As an experienced communications and marketing professional, I have more than nine years of experience in the communications industry, from newspapers to the plastics industry.
I have extensive experience in internal communications for a national association with international reach and have handled a wide range of creative services, collaborating with creative services peers, subordinates and vendors to produce marketing and other print communications, as well online communications.
I have exceptional writing and editing skills honed over the past 10 years in newspapers, public relations and association communications; from marketing materials to press releases to newsletters and web sites. I have developed and implemented communications strategies for reaching government, association members, the media and other stakeholders.
I am also experienced in providing communications counsel and expertise to executives and managers for issues management, benefits communications, and government and employee relations.
To make it as easy as possible for you, my resume is available in several formats. You can peruse it below, or download it in PDF or Microsoft Word (97/2003) format.
University of Waterloo, Ontario CANADA
Bachelor of Arts, English with Honours (1993)
Conestoga College, Ontario CANADA
Journalism Degree (1994)
Director of Information Management [May 2003 - Present]
Canadian Plastics Industry Association
- Created and supervised various aspects of marketing and communications, including the use of print and new media
- Authored an extremely successful national/internal communications program from the ground up
- Developed system for and supervised integrated communications message between members, Board of Directors, staff and other stakeholders
- Led multiple time-sensitive simultaneous projects for CPIA and other associations, involving traditional and new media
- Produced association's Annual Report and many other communications and marketing documents
- Wrote articles, releases, etc. representing the national association to media and other stakeholders
- Developed association’s more than 20 websites, helping to populate the sites with content from a wide variety of sources
- Increased page views and unique visitors for association’s websites 850%
- Wrote dynamic and effective speeches given by association President and CEO to numerous, varied constituencies
- Expanded press coverage, wrote press statements
- Achieved excellent track record in writing and placing press releases
- Cultivated ideas and edited articles and publications to promote association’s initiatives
Director of Communications [May 2000 – April 2003]
Canadian Community Newspapers Association
- Implemented North America's largest media survey, ComBase (www.combase.ca)
- Arranged communications strategies and techniques to represent community newspapers and the association to various stakeholders, the media and government, both provincial and federal
- Supervised all outgoing communications and marketing in all formats, including new and social media
- Created and populated the association newsletter, various e-bulletins, marketing materials and website
- Represented the association at trade shows, regional meetings, Board meetings and other functions
- Developed the content, design and upkeep of the association’s websites, including a complex online system for newspaper advertising that helped to generate large new revenue streams
- Produced and wrote eye-catching printed pieces: newsletter, annual reports and brochures
- Established effective database and launched e-mail campaign to inform stakeholders of various association initiatives
- Saved thousands of dollars by typesetting printed pieces on desktop-publishing system
Editor [May 1997 – April 2000]
Woolwich Observer
- Responsible for researching, writing and editing stories for a newspaper with a circulation of 20,000+
- Led a team of five staff, assigning stories, editing copy and dealing with budget and administration issues
- Developed and maintained the newspaper’s website and online identity
- Planned and assigned comprehensive municipal coverage
- Polished reporters' copy until it sparkled
- Wrote hard-hitting editorials, feature stories, and award-winning news stories
- Instituted creative staffing and training techniques to build and motivate editorial team of eager newshounds
- Set editorial policy
- Established design-style guidelines, performing layout; participated in several editorial page re-designs
- Created news budgets and conducted daily news meetings, directing placement of stories
- Scrutinized AP and UPI newswires to determine which state, national, and international stories could be localized
- Proven communications and marketing abilities, including taking initiative in online and new media content and delivery
- Project management skills; taking leadership roles in a team environment
- Proven media relations skills
- Experience in setting up and running events
- Skilled at writing, editing and researching content for both written and new media outlets
- Experience and proven track record in web design, programming and delivering targeted, interactive and creative content to new media portals
- Experience in writing articles, releases and dealing with Board Members, large company owners, government, etc.
- Experience in working on both team and individual projects
- Experience in developing and implementing events.
- Experience in making presentations.
- Strong experience and skills in all Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project, Visio, etc.
- Strong experience and skills in PHP, ASP, DHTML, HTML, Flash and AJAX
- Strong experience and skills in most major graphics and layout software, including Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Quark, Indesign and Illustrator.
Mark Badger
President & CEO, Canadian Plastics Industry Association
1-905-678-7748, x. 233
Serge Lavoie
Canadian Plastics Industry Association, Former President & CEO
1.905.678.7748
Tina Ongkeko
Canadian Community Newspapers Association, Managing Director
1.877.305.2262
Despina Livadaris
Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., Geodata Support
1.909.747.4150
I have worked on a variety of projects, both big and small. From managing a national association's communications strategy, to building and maintaining a national association's web presence.
Below are a few of the campaigns I have worked on. Most of them are in web format, to better capture the 'look and feel' of the campaign.
I currently work for the Canadian Plastics Industry Association. At the association, I perform both communications and information management functions. I have worked on and/or created everything from the association's website to the annual report and other communications materials.
As part of my work with the Canadian Plastics Industry Association, I developed and managed the plastics.ca brand. This brand is the "public face" of the plastics industry, with a set of communications challenges all its own.
One of the most difficult messaging tasks with the plastics industry is getting out the word about its environmental resposibility. Enter the Environment and Plastics Industry Council, whose message is to promote environmental resposibility and accountability in the plastics industry, as well as letting the press and the public in on just how environmentally responsible plastic is.
The Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) is the national voice of the community press in Canada, and represents more than 700 English-language community newspapers. As you can imagine, being the Director of communications for this association was a challenging task, but one I did admirably.
ComBase is North America's largest media study, measuring in excess of 400+ individual Canadian markets and providing insightful data on cities, towns and villages across the country. The study provides consistent and accurate, market-by-market information to assist in the buying and selling of community newspaper advertising space. I was instrumental in the creation of ComBase.
Community Media Canada (CMC) is the advertising and promotion arm of the Canadian community newspaper industry. I developed the website, as well as the marketing communication for this massive project. CMC has turned out to be a stellar success for the CCNA.
I am available for freelance and contract work in communications and web design. My rates are exceptionally reasonable.
You can reach me at:
519.500.5200
I will respond to your request as soon as I am able.