Russ Christ

Current

Owner at Russ Christ PR
Journalist at The Arizona Republic

Past

Director, Communications at Arizona Golf Association
Supervisor at Raven Golf Club at South Mountain
National Sales Coordinator at The Diamond Magazine

General Manager at Arizona Fall Baseball League
Associate Director of Communications at Hamilton College

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Education

Ohio University
Hamilton College
Clinton Central High School

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Recommended

15 people have recommended Russ

Connections

337 connections

Industry

Public Relations and Communications

Websites

Russ Christ’s Summary

With 15 years of writing, editing, and media relations experience, we specialize in creating effective media relations and community outreach programs for mid-size, growth oriented businesses. We help our clients identify newsworthy story angles and work strategically to align the story with the most appropriate media outlet/target audience.

Ambitious, creative and organized, I have demonstrated high-level success in public relations, client management and relationship building. Abilities include client and staff management, adapting quickly to and juggling the needs of clients and media, and writing concise, powerful releases and pitches.

Have a proven ability to increase brand awareness about and sales for clients. This is accomplished by securing consistently favorable coverage in international, national and regional consumer and trade outlets. I ensure team members do so as well.

Client servicing functions include:

• Developing and executing PR plans
• Crafting news releases and ghost-written articles
• Phone and e-mail feature-story pitching
• Client reporting
• Preparing electronic and print media kits
• Completing national media e- and postal mailings
• Organizing and participating in media tours
• Managing client image databases
• Researching and helping manage client media lists
• 15 years experience in PR, journalism and consumer marketing
• Experience developing and implementing PR plans
• Proficiency extracting information from subjects and writing news releases
• Elevated understanding of and passion for the golf, resort, and travel industries
• The ability to interact successfully with media, clients, colleagues and business people
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office, Powerpoint, Photoshop, scanning and basic graphics programs

Russ Christ’s Specialties:

Specialize in golf-specific writing and media outreach; 11-year member of the Golf Writers Association of America; co-founder of the Southwest Golf Media Association;

In addition to media relations, our services include all aspects of strategic public relations: from brand positioning, media relations, to leveraging advertising, building community relations and securing partnerships. Our focus is to effectively communicate your message and connect your business with key audiences.

Russ Christ’s Experience

Owner

Russ Christ PR

(Public Relations and Communications industry)

December 2003 — Present (6 years )

Working with some of the most respected golf properties and businesses in the Southwestern U.S., we've implemented media relations programs to raise awareness and improve branding for our clients.

Past and current clients include the Project Management Institute-Phoenix, Arizona Major League Baseball Alumni, KRANK GOLF, Raven GC at South Mountain, Pinnacle Peak CC, Desert Forest, The Rim GC, The Gallery GC, Rio Verde CC, The Pine Canyon Club, Breakthrough Performance, Imaging Technology Solutions, Golf Lesson Advantage Club, The Amazing Hondo, NPI Therapy, Arizona Golf Association, 2007 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship,TailorMade Budgets, and the Southwest Section PGA.

I am a frequent contributor to numerous national and Arizona-based publications, including Luxury Golf & Travel, Minnesota Golfer, The Met Golfer, Desert Golf and Arizona Republic.
Journalist

The Arizona Republic

(Public Company; GCI; Newspapers industry)

November 1998 — Present (11 years 1 month)

Since 1998 I have contributed articles, and photographs, to the Arizona Republic and www.azcentral.com on a variety of subjects. My work has appeared in the main sports section, community sections (Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler and Ahwatukee Republic) and Arizona Society.
Director, Communications

Arizona Golf Association

(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

December 1998 — December 2003 (5 years 1 month)

Developed and managed public relations strategies for the non-profit Arizona Golf Association. Developed and maintained print and electronic media relationships both locally and nationally. Managed the production of print and electronic collateral, including advertisements, press packets, newsletters, brochures and promotional items.

Oversaw a substantial annual communications budget and served as Editor-in-Chief for Arizona, The State of Golf, a custom-published, full-color, bimonthly magazine that is considered the premier golf publication in the Southwest.

Responsible for the success of the AGA's online Web presence www.azgolf.org. Acknowledged by the International Network of Golf (1999 ING Travel Media Award; Outstanding Achievement) for superior writing.
Supervisor

Raven Golf Club at South Mountain

(Sports industry)

March 1996 — November 1998 (2 years 9 months)

Helped management team achieve remarkable success and reputation in golf industry at this high-end public facility that was ranked No. 1 in North America by Golf Digest for its service. Hired and trained 20 staff members, oversaw daily operations and controlled inventory and budget.
National Sales Coordinator

The Diamond Magazine

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Publishing industry)

April 1994 — February 1995 (11 months)

Implemented in-stadium retail sales and marketing program with 28 Major League Baseball clubs and minor league affiliates for The Diamond, “The Official Chronicle of Major League Baseball.” Responsible for obtaining MLB's season-ticket-holder lists to increase the magazines controlled circulation to more than 400,000.
General Manager

Arizona Fall Baseball League

(Public Company; 11-50 employees; Sports industry)

July 1993 — January 1994 (7 months)

Directed marketing and operations efforts for Major League Baseball's Arizona Fall League. Screened, trained and hired game-day operations staff for 54-game season. Served as the primary contact for players and coaches in dealings with the media. Responsible for managing $50,000 worth of baseball equipment, souvenir sales and MLB-licensed product inventory.
Associate Director of Communications

Hamilton College

(Educational Institution; 201-500 employees; Public Relations and Communications industry)

February 1991 — August 1992 (1 year 7 months)

Coordinated college’s press relations program. Wrote, edited and distributed press releases for 25 intercollegiate sports teams. Headed a staff of five in production of game programs, media guides and organization of press conferences; provided media coverage and served as the primary college contact for the press.

Russ Christ’s Education

Ohio University

MSA , Sports Administration and Facility Management , 1992 — 1993

The MSA program combines classroom and practical experience to prepare individuals for leadership positions in the sport industry. More than 85 percent of its graduates are employed in key positions within intercollegiate athletics, professional sports, public assembly facilities, sports tours, motor sports, corporate sports organizations, sports media, and the entertainment industries.

http://www.sportsad.ohio.edu/masters/overview/
Hamilton College

B.S. , English , 1986 — 1990

Hamilton, a highly selective, private, liberal arts college with an emphasis on individualized instruction and independent research, is a national leader in teaching effective writing and persuasive speaking.

Founded in 1793 as the Hamilton-Oneida Academy; chartered in 1812 as Hamilton College; third oldest college established in New York State.

Namesake: Alexander Hamilton, U.S. statesman, first secretary of the U.S. Treasury; member of the first Board of Trustees of the Hamilton-Oneida Academy.

Activities and Societies:

Four-year member of varsity baseball team.
Clinton Central High School

AP English, History, Mathematics, AP Chemistry, Physics, Spanish, etc. 1982 — 1986

Additional Information

Russ Christ’s Websites:

Russ Christ’s Interests:

Travel, baseball, real estate, Syracuse Orange Men's Basketball team

Russ Christ’s Groups:

Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA)
Southwest Golf Media Association (SWGMA); Founding Member
Golf Industry Association of Arizona (GIA); Board Member