Mary Carkin
302 Silver Street #205
Lake City, Colorado 81235
mary@marycarkin.com
970-497-9041
Professional Summary
Energetic, creative, and self-motivated Communications Manager with hands-on
experience in crafting effective messages from a variety of information sources.
Ability to communicate pertinent, compelling content to targets. Quick-witted problem-
solver able to commit to strict deadlines. Practical experience in overseeing
communication projects, including development of message and goals,
implementation of tactics, and measurement of progress. Skills in overseeing written
content, photography, and graphics in both print and online media. Focused on
cultural heritage marketing and interpretation of natural and historic assets.
Skills & Professional Experience
B.A. Communication Arts
1994, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH
GPA 3.69. Minor: American Studies. Pertinent coursework in media theory and
criticism, newspaperproduction, writing, video production, documentary film, and
American literature, film, and culture. Wrote, edited, and produced several video
works, including a 30 minute documentary. Served as editor-in-chief of college
newspaper.
Post-degree Studies
Ongoing self-education in marketing, grass-roots marketing tactics, communication
and marketing trends, tourism and consumer trends, heritage tourism, historic
preservation, interpretive media and writing, website design, and website marketing.
Awards
President’s Volunteer Service Award. 2006.
Colby-Sawyer Award. 1994.
302 Silver Street #205
Lake City, Colorado 81235
mary@marycarkin.com
970-497-9041
Professional Summary
Energetic, creative, and self-motivated Communications Manager with hands-on
experience in crafting effective messages from a variety of information sources.
Ability to communicate pertinent, compelling content to targets. Quick-witted problem-
solver able to commit to strict deadlines. Practical experience in overseeing
communication projects, including development of message and goals,
implementation of tactics, and measurement of progress. Skills in overseeing written
content, photography, and graphics in both print and online media. Focused on
cultural heritage marketing and interpretation of natural and historic assets.
Skills & Professional Experience
- Marketing Communications Manager
- Hinsdale County Marketing Board, Lake City, CO
Creates and implements a county-wide tourism marketing strategy, which has
resulted in local sales tax revenues increasing at rates much higher than those
of our competitors. Identifies target markets and crafts messages for them.
Researches, writes and edits two ongoing publications related to heritage
tourism and recreation tourism, plus related brochures and materials.
Successfully works with graphic designer and a variety of community
members. Writes web-savvy content and structures a website, which has
resulted in over 150,000 unique visitors per year, up from just a few thousand.
Tracks effectiveness of tactics and modifies them as needed. Develops and
works under a strict budget and meets deadlines. Current projects include a
guide to the historic outbuildings of Lake City and a geo-caching tour of
historic sites in the Lake City National Historic District. 2005-present.
- Marketing Chairperson
- Lake City Community Arts Center, Lake City, CO
Designs strategies for increasing membership revenues and to increase
attendance at events and programs, which has resulted in a 50% increase in
membership income and many sold out shows in 2007. Writes content for and
designs the structure of website. Writes promotional and advertising copy.
Works successfully with event chairpersons to promote a variety of events.
2006-present.
- Design Committee Chairperson
- Lake City DIRT, Inc., a Main Street Program, Lake City, CO
Helped research and write Main Street Program application form, particularly
the community history section. Devised and helped implement several
organization events, including the Town Wide Yard Sale, Trout Walk & Auction,
and Third Street Market. Wrote and edited DIRT Diggings, an organization
newsletter. Researched historic preservation methods for a reference library.
Studied the Secretary’s Standards for Historic Preservation. Wrote and helped
to implement a communication plan for the organization. 2003-2006.
- Partner
- Whizbang Works, LLC. Lake City, CO
Developed communications marketing tactics and content for small businesses
in partnership with a graphic designer. Identified target markets and created
messages for clients. Advised clients on cost-effective, grass-roots marketing
tactics. Wrote copy for brochures and advertisements, took photographs,
structured and wrote content for websites. 2005-2006.
- Recreation Director & Events Coordinator
- Town of Lake City, CO
Coordinated and implemented recreation programs for the community.
Created, marketed, and implemented a variety of events to draw visitors to
Lake City. 2002-2004.
- Antiques Dealer
- Brookline, NH and Lake City, CO
Bought antiques from private homes and at auction. Sold items at shows,
markets, co-ops, and online. 1989-2002.
B.A. Communication Arts
1994, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH
GPA 3.69. Minor: American Studies. Pertinent coursework in media theory and
criticism, newspaperproduction, writing, video production, documentary film, and
American literature, film, and culture. Wrote, edited, and produced several video
works, including a 30 minute documentary. Served as editor-in-chief of college
newspaper.
Post-degree Studies
Ongoing self-education in marketing, grass-roots marketing tactics, communication
and marketing trends, tourism and consumer trends, heritage tourism, historic
preservation, interpretive media and writing, website design, and website marketing.
Awards
President’s Volunteer Service Award. 2006.
Colby-Sawyer Award. 1994.
| © 2008 Mary Carkin Media. All rights reserved. |
| Heritage Tourism Marketing & Communications |
| Mary Carkin Media |
| Lake City, Colorado |