Tamara Colbert, MA, APR

Experience

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  La Sierra University

  Jan 1991 - Dec 1992

  Assoc. Director of Public Relations

  Managed strategic PR functions, including serving as the liaison with ADRA Int'l as the project coordinator on a special event/partnership. Participated in all aspects of PR from strategic planning, writing, spokesperson and media relations activities.

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  ADRA International

  Jan 1993 - May 1996

  Director, Public Relations; Producer

  Spearheaded awareness campaigns for humanitarian programs for non-profit organization. Handled communications plans in 70+ countries, including Cambodia, Rwanda, Uganda, and HaitiLiaised with the United Nations, non-profit coalitions, crisis management teams for NGO's and The U.S. Dept. of StateLed crisis/communications plans for visiting dignitaries, CEOs on high-risk/highly sensitive issues, such as the Rwandan Genocide, Haitian emergency relief activities, disaster relief preparedness, hacking attacks and counter-terrorism strategies, and social/cause-related marketing and communication strategiesCreated worldwide communications strategies from larger strategic goals to assisting local country offices develop individual strategies that coordinated with HQConducted media training and crisis management PR/media training to dozens of executives both at the HQ, regional and local executivesBasic PR responsibilities included international coordination of PR messaging, strategies, proactive news and media outreach efforts; crisis PR strategy, management and message development; expert in international travel, diplomacy, international relations and communications. •Served as media spokesperson and appeared on 30 Sunday news programs in 12 monthsServed as agency news and documentary producer and produced more than 50 documentaries detailing projects and news in more than 70 countries; in addition overseas trips included field producing independent packages for local news organizations (ABC, CBS, NBC, MD-Cable access).•Transformed international communication from 100 country offices into personal stories of heroism and action for American audiences through writing and 52 television documentary productions Show less

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  Active Voice

  Jun 1996 - Jan 1998

  Director, Public Relations

  Managed public relations and supported investor relations communications for computer telephony software manufacturer (purchased by Cisco in 2001). Thankfully, I jumped into the high-tech water with this fantastic job that had incredibly driven professionals and marketing experts who taught me more about the finesse of marketing in a tech environment--right at the cusp of the new Millennium.

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  Porter Novelli

  Jan 1998 - Apr 2001

  Account Director

  Working in an agency was a dynamic and quickly-changing environment that enabled me to balance nanotechnology to NASA to Fortune 500 businesses, including Hewlett Packard, Norton, Cisco, and McDonald’s (Ronald McDonald House), with teams operating on three continents. Managed million dollar budgets, as well as multi-million dollar one-time project launches and trade shows. •Successfully managed $5 MM HP e-Server launch in NYC with 500+ journalists and technology VIPs; media coverage confirmed in more than 700 global business and technology outlets.•Managed PR team for NASA-endorsed client entailing communications coordination, event details for int’l space agency symposium in Berlin, and emceeing two breakout sessions with astronauts.Responsible for developing and executing communications and public relations programs/campaigns that enhanced the international, national, regional, and local reputation for clients.•Created all communications materials and managed press briefings for HP hiring of Carly Fiorina, CEO, as the first woman to be the CEO of a Fortune 50 corporation. Managed a team of extraordinary professionals who collaborated to create excellent written, oral and electronic communications, i.e. press releases, company announcements, newsletters, presentations, speeches and meeting content in support of the PN clients to a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders, including proactive media relations activities.•Managed $2 MM annual int’l PR team on four continents for Hewlett Packard, servicing multiple business unitsPrepared and conducted media training with senior executives for events, product launches, corporate earnings announcements and annual meetings.•Prepared detailed briefing books for executives and conducted media training, including for two HP CEO's. Show less

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  TLC PR Strategies

  Jan 2001 - now

  Principal

  Corporate Communications/PR Strategy; Public Relations Material Development; Event Management; Entertainment Publicity.•Managed all aspects of corporate communication planning and strategy for Fortune 500 Businesses & Start-ups;•Managed multiple projects, set priorities and drove results in a fast paced, changing environment;•Created meaningful messages; •Track industry, business, economic and social trends to anticipate opportunities to enhance company’s mission, reputation and/or image;•Collaborated with the Corporate Communications Teams, Government Affairs, Investor Relations and others for event preparation, media interviews, external speaking engagements and post-event analytics;•Provided crisis management strategy; •Created internal PR program from scratch for three large clients, including writing manuals for all PR positions;•Developed grassroots campaign for non-profit that increased volunteers from two to 15,000 individuals in 12 months;•Launched guest-speaker program drawing avg. 500 per event, featuring local and national figures, including presidential candidates;•Created as a principled, non-partisan radio platform (2010-2012) for the voices of American women, American Women Media, "Your Voice with Deb & Tam", was dedicated to providing a forum through which women can elevate the dialogue about real issues and real solutions and encourage one another to make a difference for themselves, their families, communities and country by championing their positive values and classic ideals. Show less

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  Citizens for Self-Governance

  Jan 2014 - Sept 2019

  Director Of Public Relations

  • Demonstrated success in leadership, coalition building, advocacy, and external communications in conjunction with building relationships among federal, state, and local governments, as well as community leaders• Drove earned media results in media value: $10 Million+ from 2016 – 2019• Created, mentored, coached, and provided weekly training to internal PR team consisting of 40 individuals representing 30 states. I structured the training like a college undergraduate course, including creation of all content, training materials, and leading weekly class• Conceptualized and created varied content, including strategic message coordination, annual communications plan (RPIE), talking points, FAQs, PR/marketing collateral, and pitches to generate proactive media relations and generate positive coverage for CSG, including managing key industry/influencer relationships • Developed, maintained, and standardized external relations operating procedures for ensuring the highest standards of media relations operations and administration• Managed media monitoring, research, analysis, and reporting, including rapid response to capitalize on dynamic news environment•National spokesperson, weekly contributor for three years on Houston’s Top Morning Show, NewsmaxTV contributor for weekly commentary 2016-2017;•Managed distributed internal PR team of 25 for message development, media monitoring, reporting, and metrics and external PR agency;•Developed, updated, and maintained media lists, press releases, media coverage reports and activity summaries;•Provided media training to 18-member national staff and 48 state directors;•Secured media placement in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Texas Tribune, Washington Examiner, The Hill, as well as ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, MSNBC, 'Morning Joe', CNN, 'CNN's 'New Day', CNBC, Fox News and Fox Business Channels; Show less

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  HITRUST

  Oct 2019 - Oct 2020

  Strategic Communications Manager

  • Collaborate with senior leadership on internal communication, voice creation and message development.• Contain an insatiable need to learn all aspects of the business as a means of shaping relevant communications that serve the specific purpose.• Compose, edit and research content, including strategic message coordination, releases, blogs, talking points, FAQs, and pitches for subject matter experts. • Raise awareness for HITRUST through appropriate PR channels, ie, bylined articles, proactive features, third-party endorsements, case studies, and other relevant content opportunities. • Strategic thinker. Able to establish, articulate and implement a vision for the organization as it relates to corporate communication strategy.• Handle executive and subject matter expert speaking opportunities, briefings, speaking engagements, award opportunities and stakeholder activities.• Excellent communication and influencing skills. Ability to effectively and persuasively present information and stimulate thinking to top leadership.• Assist as needed with internal communications activities, including development of media policy and crisis management plan and promotion of great media hits.• Track media metrics to ensure alignment of communication activities and corporate goals and objectives.• Coordinate message development and spokesperson training.• Manage rapid response to fast-breaking news items.• Work closely with the executives and subject-matter experts, to discover and share stories that further HITRUST business objectives. Show less

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  MT6 Media

  Nov 2023 - now

  Managing Partner

  In a crowded landscape, Media Team SIX strategic integration of PR and digital media offers organizations unparalleled solutions, elevating brands to stand out with precision and impact.