About

Whenever a journalist makes the career transition into public relations/marketing, it’s usually described as joining ‘the dark side.’ But hey, for this former local TV news reporter turned marketer, ‘the dark side’ isn’t so dark.

Consider my life prior to joining Corporate America: I worked out of a SUV or Live Truck during my 8-hour (sometimes longer thanks to Breaking News) shift; working holidays, weekends, nights; braving Category 5 hurricanes; chasing wildfires; and making pennies!

Okay, it’s not all bad. It was actually an unbelievable experience that afforded me the opportunity to pursue my passion, interview everyone from local officials to celebrities, and even cover a presidential visit.

But there is life after TV News… really!

Getting out of the biz was the scariest thing I’ve done. I cried. I worried. I questioned my decision. Imagine walking away from everything you’ve known, everything you’ve worked day in and day out to perfect?

But two years ago, when I walked into Neighborhood America and sat in Kristi Grigsby’s office, I saw the light.

Kristi, our Senior Director of Marketing, saw the potential of hiring a journalist to tell the technology company’s stories – in a fresh way. Not marketing-speak, but a conversational voice that conveys interesting stories on how the company solves customer problems, or happenings within the company. Add the fact that my expertise lies in video and creating clear, concise stories and “BAM!” I became a marketer.

The future of marketing exists in producing compelling, dynamic videos… connecting with audiences via social media… and no B.S. product descriptions. Basically taking a real look at your company and creating an honest persona.

David Meerman Scott (a favorite author, renowned speaker, blogger, viral marketing strategist and all-around nice guy) posted this in his Web Ink Now blog:

“Many journalists have a strong emotional aversion to selling their skills to corporations. While some would rather wait tables than work for ‘the dark side,’ others may find the opportunity refreshing…”

Heck yeah! No aversion here to selling my skills. Whether you’re a journalist selling your news angle to a news director, or a marketer selling your company, products, services… you’re selling the story.

That’s what this blog is all about.  I’ll share how I tell our customer success stories, social media tips & tricks to spread your news, creative ways to shoot corporate videos & coach executives, and anything else I can think of to help you enhance your corporate communications. Hey, marketing doesn’t have to be stuffy, it can be fun and attention-grabbing just like TV news!