Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Sam Blackwood

New Orleans,Louisiana

Summary

Experienced, dedicated marketing and communications professional with a history of working tirelessly at building effective relationships with clients, vendors, media professionals, and internal and external creative teams. Highly deadline-driven with an excellent record of managing emergent priorities with grace and efficiency. Dedicated with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Sales and Marketing Manager

New Orleans Historic Tours
06.2021 - Current
  • Grew new business by 73% through a rebrand and the development and implementation of a new multimedia marketing and advertising strategy in challenging COVID economy in 2021-2022
  • Coordinate and lead guided tours and informational talks for groups of up to 30 tourists on 2-4 hour tours, sharing New Orleans’ natural, architectural, social, and cultural history with tourists and visitors through storytelling and driving tours
  • Create personalized and seasonal experiences featuring New Orleans’ music, architectural history, food, and cultural traditions
  • Develop tour scripts, marketing collateral, online content, and internal training materials
  • Continually research and study the topics related to regional history to increase knowledge base, develop new tours, and provide guests with best-in-class visitor experiences

Client Success Strategist

McClatchy
12.2019 - 05.2021
  • Led SMB division in new business closed and revenue generated in challenging COVID economy
  • Leveraged market research and data to prospect, qualify, close, and manage advertising and marketing SaaS contracts with key accounts and new business
  • Provided accurate proposals and recommended budgets for print and digital advertising campaigns, ensuring maximum return on investment
  • Assisted in onboarding new clients and launching campaigns
  • Worked with external and internal teams to launch and monitor multimedia advertising campaigns
  • Developed strong relationships with advertisers and negotiated pricing following established procedures.

Director of Marketing and Business Development

Carroll Strategies Public Relations
12.2017 - 12.2019
  • Developed and executed business development and marketing strategy for Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) award-winning PR agency
  • Identified, targeted, presented to, and signed new high-value accounts including Cyrus Energy, State of New Mexico, Celgene Pharmaceuticals, Boy Scouts of America, TransCore, Westbrooke Homes
  • Research and identify RFPs and contracts for PR services, write and submit proposals in adherence with requirements
  • Captured new customers by optimizing business strategies and launching products to diversify offerings.
  • Conducted market research to identify new opportunities and target markets.
  • Analyzed and reported on KPIs to validate and demonstrate success of marketing campaigns.
  • Established, initiated and optimized business development strategies based on company targets, product specifications, market data, and budget factors.
  • Oversaw preparation of marketing copy, images, videos, emails, and other collateral.
  • Continually maintained and improved company's reputation and positive image in markets served.


Marketing and Advertising Account Manager

Taos News
01.2015 - 12.2017
  • 2016 New Mexico Newspaper Association First Place Award winner in "Best Advertising Campaign" and "Best Digital Marketing Idea" categories.
  • Grew sales by 70% and expanded the reach of the brand during the first year as Sales Manager for Enchanted Homes Magazine and enchantedhomes.com, The Taos News' print, and online home and real estate magazine
  • Evaluated client needs and developed tailored solutions to increase revenue and client retention
  • Built and strengthened long-lasting client relationships based on accurate price quotes and customer-centric marketing terms
  • Set clear sales goals to identify activities and behaviors to advance sales process and close deals

Advertising Account Executive

Santa Fe Reporter
10.2012 - 01.2015
  • Communicated regularly with territory, regional, and strategic managers for daily support and strategic planning for accounts.
  • Developed strong relationships with advertisers and negotiated pricing following established procedures.
  • Directed copy preparation, proof evaluation and layout enhancement for advertising materials
  • Develop customized advertising and marketing strategies for clients across a range of industries
  • Researched and customized service proposals for clients to meet requirements and set profitable compensation scale
  • Helped customers in determining design and layout of sold and spec ads
  • Created and presented media and advertising packages to prospective customers
  • Devised strategies to perform at required goal level and achieve monthly quota.

Education

Digital Marketing Certificate - Digital Marketing

General Assembly
Remote/Online
10.2016

Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communication

Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
05.2010

Skills

  • Advertising Campaigns
  • Business Development
  • Account Management
  • Relationship Building
  • Marketing Project Management
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Strategic Marketing
  • Sales Support
  • Public Relations/Media Strategy
  • Press Releases
  • Creative Collateral Development
  • Social Media Management
  • Database Maintenance
  • Sales Presentations
  • Business Growth and Retention

Timeline

Sales and Marketing Manager

New Orleans Historic Tours
06.2021 - Current

Client Success Strategist

McClatchy
12.2019 - 05.2021

Director of Marketing and Business Development

Carroll Strategies Public Relations
12.2017 - 12.2019

Marketing and Advertising Account Manager

Taos News
01.2015 - 12.2017

Advertising Account Executive

Santa Fe Reporter
10.2012 - 01.2015

Digital Marketing Certificate - Digital Marketing

General Assembly

Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communication

Loyola University New Orleans

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