Current
  • CEO and ePR/social media/marketing strategist at WideFoc.us
Past
Education
  • University of California, Santa Cruz
  • University of Colorado at Denver
Connections
500+ connections
Industry
Public Relations and Communications
Websites

Eric Elkins eric@widefoc.us’s Summary

I strive to work with creative, fast-paced companies with talented and open-minded teams that value ePR and social media strategies, innovative marketing ideas and concepts, rainmaking skills and superior writing and editing prowess.


Eric Elkins eric@widefoc.us’s Experience

  • CEO and ePR/social media/marketing strategist

    WideFoc.us

    (Marketing and Advertising industry)

    June 1999Present (10 years 2 months)

    WideFoc.us specializes in using ePR and social media tactics for reputation management, to track sentiment, and to create a constellation of reinforced messaging and brand experiences that direct qualified consumers into distinctive conversion funnels. The company develops unique, innovative marketing and communication programs across multiple platforms (blogs, forums, social networks, print, email, SMS, viral, POS) delivering focused messages to targeted segments. Clients include PR and interactive agencies, businesses, and global corporations.

    Strategies include everything from identifying influencers and sentiment, to creating corporate blogs and targeted social networks, creating cross-chatter and conversation about a message or product.

    Additional services:
    • Outsource PR (blog and alternative media placements)
    • Customized Ning networks and blogs
    • Writing/copywriting for media outlets, websites, collateral
    • Project management for marketing and web-based initiatives

  • Vice President, Marketing

    Mocapay

    (Public Company; 1-10 employees; Wireless industry)

    March 2007August 2007 (6 months)

    • Member of team launching the first comprehensive, secure way to pay at the point-of-sale with a cellphone
    • Directed development of initial concept and website to create a unique lifestyle brand; developed first site map, generated content plans, directed collateral production, created marketing rollout plan
    • Wrote RFPs and requirements docs for website development and text messaging (SMS)
    • Wrote SMS alerts
    • Participated in meetings with key investors and VC fund companies
    • Played a key role in national and local business development
    • Coordinated merchant installations; scheduling and participating in systems integration at merchant sites (Aloha, Micros, Aspex, PointPay)
    • Executed training on the system for merchants
    • Made contact with merchants, partners, vendors and consumers to work through and resolve issues
    • Initiated online training and customer service systems, including collateral, FAQs, etc.
    • Wrote and revised content using WYSIWYG and HTML tools

  • New Media Practices Manager

    Metzger Associates

    (Privately Held; Public Relations and Communications industry)

    September 2006February 2007 (6 months)

    • Oversaw and coordinated incubation of FEED/Mocapay, including brand-building, concept development, PR rollout plan, initial staffing, web content and all collateral development
    • PR and new media consultant for key Metzger accounts until FEED launch

  • Publisher/Co-founder

    Bias Media

    (Marketing and Advertising industry)

    January 2005July 2006 (1 year 7 months)

    Creator of a multiplatform media company designed to reach the 21-34 demographic, generating a membership of 7,000 in less than a year
    • Content development, including BIAS magazine, web updates, weekly e-mail blasts, text message alerts, podcasting, collateral, radio tag scripts, media kits for BIAS and its partners
    • Conceptualized activation ideas and proposals for clients
    • Advertising and sponsorship sales; participated in most sales calls with account execs, sponsorship sales partners, and commission-only sales associates (top revenue generator most months), generating more than $100,000 in revenue during the first year of operations
    • Managed and problem-solved all text messaging campaigns
    • Worked with vendors and partners to create new revenue streams and platforms
    • Concept design, oversight, collateral development, client fulfillment, and logistical planning of major BIAS events
    • Facilitated development strategy for two BIAS websites

  • Youth Content Editor

    The Denver Post/Denver Newspaper Agency

    (Newspapers industry)

    May 1999January 2005 (5 years 9 months)

    • Wrote, edited, designed and produced 4-page weekly section
    • Developed cross-promotional relationships with outside companies
    • Provided training to teachers and students in using the newspaper in the classroom
    • Managed staffs of hundreds of young writers between the ages of 7 and 14
    • Public appearances to promote the section
    • Wrote and recorded weekly radio spots for Radio Disney
    • Created and designed youth content for the Rocky Mountain News
    • Pitched BIAS concept as part of Youth Readership Task Force


Eric Elkins eric@widefoc.us’s Education

  • University of California, Santa Cruz

    BA , Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , 19861990

    Activities and Societies:
    Porter College
  • University of Colorado at Denver

    MA , Curriculum and Pedagogy


Additional Information

Eric Elkins eric@widefoc.us’s Websites:

Eric Elkins eric@widefoc.us’s Honors:

• 2000 Southern Newspaper Press Association, Best Literacy Idea, second place
• 2000 Newspaper Association of America (NAA) Program Excellence Youth Content, first place
• 2001 NAA, Program Excellence Youth Content, first place
• 2001 Youth Editors Association of America, Kid Content, Grand Prize
• Panel Speaker, 2001 NAA Newspaper in Education National Conference
• Invited speaker at the World Association of Newspapers international Young Readers Conference, Cape Town, September 2001


Eric Elkins eric@widefoc.us’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

  • career opportunities
  • consulting offers
  • new ventures
  • expertise requests
  • reference requests
  • getting back in touch

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