Richard Okonkwo
Baltimore,MD
Summary
Results-driven strategic communications professional with a proven track record of elevating brand reputation, driving audience engagement, and optimizing operational efficiency. Expert in crafting innovative marketing strategies and leveraging data-driven insights to achieve financial growth. Adept at managing complex projects, fostering strategic partnerships, and delivering measurable results.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Marketing & Communications Manager
Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA)
04.2022 - 03.2024
- Authored a comprehensive Crisis Communications Plan, expertly managing potential threats to maintain and bolster the organization's reputation within the Baltimore arts community
- Crafted a transformative social media strategy for GBCA, markedly enhancing engagement and redefining content quality in Greater Baltimore region and surrounding counties
- Drove a strategic communications overhaul, boosting brand loyalty and significantly increasing financial support through key partnerships
- Spearheaded the creation of a cohesive brand identity, including a comprehensive style guide and impactful marketing materials
- Revitalized GBCA's digital presence with targeted website improvements and engaging content, including video interviews and custom graphics, which boosted user/audience interaction and engagement
- Designed compelling graphics and produced high-quality video content, elevating the organization's promotional efforts and enhancing visual storytelling
- Managed GBCA's marketing budget, optimizing resources to maximize impact and efficiency in promotional
- Acted as the organization's public face, representing GBCA's values and mission in various forums to enhance its community presence and influence.
Marketing & Communications Associate
Baltimore Clayworks
05.2021 - 08.2021
- Orchestrated the nonprofit's branding efforts, ensuring a cohesive and compelling representation of its mission and values across all platforms
- Collaborated with program staff to effectively market a diverse array of educational and community-focused arts initiatives, enhancing public engagement
- Crafted engaging weekly email campaigns for a 9,000+ subscriber base, significantly boosting attendance and participation in upcoming programs and events
- Amplified media visibility through strategic press relations, expanding the press list and securing coverage through persuasive press releases and media pitches
- Produced persuasive marketing copy and scripts for promotional materials and videos, capturing the essence of the nonprofit's impact and offerings
- Created visually impactful marketing materials, including flyers and posters, that elevated event visibility and audience reach
- Led digital content strategy, updating website content, and managing a dynamic social media schedule that broadened online engagement
- Achieved a notable increase in Instagram followers, adding over 1,000 new followers in just four months through targeted content strategies.
Digital Marketing Consultant (Contract)
American Limousines, Inc. Go Airport Shuttle, and SafeRide
09.2019 - 03.2020
- Orchestrated an aggressive 7-month online reputation management campaign for three sister ground transportation companies, successfully establishing a robust, positive brand image
- Monitored and dissected industry trends, metrics, and KPIs to deliver continuous, strategic, and mission-focused recommendations for content optimization, brand positioning, and service enhancement
- Crafted and disseminated consistent goodwill messages across diverse online and social media platforms, elevating American Limousines' Google rating from 3.1 to 3.4 stars in under four months
- Skillfully managed social media accounts for all three companies, adeptly counteracting negative feedback and conflicting impressions on review platforms like Yelp, effectively restoring customer trust and confidence
- Achieved significant growth, amassing over 2,500 new followers across social media platforms, enhancing daily impressions and engagements, and doubling monthly web traffic for all three company websites.
Public Relations Strategist-Morgan Community Mile (Contract)
Division of Research & Economic Development, Morgan State University
06.2018 - 11.2018
- Launched the first-ever MCM monthly newsletter, transforming it into a pivotal marketing tool that generated significant buzz, disseminated critical information, and heightened awareness of MCM's activities both within and beyond the university
- Leveraged strategic community relations to forge powerful partnerships with local businesses, organizations, and stakeholders, effectively championing MCM's initiatives across Northeast Baltimore
- Partnered closely with the Director to identify and create avenues for meaningful engagement between students, faculty, staff, and the local community, fostering a strong sense of community within a three-mile radius of Morgan State University
- Produced and conducted compelling videotaped interviews and talk sessions on vital topics like entrepreneurship and community development, engaging a diverse audience of students, faculty, staff, and local business leaders
- Delivered expert guidance and mentorship to student interns, focusing on career readiness, personal growth, professional etiquette, and workplace attire, significantly enhancing their professional development and readiness for successful careers.
Program Coordinator-Academic Rehabilitation, Insulation, Stability, and Encouragement (ARISE)
Office of Residence Life & Housing, Morgan State University
02.2018 - 07.2018
- Led seamless cross-departmental efforts to holistically address and support the diverse needs of students in the ARISE Program
- Achieved a 5% increase in academic success within just two months by providing personalized, intensive one-on-one advisement sessions for underperforming students
- Designed and implemented a groundbreaking Academic Success Plan (ASP), a comprehensive assessment tool that identified and tackled students' personal and academic challenges, driving performance enhancement
- Expertly leveraged the Mercury database and management software to meticulously track, monitor, and analyze students' academic progress, ensuring they met their semester goals and maintained satisfactory GPAs.
Lead Anthropometric Data Specialist
Size North America Project, Human Solutions of North America
11.2017 - 02.2018
- Led the East Coast team, coordinating with anthroscan researchers in North Carolina and Germany on a nationwide project to capture highly technical, full-body serial measurement data using state-of-the-art 3-D body imaging scanners, creating comprehensive and flexible base data for body dimension evaluation
- Scanned over 400 participants in Baltimore and maintained a robust database of more than 1,000 full body scans, including extensive survey profiles, biographical information, and detailed statistical analyses
- Developed and disseminated engaging multimedia communications, successfully recruiting over 500 research participants.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD12.2021
Bachelor of Arts - BA, Public Relations, Advertising & Media Sales -
Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD05.2017
Skills
- Leadership and Team Management
- Content Creation and Management
- Public Relations
- Persuasive Rhetoric
- Technical Writing and Documentation
- Video Production
- Innovative Marketing Strategies
- Cybersecurity and Risk Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Project Management
- Crisis Communications
- Data Analysis
- Change Management
- Customer Relationship Management
- Strategic Planning and Execution
- Social Media Engagement
- CRM Management
Certification
- Harvard X (Harvard University), Certificate in Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking, 05/2021
- Google, Certificate in The Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, 02/2021
Timeline
Marketing & Communications Manager
Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA)
04.2022 - 03.2024
Marketing & Communications Associate
Baltimore Clayworks
05.2021 - 08.2021
Digital Marketing Consultant (Contract)
American Limousines, Inc. Go Airport Shuttle, and SafeRide
09.2019 - 03.2020
Public Relations Strategist-Morgan Community Mile (Contract)
Division of Research & Economic Development, Morgan State University
06.2018 - 11.2018
Program Coordinator-Academic Rehabilitation, Insulation, Stability, and Encouragement (ARISE)
Office of Residence Life & Housing, Morgan State University
02.2018 - 07.2018
Lead Anthropometric Data Specialist
Size North America Project, Human Solutions of North America
11.2017 - 02.2018
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Morgan State University
Bachelor of Arts - BA, Public Relations, Advertising & Media Sales -
Morgan State University
- Harvard X (Harvard University), Certificate in Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking, 05/2021
- Google, Certificate in The Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, 02/2021
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