Matt Nixon
Decatur,GA
Summary
Creator of strategic, compelling, memorable and persuasive communications that advance your organization's objectives. Skilled writer and communications consultant that possesses an uncommon breadth of experience drawn from professional engagements in public relations agencies, FORTUNE 100 corporations, non-profit organizations and higher education institutions. Career built on effectively and compellingly channeling individual and institutional voices to support and drive enterprise outcomes.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Asst. Dir. for Content Strategy
Georgia State University
09.2022 - Current
- Develop strategy and conceive and draft all content for Donor Engagement & Communications department in support of fundraising, engagement, donor retention and acquisition goals.
- Create, maintain and evolve voice of GSU Advancement Communications during the most successful fundraising era in the university's history.
- Craft award-winning, strategic, creative and high-impact communications, including fundraising appeals, donor stewardship pieces, video and presentation scripts, donor impact reports and institutional and constituent stories.
- Identify, craft and execute University Advancement key messages in all forms and through all channels. Provide writing, editing and messaging support for colleges, units and advancement departments, including planned and special giving and corporate and foundation relations.
Lead writer, Donor Engagement & Communication
Georgia State University
03.2020 - 09.2022
- Primary communications practitioner for department’s various fundraising, stewardship, reporting and institutional storytelling needs. Identify, report and draft a wide range of university, alumni, donor and student stories that deliver and reinforce our key messages and drive department’s strategic objectives. Assist in developing the department’s overall communication strategy and proactively identify or create vehicles to advance goals.
Lead Writer for Comprehensive Campaign
Georgia State University
08.2016 - 03.2020
- Served as lead communication practitioner for the university’s first comprehensive campaign, which surpassed its original goal and raised $322+ million. Identified campaign’s key messages and crafted creative and compelling vehicles for telling the university’s story. Wrote and edited fundraising appeals, stewardship communications and campaign reports, news releases and donor stories.
Communications Director
Community Legal Center, Memphis, TN
03.2012 - 08.2016
- Provided full suite of communications strategy and tactical execution for legal aid nonprofit, including messaging for executive director. Lead the organization’s annual fundraising event, including helping develop the event’s marketing approach, crafting all sponsorship and communications materials, serving as key liaison with presenting sponsors and organization event logistics. Efforts help grow the event annually and increase funds raised each year over the previous.
Internal Communications contractor
The Coca-Cola Company
03.2010 - 05.2011
- Developed communication tools, tactics and venues for global change management program related to the introduction of new portal and employee self-service model for many HR functions. Worked with cross-functional teams in Atlanta headquarters and offices around the world to craft effective, culturally appropriate tools and messages to ensue successful rollout and wide adoption of new model.
Vice President
Cohn & Wolfe
- Held various roles through numerous promotions, ending as a vice president, at leading Atlanta PR and communications agency. Served as account lead for clients in a wide variety of industries and specialized in international communications, crisis and issues management and executive communications. Award-winning speechwriter for various executive clients.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TNSkills
- Exceptional storytelling
- Crafting impactful executive communications
- Creating persuasive content
- Cultivating collaborative partnerships
- Developing strategic messaging
- Writing voice-driven, award-winning speeches
- Providing effective crisis communications
- Solving problems with communications solutions
- Crafting messages that effect outcomes
- Processing and applying data to make decisions
- Adapting voices for ghostwriting
Accomplishments
2025 CASE Circle of Excellence Gold Award
PRSA Award for Speechwriting
Speeches published in Vital Speeches of the Day
Timeline
Asst. Dir. for Content Strategy
Georgia State University
09.2022 - Current
Lead writer, Donor Engagement & Communication
Georgia State University
03.2020 - 09.2022
Lead Writer for Comprehensive Campaign
Georgia State University
08.2016 - 03.2020
Communications Director
Community Legal Center, Memphis, TN
03.2012 - 08.2016
Internal Communications contractor
The Coca-Cola Company
03.2010 - 05.2011
Vice President
Cohn & Wolfe
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Tennessee
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