Jenifer Olson
Marketing Communications
United States (Florida)
Professional Status
Consultant
Available
About Me
JENIFER is a senior marketing and communications professional with more than 20 years' experience in organizations ranging from startups to the Fortune 500, plus over a dozen years managing an independent communications business. Her background spans multiple industries, including consumer products and services, education, eLearning, healthcare, transit, travel and philanthropy.
Beginning her career as a promotional writer for a Fortune 500 company, Jenifer became vice president of marketing for an international direct selling company when she was 38 years old. She went on to hold senior-level positions in a variety of organizations, including vice president of sales & marketing and general manager.
Today, Jenifer plays a lead role in major communications projects throughout the country and is at her creative best taking on new challenges. A writer and editor at heart, she helps translate core values and goals into clear, consistent and compelling messaging. Able to take projects from concept to completion, she is comfortable working independently, as a team member, or leading the team.
Beginning her career as a promotional writer for a Fortune 500 company, Jenifer became vice president of marketing for an international direct selling company when she was 38 years old. She went on to hold senior-level positions in a variety of organizations, including vice president of sales & marketing and general manager.
Today, Jenifer plays a lead role in major communications projects throughout the country and is at her creative best taking on new challenges. A writer and editor at heart, she helps translate core values and goals into clear, consistent and compelling messaging. Able to take projects from concept to completion, she is comfortable working independently, as a team member, or leading the team.
Owner/Managing Director
JJO COMMUNICATIONS
Since August 2004
Consultant
Oviedo
United States - Florida
- Marketing communications professional with over 20 years' senior-level experience in for-profit and nonprofit organizations, offering services to start-ups, turnarounds and high-growth public and private ventures. Experience involves a range of industries, from consumer products and services, to education and eLearning, healthcare, transit, travel and philanthropy – plus legal research/editing for a variety of civil and criminal court cases.
RTR COMMUNICATIONS (RTRice.com)—Senior Communications Director/Consultant
Offer marketing, communications and public relations expertise to diverse client portfolio. Services include strategic planning, research and analysis, brand development, editorial management, content creation, program management, and crisis/reputation support.
Key Clients:
• Chef Software – Worked with RTRice.com team to provide crisis communications support for open source software company receiving internal and external criticism for contracting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)/Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Developed initial messaging, monitored media coverage and researched similar ethical concerns and business approaches in other tech companies.
• Webcor Builders – Assisted with background research, monitored public board meetings and provided messaging for commercial construction firm during ongoing litigation.
• Vungle – Provided media monitoring, sentiment analysis and crisis communications support, including research on rebranding during a crisis, for mobile ad firm when its founder and CEO was arrested for felony assault, child abuse, battery and more. Wrote the case study for the project featured on RTRice.com.
• EOS imaging – Offered public relations support for global medical device company that develops and markets imaging and image-based solutions. Created media target lists, and wrote and disseminated news releases, media advisories and patient stories to showcase U.S. facilities installing the EOS imaging system.
• Verity Health System (Formerly Daughters of Charity Health System) – Worked with new management to provide marketing communications and public relations expertise for six hospitals located throughout California. Involved writing, editing and distribution of executive announcements, press releases, media advisories, service line collateral and more, plus development of a system-wide media list and online media monitoring.
• Daughters of Charity Health System – Provided communications expertise for hospital system restructuring transaction requiring approval of the California Attorney General. Involved situation research and analysis, online sentiment monitoring, and content development for internal and external audiences.
• Insikt – Contributed to successful launch of company’s white label loan origination and investing platform. Involved industry research, competitive analysis, content creation and media target list development.
• Creighton University Heider College of Business – Led efforts to increase visibility of the college by promoting key department chairs via strategic media placements, speaking engagements and industry collaborations. Involved developing and implementing personal branding campaigns and individualized editorial calendars, content, social media training, media target lists and campaign reporting protocols.
• Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) – Core member of communications team supporting management during contentious labor negotiations. Helped plan multipronged communications strategy to stay on top of fast-moving media landscape and keep the public informed of latest developments. Involved strategy, research and analysis, content development, media monitoring and crisis communications messaging.
• California State Parks Foundation – Conducted extensive reputation analysis and messaging for the foundation following separate crisis incidents involving ‘hidden’ funds and default of a trusted vendor.
• Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory – Provided media monitoring and assisted in crisis communications strategy for the school following a student incident causing national headlines and a Twitter campaign.
• Waitt Foundation – Researched, wrote and co-produced WordPress website showcasing the foundation’s extensive philanthropy. Promoted and positioned the foundation via PR and social media.
• Waitt Institute for Discovery – Researched, wrote and co-produced Web portal chronicling the Institute’s search for Amelia Earhart in the South Pacific. Promoted and positioned site via PR and social media.
ARMANASCO PUBLIC RELATIONS—Senior Account Executive/Consultant, Monterey, CA
Provided senior account services, including communications, public relations, research, project management and more for a series of legal cases.
Key Clients:
• PennLawFumble (.info) – Edited materials for website critiquing the legal evidence against Jerry Sandusky, and his subsequent trial and conviction. Involved extensive research, along with development of a communications plan and media list.
• College Living Experience – Provided detailed situation analysis and communications counsel regarding a legal case involving a student.
• Sarah Boyle Lawsuit – Researched situation and provided communications counsel regarding teacher’s lawsuit alleging discrimination and wrongful termination by school employer.
• Robert McCaslin Separate Property Trust Dispute – Researched and analyzed communications aspect of a beneficiary lawsuit against the trustee. Provided background and suggested messaging.
LEARN .com, Inc. – Communications Consultant, Sunrise, FL (Former VP Sales & Marketing 1998-2000)
Researched, wrote and delivered key marketing communications projects and materials prior to company’s acquisition by Taleo for $125 million. Writer/editor of e-book, “The Double X Factor: Achieving Excellence in Execution,” by Learn .com Chairman and CEO Jim Riley, as seen in the Wall Street Journal.
Detailed Description
- Core Competencies: Traditional and Digital Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Social Media, Project Management, Strategic Planning
- Proficient in WordPress, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
Company Description
JJO Communications is a marketing communications consultancy offering a variety of services, including developing and implementing strategic/brand management plans, sales programs and promotions, creative materials and collateral for print and web, sales tools and incentives, Internet/Intranet site content, public relations and advertising campaigns, social media, presentations and executive keynotes, meetings, conference and event planning, market research and analysis, budgeting and more. Solid history of success across all marketing and communications functions.
Company website
Director, Member Communications
GLOBAL TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL
October 2003
to August 2004
Full-time
Maitland
United States - Florida
- Key member of leadership team propelling GTI to the 49th largest travel company in the U.S. Developed and delivered marketing communications structure and motivational platform for 37,000-member sales force. Responsible for promotions, member communications, advertising and public relations, field recognition, member acquisition/retention and events.
Key Results: Established and executed the marketing brand strategy; streamlined and enhanced member communications, supervised the creative team and managed the P&L.
Detailed Description
- • Established and executed brand strategy as member of senior team;
• Streamlined and enhanced member communications (e.g. monthly magazine, member and customer Websites, marketing toolkit, etc.); and,
• Successfully developed and managed department budget/P&L.
Company Description
Global Travel International is one of the nation's largest travel agencies with over 37,000 independent travel agents.
Company website
General Manager
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIRS
October 2000
to September 2003
Lake Mary
United States - Florida
- Core member of the senior team and general manager of the Reading Jamboree business—a national fundraising program designed to supplement book fair revenues. Responsible for marketing, internal and external communications, content development, customer service and regional sales performance.
Key Results: Developed and implemented strategic marketing plan generating $10 million incremental revenue the first year, improved and reduced cost of marketing materials and incentives by 50 percent, saved millions by implementing a procurement initiative, and managed the marketing team, vendors and P&L.
Detailed Description
- • Created and implemented the first three-year strategic marketing plan for the brand;
• Designed/produced cohesive, cost-effective marketing materials and customer incentives, reducing the original marketing budget by more than 50%; and,
• Spearheaded the Scholastic Direct Marketing Procurement Initiative for Reading Jamboree, projected to save the company several million dollars each year.
Company Description
Scholastic Corporation is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys.
Scholastic distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs and school-based book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, television networks and www.scholastic.com.
Scholastic distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs and school-based book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, television networks and www.scholastic.com.
Company website
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
LEARN.COM
August 1998
to October 2000
Sunrise
United States - Florida
- Partnered with company founder to market and launch an eLearning start-up that grew into a global giant servicing 500 companies. Later returned to the company to drive key marketing, communications and public relations projects that were instrumental in its acquisition by Taleo Corp. for $125 million.
Key Results: Co-authored the company’s first business plan, wrote and negotiated its first secured contract and launched its first sponsored eLearning program with Marconi Plc.
Detailed Description
- Key Results:
• Co-authored the strategic business plan, instrumental in securing initial venture capital;
• Wrote and negotiated the company’s first secured contract as an e-Learning provider to support the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) of Ohio, the nation’s premier, performance-driven distance learning school; and,
• Marketed, branded and launched the company’s first sponsored e-Learning program for Marconi Plc, a global communications and IT giant with 49,000 employees.
Company Description
Learn.com is the leading provider of workforce development and productivity solutions through a Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) business model. Since the company’s inception, Learn.com has been elevating the way organizations hire, develop, manage and deploy their most important asset, their people.
Company website
Other Employment
Early Career
January 1977
to August 1998
Various
United States
- Rexall Showcase International, Boca Raton, FL, PM, 1997-1998
- Tupperware Brands, Toronto, Canada, Marcom Consultant, 1994-1996
- PartyLite Gifts, Plymouth, MA, Dir/VP Marketing, 1991-1994
- Tupperware Brands, Orlando, FL, PM, Sales Promotion, 1984-1989
- Orlando College, Orlando, FL, Admissions Rep, 1978-1984
- Creative World Schools, Inc., Raytown, MO, Regional Manager, 1977-1978
- Sun-Journal & Smart Shopper Newspapers, Brooksville, FL Copy Editor, Correspondent Supervisor, 1976-1977