Amanda Hicken

Experience

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  The Wilma Theater

  Aug 2003 - Dec 2003

  Intern - Development Department
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  Walnut Street Theatre

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2006

  • Subscriptions Department Associate

    Jan 2005 - Jan 2006

  • Marketing and Public Relations Apprentice

    Jan 2004 - Jan 2005
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  BCKSEET Productions

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2007

  Coordinator of Marketing/Public Relations
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  PR Newswire

  May 2006 - May 2015

  Contributed to the growth of PR Newswire's distribution network through inbound and outbound marketing campaigns targeting journalists, bloggers and other media influencers:Designed and launched PR Newswire's media blog Beyond Bylines. Managed the daily operations of the blog, wrote and edited articles and led design planning. Achieved consistent audience growth and generated leads for PR Newswire's media services.Created, managed and tracked email campaign strategy targeting specific media sectors and influencer networks.Developed strong relationships with PR Newswire for Journalists users nationwide. Increased use of the website by customizing newsfeeds based on individuals’ interests, demoing the site for new users, and coordinating email campaigns for inactive users. Daily contributor to @PRNewswire, the company's primary Twitter account, and @BeyondBylines, PR Newswire’s Twitter account for the media. Created and curated content related to journalism, marketing, public relations, content marketing, and social media. Engaged with industry influencers, resolved customer service issues, and live-tweeted events and webinars.Managed PR Newswire's Facebook strategy and experience for journalists, bloggers, and other members of the media.Launched, managed, and tracked PR Newswire for Media Pinterest account and boards.Created and curated content for company’s Tumblr and Google+ accounts.Subject matter expert on media relations and social media for PR Newswire. Educated clients and staff about interacting with media by writing articles, moderating webinars, and blogging about the evolving practice of media relations. Show less Provided personalized writing and distribution counseling to publicly traded, B2B, and B2C companies; small businesses; government institutions; and non-profits.Advised clients on SEO, social media, and content marketing best practices to leverage their multimedia content to a global audience.Contributor to Beyond PR, PR Newswire’s corporate blog, covering writing best practices for communications professionals.Interim Product Manager for Feature News service (2008-2010) – managed training and marketing efforts, maintained customer and vendor relationships, and tackled changing client needs during product overhaul. Show less

  • Manager, Audience Relations / Audience Marketing

    Jun 2013 - May 2015

  • Senior Content Specialist

    May 2006 - Jun 2013
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  Clue Into Cleveland

  Mar 2010 - May 2015

  Blogger, Site Founder

  Founded www.ClueIntoCleveland.com, local interest blog dedicated to building awareness about Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.Maintained editorial calendar for blog topics and regularly researched, wrote, curated, and analyzed content.Coordinated with local and national blogger relations teams to develop well-timed content about Cleveland.Built audience and marketed website through social media, SEO and blogging networks.

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  Freelancer

  Apr 2010 - May 2013

  Public Relations Consultant, Writer, Editor

  Provided content counseling, writing, and editing services for local non-profits and small businesses with focus on incorporating social media and media relations best practices into press releases and online content.

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  NEO Food Tours

  Apr 2011 - Jun 2012

  Communications Manager

  Contributed to successful launch of culinary tourism business by overseeing marketing and media relations initiatives.Crafted the company’s brand identity and launched integrated communication plan to grow visibility in region.Increased online presence by producing optimized multimedia content for company blog, website, e-newsletter, social media, and marketing collateral.Landed local and national coverage in print, online, and broadcast media by fostering key press, marketing, and advertising relationships. Show less

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  Cision

  May 2015 - Nov 2016

  Senior Marketing Manager, Demand Generation Content Strategy - Blog Lead

  Managing editor of PR Newswire’s Beyond PR blog (www.prnewswire.com/blog) and Cision's blog (http://www.cision.com/us/blog).Finalist for best multi-author blog - Content Marketing Institute's 2016 Content Marketing AwardsFinalist for best blog - PR Daily’s 2016 Digital PR & Social Media AwardsRanked #1 overall in list of Top 60 PR Blogs, based on visibility, relevance, and engagement.Launched company-wide contributors network for Beyond PR, recruiting authors by topic expertise, publishing updated editorial guidelines, and leading training to cultivate new writers. In 2015, managed 41 individual authors, 25 of whom were new contributors. Oversee blog post design to continuously improve user experience, drive content downloads, and ensure visual consistency across blog content.Manage blog’s editorial calendar and edit and design blog post graphics, maintaining minimum frequency of five blog posts per week.Developed and continually optimize blog’s multi-channel promotion strategy.Results of these efforts include:- 198% improvement in monthly average downloads of gated demand generation content- 55% year-over-year increase in monthly average blog traffic- Regularly earn media and influencer coverage of blog content (Example: 2015’s PR Is Now article and infographic covered in PR Daily and named by MediaMiser as top piece of content shared during the PRSA 2015 International Conference) Show less

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  Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

  Nov 2016 - Jul 2024

  • Directs integrated marketing strategy and all communication channels in support of online donor acquisition, retention and upgrades; patient family and advocacy acquisition and engagement; and fundraiser acquisition and stewardship.• Led redesign of curethekids.org, including system transitions, site architecture development, new visual identity application and development of new family resource centers and curethekids.org/es.• Directs social media strategy, increasing reach and engagement through data-informed mix of patient family resources, community stories and impact storytelling. • Transformed email communications strategy, using list segmentation based on audience interests and behaviors, A/B testing and content personalization.• Oversees foundation’s digital marketing initiatives, boosting engagement, acquisition and revenue through paid search and social, display advertising and SMS marketing.• Directs content for foundation’s online fundraising campaign pages, developed procedures for 3rd party fundraising campaign pages and partners with Operations team to continually improve fundraisers’ and donors’ online experience.• Managed brand integrations for four mergers and led strategy to define combined foundations’ brand identity and goals. Led external and internal messaging for two CEO transitions and COVID-19 response. • Oversaw development of new visual identity to strengthen recognition and trust within community. Manages foundation’s trademarks and use of brand assets by staff and partners.• Plans and produces foundation’s digital and print publications, including monthly Pediatric Brain Tumors Today newsletter, annual reports and case for support pamphlet. • Supports Chief Marketing and Mission Experience Officer on earned media initiatives.• Oversees Brand Strategy and Integrated Marketing team's functional activities, including hiring, budgeting, staff development, and vendor relationships. Show less

  • Director of Brand Strategy and Integrated Marketing

    Aug 2020 - Jul 2024

  • Marketing Communications Director

    Nov 2016 - Jul 2020
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  Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.

  Jul 2024 - now

  Director, Digital Strategy