Tara Stephenson

Reporting to the Executive Director, I oversee operations, development, marketing, events, and accounting for the nonprofit organization at Hearst Castle.

In my first year, I produced new branding and a new website; migrated to a new CRM; transitioned to online cloud storage systems and digital marketing platforms; developed a branded merchandise line; and produced a dozen fundraising events. I create all content from blog posts to sales presentations to education program collateral including photography and design.

Year 1 Achievements:

• Membership Revenue: Up 91% YoY
• New Membership Revenue: Up 358% YoY
• Average Annual Giving/Donor: Up 86% YoY
• Reduced Expenses by 30%

Reporting to the President, I guided a traditional advertising agency’s first business development efforts and generated a content marketing program.

• Integrated agency’s first CRM, email marketing campaigns, and social media presence
• Created editorial calendar, edited submissions, and launched blog
• Produced editorial-style case studies, curated as downloadable content offers in lead gen campaigns
• Secured bylines and guest contributor articles in key trade publications
• Increased web traffic by 60% via basic SEO and content
• Crafted submissions for and won two PR awards for client campaigns

Reporting to the VP Marketing, I crafted CJ's first Content Marketing Strategy and hired a dynamic Content Marketing Manager to help implement and scale several elements of the plan. Collaborating with the Product, Creative, Campaign, PR, and Events teams, we:

• Designed concept and copy for: case studies, blog posts, articles, infographics, video scripts, websites, wiki space, sales campaigns, sales RFPs, objection handling docs, best practices, event promotion, and more.
• Redesigned CJ's blog: http://blog.cj.com/
• Launched successful internal call-for-content initiative to showcase staff thought leadership.
• Created organic and paid social media strategy, quickly increasing followers and engagements.
• Wrote or edited all CJ University conference-related web, print, campaign, and signage copy.
• Managed 30 CJ University presentations and workshops, including coaching over two dozen speakers.
• Built relationships with corporate PR teams and industry pubs for publication of bylines and exclusive articles.

Reporting to the SVP Operations & Product, I lead the creation of a new Product Marketing team and provided tools—content, resources, and best practices—for Sales, Client Dev, and MarComm to repurpose or curate for use in customer campaigns or to create additional assets.

• Designed and managed Product Department wiki space full of resources for staff of 400+
• Launched weekly internal newsletter highlighting new features, enhancement, and bug fixes related to six Product teams
• Communicated value and position to sales team and developed tools to support selling process
• Developed strategy and managed market communications that drove product demand
• Created product positioning and messaging to differentiate products in market and expand visibility
• Supported marketing programs and campaigns with content and messaging to drive demand
• Researched competitive solutions and maintained competitive market comparisons and evaluations
• Planned new product external launch and release while managing cross-functional implementation of plan

Reporting to the CEO at this rapidly growing 'display advertising' start-up, responsibilities included: account strategy, activation, integration, upsell, optimization, and marketing.

• Managed $3M in business annually
• Directed online advertising campaign strategies for direct and wholesale clients by eCPM
• Performed integration and activation of campaigns; optimized performance to CPA goals
• Generated IOs and reconciled monthly billing
• Produced QBRs, annual media kits, and sales one-sheets
• Managed website redesign, social media presence, blog, and PR outreach
• Managed remote operations team of 5 plus PR agency
• Led projects and analyzed data to identify opportunities for improvement

Reporting to the Managing Partner, I was responsible for half of our national sales territory, developed all marketing collateral, and managed the magazine production team.

• Prepared business plan and pro forma financial statements pre-acquisition
• Sold $300k annually (+ wine barter) in print advertorial and online marketing programs
• Managed publication redesign
• Grew circulation to 50k copies
• Managed overhaul of website all content, IA, design direction
• Trained and supervised magazine production manager, accounts receivable manager, and interns
• Produced all marketing materials, press releases, and sales proposal templates

Reporting to the Publisher, I oversaw production, operations, and marketing for 400+ page annual luxury hotel publication and creative division; plus directed sales within our midwest, northeast, and Asian territories.

• Sold $250k+ in advertorial-based marketing programs and creative services annually
• Heavy travel nationally and internationally
• Redesigned press kit annually and wrote press releases, e-newsletter, website content
• Organized large client events, as well as small high-end cocktail parties.
• Developed content, edited, managed design of all marketing materials.

• Managed production and client communication for 400+ page $3M annual advertorial publication
• Managed production and all client communication for 300+ page $1M custom Starwood publication
• Facilitated redesign of website, integrated and launched hotel reservation booking engine
• Organized biannual 3-day B2B event at luxury properties nationwide, 250+ attendees
• Upgraded sales CRM (Act! Database) for parent company, created best practices and training, and managed associated engineering consultant
• Hired, trained, managed production manager and quarterly interns
• Produced all marketing materials, sales proposals, and contracts; including writing/editing annual media kit and press releases.