Albert Maruggi

Current

Founder President at Provident Partners

Past

VP Marketing at TIE Commerce
VP of Corporate Communications at Fourth Shift
Vice President of Communications - at Robinson, Blake, and George

Director of Marketing & Public Relations at Minneapolis Grain Exchange
Director of Information & Public Affairs at U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Deputy Director of Public Affairs at U.S. Department of Agriculture
Director of Media Relations and Special Projects at U.S. Department of Transportation
Press Secretary at Republican National Committee
Press Secretary at Congressman Hal Daub
Reporter/Anchor/Producer at KHGI-TV (ABC)
Reporter/Anchor/Producer at KQCD-TV (NBC)
Reporter and Writer at WDAU-TV (CBS)

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Recommended

15 people have recommended Albert

Connections

309 connections

Industry

Public Relations and Communications

Websites

Albert Maruggi’s Summary

This decade has brought about tremendous changes in the way people communicate and purchase consumer and business goods/services. In my 25 years in communications, as journalist, public relations counselor, and technology marketer, I believe we are in the most powerful position to communicate with target audiences because of web 2.0 technologies.

Two critical aspects of the current web 2.0 environment are content and community. It is imperative to create content that is valued in the format that is best suited to tell the story while keeping the audience engaged. Community interaction depends on attracting or participating in a community along with keeping a community invigorated.

I focused on new media including podcasting, video on the web, social media and combined these new tactics with other traditional marketing methods.

I speak regularly on how this new perspective is being used in business, healthcare, and consumer products. I lead business project teams through a conversation about the major transformation in communications and its impact to their organization.

I worked on Capitol Hill for a Member of Congress, press secretary for the Republican National Committee and in the Bush 41 Administration (this is Bush senior).

I also was a television anchor, producer and reporter at several network affiliate stations. I give back to my community by being a youth basketball coach and serving on non-profit boards.

My wife of 22 years and I have five children.

Albert Maruggi’s Experience

Founder President

Provident Partners

(Public Relations and Communications industry)

September 2001 — Present (8 years 3 months)

We focus on three areas of marketing
Social media strategy & execution
Public Relations & Media Coverage
Multi-media marketing including podcasting and the use of video in the sales and marketing mix.

Albert is a senior fellow of the Society for New Communications Research

Clients in the following industries

Telecom
Healthcare
Advertising and Media Content Aggregation
Enterprise technology
VP Marketing

TIE Commerce

(Public Company; 11-50 employees; TIE; Computer Software industry)

September 2000 — September 2001 (1 year 1 month)

Led global marketing for this ecommerce company. parent company located in The Netherlands. I handled branding, PR, marketing communications and analyst relations. Cool position with an international component.

After September 11, 2001 I wanted to establish my own marketing company that would push the envelope on innovation in a practical way for mid-size companies. I was at a conference in LA during the attacks and drove home to St. Paul, MN. On that drive I decided that I would start Provident Partners. We've been going ever since.
VP of Corporate Communications

Fourth Shift

(Public Relations and Communications industry)

September 1997 — September 2000 (3 years 1 month)

Led corporate communications for this global, publicly traded, enterpise application technology company.

Responsible for PR, internal communications,and marketing and sales support.

Created dynamic lead generation engine called the ERP Research Assistant which is still in use today (albeit updated)

Led product launch efforts including marketing communications, web strategies, media tours, trade shows, and events.

Helped create themed events for annual meetings, sales training and product positioning conferences.
Vice President of Communications -

Robinson, Blake, and George

(Marketing and Advertising industry)

January 1996 — September 1997 (1 year 9 months)

This unique investment/venture capital firm seeks opportunities based on economic demand and perceived value. In doing so, it builds or buys companies to achieve its investment goals.
Robinson, Blake and George formed several Twin Cities based companies.

I developed and implemented the strategic communications efforts for these companies and for the investment firm. The companies were: EdView, an educational software company; MedVision, an enterprise-wide telemedicine software company; and Vallon, a web site development company.

I secured significant, positive media coverage for these emerging, privately held companies. I served as chief spokesperson, responsible for all contact with the media. In addition, I developed collateral marketing materials, advertising campaigns, videos, web sites, events, stockholder communications, and investor relations tactics.
Director of Marketing & Public Relations

Minneapolis Grain Exchange

(Financial Services industry)

March 1993 — January 1996 (2 years 11 months)

Developed, implemented, and evaluated all communications strategies. These strategies include direct marketing, advertising, earned-media, publications, promotions, and multimedia digital presentations. Created the first website for the futures exchange. Led the effort to establish a web presence. Launched new product (shrimp futures contracts) and successfully positioned Exchange in the seafood industry. The Exchange received 10 times more coverage in national and regional media and set several new annual, monthly, and daily volume records during my tenure.
Director of Information & Public Affairs

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

(Government Administration industry)

July 1991 — March 1993 (1 year 9 months)

Served as the senior spokesperson for the Commission and a key policy adviser to the Chairman and Commissioners. Managed a staff of 12 in the development and implementation of communications strategies. This included the marketing of policy decisions, safety campaigns, recalled hazardous products and regulatory actions.

Targeted strategies to the following constituencies: Congress, the Administration, community groups, media, business and consumers. Responsible for a departmental budget of $1 million. Received national recognition for smoke detector use advertising campaign. Initiated successful public/private safety projects with Hasbro, Mattel, and Toys R Us.
Deputy Director of Public Affairs

U.S. Department of Agriculture

(Public Relations and Communications industry)

September 1990 — July 1991 (11 months)

Developed and implemented communications strategies for various departmental objectives including legislative, international trade and community relations initiatives. Worked directly with and advised the Secretary of Agriculture and other senior officials on communications issues.

Managed communications staff of 100 covering all forms of public relations. Oversight of the following divisions: news, radio and television, video and teleconferencing, publications, photography, design, and printing. Wrote and edited news releases and external publications. Served as a senior spokesperson for the Department. Assisted in coordinating the major marketing themes for the 1990 Farm Bill, which received favorable media coverage.
Director of Media Relations and Special Projects

U.S. Department of Transportation

(Public Relations and Communications industry)

February 1989 — September 1990 (1 year 8 months)

Developed media strategies for the Department. Worked directly with the Secretary of Transportation and other senior officials in a consulting role related to communications issues. Served as a senior spokesperson for the Department. Solicited and coordinated media interviews for the Secretary of Transportation and other DOT officials pursuant to media strategy.

Received Special Achievement Award for leading the marketing effort for the National Transportation Policy. Managed marketing and public affairs aspects of special projects such as a major internal communications team building effort. Wrote and edited news releases, speeches, and other marketing material. Managed a staff of four. The favorable coverage received by the National Transportation Policy and other initiatives helped position the Secretary for advancement in the Administration.
Press Secretary

Republican National Committee

(Non-Profit; Political Organization industry)

October 1987 — January 1989 (1 year 4 months)

Developed and implemented media strategies for the Republican National Committee. Served as a major spokesperson and traveled with the Chairman of the Committee. This period included the presidential primaries, convention and campaign. Determined and coordinated media interviews for RNC officials, serving as an adviser to them. Managed Press Office, consisting of a staff of four. Successfully conveyed party's agenda to the media. Helped establish clear lines of communication to the Bush campaign and the White House enabling Republicans to communicate a unified message to the electorate.
Press Secretary

Congressman Hal Daub

(Public Relations and Communications industry)

June 1985 — September 1987 (2 years 4 months)

Developed media strategies and served as principal spokesperson for the Congressman. Wrote and edited news releases, newsletters, op-ed articles and speeches. Produced monthly television program and satellite news reports. Produced radio actualities for news broadcast. Positioned the Congressman to run for the Senate in 1988 with more than 90% statewide name recognition.
Reporter/Anchor/Producer

KHGI-TV (ABC)

(Broadcast Media industry)

May 1984 — May 1985 (1 year 1 month)

Lead political reporter for all 1984 campaign coverage for this ABC station in the 89th market. Weekend anchor/producer. Covered politics, government, and major news assignments. Responsible for all weekend newscasts. Reported, wrote, photographed, and edited news packages daily.
Reporter/Anchor/Producer

KQCD-TV (NBC)

(Broadcast Media industry)

September 1983 — April 1984 (8 months)

Senior reporter and weekend anchor/producer for this NBC station in the 142nd market. Covered local and state government, business news, emergency breaking news, agriculture and trade topics.

Wrote copy for news broadcasts and produced flow of show.

Shot and edited video for news packages and in-studio camera work.
Reporter and Writer

WDAU-TV (CBS)

(Broadcast Media industry)

January 1983 — August 1983 (8 months)

Covered nightbeat stories and assignment desk. Wrote and edited news stories and anchor copy. Evaluated wire stories for inclusion in evening newscast.

Additional Information

Albert Maruggi’s Websites:

Albert Maruggi’s Groups:

American Marketing Association Member
Minnesota Chapter American Marketing Association, Blog World Expo
Society for New Communications Research
Board Member Catholic Spirit Newspaper voted best Catholic newspaper in US.