Present - 2005 jamesgang creative+communications, Asheville, NC
Writer, editor, public relations specialist

As an editor I can help with your story. As a copywriter, I can help tell the story. And, as a public relations professional, I can get your story out there.
Client work includes: John Cannon Homes, Cancer Support Foundation, Cottage Cooking, Prime Ribbing: A Newsical Revue, LTU Publishing, Dennis Grimaldi Productions, ibodyscience.com, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Core Competencies: Copywriting, organic writing, Advertorial, media relations, social media online content management (Wordpress, Facebook, Twitter), video scripting

2002 - 2004 ICBM.BIZ :: Integrated Communication & Brand Marketing, Washington, DC
Co-owner/Creative Director, Senior Copywriter

Our primary focus was strategic consulting and communications campaigns for not-for-profits, positioning and branding for small businesses and quasi-governmental agencies. Traditional Advertising, positioning, copywriting, public relations, media relations, development of digital/online websites, SEO and content.

2000- 2002 Creative Director Tim Kenney Marketing, tkm2.com. Bethesda, MD

Supervised agency team of eight, all facets of traditional advertising campaigns, positioning, copy from concept to completion for mid-size DC advertising agency. We were "cutting edge" with digital services, website design and development, no themes or plug-ins here. This was the Wild West!

1997 - 1999 Director of Creative Services, Gail Becker Associates of Florida< Sarasota, FL

Account and project management for this nationally recognized public relations firm that specialized in nutraceuticals, food and nutrition; Supervised junior acct. exec and intern; Created public relations campaigns, marketing collateral materials for events, trade shows and media promotions. Client work included: Sweetn'low; Butter Buds; Chromium Information Bureau.

1993 - 1997 Public Relations Manager, Manatee Glens, Bradenton, FL
Responsible for $13.5 million not-for-profit behavioral healthcare organization’s corporate public relations strategy and media relations program; Developed the job position from primarily internal communications department for 38 program directors and 6 separate facilities into "C" level liaison building community awareness and promotion through increased positive media coverage, radio and television PSAs, CEO involvement; Responsible for annual public relations policy, external/internal communication, identification and development of cross-functional teams, brand messaging; Redesigned all marketing materials, internal newsletter and communication, repositioned the corporate brand with a new logo, which until 2014, was used for more than 20 years when the then-55 year old organization became affiliated with Centerstone, one of the largest non-profit providers of behavioral healthcare in the nation.

Awards and Affiliations:

2016 Gold HERMES® Creative Award, Introductory social media/marketing video, Cottage Cooking, Asheville, NC

2015 Gold HERMES® Creative Award, “It’s Official! People Love Living Here,” Advertorial, John Cannon Homes, Sarasota, FL

2012 Gold and Platinum HERMES Creative Awards:
“We Can Change the Rules About Cancer,” Cancer Support Foundation, creative and copywriting
“Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Annual Report,” Copywriting
” Prime Ribbing: A Newsical Revue,” Public relations and branding
“Youth OutRight” Public relations and branding

2011 Silver ADDY®, “You Never Forget Your First Time,” Advertising/Self Promotion, AAF Asheville (First award ceremony, producer)

2008 “Best of the Mountains” award, Public Relations Association of Western North Carolina (PRAWNC), Asheville, as writer of “Alexander’s Ford” fundraising video

2007 Gold HERMES Award, “A Kiss From Alexander,” Creative direction, poster

2002 IABC® Silver Anvil for “Zen in the City” campaign for Freer-Sackler Smithsonian Galleries

2002 American Association of Museums, “Zen in the City” campaign

2000 Business Volunteer of the Arts Award (BVA) recipient, Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, DC, “Torpedo Factory Art Center,” Strategic Communications Plan

1995 Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), Central West Coast Chapter, “Clozaril®,” Public Relations, Promotions/Marketing

1981 – 1999 ADDY® Award winner, 28 awards for copywriting, creative direction in print and radio advertising

2008 – 2010 Founding member and board member, AAF-Asheville (American Advertising Federation)

Member PRSA (Public Relations Society of America); Accredited in Public Relations (APR) since 1994

Member, IABC – International Association of Business Communicators since 2000

Member, PRAWNC (Public Relations Association of Western North Carolina) 2008-2010 (closed)