Colleen Dermody

Writing, Marketing & Research Consultant

SUMMARY

Highly Successful Writer – Writer and editor published on a variety of topics in numerous mediums and platforms including trade publications, newspapers, magazines, and web sites. Also especially skilled with proposal and report writing, press release writing, collateral writing and design, web content writing and marketing themed writing that creates highly beneficial return on investment.

Proven Strategic Communicator – Proven and trusted communications strategist with a successful track record creating and implementing marketing campaigns that yield maximum return on investment by transforming mundane product launches, issue and government relations initiatives into creative, highly visible campaigns for public, private and non-profit sectors, including brand management, thought leadership and strategic media relations.

Success Driven Leader – Motivated practitioner skilled in advising, collaborating and recruiting across divisional and geographic boundaries with over two decades of experience leading teams and managing diverse organizations and individuals, executives, opinion leaders, customers, scientists, medical and law professionals, business analysts and media.

Expert Researcher/Writer – Multifaceted research investigator and analyst experienced in designing survey questionnaires, analyzing results of market data and audit collections, writing evaluative reports, making recommendations based on findings and presenting results that achieve goals.

Skilled Relationship Manager – Skilled at cultivating and enriching relationships with customers, clients, media, corporate partners, non-government organizations and trade associations. I galvanize issue concepts and implement issues marketing strategies based on my skills and experience.

Industry Expert – More than 25 years of experience in marketing, public communications, issues management, media relations, health issues public relations, business to business and non-profit to business relationship marketing, and corporate, product, and services communications experience. 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Evoke Research and Consulting, Arlington, VA, 2011 to Present

Senior Technical Writer and Marketing Consultant

Results: Works with TSA's Office of Information Technology in the Marketing Communications Branch providing strategic marketing communications consulting, writing services and support and market research analysis.

Out to Market Communications, Washington, DC, 2009 to Present

Owner/Consultant

Results: Writing and editing on a variety of topics, mediums and platforms including proposal and report writing, press release writing, collateral writing, web content writing and marketing themed writing, social networks marketing, media relations, business & non-profit communications and creating strategic marketing solutions that have resulted in Washington Post business articles. Additional roles include communications project management, conducting focus group research, developing messaging and outreach strategies, writing strategic communications plans, conducting issues background research, and implementing cause-related marketing.

Witeck-Combs Communications, Washington, DC, 2001 to 2009

Vice President

Results: Conducted marketing counsel and oversaw communications plan implementation, strategic public relations, public policy issues management and communications research for a variety of corporate, non-profit and government clients including Aetna, GlaxoSmithKline, New York Stem Cell Foundation, The Mautner Project, the District of Columbia Department of Health, American Lung Association of DC, the Social Security Administration, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, and Wells Fargo as well as conducting new business outreach and acquisition and proposal writing.

Center for Science in the Public Interest, Washington, DC, 1998 to 2001

Communications Director

Results: Established long-term relationships between the organization and news media; achieved record media placements; secured story traction with top-tier media outlets including Associated Press, Bloomberg, U.S. News & World Report, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, New York Times, TIME, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, radio networks, television networks and affiliates in top 10 media markets. I provided senior strategic counsel to Executive Director and other leaders of the organization along with strategic communications planning and implementation, media training, management of the group’s award-winning Website and day-to-day media relations operation. 

Humane Society of the U.S./Humane Society International, Washington, DC, 1997 to 1998

Director of Public Relations

Results: Senior officer with multi-faceted responsibilities in this highly successful and busy communications department for national and international animal welfare advocacy. Lead the department in public relations, web site management, internal constituency relations, and public relations strategies with the President/CEO, Vice Presidents and other top organization executives.

Barbara Hafer for State Treasurer, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1996

Director of Communications                                                                       

Results: Directed and lead campaign communications, press relations, and staff management and acted as media spokesperson for this successful statewide campaign.

The Feminist Majority Foundation, Washington, DC, 1989 to 1996

Director of Media Relations/Publications Manager                       

Results: Created and implemented initiatives emphasizing communications coordination, marketing, and management for this national non-profit organization. Executed issue campaign plans, demonstrations, speak-outs and telemarketing campaigns. Arranged all aspects of public relations and prepared testimony for national and regional public meetings and hearings before Congressional committees.  Created, designed and produced organizational press materials, developed and executed press conferences/press briefings, served as-needed as spokesperson.  Pitched stories/fielded media calls.  Wrote and edited press releases, newsletter articles, reports, post-election materials, fact sheets, brochures, and leaflets.  Developed and implemented marketing plans for organization-produced videos, books, kits, specialty education items, etc.  Supervised press department members, hired staff, scheduled and supervised volunteers for demonstrations, abortion clinic defense, phone-banking, etc.

National Organization for Women, Washington, DC, 1989

Press Secretary

Results: Constructed and implemented nationwide press operation for national march on Washington which included highly successful advertising campaign and speaking tour for officers of organization. Coordinated event-day operation with 40 press staff and over 2000 media representatives, including CNN (day-long and live coverage), C-Span (day-long and live), Pacifica and ABC Radio (live), ABC, CBS, NBC, The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, etc.

Senator Patricia Frank for U.S. Senate Campaign, Tampa, FL, 1988

Field Director

Results: Established phone banks in State’s major metropolitan areas and organized literature drops in targeted counties and precincts. Coordinated press operation with local staff.  Developed and coordinated design and production of literature. Coordinated press relations and grassroots outreach for state tours.

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE