Virginia Drake Ruhmkorff
Hilton Head Island
Summary
Media strategist with extensive experience across client-side, media buying firms, and ad agencies. Developed and executed omni-channel campaigns that achieved measurable results, including a 50% year-over-year increase in pharmaceutical test kit requests for Grifols. Drove a 17% year-over-year growth in annual tourism visitation for South Carolina. Enhanced brand awareness for Cortland Apartment Homes from 25% to 30% through strategic use of out-of-home and digital advertising.
increase in test kit requests. Skilled in client relationship management and media analytics, providing actionable insights to enhance campaign performance. Demonstrated expertise in media buying and strategic planning, significantly improving brand visibility and engagement across various sectors.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Media Account Director
Ruhmkorff Consultants, LLC
Atlanta
09.2022 - Current
- Launched and optimized multi-media campaigns across Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads, and native ads.
- Researched potential new markets for clients' products or services.
- Managed media accounts and maintained relationships with clients.
- Provided strategic advice and counsel to clients regarding their campaigns.
- Interpreted data from analytics tools such as Google Analytics, Adwords.
- Developed content calendars and creative posts to enhance audience engagement.
Director of Strategy
Aletheia Marketing & Media, Inc.
Dallas
01.2024 - 02.2025
- Developed multi-channel media plans for healthcare and education clients, integrating paid social, CTV, OLV, and Google Ads to enhance brand visibility among doctors and patients.
- Monitored progress against established KPIs to adjust strategies as needed for optimal results.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring timelines were met within budget constraints.
- Identified key performance indicators and metrics to measure success of strategic initiatives.
- Increased test kit requests by fifty percent year-over-year through targeted Facebook campaigns and Google Ads.
- Analyzed digital media metrics to create monthly performance reports that optimized campaign effectiveness.
- Leveraged competitive tracking tools such as Pathmatics, Vivvix, and Semrush to deliver actionable business insights.
- Presented media recommendations, quarterly business reviews, and performance reports to clients to facilitate informed decision-making.
Group Media Director
Zimmerman Advertising
Ft. Lauderdale
07.2021 - 08.2022
- Developed strategy utilizing 3P and 1P data to define target audience personas.
- Specialized in creating hyper-local media plans for multi-unit retailers including The Christmas Tree Shops, Bed Bath & Beyond, Tropical Smoothie Café, and Jets Pizza.
- Created comprehensive social media and cross-channel media plans integrating programmatic, Google Local Ads, Bing, YouTube, TikTok, CTV/OTT, mobile display, linear TV, and local radio.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to produce monthly digital reporting presentations for clients.
- Presented insights and strategies to marketing and advertising clients.
- Maintained budget summaries, flowcharts, and status reports to track project progress.
Chief Media Officer
BFG Marketing (Now Nine Rooftops)
Bluffton
09.2016 - 06.2019
- Presented strategic brand campaign recommendations and monthly digital performance reports to senior-level clients for $30M accounts.
- Developed omni-channel media plans for clients in tourism, retail, CPG, pet care, and wine sectors.
- Created targeted audience personas using client analytics and third-party research data.
- Collaborated with internal teams to execute innovative media campaigns across various platforms.
Marketing/Media Contractor
Pulte Homes
Atlanta
01.2016 - 08.2016
- Oversaw Google Ads campaigns and developed paid social media strategies to elevate brand awareness and drive event attendance for grand openings nationwide.
- Tracked and analyzed media performance, providing insights based on web traffic, lead generation, and click volume.
Group Media Director
Sanders/Wingo
Atlanta
11.2013 - 12.2015
- Directed media practice managing $60M in contract negotiations, achieving average savings of 53% on ad rates.
- Developed monthly analytics reports to deliver insights for optimizing online campaigns.
- Guided three team members, fostering professional growth and enhancing team performance.
Associate Director
AT&T
Atlanta
09.2008 - 10.2013
- Managed over $110M in paid media advertising budgets across various business sectors.
- Collaborated with Line of Business Leads to develop Agency Business Plans for multiple marketing divisions.
- Oversaw deliverables from three media and creative agencies to align media plans with AT&T KPI goals.
- Presented media plans and quarterly business reviews to senior management for strategic insight.
Associate Media Director
Kilgannon
Atlanta
02.2007 - 08.2008
- Planned and optimized client strategies through contextual, behavioral, and audience targeting.
- Negotiated traditional media placements across national cable, sponsorships, magazines, and billboards.
- Applied data tools such as MRI, Simmons, and Comscore to inform and enhance media strategies.
President
Ruhmkorff Consultants LLC
Atlanta
02.2000 - 02.2007
- Designed annual B2B media plans for Datastream CMMS systems for manufacturing vertical markets.
- Created strategic B2B media plans for iProcure, supply chain software.
- Managed comprehensive traditional and digital media planning and placement for Infor ERP and Ross Systems, driving brand awareness.
Media Specialist
Initiative Media
Atlanta
01.2001 - 01.2007
- Oversaw media planning for Large Business, Small Business, Wholesale, and MDF/Reits segments of BellSouth.
- Negotiated and monitored print media campaigns for BellSouth, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Managed advertising initiatives focused on Diversity and Inclusion to enhance brand visibility.
- Coordinated cross-channel media strategies to maximize reach and engagement across target audiences.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Advertising/Marketing
Boston University, College of Communication
Boston, MASkills
- Client relationship management
- Omni-channel media planning
- Campaign measurement and optimization
- Media buying and analytics
Affiliations
- Photography, flower arranging, searching for shark teeth on the beach in South Carolina
COMPUTER SKILLS
Software & Platforms: Meta Buying platform, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Keynote), Google Ads Platform, Google Performance Max, Google Business Profiles, YouTube, Pinterest buying platform
Timeline
Director of Strategy
Aletheia Marketing & Media, Inc.
01.2024 - 02.2025
Media Account Director
Ruhmkorff Consultants, LLC
09.2022 - Current
Group Media Director
Zimmerman Advertising
07.2021 - 08.2022
Chief Media Officer
BFG Marketing (Now Nine Rooftops)
09.2016 - 06.2019
Marketing/Media Contractor
Pulte Homes
01.2016 - 08.2016
Group Media Director
Sanders/Wingo
11.2013 - 12.2015
Associate Director
AT&T
09.2008 - 10.2013
Associate Media Director
Kilgannon
02.2007 - 08.2008
Media Specialist
Initiative Media
01.2001 - 01.2007
President
Ruhmkorff Consultants LLC
02.2000 - 02.2007
Bachelor of Science - Advertising/Marketing
Boston University, College of Communication
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