Professional Experience
An experienced freelance writer, I write everything from newspaper and magazine articles to news releases. I've also written a book on creativity that Penguin Random House Company published in May 2015. I write regularly for several regional magazines and also am contracted to do photography and video work. Additionally, I am seen as an expert on the subject of creativity and conduct workshops and do one on one coaching.
Total Media Industry Experience
30 Years
Media Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)
The Palm Beach Post (10+), PBG Lifestyle Magazine (10+), Hobe Sound/Tequesta Magazines (10+)
Corporate Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)
Palm Beach Outlets (10+), Dreamstar Custom Homes (10+), Penguin Random House (1-2)
Other Work History
THE PR CZAR® INC., Stuart, Florida
President/Founder/Owner since 1998
CREATIVE CABOOSE, a division of The PR Czar® Inc., Stuart, Florida - 2011 - present
Certified Creativity Coach and Author
Previous Staff Positions:
SUNFEST OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, INC., West Palm Beach, Florida
Marketing & Public Relations Manager
THE MIAMI HERALD PUBLISHING COMPANY, West Palm Beach, Florida
Community Relations Manager
NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY, West Palm Beach, Florida
Director of Public Relations
WPEC-TV, CHANNEL 12, West Palm Beach, Florida
South County Bureau Chief, Morning News Anchor, Reporter
Technical Skills
Video editing (Final Cut), Photo Editing (Photoshop)
Foreign Language Skills
n/a
Unions
n/a
Computer Skills
Microsoft Office, Final Cut X, Adobe Photoshop, and a number of other Mac programs
Equipment
I'm a "gadget queen," owning and operating numerous digital cameras (mostly Nikon and Sony), video cameras (Sony), Macintosh desktop and laptop systems, Tascam audio recorder
Work Permits & Visas
n/a
References
Christopher Hayes, editor, PBG Lifestyle Magazine - Christopher@pbglifestyle.com, (561) 307-4191
Lori Cates Hand, executive acquisitions editor, DK Publishing (Penguin Random House), lori.hand@dk.com, (317) 428-3551
Frank Valente, president & CEO, Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, fvalente@hstc1.org, (772) 600-3200
Awards
• Won more than 60 awards for professional programs and projects entered in the Gold Coast Public Relations Council’s Bernays Awards, Florida Public Relations Association’s Golden Image Awards, the International Festivals & Events Association’s annual media competitions, Women in Communications’ Ace Awards and photography competitions.
• Certified as a Creativity Coach by the Creativity Coaching Association, January 2014.
• Won the 1994 Star Award from the Palm Beach County Chapter of Women in Communications, Inc. and the 1991 Up & Comers Award in the Public Relations/Public Affairs category from Price Waterhouse and South Florida Magazine.
• Presented with a statewide Distinguished Service Award from The Florida Literacy Coalition, Inc. for exceptional contributions to literacy efforts in 1991.
• Achieved public relations accreditation (APR) in September 1988 from the Florida Public Relations
Associations
Creativity Coaching Association
Florida Public Relations Association
