JENNIFER V. CUMBEE

Chicagoland, IL

(773) 383-9546 ·

Freelance Writer – Communications – Public Relations – Marketing

Successful corporate communications professional with 10 years of experience including strong freelance background. Published writer with extensive experience in the business consulting industry. A leader in the creation of marketing and sales tools. Demonstrated track record related to successful public relations campaigns and crisis management. Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a focus on Journalism.

EXPERIENCE

Freelance Writer 6/2009-current

Worked with nationwide companies in a wide variety of industries on communications projects including the creation of published articles, article placements, Web site content, newsletters, promotional materials and media relations activities.

International Profit Associates -Buffalo Grove, IL 2/2004 to 3/2009

IPA is a full-service business development group and general management consulting firm focused on small and medium-size privately held companies. IPA has 1,800 employees and annual revenues of 250 million.

Director, Corporate Communications and Public Relations

  • Acted as a member ofIPA's senior management team and actively participated in the development and execution of the communications and public relations strategic plan and budget.
  • Played a key role in the creation and implementation of innovative marketing and public relations programs to promote all services and favorably project the IPA brand.
  • Editor and publisher of the corporate national quarterly magazine, circulation of 20,000. Duties included full creation of magazine concepts, content management, overall editing, article contribution and strong participation in design/layout.
  • Wrote and edited all press releases and internet postings in order to improve company reputation and website rankings. Administered all follow up media contact and managed all crisis public relations and media issues.
  • Managed, coordinated and/or wrote all published articles related to small business management and secured more than 80 article placements annually in such publications as US Business Review, USA Today, American Executive and SmartBusiness Los Angeles.
  • Designed and implemented new ipa-c.com Web site and all four related sites for alliance partners. Duties included Web design, layout and new content in accordance with search engine optimization. Formulated and developed innovative content for more than 45 Web sites.
  • Led IPA's Small Business Research Board (IPA SBRB) to monitor the opinions of small business owners and managers on topics related to business as well as national and international issues that impact operations. Produced survey questionnaires, collected, tracked and analyzed data. Distributed results on a national level.
  • Served as company liaison to the community by implementing and organizing charitable contributions such as a company wide American Red Cross Blood Drive, MDA Labor Day telethon monetary donation of $20,000 and volunteer phone work, raised $11,000 for the Kirk School in Palatine for a handicapped accessible playground and participated in complimentary tax speaking engagements for small business owners as well as Mayor Daley's Chicago Principal for a Day.

Casas, Benjamin & White LLC. (Currently known as Navigant) - Skokie, IL 3/2002 to 2/2004

CBW is a boutique restructuring M&A advisory firm.

Public Relations/MarketingAssociate

  • Created and implemented 2003 CBW Marketing Work Plan and Key Initiatives Progress Report.
  • Worked with CFO to administer marketing budget for the fiscal year.
  • Maintained and improved entire CBW website (cbwllc.com) including technical updates and articles devoted to the news section. Monthly website status activity report created for all managing directors.
  • Provided market research for information pertaining to the company electronic newsletter – Current Business Weekly.

National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)- Rosemont, IL 1/2001 to 1/2002

NRCA is a 4,600 member association of roofers, contractors, architects and various other construction professionals. Public Relations Manager

  • Worked with senior management to plan and administer the public relations budget for the fiscal year.
  • Wrote and edited press releases, NRCA international newsletter – International Communiqué, magazine articles in Professional Roofing and various other nationwide publications.
  • Tracked and analyzed NRCA media mentions culminating in a comprehensive news clippings book used for understanding and improving public opinion toward the roofing industry.
  • Created first-ever press kit, online newsroom and public relations manual for the purpose of promoting the NRCA association on a nationwide platform.
  • Coordinated all public relations activities related to NRCA’s charitable organizations and implemented “Project Recovery,” a partnership with the NationalCenter for Missing and Exploited Children, involving roofing professionals in the search for missing children.
  • Worked closely with the association's Trade Show Department to publicize and manage the annual national convention.

Participate.com- Chicago, IL 1/2000 to 1/2001

Participate.com enhances their client’s sales effectiveness through a proprietary software solution. Public Relations and Marketing Assistant

  • Assisted senior management personnel in building the public relations and strategic marketing plan for the fiscal year.
  • Tracked, analyzed and interpreted online user experiences to ensure quality and customer satisfaction.
  • Provided online technical support services to Participate.com customers including: NBCi, AT&T and various other internet service providers.

Chesapeake GeneralHospital- Chesapeake, Virginia 1/1999 to 5/1999

Public Relations Intern

  • Wrote press releases, helped to produce the hospital’s monthly television show and published articles for Chesapeake’s monthly newsletter.

EDUCATION

VirginiaWesleyanCollege - Norfolk, Virginia

Bachelor of Arts, December 1999

Communications with an emphasis in Journalism

HONORS & ACTIVITIES

  • Religious education teacher
  • The Society of Collegiate Journalists Member, 1999-present
  • Marlin Chronicle Staff Writer, 1998-1999