1005 Judge Court West

West River, MD, 20778

SARA K. NEEDHAM 443.534.8775

twitter: @saraneedham
sara.k.needham@gmail.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/saraneedham

EDUCATION
East Tennessee State University — B.A. Public Relations, 2010 (Minor, Bluegrass Music)

EXPERIENCE
NATIONAL MEDIA COORDINATOR, SENSIBLE CITY
ASHEVILLE, NC — MAY 2009 - APRIL 2010

Responsibilities
• Created, edited and distributed client press releases and messaging
• Established and maintained strong relationships with relevant national and regional media
• Researched, built and vetted media contact lists
• Monitored relevant media on behalf of clients
• Contributed to management of client social media profiles (Twitter, Facebook, Digg, Blogs)
• Mentored and directed PR, social media and event interns
Milestones
• Pitched and hosted on-site media for Ecobuild America 2009
• Designed company-wide process for pitching education technology publications
• Coordinated in-classroom media events, generating coverage for education technology clients
• Initiated and implemented an improved system for storing company media contacts, hits, notes
and correspondence in a database searchable by location, event, publication, journalist or beat
• Gained additional responsibility and a promotion before completion of initial internship

PR + GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN, CREATIVE TRUST AGENCY

KINGSPORT, TN — MAY 2008 - AUG 2008

• Developed print and web designs for local and national clients
• Shot and edited photography for client materials
• Wrote and edited press releases

PRESIDENT, PRIME PR (STUDENT-RUN FIRM)

JOHNSON CITY, TN — JAN 2008 - APRIL 2008

• Directed and oversaw a team of twelve public relations students acting as account executives
• Reported to eight clients and ETSU faculty advisor

PROMOTION COORDINATOR, J&L MARKETING

LOUISVILLE, KY — JUNE 2007 - AUG 2007

• Traveled to and coordinated promotions at car dealerships nationwide

• Analyzed response from direct mail pieces

INTERN, CROSBY MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

ANNAPOLIS, MD — OCT 2004 - MAR 2005

• Provided support to account and creative teams as requested

• Wrote and edited press releases
• Attended client and internal meetings, creative brainstorming sessions and broadcast shoots
PHILANTHROPY + INVOLVEMENT

• Asheville Twestival Global 2010 - Organizer (Benefit for Concern, Worldwide)

• TEDx Asheville 2010 - Public Relations Committee
• TEDx DenverED - Planning Committee (through Sensible City)
• Asheville Twestival Local 2009 - Organizer (Benefit for Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project)
• Asheville Tweet-up Host, June 2009
• BarCamp Charleston 2009 - Attendee (Technology Conference)
• Green Drinks Asheville - Participant
• PRSA (ETSU Chapter) - Creative Director 2009
• Lambda Delta Alpha Communications Honor Society (ETSU Chapter)

RELEVANT SKILLS

• Proficiency with Mac and PC operating systems

• Experience with Adobe Photoshop, In Design and Illustrator
• Knowledge of AP style
• Experience with Basecamp and Highrise
• Collaborative work experience with Google Documents
• Solid understanding of (and ongoing interest in) social media platforms

REFERENCES

DAYNA REGGERO
National Public Relations Director, Green Festival
(Former Media Director, Sensible City)
daynareggeropr@gmail.com
917.280.6965

CONNIE HELMS
President, Whittington, Helms & Associates
(Former PRSA Maryland Chapter President)
(Former VP Public Relations, Crosby Marketing Communications)
cvwhelms@msn.com
Office: 410.827.9566
Cell: 410.980.0966

LISE CUTSHAW
Public Relations Instructor and Advisor, East Tennessee State University
cutshaw@etsu.edu
423.773.5410

CHRISTINA LOR
Principal, Ergonomix PR
(Former National Media Coordinator, Sensible City)
christina@ergonomixpr.com
843.606.0265

Page 2