Julie L. Ward

Supported members of global communications team, ensuring integrated and aligned communications strategy that supported goal of improving lives of everyone in construction

• Audited external web properties and built strategy to launch modernized new, assisting new leader in understanding impact of existing web properties and empowering media to cover company news
• Selected as group leader and recruited participants for inaugural Lean In Circle, supporting others in learning new skills through participating in regular trainings for leaders, recruiting members, and leading topic brainstorming.

Built visibility, credibility, and trust for company as thought leader in construction payment sector.

• Led regional PR pitching and coverage of Levelset acquisition within 1st week of starting, jumping in on day 3 to work with global communications team to coordinate aligned public relations campaign to announce Levelset acquisition
• Boosted social net audience growth 30%, engagements 48%, and engagement rate 81% by developing guidelines with input from multiple parties to enable alignment, collaboration, and documentation of institutional knowledge.

Developed strategies and tools to facilitate effective communication between New Orleans, members, prospects, and community stakeholders

• Created organic and paid content for website, blog, and social media
• Built and strengthened relationships with members of media to promote positive coverage.
• Oversaw social media presence and aligned posts to include branding and trending ideas.
• Drafted messaging for leadership and advised on media talking points.
• Captured imagery and video for social media, promotions, and edited videos
• Developed Virtual J platform to keep members engaged during COVID-19 closures, creating section on website to house materials for members to access programming and content
• Produced JCC’s 1st virtual fundraiser, overseeing promotion, including organic social media and paid digital aids as well as developing messaging for ticket levels and sponsorship, which resulted in largest fundraising for that event to-date.

• Oversaw membership department and managed membership recruitment and retention.
• Developed content and managed social media
• Grew membership department to support to tour prospects, convert prospects into members, and ensure members were engaged
• Oversaw highest membership growth of all time, averaging 18% growth year over year by increasing awareness of renovation and creating processes and training materials.
• Maintained membership database, ensuring that all information was current and accurate.

• Oversaw advertising division, working closely with creative, digital, and public relations divisions to identify and implement brand strategies for clients
• Pitched, secured, and staffed new accounts, producing new revenue and broadening scope of agency by including more creative work for traditionally PR-driven agency.
• Helped to develop key client partnerships by seamlessly overseeing workflow, learning clients' business, and delivering key presentations.
• Oversaw financial management of accounts and budgeting for future estimates.
• Engaged in daily communication with clients to establish and maintain positive working relationships.
• Contributed ideas to concept development, strategic planning, and business operations.

• Served as point person for clients and internal staff to run effective advertising initiatives from start to finish
• Collaborated with all agency departments to ideate and implement strategic communications solutions
• Led discovery and rebranding project for top 10 privately owned employer in Southeast
• Oversaw annual planning and management of Sazerac brands Chila ‘Orchata, Tijuana Sweet Heat, and Gran Gala
• Developed communications strategy and roadmap for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, helping to align employees with IT department, boost morale and pride, and generate awareness of IT department across departments
• Managed content and community management team for Sazerac vodkas, overseeing social media and web content development and working with content creators and community managers to build strong online brand presence
• Guided strategic refresh of Piccadilly Cafeteria branding and messaging across 47 locations, bringing brand up to date to celebrate iconic southern brand and helping brand evolve to reach new audiences, ultimately boosting sales
• Oversaw and coordinated 1st community partnership with Jefferson SPCA, sponsoring several initiatives, including Buddy Break to socialize shelter dogs while giving workers mental health breaks and PetFest to celebrate and raise money for animal rescue; generated greater awareness, created goodwill, and engaged employees in social impact interest.
• Stayed up-to-date on changing industry and product standards and trends related to accounts.
• Maximized revenue by servicing accounts and proposing new products and services to established clients.

• Living
• Developed advertiser added value programs to maximize exposure to brand’s audience of 4.4M consumers
• Cultivated partnerships with organizations that aligned with mission and objectives
• Created programs to extend Coastal Living brand across multiple platforms
• Oversaw activation and speaking opportunities for marketing and editorial staff
• Launched Coastal Living Designer Network which created new revenue stream and expanded reach to consumers and designers; a way for designers to connect with consumers and bring magazine look to life
• Increased Costal Living’s database of interior designers and encouraged design community to engage with brand after introducing e-newsletter for interior designers.
• Developed creative presentations, trend reports, kitted assets, and product data sheets.

• Served as lead for accounts in healthcare, retail, hospitality, and education industries and managed $2.2M in billings
• Oversaw all aspects of strategy development and implementation, including advertising, marketing, media, interactive, and PR tactics as well as agency’s community and media relations initiatives
• Secured 4-year contract with, Go Build Alabama which sustained workforce development initiatives across Alabama
• Managed production of sales promotion video for national beverage brand, which earned national Gold ADDY Award and contributed to record sales increase of $700K to $25M in annual revenue from 2006 to 2016
• Secured premier, national coverage of annual Bo Bikes Bama charity bike ride with sports legend Bo Jackson, raising international awareness of deadly tornadoes that hit Alabama in April 2011
• Oversaw promotion of The Official SEC Tailgating Cookbook, reaching #1 category status on Amazon.com, securing interviews and cooking segments for author, shipping cookbooks to media for review, and attending SEC media days.
• Built and strengthened relationships with new and existing accounts to drive revenue growth.
• Contributed to annual revenue goals by selling new services and developing new accounts.

• Managed PR needs for clients, including event promotion, press release development and distribution, PR campaign development, award nominations, and event planning.
• Placed regular editorial coverage for professional and legal clients.
• Developed grand opening protocol for accredited post-secondary institution with nationwide campuses, replicating opening promotional events and materials to accommodate cross-country fast growth
• Helped launch inaugural Birmingham Restaurant Week, managing publicity campaign by defining and executing promotional strategy that led to increased traffic to local Birmingham restaurants.
• Communicated with media weekly to build relationships and optimize press coverage.