When I was younger, I wrote short stories, created movies with my handheld video camera and read everything I could get my hands on: novels, newspapers, magazines, brochures, etc. I did this because I was insanely passionate about reading, writing and creating stories that matter. After college, I made my childhood dreams of being a professional storyteller come true in public relations. I dug into my clients and their brands because I was interested in telling their stories to the audiences that wanted (or needed) to hear them. I did this through media relations, traditional and online crisis management, online influencer campaigns, integrated marketing campaigns, content creation (videos, infographics, etc.) and social media management. And I loved every second of it. And now? I am pursuing my post-college dream of traveling and living abroad. I am currently working remotely as a brand storyteller and focusing on my food/travel blog, A Taste of Our City.

Senior Account Executive @ From May 2015 to July 2015 (3 months) Account Executive @ Research, plan, develop and execute ongoing media relations programs to increase visibility and thought leadership platform among the client's target audiences. Secure national media coverage in outlets including MarketWatch, USA Today, Fast Company, TODAY, Forbes, Business News Daily, Examiner.com, CNBC, FOX Business and Recruiter.com. Recommend and develop content pieces (infographics, videos, data visualizations) that augment clients' data and messaging and can be used in a variety of platforms. Execute special projects on behalf of the client (blogger relations programs, integrated communications projects, local media relations outreach) to reach target audiences and increase brand awareness among niche audiences. Monitor for and provide ongoing counsel on potential crises that may affect the client. From August 2013 to April 2015 (1 year 9 months) Public Relations Professional @ Served as client counsel for media relations programs, including recommending and implementing media relations strategies/tactics; secured media placements for clients in USA Today, Washington Post, HLN, L.A. Times, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other outlets. Recommended and implemented proactive and reactive social media strategies and programs. Assessed success of campaigns through reviewing/analyzing social media metrics (engagement rate, etc.). Mitigated various reactive client crises across multiple audiences through traditional media outreach, social media outreach and internal communication plan development. Media trained senior leaders across multiple industries for media opportunities. From November 2010 to August 2013 (2 years 10 months) Advertising Intern @ Managed media reconciliation with a $500,000 budget for Georgia Power's media buys that effectively reached minority audiences through print, radio, television and out-of-home media. Wrote and edited communication materials, press releases and advertising copy for the City of East Point that informed residents of upcoming events. From August 2010 to November 2010 (4 months) Office of Admissions Marketing Intern @ Created new media initiatives that recruited academically competitive and diverse students and managed a team of 158 student ambassadors for more than 20 special events and recruitment programs. From June 2009 to June 2010 (1 year 1 month) Vice President @ Coordinated programs and events with more than 10 committees that increased chapter membership and diversity (making it the world's largest chapter as of Spring 2010), raised funds for the chapter and provided members with more than 10 events to network with PR professionals. From 2009 to 2010 (1 year) Public Affairs Intern @ Created a tool for Government Affairs department for relationship tracking, development and maintenance, drafted 3 new community success fact sheets for the entire region’s community relations department and produced a region-wide media list of 13 markets in which WM had a presence. From May 2009 to August 2009 (4 months) Public Relations Intern @ Conducted daily media monitoring, organized media clips for clients and translated external messages for clients from English into Spanish. From August 2008 to October 2008 (3 months) Public Affairs Intern @ Designed, disseminated and analyzed a region-wide survey regarding internal communications, secured local and national media placements for a new product launch and drafted internal messages for external issues. From July 2008 to August 2008 (2 months)

Advertising, Spanish @ The University of Georgia From 2006 to 2010 Erica Smith is skilled in: Media Relations, Social Media, Crisis Communications, Messaging, Marketing Communications, Facebook, Press Releases, Advertising, Public Relations, Editing, Event Management, Community Development, Copywriting, Content Strategy, Blogging, Marketing, Nonprofits, Internal Communications, Spanish