Sarah Cooke

11717 Wayneridge Ct. Fulton, Md. 20759
Website: www.cookeconsultingsolutions.com
Contact

Professional Experience

20 years of communications experience, primarily in financial services publishing. Specialties include journalism, editing, public relations, content marketing and social media. My clients appreciate my speed, accuracy and clear, concise writing in a variety of styles. I keep audience needs top of mind at all times. I'm familiar with AP Style, multiple newsletter distribution platforms, and multiple content management systems.

Expertise

Editor
10 Years
Reporter
8 Years
Publisher
4 Years

Specialty

Finance
18 Years

Industries


Magazine - Trade magazines/publications (B2B)
18 Years
Pr/marketing - all
1 Year

Total Media Industry Experience

18 Years

Corporate Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)

Mitchell, Stankovic, & Associates (10+), GoCUCards (10+), World Council of Credit Unions (3-5), Today\'s Credit Unions (1-2)

Other Work History

ALM Media Sept. 2016-March 2017 Market Segment Strategist, Trade Media Divisions: Credit Unions & Commercial Real Estate ? Responsible for P&L, comprising 26 sales executives, editorial staffers and freelancers. ? Create new products and services based on data, research, and market expert experience. ? Uncover new areas for business development, such as FinTech and InsurTech markets, with paid content and data. ? Lead CRE group into more sophisticated digital and customized products, and consultative sales. ? Transition editors, audiences and clients toward digital-first offerings, while adding revenue through new advertising opportunities and paid content. ? Integrate CRE and CU groups into ALM structure, including shared services (marketing, audience development and marketing solutions). ALM Media Aug. 2012-Aug. 2016 Credit Union Times Publisher/Editor-in-Chief ? Grew revenue (10% YOY 2015-2014, and 9% YOY 2014-2013) in an incredibly difficult publishing environment. ? Maintain

Technical Skills

CMS: Drupal, GoCentral, Kajabi, SharePoint Newsletters: Constant Contact, Mail Chimp, SailThru, Lyris Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram

Unions

n/a

Computer Skills

Office, both Mac and PC

Equipment

I have a Mac laptop, PC desktop, iPhone 6

Work Permits & Visas

n/a

References

Susan Mitchell, President, Mitchell, Stankovic, & Associates - 855-362-2002 Ondine Irving, President, GoCUCards - 866-602-9777 Heather Anderson, Co-Founder, OmniChannel Communications - 202-295-7631 Calyn Ostrowski, WOCCU-GWLN Program Manager - 608-365-2056

Awards

2015 Folio: Top Women in Media 2015 ALM Media Manager of the Year

Associations

APL FCU Board Secretary Global Women's Leadership Network, DC Sister Society Co-Chair

Showcase

General

Six Women Receive Scholarships to Learn and Network at World Council Annual Meeting
(World Council of Credit Unions' Global Women's Leadership Network 5/26/2017)
The Global Women's Leadership Network of the World Council of Credit Unions gives out annual scholarships to attend its annual meeting. The press release tells the compelling story of two of the winners. Dorothy Mambulasa hopes to make connections and learn thing to help her start and grow her business to help women in Malawi learn computer skills. Lisa Lambrecht, CEO of Entrust Financial Credit Union, wants to help develop the careers of women in her credit union, which serves an international field of membership. Six scholarships in total were granted.
5 Ways to Boost Your Credit Union’s Card Income, 5 to Reduce Expenses
(GoCUCards 6/6/2017)
Credit unions are not-for-profits that serve their members, and as such work extra hard to earn enough money to support the business without gouging their members with fees. GoCUCards advises credit unions on optimizing the profitability of their credit card portfolios by maximizing revenue opportunities in a member-friendly way, while keeping an eye out for unnecessary expenses from their card processors. This blog post highlights some of the key income and expense factors, which is the topic of an upcoming, attendee-paid webcast GoCUCards is hosting.
Kick the ‘Best Kept Secret’ Message to the Curb, Make Some Noise
(Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates - Underground Community 5/31/2017)
Credit unions have a difficult time recruiting younger volunteers to serve on the board and committees. Getting the word out is a solid first step, but also selling them on the social good credit unions provide in their communities and as governors on pricing among financial institutions. Associate board member programs and youth advisory boards were ideas that came up during discussion at the Underground Collision conference.
Credit Unions’ Kick-Ass Next Gen Leadership Must Be Home Grown
(Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates - Underground Community 6/6/2017)
Credit unions are very concerned about being able to attract and retain talented employees, because relatively few people know credit unions exist or, once they hire someone, they can be lured away to banks that might pay better or offer more opportunities or advancement. Credit unions, however, have social good on their side, a story they don't tell nearly enough or very well. HR has not historically been an area of investment for credit unions, but it needs to be.
As California DFI Decides to Stop Group 990 Filings, League to Appeal; PCUA to Stop as Well
(Credit Union Times/CUTimes.com 10/17/2007)
State regulators or state trade associations had historically been filing Group IRS Form 990s for state chartered credit unions, but stopped in an effort to conserve resources after the IRS made significant changes to the form. Some credit unions used it to avoid filing the 990T, which covered Unrelated Business Income Tax--a controversial issue.
Matz, Johnson Clashing on Homeownership Issue as Election Race Heats Up
(Credit Union Times/CUTimes.com 10/13/2004)
*Note: The formatting of this article was messed up online.* Presidential appointees of opposing political parties duked it out over homeownership as the election heated up in 2004. This news analysis piece looks at their personal backgrounds and how it affected their political views, even though the National Credit Union Administration board was highly bipartisan at the time.
Apple, Wal-Mart Can Teach CUs About Membership
(Credit Union Times/CUTimes.com 9/26/2014)
Credit unions continue to face new competition in the financial services retail market. This column looks at how credit unions, with only 10% national marketshare, can collaborate to win against the big guys, Apple Pay and retailers entering banking, such as Wal-Mart. "There’s no need to panic, but to not even ponder the possibilities and the impact on credit unions is incredibly dangerous."