BIO
Christina is a versatile communication and marketing professional with 7+ years of experience. As a creative and analytical thinker with a strong background in public relations, digital communications, and storytelling, Christina enjoys all aspects of the communications process.
Before moving to Florida, Christina attended the University of Georgia and earned her Master of Arts degree in journalism and media. She honed her interests in media relations and communications with internships at Athensmade, Better Georgia, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and various other projects within the community.
She is extremely passionate about writing, collard greens, and arts and crafts. She also has an affinity for Steven Spielburg movies, volleyball, copyright law, and Sonic corn dogs (and all dogs, in general).
Christina’s work has been featured on Buzzfeed, Explore Georgia, and a variety of literary journals.
Work Experience
November 2018 - Present
November 2017 - November 2018
April 2016 - November 2017
January 2016 - May 2017
Summer 2016/Summer 2017
January 2017 - May 2017
August 2016 -
May 2017
August 2016 -
May 2017
Communications & Marketing DIRECTOR
Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) - University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
• Spearheaded branding across the web and distributed platforms for multimillion-dollar transportation research firm
• Responsible for press releases, media packages, newsletters, local/national news coverage
• Crafted outreach campaigns for pedestrian and bicycle safety for State University System of Florida
• Organized Congressional visits, webinar trainings, online courses, and study abroad trips
• Restructured company website and designed a media room to highlight research and secure funding
• Acted as communications point for $7.5M national grant - National Institute for Congestion Reduction
• Consolidated and organized 20+ years of research, improving efficiency for partners
• Overhauled online presence, managed websites, media channels, increased following by 81%
• Assisted programs and with media presentations, videos, graphic design, and crisis communications
Digital Media Manager
SPCA Florida
Lakeland, Florida
• Responsible for all graphics, videos, pictures, websites, and other media-related content for three company campus
• Worked with community leaders to implement strategies to increase pet care and responsible ownership
• Writer, editor, and designer for all newsletters, email campaigns, annual/donor reports, and media appearances
• Acted as sole moderator for 150k+ followers on social media platforms
• Crafted original content & tracked analytics to improve user experience - increased adoptions and vet appointments
• Increased Instagram following by 400%, increased Facebook engagement - 500k+ interactions on single post
• Acted as media liaison - responsible for weekly coverage of campus, events, and animals through news stations
• Founded Florida’s first daily “adoption” program to increase program viability, doubled donations for the month
• Trained marketing assistant and interns in media best practices
Assistant FILM FESTIVAL Director
Cause + Effect Film Festival - Better Georgia
Athens, GA
• Media manager for a statewide progressive film festival. increased Facebook followers by 1400%, doubled the number of entries
• Responsible for creating all content and promo materials
• Managed paid and organic social media and Facebook analytics
• Created the social media campaign for entries and tickets; crafted the graphics and images; secured donations and business involvement
• Wrote press releases and media packages; edited the final video opener; hired and directed photographer
Researcher/Teaching Assistant
University of Georgia
Athens, GA
• Lead researcher for Brazil/UGA qualitative media research PR project
• Responsible for 900+ students, graded 1500+ papers, hosted test reviews and resume fairs
Journalism & Media Camp Instructor
University of Georgia
Athens, GA
• Taught high school students the basics of writing and crafting stories, ethical guidelines, the importance of deadlines, and basic reporting for UGA’s Media & Leadership Academy.
• Edited final product as students worked on their own story edits and pieces. Managed assistant instructor and other students
Media Intern
Georgia Department of Economic Development
Atlanta, GA
• Crafted posts for media room; drafted and wrote press releases for events
• Developed blog posts for Explore Georgia; drafted posts for social media for Explore Georgia (Facebook) and secured talent for Instagram posts, assisted with Georgia’s “Year of Film”; photographer for “Georgia’s Year of Film” at capital events; re-organized media room and online content to be more user-friendly
public relations assistant
Creative Consultants
Athens, GA
• Developed media plan with team to promote local voiceover talent
• Shot, wrote, and edited all videos for client using Premiere and After Effects, including winter Jeep campaign video, created group website
• Developed media plan to promote client’s website including media lists, mailers, and emails
• Built email marketing campaign with client promotional information with MailChimp and Illustrator
• Won the 2016- 2017 Best Campaign by UGA
• Attained campaign goal: national voiceover contract with after campaign and promotion
Digital manager
Athensmade
Athens, GA
• Responsible for digital assets and storytelling for local economic development start-up
• Founded and organized social media channels, online events calendar
• Head editor and photographer for storytelling campaigns
• Created email marketing campaigns to attract new businesses and talent
• Responsible for scheduling, equipment rentals, and events
August 2008 -
December 2015
Various internships
Columbus, GA
• COEHP.TV Intern - director for live classroom recordings. Responsible for six cameras during graduate classes
• Bridges Autism Center - assisted center with social media messaging and outreach, instructed staff on media best practices with children. Assisted with fundraisers for student activities.
• Boys and Girls Club of the Chattahoochee Valley - created the club's first social media channels, taught instructors how to film and edit videos. Raised funds for summer activities.
EDUCATION
August 2015 - May 2017
August 2008 - December 2012
Master of Arts: Journalism & Media
University of Georgia
Athens, GA
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Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
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Creative Consultants (student-lead PR firm)
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Researcher/teaching assistant
Bachelor of Arts: Communications
Columbus State University
Columbus, GA
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Communications Honor Society
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Columbus State University Honor Society
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Study Abroad: Berlin, Germany - Memorials and Society
SKILL SET
• MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere
• Social media analytics, Google Analytics certified
• Website creation and management (Wordpress)
• Graphic design, logo design, brand management
• Photography, film production and editing
• Email marketing certified, fluent in MailChimp
• Qualtrics, Survey Monkey, data collection
• Press releases, speeches, and reporting
• Basic technology support and troubleshooting
Certificates & Training
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Google UX Design Certificate
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Florida Atlantic University: Hospitality and Tourism Management
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University of South Florida: Post-Crisis Hospitality Management
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University of South Florida: Telework Certificate
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Google Digital Garage: The Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
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LinkedIn: Coaching Skills for Leaders and Managers
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LinkedIn: Communicating with Empathy
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LinkedIn: Decision-Making in High-Stress Situations
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LinkedIn: Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
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LinkedIn: Executive Presence on Video Conference Calls
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LinkedIn: Fighting Gender Bias at Work
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LinkedIn: Improving Your Listening Skills
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LinkedIn: Managing Stress
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LinkedIn: Powerpoint Essential Training
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LinkedIn: Unconscious Bias
OTHER Work Experience
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), I was not born into wealth. These are a few random jobs I worked throughout college to survive. They taught me the importance of hard work and created a solid foundation for ethics, honesty, and teamwork.
july 2015 - january 2016
june 2020 -
june 2015
August 2008 - December 2010
bartender & Cocktail waitress
Various
Athens, GA
• Responsible for stocking and serving alcoholic beverages for 300+ attendees
WHAT I LEARNED
I can now identify a fake ID from 300 feet away.
barista
Starbucks
Columbus, GA
• Assisted customers with orders, prepared beverages and food, cleaned facilities, unpacked deliveries
WHAT I LEARNED
Starbucks is physically and mentally exhausting. From being spit-on during Christmas Eve to third-degree burns from malfunctioning equipment... However, however, I learned so much about how to address customers, the interworkings of corporations, the importance of strong leadership.
I can also make a cappuccino so dry, it could float away with a single burst of wind.
Waitress
Various
Columbus, GA
• Assisted customers, prepared items and alcoholic beverages, organized stock, and trained new employees
WHAT I LEARNED
Waiting tables is a lot of fun, but a restaurant is dependent on its parts to work independently to achieve its sales goals. Communication is key. Also, always have an extra pen.
December 2007 - August 2008
clerk
Kinnucan's (outdoor store)
Columbus, GA
• Tagged and organized items and orders, supported customers with purchases, and assisted with the check-out process
WHAT I LEARNED
I learned the importance of showing up on time and working as soon as you are on the floor. Always fess up if you mess up (especially if you accidentally throw out $200 sunglasses).
Volunteer experience
august 2019 - present
March 2020 -
May 2020
March 2020 -
May 2020
January 2017 - July 2017
soccer/flag football coach
Lutz, FL
I assist my coworker with his child's soccer (fall) and flag football (spring) teams. We run drills a few hours a week before weekend games.
Yearbook assistant
Westridge Middle School
Orlando, FL
In short supply of help during the pandemic, I assisted Westridge Middle School with the editing and production of their 2019-2020 yearbook.
Digital content developer
Clarke County Middle School
Athens, GA
I assisted a classroom with their digital projects. We filmed weather reports using their new skill set and created infographics about their favorite snacks.
Foster parent and volunteer
Athens County Humane Society
Athens, GA
In addition to creating a short video to promote spaying and neutering pets, I also fostered a small pup named Nolan. Note: fostering a puppy during your last year of graduate school is not a smart idea, but he did make writing papers a lot less stressful.
