John Sternal

Current

Co-Owner at Sternal Consulting
VP of Marketing Communications at Leasetrader.com

Past

Managing Director at Max Borges Agency
Public Relations Director, Technology Group at Starmark International
Sr. Account Executive, PR at Dutcher Group

Corporate Communications at Tech Data
Account Executive, PR at Hill & Knowlton
Media Information Manager at Tampa Bay Lightning

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3 more...

Education

University of South Florida

Recommended

7 people have recommended John

Connections

500+ connections

Industry

Marketing and Advertising

Websites

UnderstandingMarketing.com

John Sternal’s Summary

John Sternal is a veteran public relations professional with more than 15 years experience serving clients in a variety of industries on both the agency and corporate sides. John's creative approach to PR is a leading reason why he's been able to get press coverage in newspapers around the country and leading magazines like Business Week, Cigar Aficionado and Good Housekeeping, among many others. He is also the author of a brand new e-book, called the PR Toolkit, which helps small businesses learn the ins and outs of PR so that they can be successful at getting their own press coverage.

John has had the great opportunity to work on everything from sports marketing to natural gas pipelines, and high technology to the world of automotive.

His experiences in PR span a wide range, including media relations, spokesperson duties, media training, corporate communications, event management, and strategic thought leadership. John has written many articles that have been published in magazines and newspapers across the country, and he has also served as editor of two media publications for a national sports team.

John says his favorite PR moment was when he helped the NHL's communications department during the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals. He was on the ice working with photo journalists during the Cup presentation in front of a packed Joe Louis Arena.

Originally from Connecticut, John grew up in Tampa, Fla., and currently lives in South Florida. He enjoys golf and bicycling, and although he lives in Florida, John still considers hockey his favorite sport to watch. He's also started to take up sailing as a hobby, and enjoys learning about fine wines from different regions of the world.

John Sternal’s Specialties:

Public Relations, media relations, spokesperson duties, media training, corporate communications, event management, strategic thought leadership, marketing communications, automotive industry, car leasing,

John Sternal’s Experience

Co-Owner

Sternal Consulting

(Marketing and Advertising industry)

June 2008 — Present (1 year 6 months)

Sternal Consulting works with companies that are interested in finding a way to implement highly effective marketing and public relations programs, even in this challenging economic environment. Just because you're a small company operating in a struggling economy, this doesn't mean you want to refrain from any marketing activities. We work hard to build marketing and PR programs for you at a very reasonable budget. And if you want to do the marketing yourself but you're just not sure where or how to get started, we're more than happy to show you how you can do it yourself.
VP of Marketing Communications

Leasetrader.com

(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Automotive industry)

May 2007 — Present (2 years 7 months)

As VP of marketing communications I'm responsible for the strategic direction of building the LeaseTrader brand into a household name. And I develop communications programs that create excitement and buzz about our program and services.

I've been able to leverage LeaseTrader's unique concept to attract visibility through media outlets across the country. We are averaging 500,000 impressions on a monthly basis. We are regular contributors to The Wall Street Journal Radio network, and we've appeared on CNBC, Fox Business Network, CNN and the TODAY Show, as well as numerous other local television stations, magazines and newspapers throughout the country.
Managing Director

Max Borges Agency

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Marketing and Advertising industry)

August 2006 — June 2007 (11 months)

As managing director for the agency, I was responsible for developing the PR skills of all account executives at the agency to ensure they were providing the very best PR services for our clients. I also implemented procedures to increase efficiencies for all AEs and administrative staff. I played a large role in developing new business for the agency, participating in presentations for prospects in a number of industries.

In addition to my management responsibilities, I provided PR council to several clients in varying industries. I was responsible for writing by-lined articles and elevating the profile of a multi-cultural Interactive marketer by securing placements in iMedia Connection and Hispanic Business. I also coordinated media relations activities for a major consumer electronics e-tailer at CES 2007 by securing 30 major journalists for a "PC Build" contest.
Public Relations Director, Technology Group

Starmark International

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Marketing and Advertising industry)

2004 — 2006 (2 years )

Responsible for overseeing strategic PR direction for Starmark's technology group. Developed communication programs for a major provider of risk management solutions, and authored by-lined articles that were published in trade magazines such as American Banker and Collections & Credit Risk. Also coordinated interviews with media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, South Florida CEO and The Palm Beach Post.

I was tasked with generating awareness for a major manufacturer of industrial equipment and backup power generators. PR efforts resulted in the company appearing in media outlets, including the Miami Herald, El Nuevo Herald, Sun-Sentinel, and the South Florida Business Journal. Additional coverage was secured in media outlets such as Forbes.com, MSNBC.com, and newspapers around the country. More than one million media impressions were generated through the PR campaign.
Sr. Account Executive, PR

Dutcher Group

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Marketing and Advertising industry)

May 2003 — August 2004 (1 year 4 months)

The Dutcher Group is a marketing and PR agency specializing in consumables, housewares, and the construction and restaurant industries. While serving as Sr. Account Executive, I handled national PR for The Melting Pot restaurants, Grace Construction, Georgia-Pacific and More Space Place. Secured PR placements in newspapers and special interest publications such as Better Homes & Gardens. For Georgia-Pacific I served as on-camera spokesperson for their decorative wall panels division on the DIY Network's "Weekend Warriors" show. For The Melting Pot restaurants, I helped secure a spot on the TODAY Show for the restaurant's child-friendly menu.
Corporate Communications

Tech Data

(Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; TECD; Information Technology and Services industry)

October 2001 — May 2003 (1 year 8 months)

Handled media relations for the company's senior level management and executives across all nine Specialized Business Units (SBU). Developed media strategy and communications talking points for all executive interviews, and secured placements in major trade publications such as CRN and VARBusiness. Wrote by-lined articles for several SBU executives, with placements in Software Business and Office Products magazine. Also served as staff writer for the company's corporate internal newsletter, "Tech Talk."
Account Executive, PR

Hill & Knowlton

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; WPPGY; Public Relations and Communications industry)

May 1999 — October 2001 (2 years 6 months)

Handled public relations and media outreach for clients such as Compaq Computer Corp., Celotex, International Plaza, Coastal Corp. and Duke Energy. Served as main PR contact for the grand opening media relations activities for International Plaza, the first high-end retail venue in Tampa (Fla.). Helped with public affairs activities for Gulfstream Natural Gas, a major natural gas pipeline proposed for the State of Florida and sponsored by Coastal Corp. and Duke Energy. And provided media relations for Compaq Computer Corp. and Celotex, a major manufacturer and marketer of high quality building materials.
Media Information Manager

Tampa Bay Lightning

(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Sports industry)

August 1996 — April 1999 (2 years 9 months)

Served as spokesperson for the NHL hockey club, handling all media requests for players, coaches and management. Served as liaison to broadcast teams, including Sunshine Network (main TV rightsholder), local radio and national television outlets such as ESPN and FOX Sports. Also served as chief statistician during the season and was the main editor of the annual media guide.