Resume

MELISSA S. WHEELER

Education
Brigham Young University-Idaho
- Bachelor of Science in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations earned August, 2005; GPA 3.8

Experience
Senior Communications Manager / Savannah College of Art and Design / Oct. 2006 – Oct. 2008
- Oversaw media relations outreach and management for a top, international art university
- Produced written material, such as press releases and kits, marketing material, web content and
reports for upper management
- Planned and directed media tours for visiting editors and reporters.
- Tracked national and local news, identifying trends and opportunities for media placement
- Managed media interviews by prepping students, faculty and administration and
coordinating with media representatives.
- Protected the image of the university and promoted its mission statement to the public

Account Executive / Atomic Public Relations / Oct. 2005 – Aug. 2006
- Tracked the success of campaigns through clients’ media coverage; compiled quarterly clip books and competitive landscape presentations
- Compiled media lists; pitched appropriate contacts with story ideas, interviews and briefings
- Tracked future opportunities for client participation at events, awards and in news articles
- Wrote press releases and pitches

Public Relations Writer / BYU-Idaho University Communications / Jan. 2005 - Aug. 2005
- Found student stories on campus to pitch local media and students’ hometown newspapers
- Wrote an average of three press releases a week (www.byui.edu/NewsCenter)
- Covered major events with visiting dignitaries
- Created weekly BYU-Idaho faculty newsletter, News and Notes (www.byui.edu/pr/InternalCommunications)

PR Intern / Connect Public Relations / Summer 2004
- Pitched story ideas to the technology sector of the media
- Wrote case studies and edited by-lined articles for publication
- Worked as part of an editorial calendar team, tracking publication opportunities for clients
- Placed client by-lined articles in American Banker, Syllabus Magazines, Communication News, ComputerUser, Enterprise Networks and Servers, Search Networking.com

Editor / BYU-Idaho Scroll newspaper / Sept. 2002 - Jan. 2005
- Worked up the ranks from Photo Editor to Managing Editor
- Oversaw entire design for a 22-42 page newspaper
- Wrote stories and editorials aimed towards a college student audience
- Conducted weekly meetings to plan content of the newspaper and solve staff problems

Accomplishments
- Honorable Mention Award in 2005 National Bateman Competition; PRSSA Member
- Honored on the National Dean’s List and BYU-Idaho’s Dean’s List
- Awarded ‘Photo of the Year’; Scroll, circulation 7,000
- Written work published in the Deseret Church News, Standard Journal, Scroll, Syllabus Magazine
- Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member

Skills
- Persuasive speaking / presentation skills
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Write features, news articles, press releases and broadcast scripts using AP guidelines
- Create business brochures, newsletters, posters, logos, business cards, slide shows and ads
- Experienced film and digital photographer
- Track editorial opportunities and pitch story ideas to media.
- Software proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator; QuarkXpress; Microsoft Office

References available upon request. Thank you!