Lore McManus Solo

Experience

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  WHO Broadcasting Company

  Jan 1979 - Jan 1985

  News Producer and Anchor/Reporter

  Served as beat reporter for police/crime, courts, elections, county and Statehouse/Legislature and on-air hourly newscasts. Promoted to noon news anchor and then to afternoon news producer, overseeing a 2.5 hour newscast and team of sports anchor, air traffic weatherman, news anchors and news team. Assigned reporters to news events or breaking news. Copywrote, compiled and edited news copy for major news blocks.

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  Iowa Department of Human Services

  Jan 1985 - Jan 1988

  Served as agency spokesperson developing and maintaining relationships with the news media and other key audiences, including several crisis communications issues. Supervised staff, established assignments, prepared annual office budget, assessed computer/IT needs, oversaw statewide human services telephone hotline. Chaired Governor's committee in creating and implementing first-ever communications plan and materials for Iowa's welfare reform program, a major inter-agency initiative. Named the program, PROMISE Jobs and then held a Governor's news conference to launch the strategies.Provided PR for implementation and ongoing awareness and usage of Iowa's first-ever Gamblers' Assistance Program and named the hotline, 1-800-BETS-OFF. Served on advisory boards for statewide foster care recruitment and for mandatory reporters of child abuse. Developed various communications platforms/channels to reach various audiences including newsletters and websites. Wrote speeches/remarks for DHS Commissioner, for the Governor and other state leaders.Served as agency lead/consultant to agency divisions/units statewide in developing external communication campaigns including human services aid, schools for children who are deaf or blind, facilities for those with development disabilities, refugee services and veterans affairs.Produced and hosted weekly radio program called Information Iowa on KIOA/KDWZ, obtaining and conducting interviews with leading human services experts. Wrote, gather visuals and worked with a team to develop a series of educational videos for DHS clients on food stamps, Medicaid and other services. Show less Served as agency spokesperson developing and maintaining relationships with the news media and other key audiences. Supervised staff, established assignments, prepared annual office budget, assessed computer/IT needs, oversaw statewide human services telephone hotline. Chaired Governor's committee in creating and implementing first-ever communications plan and materials for Iowa's welfare reform program, a major inter-agency initiative. Provided PR for implementation and ongoing awareness and usage of Iowa's first-ever Gamblers' Assistance Program and phone number, 1-800-BETS-OFF. Served on advisory boards for statewide foster care recruitment and for mandatory reporters of child abuse. Wrote speeches/remarks for DHS Commissioner, for the Governor and other state leaders.Served as agency lead/consultant to agency divisions/units statewide in developing external communication campaigns including human services aid, schools for children who are deaf or blind, facilities for those with development disabilities, refugee services and veterans affairs.Produced and hosted weekly radio program called Information Iowa on KIOA/KDWZ, obtaining and conducting interviews with leading human services experts. Show less

  • Director of Communications

    Jan 1987 - Jan 1988

  • Associate Director of Communications

    Jan 1985 - Jan 1987
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  Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs

  Jan 1988 - Jan 1997

  Public Relations/Marketing Director

  Planned annual & long-range PR programs & work plans to market programs/services. Analyzed research, funding & priorities to recommend most effective vehicles and target audiences.Served as agency spokesperson. Established highly effective relationships with media and positive profile of the organization. Generated unprecedented numbers of media interviews with consumer and history publications nationwide. Created and edited guest editorials. Provided PR and media relations training to staff and to board members.Planned and coordinated "friends-building" events for museum exhibit openings, book signings and membership functions. Developed many first-ever public events and news conferences to attract and serve key stakeholders, families, historians, genealogists and others.Served as project manager, including planning, writing, design, printing and distribution of PR materials.Through self-initiative, developed significant synergy and efficiencies by copywriting, design & coordinating budgets of several state agencies for Iowa tourism sites. Tourism marketing also included budgeting and purchases of advertising, direct mail/marketing and group tour sales presentations, including representing Iowa tourism opportunities at national trade shows.With the Iowa Historical Foundation, the Society's fundraising organization, created campaigns, case statements and special events, including collateral materials.At its request, served as a marketing consultant to the Iowa Sesquicentennial Commission, developing a major fundraising dinner at the Iowa State Capitol and also attracted tens of thousands to the Iowa Historical Building and the Iowa Folk Life Festival.Initiated and coordinated Iowa Historical Moments with two TV outlets and one radio station, providing research, copywriting, visuals and oversight for local anchors' taping.Regularly provided news articles for various state publications, conducting research, writing and visuals. Show less

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  Strategic America

  Dec 1997 - Jan 2013

  Principal and VP/PR

  Expertise focused on strategic planning, counsel, primary/secondary research, crisis/issues management, media relations, integrated marketing direction & content for corporate, government and nonprofit clients and SA’s staff.Author & key instructor of presentation/media/spokesperson training for crises, issues management, new product unveiling, board leadership and ongoing relationship building. Provided coaching to companies across the nation. Coordinated digital conferences with various professional organizations.Well versed in numerous verticals, particularly retail, channel marketing, financial services, insurance, ag, manufacturing, government, public affairs and nonprofits. Directed PR department, led many primary and secondary research efforts, branding campaigns and reputation management endeavors, created business processes and protocols and played a key role in business development, with a superior record of gaining and retaining accounts.Accepted two different, newly created Board positions for WORLDCOM, the largest global network of leading PR firms. Pioneered research, implementation and evaluation of responsibilities and outcomes of these positions for those subsequently serving in them. Individually & collectively achieved major national awards on behalf of clients and for SA, including years with “Best Of” honors. Instrumental in developing numerous professional development and teambuilding endeavors on behalf of the agency and individual teams.Led successful special event undertakings for clients, for professional organizations and for the agency. Fundraising experience involved capital campaign case statements, case studies, video, promo items such as bookmarks, posters, flyers, retail inserts. Served often as primary theme developer, copywriter and editor.Wrote & edited newsletters & magazines for various insurance companies.Actively served local community & national professional organizations/industry in leadership positions. Show less

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  Worldcom Public Relations Group

  Sept 2001 - Oct 2012

  Board of Directors: 2003-2009, 2012; Member: 1998-2014

  Worldcom Public Relations Group is the world's leading network of independently owned public relations counseling firms. Worldcom has 108 offices in 96 cities on six continents.SA joined Worldcom in 2001. I have served as Member Retention Chair, three terms, and then as Online/Interactive Chair, one term. Both positions provided pioneering roles as newly created board positions. I also served as Treasurer of the Americas Region for one-year.

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  The Solo Consultancy, LLC

  Jan 2013 - now

  President/Founder

  As an experienced professional in integrated marketing and journalism, I provide strategic counsel and metric-driven strategic planning, solutions-based crisis and issues management, several levels of customized presentation and media training, message mapping, frontline leadership development and business and marketing-related writing programs. I bring daily experience in content calendars and creation for clients.I am also extensively experienced in numerous individual marketing disciplines including media relations, event planning and implementation, especially for fundraising purposes, project management and social media. Award-winning strengths include integrated marketing campaigns and compelling copywriting as well as a strong record of success with new business proposals and applying all marketing functions to an online world. Show less