Carmen Steele, MA

Experience

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  University of Nebraska System

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2002

  Media Relations Coordinator

  Lead media liaison and spokesperson for the University; Pitched stories and built/maintained relationships with local, regional and national media outlets; Wrote press releases, feature stories, weekly news tips, public speeches, video scripts, and website copy; Assisted with the University’s crisis communication plan; Helped plan and execute special events.

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  Various Clients

  Nov 2002 - now

  Public Relations Consultant and Writer

  Acquire media coverage and increase awareness for clients and events utilizing various online platforms and professional contacts; Write news releases, feature stories, speeches, website copy, digital and print advertising; Provide media training for television, radio and online interviews; Plan and execute special events; Past and present clients include: Southwest magazine, Frontier Airlines, Heartland Weddings, Omaha Family magazine, Chicago Wedding Pages, Omaha Modern Dance Collective, Party Pics to Go, eBlue magazine, Midwest Newspaper Consortium and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, among others. Show less

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  IHeartMedia

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2004

  Traffic Coordinator

  Traffic coordinator for KEFM and continuity assistant for five-station cluster; Scheduled commercial spots for daily station logs; Worked with advertising agencies and account executives to acquire commercial spots and scripts; Created copy for on-air commercial spots and press releases; Assisted with planning and execution of station promotional events.

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  DTN

  May 2004 - Sept 2005

  Marketing Communications Specialist

  Created marketing copy for the company’s four divisions including case studies, sales letters, brochures, ads, and website content; Worked with graphic designers to create concepts for direct mail pieces; Managed/maintained inventory of all marketing collateral.

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  Omaha Symphony

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2008

  Manager, Public Relations

  Managed/planned media budget and tracked media placement; Served as spokesperson for the organization; Pitched stories and built/maintained relationships with local, regional and national media outlets; Wrote press releases, radio spots, feature stories, program books, and advertising copy; Worked with graphic designer to create concepts/copy for direct mail pieces; Assisted with planning and execution of special events; Worked with local media outlets to concept, create and execute successful event promotions. Show less

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  College of Saint Mary

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2011

  Director, Public Relations & Marketing

  Created overall marketing plan and budget; Pitched stories and built/maintained relationships with local, regional and national media outlets; Served as spokesperson for the college; Wrote/edited alumni magazine, press releases, weekly news tips, direct mail pieces, video scripts, and public speeches; Directed the crisis communication action plan; Created and maintained presence on social media; Placed media buys (print); Maintained pages and coordinated SEO content for website; Worked with college’s advertising agency to execute projects/campaigns; Created/wrote monthly email newsletter for alumnae; Supervised graphic artist/publications coordinator, communications specialist and intern positions. Show less

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  WoodmenLife

  Oct 2011 - Oct 2018

  Senior Copywriter

  Researched and created content for a variety of channels including digital and print advertising, publications, social media, public speeches, video scripts, email marketing, direct marketing, public relations, and websites; Served as ghost writer for executives and VPs; Proofed, edited and revised content to ensure it was error free and legally compliant; Assisted in creating and implementing projects and programs for a variety of internal/external clients.

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  Omaha Steaks

  Apr 2019 - Oct 2021

  Senior Copywriter

  Conceptualized and created content for a variety of advertising and promotional channels including direct marketing, email marketing, social media, website, public relations and internal communications; Followed company strategy and brand guidelines to effectively generate sales and brand awareness; Researched food and industry trends to create engaging, brand-focused content; Proofread, edited and revised content to ensure it was accurate and error-free; Engaged in strategy discussions and collaboration with members of the design, production and marketing teams. Show less

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  United Way of the Midlands

  Nov 2021 - now

  Senior Manager, Communications