Laguna Hills, CA 92653 (949) 829-3683

janischamoun@gmail.com online portfolio: http://www.linkedin.com/in/janischamoun

   

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS LEADER Creative, energetic, results-focused leader and communicator. Impressive record of creating effective programs and solutions for strategic communications needs, while building brand, building relationships, driving business and mentoring others.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE • Strategic Planning, Branding and Positioning

• Social Media, E-blasts and Websites • Writing, Editing and Graphic Design (Adobe)

• Publications, Newsletters, Brochures, Grants • Budget and Staff Management

• Special Events, Cause Marketing • Retail and Franchise Marketing

• Non-Profit, Membership Marketing • Public Relations and Advertising Agency

Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE  Her Own Desk, Laguna Hills, CA (previously Minneapolis, MN), 2008 to present WRITER, EDITOR, GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND STRATEGIST

• Write and edit press kits, brochures, manuals, logo and graphic design, brand positioning, website and social media consulting, capabilities brochures and strategic planning.

• Implement retail merchandising projects, including product launches, promotional displays and product training at Best Buy, Target, Cub Foods, Kmart, Sears and Walmart; on behalf of Hewlett-Packard, Sony, Intuit, Apple, Blackhawk and Kodak. (2008-2010)

• Provided administrative, e-blasts, blog writing and graphic and web design services to the American Optometric Society, a professional non-profit organization for 1,500 Doctors of Optometry. (2012)

   

TRAVELHOST Magazine of Southeastern Minnesota, Rochester, MN, 2006 to 2008 PUBLISHER / EDITOR

• Launched and published a quarterly 64-page magazine targeted to Mayo Clinic visitors. Responsible for editorial content, magazine layout, ad sales, graphic design, marketing and strategic planning.

• Established destination marketing co-ops including retailers, restaurants, attractions and tourism organizations. Built relationships with over 100 new advertisers and hoteliers.

  Regis Corporation (NYSE: RGS), Minneapolis, MN, 2003 to 2006 DIRECTOR, CORPORATE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Developed corporate communications efforts for rapidly growing $3.2 billion public company with 57 brands, 13,000 hair salons and 88,000 employees. Directed media relations, public affairs, internal/ external communications, product publicity, trade shows and events, annual report, cause marketing and corporate marketing programs.

• Managed outside PR agency and internal staff of six writers / editors and industry relations director.

• Revamped worldwide corporate website and launched employee intranet.

• Negotiated and coordinated a makeover segment on “Oprah” for the companyʼs Supercuts brand, resulting in 1 million new registered users to the website.

Page Two Janis Chamoun Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications Regis Corporation, Continued

• Directed marketing communications programs for beauty schools, including DVD Training Program, trade

shows, advertising and acquisition news releases.

• Launched publicity campaign for Regis DeslgnLine private label hair care products, with a 300% increase in exposure in womenʼs magazines.

• Directed cause marketing programs: Race for the Cure, Locks of Love, Regis Foundation for Breast Cancer Research and Clip for the Cure. Located nationwide clearinghouse to distribute hair products to womenʼs shelters across the U.S., resulting in $500,000 annual tax deduction.

Grapevine Communications, Lakeville, MN, 1996 to 2003 FREELANCE WRITER, EDITOR AND STRATEGIST

Capabilities brochures, PowerPoint sales presentations, advertisements, trade show displays and press releases for Carlson Travel Group, Carlson Marketing Group, Carlson Destination Marketing Services and Asset Marketing Services. Carlson Companies Inc., Minneapolis, MN, 1985 to 1996 Ø DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING, Carlson Travel Network Ø DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL MARKETING, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, (1990 to 1996)

Led 16-person department and managed $7 million budget for national brand awareness programs, market research, creative development and print media placement of inquiry-generating advertising, promotions and communications for over 1,200 franchised and company-owned retail travel agencies across the North America and Europe.

l Key player in securing $4 million in advertising sponsorship funding from airlines and VISA USA. l Managed industry-leading newspaper ad program, leveraging budget by 80%. l

Directed design, production and distribution of TV and radio commercials, cooperative ad kit, leisure destination “wrapped” brochures, posters, direct mail shells, ticket jackets and ads on hold.

l Automated 1-800-CARLSON direct-routing lead generation program, to support Sunday ads.

l

Managed ad agency toward an inquiry-generating marketing strategy, then brought advertising function in-house, resulting in production savings of over $200,000 per year and cutting production cycle by two days.

l

Designed customer retention program to encourage franchisees to capture customer data. Wrote Database Marketing manual, demonstrating how CRM could increase agency profitability.

l Hired new Yellow Pages agency, resulting in 33% increase in agency participation and 5% rebate.

l Conducted well-attended two-day marketing planning seminars across the U.S. for agency owners.

l

Managed national sponsorship of Weekend Travel Update and negotiated with producers the creation of 6 “donut” TV commercial library for franchisees including Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, USA, Sun and Cruise, valued at $150,000.

Ø ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS, Carlson Travel Group, (1987 to 1990)

l

Key player in establishing public relations function for Carlson Travel Groupʼs 2,500 franchised and company-owned locations worldwide.

Page Three Janis Chamoun Assistant Director of Public Relations Carlson Companies, Continued

l

Managed media relations, internal / external publications, marketing communications, special events and speechwriting for $6 billion travel company, including Carlson Travel Network, P. Lawson Travel of Canada, Neiman Marcus Travel, and Carlson Tours brands.

l

Created and launched weekly travel tips column carried in 90 papers. Franchisees could customize the column to provide local credibility for their agency

Ø MANAGER, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA, Country Hospitality (1985 to 1988)

l

Established public relations function for Country Kitchen restaurants and Country Inns by Carlson across North America.

l Managed advertising, media buying, annual conference planning, franchisee newsletters.

l

Developed national franchisee public relations plan to increase local market exposure. Included monthly news releases and PR handbook.

EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS, St. Paul, MN. Studies toward Master’s in Business Communication. GPA: 3.75. Organizational Communications, Communications Technology, Advanced PR Writing MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY – MOORHEAD, Moorhead, MN. Presidential Scholar. Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication GPA: 3.4 UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO, Moscow, ID. National Student Exchange Program, junior year. GPA: 3.75

PERSONAL INTERESTS / ACTIVITIES

Editor, BMW Motorcycle Ownersʼ Association of MN Newsletter, Riding Matters, 2010. Percussionist, Laguna Concert Band, 2011 to present. Timpanist, Golden West Pops, 2011 to present. Washboard, Good Time Dixieland Band, 2012 to present. Board President, Dakota Valley Symphony, Burnsville, MN, 1999—2007. l Led strategic planning initiative resulting in a name change and re-branding for the organization. l

Designed new logo, season brochures, direct mail campaign, fundraising letters; launched PR effort, created patron and donor database; created first website, www.dakota valleysymphony.org.

l

Created and co-chaired annual “Mardi Gras Costume Ball” fundraising event.

             

See my online portfolio at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/janischamoun