Sarah Muench

Experience

• 

  The Arizona Republic

  Sept 2003 - Mar 2008

  I covered public safety, Latino issues, immigration, business, and I produced video and other visual projects for the biggest newspaper in the fifth largest city in the nation. I won an award for Best Breaking News for reporting on serial killers. After identifying a need, I created an additional duty of La Voz liaison to aid in content production by translating stories in Spanish and English for both publications. I chased news for La Voz, the top Spanish-language newspaper in Arizona, as an intern, then as a reporter. I wrote stories in Spanish covering education, the Arizona Legislature, the border and Mexico. La Voz newsroom allowed me to establish great relationships and friendships with co-workers from an array of Latin American countries.

  • Reporter

    Sept 2005 - Mar 2008

  • Reporter

    Sept 2003 - Sept 2005
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  Congressional campaign

  Mar 2008 - Nov 2008

  Communications Director

  I directed media relations and strategies for Bob Lord for Congress while writing speeches and talking points for his public appearances and conducting daily research. I created social media content, wrote and edited press releases, held press conferences, produced TV ads and supervised an intern.-Communicated Bob Lord's message to the public, which aided in a multi-million-dollar fundraising result-Drove the most successful communications campaign of an underdog candidate in Arizona-Fostered already established relationships with the media, resulting in a steady stream of campaign coverage Show less

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  Arizona State University - Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

  Aug 2008 - now

  Adjunct Faculty

  I advise Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Honors students during their year-long projects that mark the pinnacle of their college journalism careers and help launch them into the job market. -Hold a perfect record for helping former Cronkite students land their dream jobs-Led a group of 25 Cronkite students to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to cover the 2016 Summer OlympicsCourses taught:-JMC 305: Multimedia Journalism: Provided key training on building websites, photo editing with Adobe Photoshop, video shooting and editing with Adobe Premiere, podcasting and audio slideshows, HTML and more-JMC 194: Fundamentals of Coding: Introduced hundreds of students to HTML-JMC 201: News Writing and Reporting: Instilled excellent reporting and writing techniques and AP Style and instructed, supervised and edited students in research, interviewing, public records and ethics Show less

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  Arizona House of Representatives

  Dec 2008 - Feb 2012

  Communications Director

  I advised legislative leadership on critical media decisions, strategized, directed and planned all local and national media relations and events. I grew professionally through handling difficult policy and media controversies and developed easy-to-understand content for mass audiences from complex budget and policy issues. -Directed communications for legislators during SB 1070, the broadest and strictest anti-illegal immigration measure passed in the U.S., and other initiatives with wide-ranging effects-Trained lawmakers on communicating with members of the media-Penned op-eds for legislators that appeared in various news outlets-Prepared elected officials to appear on live TV Show less

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  Launch Media Consulting

  Feb 2010 - now

  Owner & Principal

  I consult businesses and organizations on writing, editing, marketing, communications and public relations on a contract basis.

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  City of Phoenix

  Feb 2012 - Oct 2013

  Communications Director for the Mayor of Phoenix

  I served Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton by writing speeches, talking points, press releases and op-eds and interacting daily with local and national reporters. I directed mayoral staff experts and prepared them for media interviews, supervised interns, and I staffed the mayor for high-profile events, including travel to Washington, D.C.-Won Emmy for TV production of “Online w/ Mayor Stanton,” the first-ever live, online budget hearing for the City of Phoenix that included live TV social media interaction -Worked with design team, video production crew and stakeholder groups to launch multiple marketing projects including FitPHX, a health initiative, and PlanPHX, the city’s general plan update-Strategized media and PR on a daily basis for media hits and crisis situations on extremely tight deadlines-Supervised assistant communication director and interns Show less

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  Clipped In (clippedin.bike)

  Jun 2013 - Jan 2022

  Publisher/Owner

  I filled a need in the bike racing/cycling community for a comprehensive news and events website by creating clippedin.bike, which hosted the largest events listing in the nation. I wrote, edited and produced online content, news and social media, including on professional cycling. I oversee contributors and budget.-Pioneered a resource that previously did not exist and used digital tools to develop it-Ran the most comprehensive cycling events website in the U.S.-Worked with a team of web developers to make strategic business decisions-Produced content, working with contributors-Directed overall budget Show less

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  Arizona State University

  Sept 2013 - Jun 2015

  Manager of Interactive Marketing and Communications

  I directed public relations and social media for the largest college at Arizona State University. I produced and directed 20 videos under budget and edited and published the CLAS Magazine while supervising editors, writers, videographers, graphic designers and interns. I advised deans and colleagues on best marketing practices.-Taught Search Engine Optimization (SEO) workshops-Conducted focus groups, studied market research and worked with a team to create branding plans-Crafted core messaging for the college-Worked with 18 schools under the college on marketing strategies and core messaging-Managed magazine staff of editors and reporters-Conducted focus groups, study market research and worked with various teams to create branding plans-Directed and improved social media Show less

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  Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK

  Dec 2015 - May 2022

  Editor

  I edited daily newspapers from across the nation for Gannett, the parent company of USA Today and the Arizona Republic. My eyes were the last to see the news before it goes to print.-Write headlines and proof pages-Correct copy and design errors-Work with a team of editors on daily deadlines-Edit newspapers in cities from across the country

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  Marts&Lundy

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2024

  I had the privilege of working for a 97-year-old philanthropic consulting firm that helps large nonprofits across the globe increase their fundraising and make an impact. Through creating, writing, editing, filming and utilizing graphic design, my team influenced donors and stakeholders to give through campaign communications. -Developed compelling campaign communications for philanthropies with multi-million-dollar and billion-dollar-plus fundraising goals-Provided communications insight and expertise to nonprofits for private and public phases of fundraising campaigns-Devised and executed communications plans and strategies for campaign messaging deployment-Fueled one of the most venerable think tanks for philanthropies in the U.S. and across the world-Helped spearhead our firm's Client Diversification Initiative: discounted and pro-bono work for social-justice related nonprofits-Served on our firm's DEI Committee-Led DEI Communications group-Led Philanthropic Communications Workshop for more than 30 organizationsSampling of clients: CaltechChurchill School & Center New YorkEthel Walker SchoolGeorgia TechGeneration You EmployedHawaii Community FoundationInternational Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity ProfessionalsKarmanos Cancer InstituteMacArthur Foundation/Lever for ChangeMaricopa Health FoundationMaui Health FoundationMid-Pacific InstituteNational Park FoundationOjai Music FestivalRoundabout Theatre New YorkStone Barns Center for Food & AgricultureStudent Freedom InitiativeThe Strong National Museum of PlayTexas A&M UniversityUniversity of KentuckyUniversity of Southern CaliforniaVCU HealthFind out more: martsandlundycommunications.com Show less

  • Senior Affiliate Consultant & Writer

    Nov 2022 - Jan 2024

  • Associate Consultant, Communications/Account Executive

    Jan 2017 - Nov 2022
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  Elect Katie Hobbs

  May 2022 - Jul 2022

  Director Of Strategic Communications

  I worked on the gubernatorial campaign for Katie Hobbs.

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  Muench Strategic Communications

  Jan 2024 - now

  Founder

  I founded my own company with five partners after two decades of experience in strategic communications and telling compelling stories that matter across nonprofit, government and business. I influence and inspire donors from some of the nation's largest nonprofits and audiences who help change the world.

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  Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

  Jun 2024 - now

  Senior Manager, State Communications

  I bolster the State Priorities Partnership network’s policy campaigns by providing strategic communications support, coaching, and advice on earned media communications strategies.

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  We Belong Everywhere - Empowering Women in Sports

  Jul 2024 - now

  Co-Founder & Chief Communications Officer

  WBE is committed to advocating for the continued advancement of women in sports leadership. Our vision is to break down barriers and create equal opportunities for women in every aspect of the sports industry, and it starts with a strong leadership team as we embark on this important journey of impact.