Marketing communications
work history of Rich Smith
COMPETENCIES:
Adept in all facets of public relations theory and practice • Blinding-fast producer of opinion-molding, action-getting news releases, feature stories, white-papers, campaign collateral materials, proposals, more • Complex scientific, medical, technologic, financial or legal subject matter conveyed
in easily understood terms that resonate • Attuned to the issues and trends impacting your clients and their fields • Familiar with the latest research tools and techniques • New media/Web 2.0 savvy — superb blogger "voice" • Media relations expertise
• 1986-Present. Freelance PR writer/editor.
Operating under the banner of an outfit I call Newsdesk365 (originally Audience Impact Makers), I provide corporate and agency clients with writing precision-engineered to smash mental barriers. Aim: dynamically enhance my clients' ability to mold opinion and shape human desire.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
— Won awards for excellence in public relations writing from my California chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. 2007.
— Increased case volume for numerous private-practice physicians, dentists and other clinicians in extremely competitive markets. Achieved this by producing attention-grabbing doctor-to-doctor and doctor-to-consumer practice-building materials. These included advisory dispatches, direct-mail pieces, phone scripts, premium offers, and feature news articles. My intimate familiarity with medical/healthcare matters permitted cogent, impacting articulation of the ideas expressed by these clients to their target audiences.
— Garnered worldwide print and broadcast coverage for the Independent Writers of Southern California by creating, developing and overseeing execution of crowd-pleasing special event. Brought together for it were 100 screenwriting hopefuls (plus numerous public visitors) as a giant tag-team toiling a nonstop 72 hours to hammer out the "Great American movie script" in the plaza of a trendy shopping mall. Directed activities of the event-planning team (approximately 15 individuals), arranged corporate sponsorships and appeared in television, radio and print interviews as official spokesman.
— Cultivated significant goodwill from ethnic communities toward a regional association of McDonald's restaurant operators by researching and writing a series of uplifting public-school classroom guides covering subjects of Hispanic heritage and African-American history. The guides contained unobtrusive and carefully metered McDonald's brand messages.
• 1985-1986. CompuSave Inc. Director of corporate communications.
In charge of investor and media relations for this Irvine, Calif., start-up forerunner to today's Amazon.coms. Prepared brochures, fact-sheets and annual report. Developed company messaging. Produced employee newsletter. Created publicity materials in support of new product rollout. Cultivated and maintained relationships with reporters and editors from consumer, business and financial press.
• 1981-1985. Dateline Communications. Writer.
Developed approximately 50 feature stories annually for business-class computer
makers Contel CADO Systems and, later, MAI Basic Four Inc at this boutique PR agency in Santa Monica, Calif.
• 1979-1980. Harshe-Rotman & Druck PR. Account executive.
Los Angeles office of medium-sized national PR agency. Serviced prestige accounts, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Tournament of Roses Assn., and Howard Hughes' Summa Corp.
PAST & PRESENT CLIENTS INCLUDE:
Gelman & Gray Public Relations (McDonald's)
Downey Community Hospital
Helen Grace Chocolates (maker of fine candies)
Eide Industries (fabric products maker)
Practice Builders (physician marketing services)
KDJ Skin Care (beauty products maker, consultant)
TherapyCare Resources (medical device manufacturer)
Advanced Bionics (medical device manufacturer)
Nancy J. Friedman PR (hospitality trade)
