Interactive Marketing Specialist at Solid Cactus Web.com, Inc.
Scranton, Pennsylvania Area
- Current
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- Interactive Marketing Specialist at Solid Cactus Web.com, Inc.
- Contributing Writer at The Independent magazine
- Freelance Writer at Self/Various Publications (Self-employed)
- Past
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- Senior Account Mananger at Solid Cactus
- Outbound Sales at Solid Cactus
- Admissions Rep. at Education Affiliates
- Admissions Representative/Outreach Coordinator at Allied Medical & Technical Institute
- freelance crew at WVIA
- Work Study at Wilkes University
- Promotions Director at Entercom Radio- WGGY
- Education
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- Wilkes University
- Wilkes University
- Wilkes University
- Pocono Mountain High School
- Recommended
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- Industry
- Writing and Editing
- Websites
Donna Talarico’s Summary
I am a Senior Account Manager at Solid Cactus, a total e-commerce solutions company based in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Solid Cactus was named an Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America, at #255, and is the 11th Best Place to Work in PA, up from #21 in last year's nod. I also write for Solid Cactus's eBiz Insider, a nationally-distributed e-commerce magazine with a circulation of 16,000 and regularly contribute to the corporate blog.
I earned a BA in Communication Studies from Wilkes University and am pursuing an MA in Creative Writing, also at Wilkes.
I am a contributing writer to several local and national publications.
Previously, I was an admissions and outreach representative for the career school industry and a radio station promotions director.
I have also combined my interest in working with adult learners and writing to self publish a book. In 2005 I released "Kids, Have You Seen My Backpack?" and Other Inspirational Stories on Non-Traditional Students: An Adult Learner Anthology.
In 2007, my compilation "Wilkes University: Off the Record" was released by College Prowler, a national college guidebook publisher, offering student-written guides for over 200 colleges and universities.
Donna Talarico’s Specialties:
E-Commerce Industry- sales, writing
Career School Industry: admissions, presentations, peer training, public relations, marketing, publication design.
Journalism/Broadcasting: Promotions, public relations, copy writing, feature writing, news writing, interviewing, camera, floor manage, on-air radio
Donna Talarico’s Experience
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Interactive Marketing Specialist
Solid Cactus Web.com, Inc.
(Public Company; WWWW; Internet industry)
July 2009 — Present (5 months)
The e-mail announcement for my new position described this new position as Solid Cactus social director and I like that description. But here's the real gist: Contribute to various marketing initiatives, creative pieces, prints and online publications, and more for Solid Cactus and sister brands. Typical duties include marketing copy writing, website content creation, writing articles and copy editing for eBiz Insider magazine, social media management, public relations, creative collaboration with others in department on design and product development initiatives and more.
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Contributing Writer
The Independent magazine
(Writing and Editing industry)
2006 — Present (3 years )
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Freelance Writer
Self/Various Publications (Self-employed)
(Self-Employed; Myself Only; Publishing industry)
January 2001 — Present (8 years 11 months)
Contributor to various local and national publications (past and present): The Weekender, The Westsider/The Independent, Games Magazine, The Times Leader, Bylines 2008: A Writer's Desk Calendar, the Career College Associations, The Link, Wilkes Magazine, Associated Content (online) and others.
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Senior Account Mananger
Solid Cactus
(Public Company; WWWW; Internet industry)
December 2007 — July 2009 (1 year 8 months)
Provide solutions for those looking to start or improve an e-commerce business by way of web development and design, call center services, Internet marketing and more. Also, write for the eBiz Insider, a monthly ecommerce magazine and the Solid Cactus corporate blog.
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Outbound Sales
Solid Cactus
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Internet industry)
June 2007 — December 2007 (7 months)
Worked hand-in-hand with sales team by both qualifying/warming up new leads and reengaging current clients and leads which did not yet convert. Helped provide solutions for those looking to start or improve an e-commerce business by way of web development and design, call center services, Internet marketing and more. Also, write for the eBiz Insider, an ecommerce magazine with a circulation of 16,000.
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Admissions Rep.
Education Affiliates
(Privately Held; 501-1000 employees; Education Management industry)
2005 — 2007 (2 years )
Scranton, Pa. campus. Held same position more recently at Forty Fort, Pa. campus. See that listing for more information.
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Admissions Representative/Outreach Coordinator
Allied Medical & Technical Institute
(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Higher Education industry)
October 2002 — June 2007 (4 years 9 months)
Manage new and old leads from various sources; Gain back lost business by contacting students who ; ancelled or withdrew; Meet and exceed personal and team goals for student start dates; Meet and exceed personal student retention rate goal; Assist prospective students with enrollment process;
And in latest position: Spearheaded development of new agency representative position; Develop new business through various social service and employment agencies; Develop new ways to keep cost-per-lead to a minimum, such as creating MySpace page; Design and provide interactive, education workshops to community groups; Write press releases, story pitches and other public relations tasks -
freelance crew
WVIA
(Writing and Editing industry)
1996 — 2007 (11 years )
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Work Study
Wilkes University
(Educational Institution; 201-500 employees; Writing and Editing industry)
1996 — 2006 (10 years )
Worked as student employee in Marketing Communications Office at Wilkes University- aided in organizing and distributing press clips and recording press release distribution, wrote articles for the university website and magazine, edited and updated Class Notes section and other administrative type tasks.
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Promotions Director
Entercom Radio- WGGY
(Public Company; 51-200 employees; Broadcast Media industry)
June 1998 — February 2002 (3 years 9 months)
-Plan radio stations contests, events and community service projects and run live action broadcasts; Collaborate with general sales manager to create added-value promotions for clients; Order promotional items and manage ‘prize closet’; Write promotional copy for live and recorded promos; Reinstated the ‘Froggy 101 Green Team’ and mentored these high school interns
Donna Talarico’s Education
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Wilkes University
Master of Fine Arts , Creative Writing , 2009 — 2010 (expected)
- Activities and Societies:
- Pursuing Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
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Wilkes University
MA , Creative Writing , 2007 — 2009
- Activities and Societies:
- Specializing in Creative Non-Fiction. MA thesis, is a coming-of-age memoir with the working title, "Confessions of a Teenage Newspaper Salesman."
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Wilkes University
BA , Communication Studies (Journalism & Public Relations) , 1996 — 2007
- Activities and Societies:
- Newspaper, radio, television, mentoring, work-study in public relations office
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Pocono Mountain High School
High School Diploma , General , 1994 — 1997
Additional Information
Donna Talarico’s Websites:
Donna Talarico’s Interests:
Outdoors, nature, houseboating, NPR, writing, board games, vegetarian cooking, word games, reading, memoirs, dreams, civil rights, the 60s, music, the internet, microbrews
Donna Talarico’s Groups:
Society of Profressional Journalists, CCA, Wilkes, Associated Content, Entercom, Weekender, Family, Hops, Poconos
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E-Commerce Network -
Salesforce.com Professional Network -
Informed Ideas For Writers -
Solid Cactus Web.com, Inc. -
Yahoo! Store -
e-Commerce Solutions -
Wilkes University Alumni -
THE Conference
Donna Talarico’s Honors:
--Promotion Award: Country Radio Broadcasters of America, 2nd Place, Medium Market, 2001
--Promotion Award: Country Radio Broadcasters of America, Honorable Mention, Medium Market, 2000
Donna Talarico’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- new ventures
- expertise requests
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
