Renee Volpini
Belford
Summary
Experienced professional with 30+ years in public relations, media relations, and event management across healthcare, technology, and consumer goods sectors. Proven track record in directing communication strategies and building strong relationships with stakeholders.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Freelance Media Specialist
Waterhouse Brands
04.2025 - Current
- Created and executed a strategic media plan to create awareness and drive donations for a new compound through a groundbreaking event for The Cancer Support Community (San Francisco Bay Area). Coordinated coverage in local event calendars, CEO interviews, patient interviews, on-site camera crews from local TV stations, local newspapers, and area magazines including The Mercury News, East Bay Times, East Bay Express, Contra Costa Times, KTVU (FOX), Diablo Magazine, etc. Local coverage resulted in a direct $10,000 donation and helped the non-profit reach its goal of $ 25 M.
Freelance Media Specialist
Redhouse Communications
03.2025 - Current
- Created and executed a strategic media plan for an emerging biotech, Perfuse Therapeutics, leveraging their latest data presented at ARVO in ocular disease. Reviewed patient slides and website, conducted media audit and media prep sessions, prepared media background documents, and secured coverage in BioCentury, BioWorld, Clinical Leader, Glaucoma Physician, Ophthalmology Timed, Optometry Times, and San Francisco Business Times. Consulted on Adverum Biotechnologies, creating a thought leadership plan on gene therapy and precision medicine.
Freelance Media Specialist
SEngine Precision Medicine
06.2021 - 03.2023
- Helped develop and edit press releases for milestone announcements and key partnerships, developed and executed strategic media plans and conducted outreach around each announcement; set up interviews for CEO at key medical meetings and events, booked speaking engagements for CEO, secured paid content opportunities, and media coverage in top national, trade and local media outlets including: Reuters, PharmaVoice, Diagnostics World, Precision Oncology News, OccologyLive, Pudget Sound Business Journal, etc.
Freelance Media Specialist
ICR Westwicke/ICR Healthcare
09.2018 - Current
- Participated in new business pitching and projects, created and executed strategic new business and media plans across global accounts, including timetables, surveys, radio tours, broadcast tours, events, etc., for healthcare, technology, and consumer clients. Conducted media training, set up interviews for C-Suite members across accounts, prepped execs for interviews, prepared backgrounders on journalists to help execs prep, etc. Pitched meetings at JPM Healthcare conference, ASCO, AACR, etc., securing multiple interviews across accounts. Client base includes: Candel Therapeutics, Octave Bioscience, Tonix Pharma, Avertix, Recipharm, Care Journet, Decision Rx, Apollomics, Promontory Therapeutics, Ocular Therapeutics, Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics, Vivani Medical, GATC Health, PaigeAI, Agendia, Oncocyte, SAB Biotherapeutics, Acumen Pharma, Gracell Biotechnologies, Strata Oncology, Helio Health, Plus Therapeutics, Everest, etc. Secured coverage in top national and trade outlets including: WSJ, NYT, USA Today, Bloomberg, Forbes, Fortune, Reuters, USA Today, US News & World Report, Chicago Tribune, STAT News, Endpoints News, PharmaVoice, The Pharma Letter, The Cancer Letter, MedTechInsight, FierceBiotech, FierceMedTech, Scrips International, BioWorld, BioCentury, MedCity News, Clinical Leader, Oncology Live, Precision Oncology News, AI Trends, MobiHealthNews, Pink Sheet, Money, msn.com, Politico, Health Affairs, CNBC, etc.
Freelance Media Specialist
LDR Communications
07.2016 - 12.2020
- Developed and executed strategic media plans for top Biotech and MedTech clients including Mercator MedSystems, 89Bio, Kantaro Biosciences, etc. Secured broadcast and print media coverage in key national and trade outlets including: NBC, CNBC, Fortune, Doctors Radio, MedPage Today, Mass Device, MedCity News, Drug Development Business Review, xconomy, BioWorld, BioCentury, San Francisco Business Times, NY Post, NY Daily News, Gannett News Service, etc.
Freelance Media Specialist
Continuum Health Communications
01.2009 - 08.2018
- Developed media plans, worked on new business decks and implemented strategic communications programs and event coverage for biotech and pharma clients including: The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (www.themmrf.org) Myriad, Inc., Crescendo Bioscience, SMC Biotechnology, Medicinova, Navidea BioPharmaceuticals, Sera Prognostics, Zephyr Health, Novaseek, etc. Secured top media including Time Magazine, Parade, The Today Show, CBS News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Shape, examiner.com, The Huffington Post, Reuters, Dow Jones, and top trades.
Freelance Media Specialist
W2O Group (NY/LA offices)
03.2011 - 12.2017
- Consulted on campaign outreach, created strategic media plans and implemented national and local communications programs and event coverage for Novartis, Pfizer, Gilead, Medtronic, Avanir, Mango Health and many more. Booked celebrity spokespeople on media tours including Leeza Gibbons, Barry Sanders, etc. Secured top media including The Today Show, CNN, ABC News, Good Day LA, Good Day, NY, etc.
Freelance Media Specialist
Coherence Resources, Inc.
03.2008 - 03.2011
- Created media plan to launch a new natural sleep device that helps relieve jet lag and trains your body to fall asleep naturally and drug-free. Executed and participated in several media events to introduce national health editors create buzz around the product. Secured feature stories in Prevention, First for Women, MSNBC, etc.
Freelance Media Specialist
HCIL LLC
01.2006 - 04.2011
- Consulted on new business projects, created media plans, timetables, surveys and budgets for consumer and healthcare clients, as well as high end physicians with specialized concierge services. Clients included: Calpis (Ameal BP), Limbrel , Fosteum , Playtex, Dr. Leone (Orthopedic pioneering Concierge Medicine) and Dr. Kolker (NY Plastic Surgeon who developed his own line of skincare AKMD),etc. Secured top tier NY and national media including Vogue, Town & Country, New York Magazine, The New York Times, etc.
Freelance Media Specialist
NovoMedia
07.2004 - 02.2007
- Working on a project basis, pitching Satellite Media Tours, B-Roll Packages and Video New Releases, as well as consulting on new business projects and media plans. Consumer and healthcare accounts include: AGA Medical Corporation, Antigenics, Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals, Toys R Us, T.O.Y Awards, Crayola, Family Fun Magazine, etc.
Freelance Media Specialist
PogoHealth
01.2006 - 04.2007
- Consulted on planning of new health web site launch – PogoHealth : an online service offering consumers independent, individualized, science-based guidance on health supplements. Conducted national outreach to top tier long lead consumer magazines for launch of new health web site. Arranged meetings with top health editors for personal tours of the web site and interviews with the company’s CEO and CMO. (Sample outlets include Self, Ladies Home Journal, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Natural Health, etc.)
Freelance Media Specialist
American Pain Foundation
09.2006 - 12.2006
- Conducted a national media campaign to help raise awareness of issues surrounding veterans and military in pain among targeted vet and military community as well as general consumer audience. Also pitched National PSA to help raise profile of the American Pain Foundation as a resource and secured local and national broadcast placements.
Freelance Media Specialist
Bayer Healthcare (Diabetes Division)
06.2006 - 12.2006
- Created and implemented a national media campaign to promote the Bayer Dream Fund and it’s winners in their prospective home towns. Also secured meetings with key health editors at top Diabetes publications and consumer health magazines at two consecutive Diabetes conferences.
Freelance Media Specialist
RCM Broadcast
06.2005 - 09.2005
- Secured national and local broadcast media placements for a Satellite Media Tour with Queen Latifah to help launch her Curation line of undergarments for plus-sized women and consulted on overall media strategy.
Freelance Media Specialist
GCI Group
07.2004 - 11.2005
- Creating media plans for both consumer and healthcare clients, initiating outreach to key long and short-lead media, securing media placements, and consulting/planning on consumer, healthcare events. Clients include: Pioneer, Ciba Vision, Forrest Laboratories, National Mental Health Association, Consumer Health Education Center, Slim Fast, Librel, etc.
Director of Media
GCI Group
07.2003 - 03.2004
- Developed strategic media plans for consumer, healthcare, tech and corporate accounts to help increase awareness and create buzz within the media. Directed key media events for consumer and healthcare clients, including: British Airways, The Financial Times, Sony Ericsson, Intel, Pioneer, Slim Fast, Payless Shoe Source, The Children's Place, Bayer, and Forrest Laboratories, etc. Organized media breakfasts with key corporate leaders for consumer and healthcare clients. Secured weekly broadcast spots on national business and financial programs for key editors including: CNN, CNNfn, Charlie Rose, Marketwatch, etc. Arranged C-suite media tours and executive media training; Orchestrated creative healthcare media events in order to secure high profile consumer press coverage. Coordinated national book tours and business media tours. Wrote, presented and pitched new business plans and consulted on new business development. Managed high profile corporate, tech, and lifestyle accounts including: The Financial Times, British Airways, Sony Ericsson, etc. Utilized guerilla marketing techniques to break through the clutter of a crowded consumer market.
Account Supervisor
GCI Group
07.2001 - 07.2003
- Managed client business and teams of up to six employees on a range of consumer accounts including: Cover Girl, Banana Boat, Payless Shoe Source, The Children's Place, Eucerin, Slim Fast, Ben & Jerry's, British Airways, Sony Ericsson, Intel, etc. Core responsibilities included client management, account development, primary point of contact for current client base, maintaining client relationships and recognizing new business opportunities. Grew the client base through identifying new business prospects and developed strategic public relations programs to meet new clients' needs. Participated in new business development including research, creative programming and budgeting. Identified and trained credible experts to communicate key brand messages. Areas of expertise include all aspects event planning and execution, media specialist, local event marketing and promotions and creative thinking.
Senior Account Executive
GCI Group
07.1999 - 07.2001
- Managed a team of three employees and spearheaded multiple initiatives such as local market media/mall tours, publicity campaigns, seasonal outreaches, opportunistic media relations, VNRs and SMTs and local events for a range of consumer/lifestyle accounts including: Banana Boat, Crane & Co. Stationers, Hess Toy Trucks, Ogilvie Hair Products, Downy Premium Care, etc. Led team through event organization and served as main event contact for each client. Message trained company spokespeople to communicate key brand messages. Wrote press releases, company newsletters, and consulted on web design and content.
Publicist
Zucker Public Relations
04.1998 - 07.1999
- Small boutique public relations company with loyal client base of key cosmetic companies including Clairol and Revlon. Main responsibilities included strategic client counsel and targeted media relations. Orchestrated and executed national media tours for new product launches for Clairol's Revitalique and relaunch of Ultress. Worked with broadcast producers across the country to coordinate makeover contests with celebrity hairstylists and make-up artists on local morning shows in top 25 media markets for Clairol and Revlon. Secured celebrity hairstylists and make-up artists as spokespeople and helped media train to deliver key messages. Traveled with spokespeople and secured additional local media in each market. Wrote press releases and background materials, compiled press kits, maintained media lists, monitored media outlets, pitched media and arranged interviews, identified speaking opportunities, at trade shows and conferences, researched competitive brands and monitored their press.
Supervisor/Event Manager
The Official All Star Cafe
11.1994 - 04.1998
- Coordinated celebrity events for The Official All Star Cafe openings across the country including New York and Las Vegas. Responsibilities included developing guest lists, working with celebrity publicists, party planning, staffing, theme coordination, catering and staffing. Served as operational liaison for press conferences, charity events, corporate functions and consumer events. Responsible for implementing and updating corporate training program including corporate and consumer banquet operational procedures and updated billing system. Served as key contact for all events and managed staff of 200 including hiring, training and scheduling. Promoted three times from Corporate Trainer, to Manager, to Event Manager.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, Minor in Public Relations
University of Central Florida
05.1993
Skills
- Strategic public relations
- Targeted media strategy
- Media planning expertise
- Goal-oriented planning
- Engaging communication techniques
- Dependable performance
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Event outreach
Awards
Sabre Award New York, NY May 2003, Launch of the First Picture Phone Sony Ericsson July 2002
Sabre Award New York, NY May 2002, Relaunch of Concorde Program British Airways November 2001
Timeline
Freelance Media Specialist
Waterhouse Brands
04.2025 - Current
Freelance Media Specialist
Redhouse Communications
03.2025 - Current
Freelance Media Specialist
SEngine Precision Medicine
06.2021 - 03.2023
Freelance Media Specialist
ICR Westwicke/ICR Healthcare
09.2018 - Current
Freelance Media Specialist
LDR Communications
07.2016 - 12.2020
Freelance Media Specialist
W2O Group (NY/LA offices)
03.2011 - 12.2017
Freelance Media Specialist
Continuum Health Communications
01.2009 - 08.2018
Freelance Media Specialist
Coherence Resources, Inc.
03.2008 - 03.2011
Freelance Media Specialist
American Pain Foundation
09.2006 - 12.2006
Freelance Media Specialist
Bayer Healthcare (Diabetes Division)
06.2006 - 12.2006
Freelance Media Specialist
HCIL LLC
01.2006 - 04.2011
Freelance Media Specialist
PogoHealth
01.2006 - 04.2007
Freelance Media Specialist
RCM Broadcast
06.2005 - 09.2005
Freelance Media Specialist
NovoMedia
07.2004 - 02.2007
Freelance Media Specialist
GCI Group
07.2004 - 11.2005
Director of Media
GCI Group
07.2003 - 03.2004
Account Supervisor
GCI Group
07.2001 - 07.2003
Senior Account Executive
GCI Group
07.1999 - 07.2001
Publicist
Zucker Public Relations
04.1998 - 07.1999
Supervisor/Event Manager
The Official All Star Cafe
11.1994 - 04.1998
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, Minor in Public Relations
University of Central Florida
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