Janet L. Serra
224 Mirey Dam Rd.
Middlebury, CT 06762.
H:-; C:-
Well-rounded public relations, marketing and communications professional with expertise creating, positioning and increasing demand for products and digital solutions. I am an avid learner, passionate to always push the envelope.
Professional Summary
Knowledgeable marketing professional with thirty years in developing, implementing and managing public relations strategies and activities. Superb communication skills with talent and success in developing innovative public relations and marketing strategies on a regional, national and international level. Motivated and detail oriented. Resulting promotional efforts generated over $100,000 in free media exposure and a 20% organic increase to social media sites annually.
Managed websites and offline projects from conception to delivery to final launch.
Integrated leading digital marketing technologies with best practices, metrics analysis, mobile adaptability and content management.
Wrote proposals to secure grant funding, determined optimal project pricing, timelines and resources.
Recommended digital branding and PR strategies for tourism related businesses and events.
Public relations and communications specialist with strong writing skills, social media proficiency, adept at media relations, social media implementation, photography, special event coordination, issues management and community relations.
Worked cross functionally to develop sales and promotional materials for clients and destinations.
Created high energy, informative newsletters and developed email, FB and twitter campaigns.
Organized and managed logistics for trade show participation and follow – up.
Personable and works tirelessly at building effective relationships with clients, vendors, media professionals, the business community and staff members. Highly deadline driven.
Skills:
Media Relations
Blogging
Photography
Brand development management
Copy Writer
Advanced editing and proof reading
Meticulous editor
Strategic Management
Community outreach
Talented Public Speaker
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Personable and Friendly
Executive Level Presentations
Mac proficient
Photoshop
MS Office
Excel
Power Point Presentations
Marketing plan development
Online and mobile consumer marketing tools
E-mail and direct mail marketing campaigns
Media Contacts
Work History
July 2011 – Current -Western Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, Ct 06759.
Designed and implemented strategic business plan objectives in accordance with marketing mission.
Leveraged technical resources to design and create deliverables including email invitations, articles, blogs, newsletters, brochure and other promotional collateral.
Wrote press materials and made presentations to media representatives. Resulting public relations efforts resulted in more than $100,000 of free media exposure in print and online annually.
Social media outreach marketing resulted in 20% increase annually to websites, blogs and facebook pages.
Maintain seven blogs including:
http://blog.ctnews.com/serra
http://camping.lovetoknow.com/campgrounds-rv-parks/planning-trip-royal-natal-national-park
http://westernconnecticut.blogspot.com
https://janetserra.com
www.patch.com - star patcher
http://cruises.lovetoknow.com/cruise-destinations/orange-beach-dolphin-cruises
http://catadventuresandproducts.blogspot.com
http://travel.lovetoknow.com/united-states-travel/summer-shore-rentals
http://cruises.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Military_Discount_for_Disney_Cruises
Four Social Media Outlets
https://www.facebook.com/LitchfieldHills.FairfieldCounty.CT
https://www.facebook.com/Locally-Grown-History-
https://www.pinterest.com/westernct
https://twitter.com/CTTourismWest
Attended five trade shows and media market places a year to preserve company relations with media, travel trade and consumers.
Directed all public relations, social media and advertising programs per quarter that were designed to increase brand awareness that generates a call to action resulting in a 20% increase annually.
Consulted with ad agencies to arrange promotional campaigns in all types of media. Tracked results of advertising campaigns that resulted in up to a 20% click through rate.
Drafted and edited content for organizational publications including an award winning brochure, blogs, social media content, press releases and monthly and bi-monthly newsletters.
Represented the organization to: media on a national and international level, vendors, members, the public, and government officials.
Supplied marketing and copywriting to all company departments.
Coordinated sponsorships and sweepstakes.
Handled media purchasing and tracking for a budget of $200,000 or more.
Raised brand awareness through consistent marketing and social media efforts.
Served as the point of contact for all speaking engagements and point person with the media.
Created messages, position statements and other communication based on objectives of the board of directors.
Litchfield Hills Travel Council/Northwest CT Convention and Visitors Bureau
July 1979 – June 2011 – Executive Director
Represented the organization to businesses, the public, government officials and the media.
Collaborated with advertising agencies and public relations consultants to develop a marketing plan, branding, and destination positioning and media messages.
Handled all media purchasing and tracking of inquiries.
Created messages, brochures, collateral based on branding, image and marketing objectives
Conceptualized and oversaw creation of website for brand.
Raised brand awareness through consistent marketing and PR efforts and launch of the website.
Served at the point of contact with the media, for speaking engagement as brand ambassador.
Education
Bachelor of Arts – Southern Connecticut State University – 1977
Affiliations
Society of American Travel Writers
North American Travel Journalist Association
Public Relations Society of America
