company’s president to florist network and Teleflora employees. Produced press statements, key messaging and press-kit materials. Successfully engaged consumers and built brand by launching Teleflora consumer blog, the floral-wire industry’s first blog. Created SEO-maximized ad copy and content for Teleflora.com. Managed Roll employee newsletter (covering all brands). Acquired media-training skills.

Editor/Writer, Chicago Tribune (1 million circulation), part of Tribune Co., a top-tier media corporation. Business, Lifestyle, Entertainment sections. 1994-2007.

Edited daily and Sunday stories by staff writers, columnists and critics. Wrote nationally syndicated career column, “Working.” Conceived and executed cover stories, trend pieces, essays, style/beauty/dining/travel stories and celebrity interviews, such as Barbara Walters.

Contributing reporter at Cannes, Toronto and Chicago film festivals in 2002-2005. Supervised freelancers; supported section editors as needed, managing editorial, design and photo staff.

Copy Editor/Designer, Illinois Times, Howard Publications, Lansing, Ill. 1993-1994.

Edited national and local stories for daily newspaper, circulation 70,000. Designed covers and inside pages, including late-breaking news. Supervised freelancers.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

*In-house PR Team of the Year Award Winner, PRWeek Magazine, 2009

*Finalist, Communications Department, International Business Awards, The Stevies, 2009

*Board of Directors, Society of Professional Journalists/Chicago, 2006-2007

*Finalist, Feature Writing, Peter Lisagor Award for Exemplary Journalism, 2004

*Ragdale Foundation Fiction-Writing Residency, Lake Forest, Ill., 1999

*Panelist/speaker at various journalism events; judged writing competitions

EDUCATION

*BA in Communication, Michigan State University/University of London (Honors graduate)

*Account Management Internship, SSC&B Lintas Advertising, London

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