Jessica Kane

Humbled and honored to be a 2012 Woman of Influence Award Winner from the Portland Business Journal.

In a world with a million options, it's hard to find an agency/person who can see the entire BIG picture, I am one of those people. I am a self-made, self-taught, award-winning marketing and branding strategist that gets a thrill off helping business owners get that AHA moment, where social media and marketing all make sense and they can go forward using it wisely to ensure continued success.

I have spent over 10 years learning every design program there is, analytics tools, blogging/content platforms, photography, videography, editing, copy-writing, social media platforms, how the human brain reacts to advertising and subliminal messaging and how to connect all of these to engage your customer and create a relationship.

Branding and marketing is way more than a logo or a website, it's the pulse of your business, it's the blood that keeps it all working. And, times are absolutely changing, it's no longer just about placing media and having great customer service - you need more - you need an upgrade.

When I assist a client - the first thing I do is look at the entire brand - and access where the cracks are. Then, I craft a "marketing upgrade" to help that brand connect with it's wanted customer. I will create, train, strategize and monopolize to make sure that client is on the right path.

• Volunteer Experience

  • Lead Volunteer - Registration

    Classic Wines Auction

    March 2010 – March 2010 (1 month)

    Worked directly with the organization director of operations.
    My role was to manage the extremely busy registration desk of the 2010 event. This included training and assisting over 10 desk volunteers who checked in over 1000 people in 1.5 time, while collecting donation information, paddle registration and upselling additional donation opportunities.

• Volunteer Interests

  • Causes I care about:

    • Arts and Culture
    • Children
    • Civil Rights and Social Action
    • Education
    • Human Rights

  • Organizations I support:

    • United Way of the Columbia-Willamette
    • Classic Wines Auction
    • YWCA Clark County
    • Raphael House

• Competitiv-Edge.com

  • April 2011 to May 2011
  Team Members: Jessica Kane

  OBSTACLE / Start-up business that had invested in an initial website and brand that did nothing for their business and did not speak to their target customer. Even with the investment, they had no brand, no presence and no marketing plan.
  
  ACTION / I recreated the branding and logo, advised a marketing and social media strategy, consulted on pricing and sell messaging to connect the consumer to the brand.
  

• Weddings of the World

  • May 2011 to May 2012
  Team Members: Jessica Kane

  OBSTACLE / My client, Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, was looking for a way to break into the Portland Wedding Market and showcase the hotel and what the banquet department could do.
  
  ACTION / I saw a huge opportunity to make a mark in the market after finding in research that no other event focused on the multicultural bride. After more market research and understanding the Sheraton brand and customer, I focused on 3 key markets that are prominent in Portland OR - Indian/Hindu, Russian/Romanian and Latino.
  
  I personally created the brand, graphics, marketing, website and more.
  
  In 2011, I launched the first ever Weddings of the World Show to huge success. Over 900+ attended the one day, 4 hour event at the Sheraton - and over 140 brides attended for the Sheraton to reach out to. Plus, knowing that the best referral business comes by building relationships, I focused on partnering with the best wedding professionals in Portland - to 1) ensure a second year success of the show 2) referrals and relationships for the Sheraton.

• RecoveredKey.com

  • August 2010 to March 2011
  Team Members: Jessica Kane

  OBSTACLE / Startup business with no brand, marketing or presence. The owners were excited about a new brand, and had the idea of what they wanted, but didn't know HOW to create an online business that felt trust-worthy and the printed materials necessary to impress major car manufactures like Ford, Toyota and more.
  
  ACTION / I created a brand including all graphics, logo, website, brochures, online store, business cards and created an online presence for the brand. I used particular colors and type fonts to reinforce the truthworthiness of the brand.

• American Family Insurance State Office

  • January 2008 to September 2009
  Team Members: Jessica Kane

  OBSTACLE / The Amfam state office was the headquarters for new recruits and additional training for existing agents for Oregon and SW Washington. They had training in place to teach the agents about marketing their business, but I saw that so much wasn't being shared, especially with new technology and resources at the agents fingertips. Plus, after attending a few trade shows with many of the agents, I noticed that further training needed to be done on working a trade show booth.
  
  ACTION / I started by creating a marketing newsletter for the agents, to share news from agencies across the US plus share marketing tips I had for them. Then, I created a marketing binder that every agent could go to for advise and procedure. Then, I offered additional marketing training at the state office workshops to give the agents a deeper understanding of relationship marketing in an enviornment of skeptical housewives who didn't want to be sold to.

• NW Battle of the Bands

  • March 2005 to July 2005
  Team Members: Jessica Kane

  Created the largest 12-bracket country battle of the bands competition for my employer as a way to engage the community and get more people in the door. Secured presenting sponsor Portland Music Company and host Jon Olsen (formerly of PDXposed).

• Alfresco Catering Startup Brand Package

  • February 2011 to April 2012
  Team Members: Jessica Kane

  My client, Sheraton Portland, decided to start an official brand for their offsite catering company headed by Andrew Pollin.
  I consulted and advised on the brand name as well as developed the company brand, vehicle decals, menus, and website. Also advised to offer a unique idea for giveaway favors - a spice rub! This way the potential customer would enjoy delicious Alfresco created spice at home and remember the quality of the Alfresco brand. (worked brilliantly!)

• BioDiesel Branding Project at Jubitz

  • February 2008 to April 2008
  Team Members: Jessica Kane

  My employer Jubitz was adding BioDiesel to their fueling lineup to show the community their commitment to sustainable energy.
  
  I created a full brand package for the new initiative including banners, stickers, logo and more.

• Full Body Photo Project

  • January 2010 to Present
  Team Members: Jessica Kane

  What is the Full Body Photo Project? A virtual community of women who upload their full body photos to show they love themselves!
  
  This project is much more than a photo, it's a movement.
  
  Jessica Kane started this as a blog post at her popular plus style blog www.lifeandstyleofjessica.com. Then, after a tremendous response from thousands of women, she knew she hit on something, and wanted to expand the movement to reach more women. In 2010, she partnered with presenting sponsor Lane Bryant to increase the base by thousands more, and in 2011 she challenged the entire plus size community to get involved. That challenge led to over 25 prominent plus size retailers and publications to say yes, we will partner with you. They have pledged prizes and support to show they too understand the power of a full body photo and want every woman in America to say yes! Say yes to her body!
  
  The 2011 Promotion Campaign ran from Oct. 3rd to Oct. 14, 2011.

1. Plus Size Fashion Expert
2. Entrepreneur
3. Marketing & Branding Expert
4. Blogging
5. Marketing
6. Social Media
7. Social Networking
8. SEO
9. Marketing Strategy
10. Social Media Marketing
11. Public Relations
12. Customer Service
13. Microsoft Office
14. Copywriting
15. Team Building
16. Online Advertising
17. Sales
18. Email Marketing
19. Strategic Planning
20. Event Planning
21. Marketing Communications
22. Advertising
23. Microsoft Excel

View All (23) Skills View Fewer Skills

Websites:

• Company Website
• Personal Website
• Blog

Interests:

Empowering and Providing fresh style for the Plus-Size Industry. Investing and networking with professionals in the publishing industry. Marketing and Public Relations for fresh and excited companies with a focus on customer service.

Groups and Associations:

• 
  NetParty - Business and Social Networking Events for Young Professionals
• 
  PlusSize Professionals
• 
  Portland Connect
• 
  Women 2.0
• 
  Young Professionals of Portland
• 
  eMarketing Association Network

Honors and Awards:

2012 Portland Business Journal Woman of Influence Award Winner