Resume
EXPERIENCE:
Communications Professional, Self Employed
BRENDA REES, Eagle Rock, CA, Nov. 1993 – present
Freelance Writer
November 1993 – present
Freelance journalist for daily and weekly publications, including The Los Angeles Times.
- Proposes and tailors story ideas to specific markets such as: Calendar Weekend (seven cover stories, among others), Calendar Live, SoCal Living (two front page articles),Westways Magazine, Arroyo Monthly Magazine, Boulevard Sentinel Monthly, The EastsiderLA blog, Tidings Weekly and more
- Arranges photo opportunities for stories and coordinates photographers as needed
Editor
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE (www.socalwild.com), Eagle Rock, CA, Oct. 2012 – present
Writes, produces and photographs editorial content for blog involving the diversity of wildlife found in the Greater Los Angeles area
- Conceptualizes stories from start to finish including research, interviews and follow-up
- Coordinates social media presence through Facebook with regular posts
Public Relations Consultant and Social Media Advisor
GALCO’S SODA POP STOP, Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 2012 – present
Advises local independent business with marketing and public relations campaigns as well as overseeing online social media presence. Provides PR and on-site coordination for the store’s special events including its popular Summer Soda Tasting event held in July
- Composes press releases and media alerts; pitched letters to print and TV, secured coverage
- Coordinates media interest and handled questions and editorial requests
- Photographs products, people and events for online use
- Created and updates Galco’s blog; drives social media presence through Facebook posts, updates SodaPopStop website; writes, photographs and creates monthly email newsletters
Public Relations Consultant and Social Media Advisor
CHARLES PHOENIX PRODUCTIONS, Los Angeles, CA, June 2010 – present
Advises local celebrity with marketing strategy and public relations campaigns to support live events.
- Drafts press releases, radio and media alerts, and pitch letters to print, TV and radio
- Coordinates media interest and handles questions and requests
- Updates event website and offers editorial feedback
Public Relations Consultant
SAINT PHILIP THE APOSTLE SCHOOL, Pasadena, CA, Aug. 2007 – present
Chairs public relations committee for private school. Assigns committee members various duties, established and nurtures local media contacts and follows-through with archdiocese on marketing meetings.
- Wrote and shepherded articles for Illuminations, a school publication printed three times a year
- Created brochures and messaging for Annual Reports and ancillary publications
- Procured Falcon costumed mascot for appearances at school and social events
Editor
WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?, Santa Ana, CA, Oct. 1999 – present
Oversees editorial content and layout for bi-monthly newsletter (and later online version) for a professional development for California science and math teachers.
- Rewrites existing materials for flow and to match AP style
- Coordinates copy, photos and graphs for both printed and online newsletter
- Oversees design and gives creative feedback on layout
Public Relations Consultant
GAMBLE HOUSE LECTURE SERIES, Pasadena, CA, Aug. 2006 – present
Ongoing execution of public relations campaign for announcement of popular lecture series involving art and architecture related to the Arts and Crafts movement.
- Composed press releases, radio and media alerts and pitch letters to print, TV and radio
- Generated media interest and handled questions and requests between press and lecturers
Public Relations Consultant
MUSEUMS OF THE ARROYO DAY, Los Angeles, Pasadena, CA, Nov. 2000 – present
Created public relations campaign for annual Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day for five local museums in Pasadena and Highland Park.
- Composed press releases, radio and media alerts, and pitch letters to print, TV and radio
- Secured positive coverage of the yearly event; worked closely with media and individual museums throughout all phases of execution
- Designed brochures, postcards and flyers; created and updated event website, blog
- United five museums for monthly meetings and checkpoints
Public Relations Consultant
ARROYO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL GREAT SHAKE OUT, Los Angeles, CA, Sept. – Oct. 2012
Created public relations and marketing campaign for simulated earthquake drill complete with “walking wounded,” real responders, helicopters and emergency vehicles.
- Developed press releases, radio and media alerts, and pitch letters to print, TV and radio
- Coordinated media interest and handled questions and requests
- Designed and placed ads in local publications and media outlets
- Made presentations for community involvement at local schools
Manager of Communications
DESCANSO GARDENS, La Canada, CA, Oct. 2008 – June 2010
Served as key player for public relations, external and internal communications for public botanical garden.
- Generated ongoing awareness of Descanso Gardens to core audiences with coverage in newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and online. Coverage included articles and segments in the Pasadena Star News, Los Angeles Times, KABC-TV, NBC4, The Today Show, La Canada Valley Sun, Arroyo Monthly, La Canada Outlook and more
- Conceptualized, drafted and distributed press releases
- Pitched feature ideas to reporters and producers; served as the “point person” for all inbound/outbound communications activities
- Was the managing editor of quarterly Gardens’ newsletter “Descanso News,” oversaw copy and graphic content, drafted articles, edited internal contributions, supervised design and printing
- Drafted ongoing contributed features for South Pasadena Quarterly Magazine
- On-site photographer and videographer for internal and external communications and marketing use
- Worked with outside printers and designers on all marketing materials including: flyers, advertising, posters, post cards, special signage, etc.
- Coordinated content for Descanso Gardens’ website; oversees ongoing email blasts to members
- Oversaw social media outreach. Launched Facebook Page in August 2009; creates ongoing video, photographic and copy to engage potential visitors, workshop attendees and members
Calendar Editor
L.A. PARENT MAGAZINE, Burbank, CA, Oct. 2004 – Dec. 2007
Oversaw editorial content for monthly publication.
- Researched and wrote listings, highlights, special articles, media reviews
- Coordinated copy, photos and graphs for design
- Oversaw design and gave creative feedback on layout
- Established new columns on reviews of DVDs and music
Staff Writer
THE TIDINGS NEWSPAPER, Los Angeles, CA, May 1997 – June 1999
Reporter/photographer for weekly publication of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
- Originated story ideas from concept to finished product, often on tight deadlines
- Ability to work comfortably on a variety of projects
- Rewrote existing press releases to fit publication style guidelines
- Copy editing and proofreading skills in addition to assisting in page layout and design
Manager of Creative Affairs
MGM ANIMATION, Santa Monica, CA, Aug. 1994 – March 1997
Creative Executive
WALT DISNEY TV ANIMATION, North Hollywood, CA, Sept. 1992 – Nov. 1993
Creative Affairs Director
UNIVERSAL CARTOON STUDIOS, Los Angeles, CA, April 1989 – Sept. 1992
Creative Executive Assistant
HANNA-BARBARA, Hollywood, CA, April 1986 – April 1989
Editor/Writer
HARD TIMES PUBLICATIONS, St. Paul, MN, Sept. 1981 – June 1984
Conceptualized and produced local monthly humor publication.
Editor
MINNESOTA DEPT. OF ECONOMIC SECURITY, St. Paul, MN, Sept. 1980 – June 1982
In charge of monthly 12-page newsletter devoted to government job service programs.
EDUCATION:
Journalism BA, Minor in Public Relations, 1982 cum laude, College of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.
