Katie Newcomb
Experienced Freelance Writer, Marketer, Public Relations Strategist, Community Relations Professional, and Social Responsibility Activist.
Portfolio Samples
Children's Book: Balthazar The Pink
RESUME
Professional
info
I have worked with for- and non-profit organizations, across the country, for more than 25 years. Groups include professional sports organizations, entertainment superstars, retail and foodservice outlets, museums & charities.
With the professional events, marketing, public & community relations experience to strategically help every area of your business, I can hit-the-ground running with 110% dedication.
Well versed in researching and implementing ideas into reality, I thrive on providing creative and dynamic options for projects to maximize outcomes and goals.
My blend of sector knowledge offers the unique perspective to seek the most innovative, aggressive and cost-saving solutions to a variety of daily challenges organizations face.
Work
experience
2018 - Present: DIRECTOR OF TOURISM & COMMUNICATIONS
Village of Johnson Creek, Wisconsin
Department leader developing full branding and marketing campaign for Village's tourism efforts. Creating partnerships with regional, state, and local organizations to promote the Village. Created branding campaign: Be Unique in Johnson Creek across multiple marketing and outreach channels. Click here for link to tourism video. Manager of Room Tax Tourism Grant program in conjunction with Village Tourism Commission. Serves as spokesperson for all tourism efforts within the Village. Strategizes and oversees Village communication efforts on owned and earned media.
2017 - 2019: CHIEF RELATIONSHIP OFFICER
Created strategic, innovative, integrated, and impactful outreach and branding campaigns for clients for an integrated communications and governmental affairs firm. Oversaw work of client teams and serves and client contact to build relationships while conducting active research to bring added value for clients.
2017 - 2018: FREELANCER
Katie Newcomb
A freelance writing endeavor that promotes good work with joy, creativity, purpose, and positive collaboration. Capabilities include: copywriting, social media and web content, press releases, articles, blogs, speeches, award nominations, and more. Writing samples, including pieces with Milwaukee Magazine, MetroParent Magazine, BizTImes (Milwaukee), and Taste of Home Magazine found here.
2011 – Present: AUTHOR
An early-reader children’s book about a little hedgehog who loves everything pink. Click here for the Facebook page. Click here for background information and ordering.
2006 – 2017: CONSULTANT
Battle Creek Harley-Davidson and Wisconsin Harley-Davidson
Provided marketing and public relations counsel during family’s purchase of two Harley-Davidson dealerships.
2015 – 2017: SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/OF COUNSEL
Creating public relations plans and executing public awareness campaigns for community-based organizations to elevate profiles and presence, while managing a variety of talented internal teams to ensure projects run smoothly and on budget.
Client list experience: BMO Harris Bank, Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, WCTC, City of Greendale, Newcastle Place, and ibMilwaukee.
2006 - 2015: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
A freelance marketing endeavor, focused on smart marketing and fundraising strategies, creative writing projects, and special events management. I practiced a corporate philosophy of giving back a portion of all fees to enrich local non-profits.
2004: MARKETING MANAGER
Milwaukee Public Museum & Humphrey IMAX Theater
Developed and implemented marketing strategies for world-class natural history museum & IMAX Theater. Oversaw marketing activities and media buys for the highly successful, limited US tour exhibition: Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt (only Midwest venue garnering thousands of visitors during the four month exhibit). Enjoyed cultivating and maintaining relationships with local government leaders, community partners, and overseeing the internship program.
2001 - 2003: CORPORATE SALES, PROMOTIONS, & ENTERTAINMENT MANAGER
Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club
Budgeted annual $1 million promotional giveaway program for Major League Baseball team; managed client relationships for corporate fulfillments: logo placement, hospitality, tickets, media traffic (radio, television, cable, & print), scripted promotional copy, and managed 30-person game-day entertainment staff. Cultivated community awareness and managed mascots: Bernie Brewer & The Famous Racing Sausages™. Responsible for game-day promotion logistics. Pre-game Show Assistant Field Manager (National Anthem, Color Guard, First Pitch, etc.). 2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Hospitality Coordinator (relationship building liaison for LA-based event planners, MLB staff, local restaurateurs, caterers, & entertainers). Special event liaison: Hank Aaron Golf Outing (Milwaukee) and Corporate Spring Training Trip (Phoenix).
2000 - 2001: MARKETING DIRECTOR
Spearheaded marketing and public relations strategies for non-profit, equity theatre. Developed and maintained annual marketing budget. Negotiated and cultivated advertising partnerships to develop most cost-effective, creative concepts. Scripted and sent news releases with media management, as well as directed annual show brochures.
1999 - 2000: MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR
Promoted new exhibits, events, and managed fundraisers for prominent California non-profit history and art museum. Scripted and sent news releases with media management (including $5 million donation announcement). Sought and maintained community partnerships to offset marketing costs and solicit donations for fundraising efforts. Managed marketing program, including facility rental program for additional revenue sources.
1996 - 1999: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Laughlin Constable Advertising & Public Relations Agency
Wrote creative news releases with media management. Built relationships, created, and implemented new ideas into effective promotions for clients and community-based organizations. Researched, scripted, and produced children’s programming. Managed special events for clients and agency. Oversaw and balanced client budgets between $25,000 to over $1 million.
Client list experience: McDonald’s Restaurants of SE WI, The Blood Center of WI, Barq's Root Beer partnership with the Milwaukee Brewers, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern WI, Carson Pirie Scott, Gitano Jeanswear's Sponsorship of Shania Twain's 1st US Concert Tour, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of WI, and John O. Butler Co.
1995 - 1996: DEVELOPMENT/MARKETING ASSOCIATE
Coordinated special events and facility rental program (including exhibit openings). Wrote news releases with media management. Assisted grant proposal research and writing (secured Alphabet Garden). Designed and scripted marketing materials. Directed volunteers on special projects and events.
1993 - 1995: ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Allied Computer Group
Purchased best-valued computer equipment from multiple vendors. Scheduled all computer classes for Milwaukee and Appleton offices. Provided administrative support for 125 employees
Education
Mass Communications Graduate Studies Program
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Bachelor of Arts, College of Communications, Journalism & Performing Arts
Broadcast Communications major, Theatre Arts minor
British Colloquia and Theatre
University of Wisconsin - Platteville Summer Abroad Program; Ealing College (London, England)
Intern
WMVS-Channel 10 (PBS) Smith & Company
Produced for Emmy® award-winning, public affairs television program. Researched program topics, potential guests, and site locations. Wrote scripts and promotional copy.
Intern
WITI-TV6 Community Affairs Department
Assisted with special events planning for community/promotional events. Booked talent for events, including the Milwaukee-based Muscular Dystrophy Telethon Festival. Wrote scripts and solicitation letters.