Experience

The Messina Group

• United States
• Government Relations Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Messaging & Narrative Development

  • Jan 2022 - Present

• Senior Strategist

  • Jul 2016 - Apr 2022

  Led by Jim Messina, the campaign manager for the 2012 Obama Campaign, The Messina Group provides strategic consulting to political campaigns, advocacy organizations, and large corporations. At the core of our work is the interplay between data, digital, and organizational programs—and how smart strategic planning can lead to better results both in the short- and long-term.As for my role, I develop messaging, brand positioning, and other marketing/communications assets for clients ranging from advocacy nonprofits to startup businesses. Basically, answering those hard questions of "who are you?" and "why?" that most companies never have time for. I also provide strategic guidance for clients on how to navigate tricky regulatory waters, where needed. It's more fun that it sounds! It all sounds a little vague and mysterious, and it can be! But if you have a problem as a business, there's a decent chance we can solve it.



Blue State

• United States
• Advertising Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Deputy Director of Communications

  • May 2014 - Jul 2016

  Key client work includes Google, Sierra Club, Khan Academy, Stand Up To Cancer, and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. Other highlights include: - Contributed and led pitches that won new business in the LA and SF regions, leading to more than 4x revenue from 2012 to 2014. - Built out the LA office for BSD from 3 employees to 12, playing a key role in hiring and training of all new staff. - Led up the planning, design, and construction of our new BSD office in the Wiltern building, hiring and working with architects and contractors to finish the project on time and under budget. - Assisted the Director of Communications in managing, training, and providing professional development for a Communications Team of 17 people, spanning offices in four different cities. - Planned and helped execute digital presence and communications for Stand Up To Cancer during its 2014 live telecast, raising more than $109 million for the event.- Spoken at conferences including Google's GEMS 2015, UCLA, and Social Media for Nonprofits.

• Communications Strategy Lead

  • May 2012 - May 2014

  Key client work included Wells Fargo, Celebrity Cruises, Michelle Bridges, Fred Hollows Foundation, NextGeneration Climate Action, Los Angeles Music Center, Stand for Children, the Nature Conservancy, and March of Dimes.

• Digital Communications Strategist

  • Aug 2010 - May 2012

  Blue State Digital is a leader in online fundraising, advocacy, social networking and constituency development programs for nonprofit organizations, political candidates and causes and corporations.



University of Southern California

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Writer & Copy Editor

  • Apr 2008 - Aug 2010

  Reported on events for USC News, copyedited academic articles for Annenberg Press, wrote alumni profiles for Trojan Family Magazine, and copyedited the summer 2009 issue of PD Magazine for the Center on Public Diplomacy at the Annenberg School and Q2 2010 Viterbi Magazine at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Reported on events for USC News, copyedited academic articles for Annenberg Press, wrote alumni profiles for Trojan Family Magazine, and copyedited the summer 2009 issue of PD Magazine for the Center on Public Diplomacy at the Annenberg School and Q2 2010 Viterbi Magazine at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.



Wilshire & Washington

• Show Producer

  • Mar 2008 - Aug 2010

  Weekly BlogTalkRadio show exploring intersection of politics, entertainment, and new media. Hosts include Variety’s Managing Editor Ted Johnson & former-HuffPost Chief of Staff Maegan Carberry. Researched topics, created talking points, arranged guests, and ran switchboard. Wrote-up shows and promoted with SEO-friendly summaries on HuffPost, BlogTalkRadio, and iTunes. Weekly BlogTalkRadio show exploring intersection of politics, entertainment, and new media. Hosts include Variety’s Managing Editor Ted Johnson & former-HuffPost Chief of Staff Maegan Carberry. Researched topics, created talking points, arranged guests, and ran switchboard. Wrote-up shows and promoted with SEO-friendly summaries on HuffPost, BlogTalkRadio, and iTunes.



Renaissance Hollywood Hotel

• New Media Advisor

  • Oct 2007 - Aug 2010

  Created the hotel's GM blog, writing from a distinctly "James Bond/Mad Hatter" perspective. Created and run the hotel's Facebook page, interacting with fans, promoting events, and adding photos. Manage the hotel's Twitter team, tweeting daily about events and hotel giveaways. Created the hotel's GM blog, writing from a distinctly "James Bond/Mad Hatter" perspective. Created and run the hotel's Facebook page, interacting with fans, promoting events, and adding photos. Manage the hotel's Twitter team, tweeting daily about events and hotel giveaways.



Alpha Dog Public Relations

• United States
• Public Relations and Communications Services

• Office Administrator & Account Executive

  • Feb 2006 - May 2010

  Public relations firm representing clients in hospitality, nonprofit, and pet and consumer industries. Researched, wrote and edited copy for corporate press material, websites, newsletters, and advertorials. Public relations firm representing clients in hospitality, nonprofit, and pet and consumer industries. Researched, wrote and edited copy for corporate press material, websites, newsletters, and advertorials.



iMedia Communications, Inc.

• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Freelance Features Writer

  • Apr 2008 - Aug 2009

  I write articles for the In Focus series, covering the online advertising industry and its many ups-and-downs. I write articles for the In Focus series, covering the online advertising industry and its many ups-and-downs.



Wills Communications Inc.

• Writer & Editor

  • Aug 2007 - Aug 2009

  Researched and wrote corporate press kits, releases, newsletters, advertorials, and other press material. Edited client content on-demand for online and print. Researched and wrote corporate press kits, releases, newsletters, advertorials, and other press material. Edited client content on-demand for online and print.



Valley Magazine

• Writer & Photographer

  • Mar 2007 - Apr 2009

  Wrote for this Los Angeles-based Lifestyle magazine, covering local politics, non-profits, youth issues. Wrote for this Los Angeles-based Lifestyle magazine, covering local politics, non-profits, youth issues.



Obama for America

• United States
• Political Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• New Media Advisor

  • Oct 2007 - Feb 2008

  Opposition research. Blogging. Overseeing a team of bloggers. Opposition research. Blogging. Overseeing a team of bloggers.



Purry Communications Group

• Writer

  • 2008 - 2008

  Wrote public relations materials for a number of large hotel chains across Southern California. Wrote public relations materials for a number of large hotel chains across Southern California.