Marketing & Communications Manager at National PTA
Greater Chicago Area
- Current
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- Marketing Communications Manager at National PTA
- Past
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- Public Relations and Campaigns Manager at National PTA
- Resource Development Manager at National PTA
- DDA Director at Downtown Lake Orion
- Executive Director at Marine City Chamber of Commerce
- Executive Director at Paint Creek Center for the Arts
- Corporate Services Director at Baker College
- Project Manager at International Center for Canadian-American Trade
- Education
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- Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration
- Kalamazoo College
- American University
- St. Clair High School
- Recommended
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13 people have recommended Kate - Connections
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360
connections
- Industry
- Marketing and Advertising
- Websites
Kate Zimmer’s Summary
Many may look at my experience and think, 'how did she end up here.' But, it is through my higher level positions that I have gained the knowledge AND the drive to change how internal and external audiences think of communications in non-profit organizations.
Too often we rely on the traditional communications avenues without giving our audiences the credit to communicate and comprehend beyond what they are used to. If we do not evolve outside of our comfort zone, how can we expect people to view our organization as THE way to interact and receive the premier information and content they are looking for?
It is with this goal in mind that I left my leadership role in small to mid-size non-profits to seek out a position with PTA's national headquarters. I have worked my way up through the management levels, and departments, to my current position in communications and marketing.
In the communications department, I have sought to change the way we view campaigns, marketing, and promotions as well as the image we have of our audience. PTA is not an organization that pushes bake sales and membership via default. We are the largest advocacy organization for children's quality education AND a network for involved parents around student success. Our goals are resources, connections, and results.
I have been able to institute an action plan for new media initiatives, expand and evolve the brand perception, change several resource options to make them more widely available to all our members through the internet, and implement methods utilized in my past positions with PTA, such as an MNR (traditionally for media) repurposed to speak to our own internal membership.
Progress is slow, but steady. I look forward to the future of communications in non-profits and hope to think I am among those who are leading the way for progress.
Kate Zimmer’s Specialties:
Lead delivery of communications strategy and continue to evolve and adapt plans to the changing nature of education and parenting. Convey clear, concise and compelling messages to leaders and parents using both indirect and direct channels of campaign management, marketing research and development, and ad placement as well as executing Web 2.0 action plan initiatives. Establish PTA as an evolving, solid brand presence in the arena of student success, family engagement, and education advocacy.
Kate Zimmer’s Experience
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Marketing Communications Manager
National PTA
(Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
June 2008 — Present (1 year 6 months)
Lead delivery of communications strategy and continue to evolve and adapt plans to the changing nature of education and parenting. Convey clear, concise and compelling messages to our leaders and parent through both indirect and direct channels through campaign management, marketing research and development, and ad placement. Built and executed Web 2.0 action plan from ground up into successful and continually evolving, and embraced, method of communication with new, growing audiences and networks.
Build, maintain and protect PTA brand, project positive public image to differentiate PTA from the competition. Maintain strong, active relationships with local, state and national units/memebers. Copy writing, editing, and production management for all PTA national print, web page, advertisement, promotional, and direct mail pieces. -
Public Relations and Campaigns Manager
National PTA
(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
August 2007 — July 2008 (1 year )
Management of brand value and image to the public as well as the internal audience strategically from media placement and response to organizational communication to the development of PTA national campaigns and programs.
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Resource Development Manager
National PTA
(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
March 2006 — August 2007 (1 year 6 months)
Sponsorship and member benefit provider development and maintenance including contract negotiation, finalization and implementation. Sponsor management through implementation of contract deal-points and promotions in accordance with PTA communications and strategic plan.
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DDA Director
Downtown Lake Orion
(Government Administration industry)
2005 — 2006 (1 year )
Exectuive Director of downtown revitalization and historic preservation program based on the Main Street system of economic development, promotion and enhancement committees. Managed the TIF budget for the Village to implement the programs around community development and downtown district improvement.
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Executive Director
Marine City Chamber of Commerce
(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
2004 — 2005 (1 year )
Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce. Community, business and event development, sales, public relations and marketing of city and its attributes. Recruitment of businesses and promotion of economic opportunities of local.
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Executive Director
Paint Creek Center for the Arts
(Arts and Crafts industry)
2002 — 2004 (2 years )
Develop, promote and facilitate PCCA special events & exhibitions, public relations, marketing, fundraising campaigns; Manage facilities and staff; plan, develop, and seeking funding and grants for building and program expansion, master schedule of classes, exhibits, committees, Art & Apples Festival organization and facilitation, and Annual Fund/Membership Program.
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Corporate Services Director
Baker College
(Educational Institution; 501-1000 employees; Higher Education industry)
1999 — 2002 (3 years )
Market, develop, and facilitate training courses for area businesses, manufacturers, & industry. Manage all non-traditional & professional development courses, including associated contract staff. Develop & maintain statewide, and local, business, organization, & community relationships on behalf of Baker College. Develop & administer EDJT & MI WORKS grant programs as well as contract grant writing & management.
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Project Manager
International Center for Canadian-American Trade
(Public Policy industry)
1996 — 1999 (3 years )
Press/public relations; program marketing; contract cost allocation & project progress coordination, report generation; grant research & proposal development; newsletter editor, designer & writer; government relations & position advocacy; web site design & maintenance; project/forum research, planning & logistics; program recommendations; internship program development & facilitation; SME business & trade problem solving; conference design & marketing; "issue paper" preparation; research library development; grant writing.
Kate Zimmer’s Education
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Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration
MSM , Management & Marketing , 1998 — 2000
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Kalamazoo College
BA , Political Science, English & Sociology , 1993 — 1996
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American University
Communications, Legal Systems, Economics & Government 1992 — 1993
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St. Clair High School
Additional Information
Kate Zimmer’s Websites:
Kate Zimmer’s Interests:
Social media sponge, running advocate, intermediate volleyball player and avid reader & art collector.
Kate Zimmer’s Groups:
PRSA, AFP, Rotary International, Gen-Art, CIMA, SMC-Chicago,
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Inbound Marketers - For Marketing Professionals -
Web 2.0 -
Search Engine Strategies Conference & Expo -
ThoseinMedia -
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA National) -
Sponsorship Insights -
Digital Marketing -
Social Media Today -
Social Media Marketing -
Non Profit Network - MojaLink -
e-Marketing Communication -
Marketing Mentors Circle -
Chicago Twitter & Social Media -
Ragan UnConference
Kate Zimmer’s Honors:
Other web sites/blogs:
http://www.twitter.com/krzimmer
http://www.twitter.com/PTATakesAction
http://www.linkedin.com/in/krzimmer
http://PTATakesAction.blogspot.com
http://missadventuresinthecity.tumblr.com/
http://krzimmer.wordpress.com
http://www.new.facebook.com/people/Kate-Zimmer/568756767
Kate Zimmer’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
