Christine Finnegan
Dallas,TX
Summary
Account Director with extensive media relations expertise, securing client placements in leading outlets such as The Today Show and CNN. Proven success in crafting strategic press releases and innovative story ideas that enhance client visibility and engagement, fostering strong relationships and retention.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Account Director
Mouth Digital + Public Relations
07.2021 - Current
- As account director, I oversee a staff of 3 to create awareness by targeting media outlets that will position clients in the news.
- This is achieved by writing press releases and formulating pitches aligned with the media outlets' editorial content, capitalizing on trending news stories that make sense to the client's brand, and developing story ideas to engage journalists.
- Clients include nonfiction/fiction authors, lifestyle brands, events, nonprofits, and entertainment (film/TV)
Media Relations Manager
Front Porch Marketing
03.2018 - 07.2021
- Client industries include education, hospitality (restaurants and hotels), non-profit, and lifestyle brands.
- As Media Relations manager, I create media awareness for clients by writing press releases/media advisories for distribution to targeted media databases.
- Once the press materials are generated, I cultivate relevant pitches and target press outlets for media coverage.
- Media outlets include consumer, business-to-business, trade, digital, television, radio, social media influencers, and community calendars.
Film Publicist/Public Relations Contractor
12.2002 - 09.2018
- As a PR/Marketing specialist, I pitched story ideas to media that positioned clients within targeted demographics: this included, but was not limited to, print, broadcast, social media channels, and online publications.
- I also wrote content for marketing collateral, websites, byline articles, and blogs.
- Clients included: Cohen Media, Samuel Goldwyn Pictures, Paladin Pictures, Magnolia Pictures, Gordon Biersch, Dallas Museum of Art (as a contractor for the Powell Group), Pollo Campero (national grand openings).
Media Relations Manager
HIT Entertainment
08.1997 - 12.2002
- Media Relations Manager for the Stage Show Division for Barney, The Wiggles, and Bob the Builder; this included writing the show's press kit, developing media databases, pitching media in all tour cities, conducting media drops to critical outlets, and securing placement for advance ticket sales.
- I was also the tour's charity point person.
- In this capacity, I oversaw the stage show characters' appearances at area hospitals and obtained press coverage.
Education
BACHELOR OF ARTS - COMMUNICATIONS
University of Texas at Dallas
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Cloud-based marketing platforms
- Media Relations
- Writing
- Editing
- Press releases
- Media Database Research
- Creation
- Management
- Muck Rack
- Marketing Collateral Creation
- Adobe InDesign
- Google Drive
- Social Media Platforms
- Analytics
- Communication
Timeline
Account Director
Mouth Digital + Public Relations
07.2021 - Current
Media Relations Manager
Front Porch Marketing
03.2018 - 07.2021
Film Publicist/Public Relations Contractor
12.2002 - 09.2018
Media Relations Manager
HIT Entertainment
08.1997 - 12.2002
BACHELOR OF ARTS - COMMUNICATIONS
University of Texas at Dallas