Microsoft (Artech) | Storyteller

As we showcase the evolution of Microsoft’s vision to empower billions, I write feature stories for MicrosoftLife.com that showcase the lives of extraordinary employees who exemplify the culture and values of the company. I also author stories that offer career advice to job seekers seeking guidance on finding their dream roles in tech, specifically at Microsoft. These stories are amplified across our #MicrosoftLife social channels (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Elevate), which I also write for on occasion. As needed, I will write copy for event collateral pieces.

Continental Mills | Senior Digital Marketing Manager

In this role, I was responsible for our go-to-market digital marketing strategies across all of our key brands, including Krusteaz, Buck Wild, and Kretschmer Wheat Germ. In an industry that has been slow to move from the traditional in-store marketing initiatives to digital efforts, my charter was to develop websites that were both effective, relevant and drivers of our overall brand awareness and product trial. Furthermore, I was charged with strengthening our presence across the web, which included the strategy and execution of our Social Media, Public Relations and Digital Media programming. My vision was to continue to build our Digital Marketing Team, bringing most work in-house in order to re-allocate dollars in a more effective manner, while creating a platform for breakthrough, memorable content.

Jumper Consulting | Marketing Consultant

At Jumper Consulting, I worked as a Marketing and Web Consultant to emerging small to mid-sized businesses. I evaluated the needs and goals of a company to build a solid foundation for start-ups or to reinvigorate a “stalled” business. Using this information, I  created a comprehensive marketing plan that incorporated editorial (i.e., copy writing, copy editing) and web presence (i.e., web design, social media). At Jumper Consulting, I also developed business plans, ideated logos (plus overall branding), created press kits, offered video production for site enhancement and optimized my clients’ web presence (e.g., company sites, LinkedIn, Facebook, Yelp, etc.).

BuzzBee Company | Senior Marketing Manager

As my team’s (Team Microsoft One) Marketing Strategist, I developed, established and maintained marketing initiatives designed to meet the business goals of our clients. From the creation of marketing build of materials to collateral assets to website content, I enabled my clients to communicate a succinct, relevant message to their key stakeholders, field sales teams and – ultimately – the customers. In partnership with our design team, I was able to translate key proof points around product/service offerings, value propositions and key benefits through the Creative Team’s visual communications. As project lead, I was responsible for ensuring that the team met deadlines, articulating project scope/strategy, maintaining timeline and contingency planning, while setting budgets, managing approval channels and monitoring performance.

Microsoft (Amaxra) | Relationship Campaign Marketing Manager | Microsoft Dynamics

In this contract role, I addressed a gap of communication between Microsoft and its Dynamics CRM Existing Customer base. While we had done a great job of communicating with these customers within a trial capacity, I successfully launched an email-based relationship management (RM) program that addressed customers after they’ve purchased the product. My goal was to build a relationship with these customers by providing relevant, timely information that would help customers understand the full value of their investment. Furthermore, I broke away from the notion of corporate speak and spoke the language of customers by offering them information they wanted to hear and sought, not simply what we thought they wanted to hear.

I was also responsible for the rollout of a Targeted Account Management event series in which we offered one-to-few velocity events to build a stronger relationship with key accounts. This gave our sales reps an opportunity to expose their clients to the ways in which Microsoft Dynamics CRM is equipped to match the needs of their specific industries.

Microsoft (Mactus Group) | Senior Copywriter | Employment Branding

In this project-based, contract role, I was commissioned to write three comprehensive white papers about the rollout of a global human resource strategy within Microsoft Corporation. I interviewed key HR and executive figures within the company that understood the value of the globalized, expansion strategy and could lend helpful insight to other execs within the company.

Microsoft (Mactus Group) | International Online Project Marketing Manager | Employment Branding

I successfully drove the launch of twelve international Global Career Sites, with a 100% deadline success rate. I rationalized and evaluated each subsidiary’s existing site content to recommend relevant site structure and content strategy within the new global platform adoption. I went on to edit and rewrite the copy for 65% of the revamped websites to ensure content remained “on brand,” while presenting the new voice and tone of Employment Branding. Within an international capacity, I led daily calls with subsidiaries to effectively evangelize the approved platform and global employment brand to increase throughput of qualified candidates. It was key that I broker cross-functional and cross-team relationships between country stakeholders and the web operations team to efficiently drive localization of custom content.

Microsoft | Small and Mid-Market Solutions & Partners

CIO Audience, Marketing Manager

I drove prioritized FY09 Depth campaigns of Mid-Market, CIO-based events through a comprehensive, overarching message. I went on to merge our efforts with the enterprise segment’s customer-facing website to strengthen relationship with CIOs through the use of digital media, demos and CFO conversation support materials. Within our organization, I served as the strategic subject-matter expert and gatekeeper of all issues surrounding the CIO audience within the Upper Mid-Market Segment, including targeting, segmentation, messaging, relationship building and execution.

Field Engagement, Marketing Manager

I spearheaded the US rollout and on-boarding process of the Worldwide Annuity Dashboard tool and readiness materials within Field Marketing and Sales. I also directed Depth Segment, Field Marketing, Anti-Piracy, Security, CPE and Deployment teams in overall H2 FY08 and FY09 marketing planning and execution efforts. Lastly, I facilitated seamless interaction between Field Marketing and Depth Segment teams through weekly calls and the provision of relevant BOM materials to help drive field sales quota.

Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, Marketing Manager

In this role, I strengthened the quality of the Mid-Market Relationship Program reporting protocols by creating a monthly reporting process and revenue scorecard. I designed the business report scorecard to highlight weak field sales areas, which enabled the Leadership Team to monitor and adjust their sales activity execution. I also provided direction and leadership to Annuity Leads by reporting end-to-end business results to drive efficiencies and increase renewal revenue awareness.

Microsoft (Corestaff) | Product Marketing Manager | Windows Client

In this contract role, I identified customer perception of the product (Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005) and online behavior to successfully relaunch the product website, managing a cross-functional team and internal partners. I strengthened overall consumer understanding of product by creating an interactive, take-home DVD demo that offered a walkthrough of the product’s features. Upon directing all messaging, product presence, giveaways and staffing at Digital Life 2005 and CES 2006, I created and presented event post mortems, identifying attendance, contest participation, and survey results. At CES, I went on to own and manage Microsoft’s primary presence within the NextGen Home Experience, along with 13 booths. I drove branding, messaging and positioning guidelines across the organization through the development of an internal SharePoint site, Marketing and Communications Guidelines stylebook and repository for all supportive media.

Intel Corporation | Marketing Programs and Event Manager

I restructured a partner-based survey process from an existing 19-page document into three role-based, yet concise, online versions, increasing respondent activity by 58% and strengthening the level of accuracy. Organizing and managing three global teams (i.e., APAC, EMEA and LATAM), I implemented co-marketing programming to offer external partners a more customized approach to joint marketing. I went on to spearhead co-marketing activity with key global companies to support trade show sponsorships, value-added events, collateral creation and website development. I also rebranded and launched a worldwide technical training event, with an overall success rate of 98% and 27% increased attendance from the original event.

Clark Atlanta University | Graduate Assistant

Within the Office of Planning, Assessment and Research, I collected and researched structural data to shed light on the productivity and compliance of each department at the university. I presented findings to department leaders to allow them to detect and assess “red flags” within their respective academic and administrative infrastructures. By offering a qualitative and quantitative story for each department, this allowed administrators to implement measures to improve and augment each department’s value to the University.

Intel Corporation | MBA Marketing Communications Intern

As the catalyst that lead to a full-time offer upon graduation, my MBA internship allowed me to lead a global, cross-company team. As a group, we spearheaded the development and implementation of a viral marketing web initiative designed to create brand resonance and preference among IT professionals seeking open source resources. I developed a communications kit to support the media, potential founding members, analysts and others. Furthermore, I researched and identified IT-based trend analysis and supportive data to strengthen CIO’s (Doug Busch, Intel Corporation) presentation at Oracle AppsWorld Conference 2003 in London.

Clark Atlanta University | Public Relations Specialist

In this position, I developed the content strategy of the School of Business’ alumni magazine. I wrote 85% of all copy, while managing and editing the remaining copy as submitted by students. I also supervised a team of 20 students in a donations call center operation, increasing alumni and corporate contributions by 12%. With our corporate sponsors, I went on to create an ad with Whirlpool Corporation for Black Enterprise magazine, managed the event planning for an annual show with Ford Motor Company and led a successful blood drive with the American Red Cross.

Adair-Green Advertising (McCann-Erickson) | Copy Editor

At Adair-Greene Advertising, I copy edited and signed-off on content for an array of client types, including pharmaceutical (e.g., Abbott Laboratories, Novartis, Bausch & Lomb), communications (e.g., BellSouth), non-profit (e.g., Hands on Atlanta) and consumer goods (e.g., Coca-Cola) organizations. I ensured compliance with antitrust regulations (per client) and consistency for each ad campaign. I become proficient in Chicago Manual and AMA Manual of styles to effectively approve copy for billboards, prescribing information, direct mailers, radio and messaging scripts, calendars, brochures, calendars, web content and branding playbooks.

The News Daily | News Reporter

As a rookie journalist, I broadened the newspaper’s reach to younger readers by writing articles and covering topics that mirrored their interests, such as tattooing, illegal street racing and alternative career options. I owned the Business, Health and Education beats. I went on to strengthen local interest in a variety of causes, such as the area’s no-kill animal shelter (lead to an increase in adoptions) and a women’s violence safe haven.

The Atlanta-Journal Constitution | News Reporter

Along with managing the obituary section, I interviewed the loved ones of featured persons to write daily memorial articles. I also covered upcoming events within the area, by writing articles that gave readers a sneak peak at alternative weekend activities.

UPSCALE Magazine | Assistant Editor

During the second semester of my junior year in college, I was the editorial assistant intern, which involved clerical work and learning more about the publishing industry. Due to my tireless work and natural curiosity around magazines, I was asked to return the second semester of my senior year to serve as the Assistant Editor intern. In that role, I owned three editorial departments (Hair, Beauty and Books) and established the content strategy while mapping it to the magazine’s overall editorial calendar. I also managed a team of writers and photographers, providing article and imagery assignments, respectively. I would copy edit all submitted work.

Clark Atlanta University | Marketing Concentration | M.B.A.

Clark Atlanta University | English Major, Political Science Minor | B.A.