DENNIS ABNEY
Myrtle Beach,SC
Summary
I have more than 26 years of agency, business development, strategic planning, public relations, business-to-business sales, marketing, consulting, training, management, media relations and crisis management. Strategic public relations professional offering proven leadership in creating comprehensive public relations and communications strategies to advance company's vision and goals. Adept in all aspects of public relations, including media relations, internal communications, event planning, media training and crisis communications.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Public Relations & Business Development
TBA Outdoors
11.2021 - 05.2024
- Served as the Director of Public Relations and Business Development for TBA Outdoors, a subsidiary of Brandon specializing in the outdoor industry
- Served outdoor and industry based clients in a results-driven approach through campaigns aligning clients' business objectives with creative brand strategies
- Worked closely with the client services and creative teams to develop and manage innovative PR strategies for the agency's clients
- I built relationships with relevant local, regional and national media to achieve positive exposure for clients and their businesses/products
- As a fully integrated agency, l worked to develop PR strategies and plans, pitch media, follow-up on pitches and press releases, maintain editorial calendars for long-lead publications, research and develop proactive pitch concepts and actively pursue editorial opportunities
- Additionally, I worked to develop and execute press events
- As Director of Business Development, I worked pitching to brand connections as well as attending industry trade shows (i.e
- Miami and Fort Lauderdale Boat Shows, SHOT, ICAST, Surf Expo, Outdoor Retailer, SEWE and others) to seek new opportunities for client acquisition
- I was responsible for creating presentations for RFP requests, presenting to potential clients, finalizing contracts with respective management and onboarding new clients.
Public Relations and Marketing Consultant
No Boundaries Media
01.2003 - 11.2021
- Business development consultant including retail, wholesale, restaurants, non-profit, medical, regional and national sporting events
- Served needs by increasing the bottom line through direct changes to their marketing plan, sales training, e-commerce, public relations, corporate team building and media exposure
- Writing and editing press releases
- Developed marketing strategies that included print, brochures, direct mailings, sales advertisements and shows, and other collateral materials
- Developed electronic communications and built and/or increased web traffic
- Product placement in local, regional, national and international outlets.
Freelance Writer and Editor
01.2005 - Current
- Writing articles for national and international media outlets (both print and digital)
- Covering areas of adventure, travel, outdoor, gear, health and fitness and food
- Travel writer - have traveled both domestically and abroad on sponsored press trips writing both about luxury travel and off-the-grid adventures to Europe, North and South America, Africa and Antarctica
- Founded Adventure World Magazine Online (official publication of the USARA - United States Adventure Racing Association) and served as the Editor-in-Chief from 2007-2011
- Gear Editor at Breathe Magazine (Canadian Adventure Sports Magazine)
- Member of OWAA (Outdoor Writers Association of America).
Senior Regional Director
Breakthrough to Literacy/McGraw-Hill
Coralville, IA
01.2002 - 10.2003
- Directed field sales and an implementation team supporting over 600 elementary classrooms
- Restructured broad territory into five regions according to similar characteristics in order for the sales team to focus on each region's specific needs
- Recognized for highest single sales for the company nationwide (based on monthly sales totals)
- Selected by the company to attend national/international conferences to present product model
- Expanded program to new districts resulting in 80% of future sales from expansion within new districts
- Produced over $800K in sales each of 2 years with the company.
Managing Education Director
JFL Enterprises, Inc.
Concord, NC
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Sold reading software and text based reading materials to the public school market
- Built relationships and increased new accounts
- Facilitated training throughout territory
- Within one year, improved customer baseline in Virginia from 3 school districts to more than 10 districts which resulted in over 50% increased revenue.
Membership Director and Communication Liaison
PAGE
Atlanta, GA
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Recruited new members for the state's largest educational organization
- Served as communication liaison for organization's membership, school leaders, the business community and the state legislative delegation.
Science Teacher
State of Georgia
05.1994 - 06.1998
- Science Teacher at Gordon Central High School, Calhoun, GA (1994-1995) and Armuchee Middle School, Rome, GA (1995-1998).
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Shorter College
05-1992
Skills
- Leadership
- Media Relations
- Brand Development
- Creative Direction and Strategy
- Corporate Communications
- Writing & Editing
- Content Development
- Authentic storytelling
- Crisis Communications
- Business development
- Press Release Writing
- Media training
Affiliations
- Explorer/Adventurer
- Freelance outdoor, adventure and travel writer
- Multi-sport endurance athlete
Volunteering
- Board Member - Adaptive Surf Project: a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization, dedicated to inspiring and nurturing inclusive communities that improve lives through adaptive surfing.
- Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout - 1985)
Timeline
Director of Public Relations & Business Development
TBA Outdoors
11.2021 - 05.2024
Freelance Writer and Editor
01.2005 - Current
Public Relations and Marketing Consultant
No Boundaries Media
01.2003 - 11.2021
Senior Regional Director
Breakthrough to Literacy/McGraw-Hill
01.2002 - 10.2003
Managing Education Director
JFL Enterprises, Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2002
Membership Director and Communication Liaison
PAGE
01.1998 - 01.2000
Science Teacher
State of Georgia
05.1994 - 06.1998
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Shorter College
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