Brenda Poor

Communications and marketing specialist with extensive expertise in media relations, content development, and strategic planning. Proven ability to lead high-stakes projects and cultivate relationships that drive brand engagement, contributing to significant increases in audience interaction and media presence.

• Director, Communications and Marketing, Global Care Force, Lenexa, Kansas, 04/01/21, 01/01/26, Co-lead the creation and launch of Global Care Force, a nonprofit with regional, national and international reach., Developed and executed core marketing assets, including annual impact report, leadership communications, media toolkit, monthly e-newsletter, press releases, and social media content., Established the organization's brand guidelines, social media policies, and crisis communications plan., Coordinated storytelling campaigns to highlight volunteer impact, increase volunteer applications and donor support., Prepared leadership and volunteers for interviews through media coaching and messaging. Served as organization spokesperson. Secured an average of four earned media stories per month., Grew website traffic by 252%, social media engagement by 81%. Grew e-newsletter subscribers by 18% through compelling content. Average open rate of 50%.
• Public Relations, Marketing and Media Consultant, Freelance, Shawnee, Kansas, 04/01/20, Present, Provided public relations and media consulting to support clients in various industries., Media relations consultant for 2026 Kansas gubernational campaign., Secured earned media coverage for VML client Hill's Pet Nutrition on their Rose Parade float., Created successful media pitch for seasonal retail client resulting in earned media in four markets., Created successful media pitch for nonprofit working with at-risk youth. Secured coverage., Consulted with the Founder of TerconPartners, co-writing and editing articles for LinkedIn.
• Communications Specialist, Lathrop GPM, Kansas City, Missouri, 04/01/17, 03/01/20, Led the creation and implementation of the firm's communications plan to support 400 attorneys working across 14 markets., Crafted brand-compliant communications collateral including press releases, emails from firm leadership, intranet articles, crisis communications plans and more. Planned and organized town hall meetings., Managed and grew the firm's reputation with media and positioned attorneys as thought-leaders through successful pitches for coverage of firm-sponsored events and individual attorneys., Prepared and coached firm leadership and attorneys for interviews to reinforce firm brand messaging., Boosted awareness and coverage of the firm's Denver and St. Louis offices by designing and executing strategic public relations plans., Strategically selected and authored 24+ award-winning nominations for attorneys and clients., Increased internal newsletter open rate by 40% with informative content and appealing design layout., Enhanced brand awareness and return on investment by revamping six-figure ad budget strategy., Introduced content calendar to grow the firm's presence on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
• Assistant News Director, Meredith Corporation-KCTV5, Fairway, Kansas, 01/01/06, 06/01/16, Led a 70-member newsroom team in daily brand execution, content development, and delivery on broadcast and digital platforms for local CBS affiliate., Recruited, hired, negotiated contacts for all newsroom positions. Trained staff in consideration of the company's values, brand, and needs., Partnered with internal departments and external stakeholders on special events and sales initiatives., Led the KCTV5 team to ratings success through execution of station brand and strategic planning. Result: station ranked #1 rated newscast at 10 PM for the first time in a decade., Served in an integral role in the creation, strategy and execution of two brand rollouts., Streamlined workflow to optimize competitive news coverage, time management, and efficiency., Created and led numerous special projects (e.g., Royals World Series parade, Election coverage, Plaza lighting) from start to finish, coordinating with other departments, outside partners, and sponsors., Developed and maintained relationships with key stakeholders in the community including; law enforcement, city/county/state officials, business and civic leaders., Identified new ways to expand brand recognition in the community through outreach.