EXPERIENCE
SPARROW CREATIVE STUDIOS, Lawrence, KS
Owner, 2020-Current
Sparrow Creative Studios is a marketing, advertising, communications, and creative services boutique dedicated to providing startups and small- and medium-sized companies with the professional resources they may not have in-house. Symbolically, sparrows represent joy, creativity, and protection as well as simplicity and community. These ideas drive Sparrow Creative Studios. We find smart, creative solutions to tell your brand’s story and we look for opportunities to bring the right partners to the table at the right time. After all, it takes a village.
HALLMARK, Kansas City, MO
Associate Editorial Director, 2017-2020
As an Editorial Director within Hallmark’s Creative Marketing Studio, I managed a team of writers and editors whose mission was to create marketing that connects consumers and loyalists to the Hallmark brand. As a member of our leadership team, I was a strategic thinker who pushes team members to understand and connect deeply to our audiences in smarter, more innovative ways. I work alongside other Art Directors, designers, and groups within our company to produce traditional print, digital and email advertising, video advertising, social media, and any other way that can connect to our audience.
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, Lawrence, KS
Marketing Strategist, 2016-2017
I was responsible for providing creative leadership and strategic thinking for KU’s Marketing Communications group as well as our clients and university partners. I worked alongside our creative teams to ensure projects deliver against goals and objectives. And I worked closely with our clients to represent the creative we develop for their departments, as well as to plan, grow, and innovate the KU brand.
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, Lawrence, KS
Associate Creative Director, 2013-2016
Responsibilities included overseeing a team of writers, art directors, and students who are responsible for the KU brand — including the offices of Public Affairs and the Chancellor and Provost offices. I was responsible for the development and delivery of creative strategies and I took part in the creative planning and conceptual direction for our clients’ campaigns, including a new strategic branding campaign for the university. Projects included traditional advertising, radio, TV and video production, digital and email marketing, and social media.
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, Lawrence, KS
Senior Copywriter, 2011-2013
Responsibilities included research, concepting, copywriting, proofreading, project development, and maintaining the KU brand integrity across a multitude of projects — web, TV, and radio broadcast, direct mail, brochures, and more — to a wide demographic (from teenagers and their parents to alumni to state legislators to leadership at peer institutions, etc.).
DEEP/THE MARLIN NETWORK, Springfield, MO
Copywriter, 2006-2011
Responsibilities included concepting, copywriting, and maintaining the brand voice for clients across a broad spectrum of projects. Projects included advertising, direct mail pieces, brochures, sell sheets, websites, social media, as well as other tactics. Clients: Otis Spunkmeyer, Torani, Everpure, Coffee-mate, Nesquik, the American Heart Assocation, World AIDS Day, Toll House, Dreyer’s, Nescafé.
LITTLETON ADVERTISING & MARKETING, New Bern, NC
Copywriter, 2003-2006
Responsibilities included research, concepting, copywriting, and proofreading for the company’s clientele. Clients: Coldwell Banker, K. Hovnanian Homes, Wakefield Development Company, GSCarolina, the ALS Association, ProVAR, Theo Davis Printing, and City of New Bern.
NEW BERN SUN JOURNAL, New Bern, NC
Assistant Editor of Specialty Publications, 2002-2003
Responsibilities included writing business features and designing layout for specialty publications to support the advertising department for a local newspaper and its regional papers.
CLINTON DAILY JOURNAL, Clinton, IL
Reporter, 1999-2002
Responsibilities included layout, reporting, and column writing for a daily newspaper.
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Journalism and Mass Communications, 2019 graduate
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, 1999 graduate
Hannibal LaGrange College, Hannibal, MO
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
American InHouse Design Awards, Graphic Design USA, 2019
Best of Show, Gold, and Silver IHAF Awards, 2018
Regional Gold and Silver ADDY Awards, AAF-KC, 2018
AIGA KC Awards, 2017, 2018, 2019
Silver and Bronze Awards, Telly Awards, 2014, 2015, 2016
Regional Gold, Silver, and Bronze ADDY Awards, Triangle Ad Club, 2005 and 2006
National Finalist and National Winner, Silver Microphone Awards, 2005 and 2006
US Ad Review, 2007
Numerous trade awards for real estate and educational advertising
SPECIAL INTERESTS
KANSAS CITY ROLLER WARRIORS, Kansas City, MO
Board of Directors, 2021-Current
As a member of the Board of Directors, I work with other board members to determine priorities, develop the league’s strategic plan, plan budgets, create fundraising opportunities, and ensure the league is acting in accordance with its mission and vision. During my tenure, the league shifted from an LLC to a 501(c)(3) and my committee members and I worked to revise the mission and vision for a non-profit focus.
KANSAS CITY ROLLER WARRIORS, Kansas City, MO
Head of Marketing and Public Relations, 2012-2016
Working under the Director of Marketing, I helped manage, plan, and execute our league’s marketing and public relations efforts. We worked to develop smart, strategic plans that allow us to connect with and engage our audience in the smartest, most cost-effective manner possible. We coordinated with other league committees to develop PR campaigns, event materials, proposals, and social media content. In this role, I oversaw a team of skaters who help make our goals happen.
VOLUNTEER WORK
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, Springfield, MO
Heart Ball probono work, 2008
ALS ASSOCIATION — JIM “CATFISH” HUNTER CHAPTER, Raleigh, NC
Probono work, 2005-2006
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF DEWITT COUNTY, DeWitt County, IL
Big Sister and member of the board, 2000-2002
DEWITT COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, DeWitt County, IL
PR chair/member of the board, 2000-2002
SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES
69TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE, Communication Beyond Boundaries, Washington, DC, May, 2019. Topic: We are what we Tweet: An analysis of Twitter content surrounding the 2017 Niger ambush.
WOMEN’S FLAT TRACK DERBY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Fort Lauderdale, FL May, 2013. Topic: Bout Marketing Strategies and Marketing 101.
AAF-KC WEDNESDAY ACCELERATION, Overland Park, KS
December, 2012. Topic: “Major Wins, Minor Budgets: How Three Sports Brands Win Fans.”
Spoke on behalf of the Kansas City Roller Warriors alongside Kansas City T-Bones Baseball and the Renegades Indoor Football.