Susan Tull

Current

• Founder and Principal at Susan Tull Communications

Past

• Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Orange Leap
• Vice President, Corporate Communciations at Convio
• Vice President at Springbok Technologies

• National Director of Public Relations at Mothers Against Drunk Driving
• Group Supervisor at Edelman Public Relations Worldwide

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2 more...

Education

• Northwestern University
• Hampshire College
• Hackley High School

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Recommended

3 people have recommended Susan

Connections

304 connections

Industry

Public Relations and Communications

Susan Tull’s Summary

High energy, masters-degreed broadcast journalist turned award-winning, strategic communications professional with proven ability to develop and direct integrated programs to establish industry leadership, accelerate revenue growth, influence public policy and/or protect organizational reputation. Experienced serving Fortune 500s, start-ups, professional service firms and nonprofits. Skilled advisor to senior executives. Strength in mentoring and building motivated teams that produce results.

Susan Tull’s Specialties:

Strategic planning, branding, message development, media relations, media training, social media, speaking platforms, industry analyst relations, executive communications, crisis communications, internal communications, business development, magazine publishing, Internet marketing, video production.

Susan Tull’s Experience

• Founder and Principal

  Susan Tull Communications

  (Public Relations and Communications industry)

  July 2007 — Present (2 years 5 months)

  Provide a full range of public relations, corporate communications and marketing communications services for organizations in diverse industry sectors. As needed, partner with complementary professionals in advertising, marketing, design, photography, interactive, investor relations and other disciplines to build cost-effective, full-service, agency-type teams for turnkey management of client needs.
  
  Clients include companies in the software, entertainment and fitness industries as well as nonprofits.

• Vice President of Marketing and Communications

  Orange Leap

  (Computer Software industry)

  March 2008 — March 2009 (1 year 1 month)

  Launched Orange Leap’s first in-house marketing communications and public relations function to reposition company in the nonprofit sector – from a proprietary, constituent relationship management (CRM) software vendor serving the Christian ministry vertical to a leading CRM provider for all nonprofits, offering the only mature, nonprofit-specific open source solution.
  
  Co-managed a complete company rebranding that included development and rollout of new name, logo, messaging and Web site. Also introduced several major new products. Executed integrated program of traditional and online media relations, speaking platforms, advertising and executive communications to support these efforts.
  
  In only 12 months, cultivated relationships with top tier trade journalists and bloggers through frequent issuance of news releases, one–on-one briefings and ongoing pitches, resulting in nearly 80 published stories, including two cover stories and seven contributed articles. Within first few months, company was regularly spotlighted in trade media round-up coverage as a leading nonprofit CRM software vendor. Also placed company executives and clients as thought-leading speakers at eight nonprofit conferences and Webinars hosted by the industry’s most influential, third party, professional associations and media organizations.
  
  Oversaw development and implementation of two print and online trade media advertising campaigns executed by outside agencies.

• Vice President, Corporate Communciations

  Convio

  (Privately Held; Computer Software industry)

  April 2001 — September 2006 (5 years 6 months)

  As management team member, helped drive growth of venture-funded, on-demand CRM software company for nonprofits – from $2.4M in ‘02 revenues to $13.3M in ‘05 (~450 percent increase). Profiled by PR Week on successful, 18-month, publicity project spotlighting company's work with Howard Dean's presidential nomination campaign, http://budurl.com/PRWeek.
  
  Elevated Convio’s profile with integrated communications programs showcasing technology innovation, thought leadership and corporate viability. Led team in annually generating: 200 media stories; ~36 contributed articles; and 30-plus speaking engagements, including keynotes. News coverage included stories by AP, BBC, Bloomberg Markets, Business Week, Forbes, NPR, New York Times, Time, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Wired.com and key trade media.
  
  Worked closely with CXO-level executives and legal counsel on crisis communications to reassure customers and protect corporate reputation during work force reductions, litigation and public criticism of controversial customer relationships. Conceived of and launched successful industry coalition to thwart litigious competitor’s patent strategy.

• Vice President

  Springbok Technologies

  (Public Relations and Communications industry)

  November 1999 — April 2001 (1 year 6 months)

  Oversaw operations, business development, account management and staff for Austin office of national high tech PR firm twice named to Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing U.S. companies.
  
  Managed accounts totaling approximately $2.7 million in annual billings and up to 25 employees.
  
  Played lead role in generating new client business worth $1.7 million-plus in annualized monthly retainer fee billings (achieved during initial 12 months after joining the firm)
  
  Provided strategic counsel to client CEOs and other executive decision makers.
  
  Led teams in executing programs for companies in hardware, software, storage, CRM, broadband content, wireless, and Internet, including campaigns to drive acquisitions.

• National Director of Public Relations

  Mothers Against Drunk Driving

  (Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  August 1997 — September 1999 (2 years 2 months)

  With a $500,000 annual budget and a team of five professionals, developed and executed integrated communications programs to raise awareness of drunk driving and underage drinking, support public policy goals, enhance MADD's image, and spotlight corporate sponsorships. Campaigns often involved working with White House, congressional leaders, federal and state agencies, and celebrities.
  
  Directed production of publications and collateral, including annual reports and brochures. Provided oversight to cross-functional team handling multi-media PSA campaigns (TV, radio, Internet). Launched and was editor-in-chief of Driven, MADD's semi-annual magazine (circ.: 1,000,000). Ensured consistent branding, messaging and graphic standards in all materials.
  
  Led project to update MADD’s logo for first time in the organization's 20-year history to strengthen branding and reflect growing emphasis on youth and ethnic markets.
  
  Supervised team in generating ongoing positive coverage by national media including Associated Press, Reuters, United Press International, New York Times (see Sunday Magazine cover story at http://budurl.com/vwee), Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Time, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, CNBC and MSNBC.
  
  Counseled and provided tactical support to MADD’s national president, executive director, board members and 600+ local affiliates.

• Group Supervisor

  Edelman Public Relations Worldwide

  (Privately Held; Public Relations and Communications industry)

  December 1992 — August 1997 (4 years 9 months)

  Supervised team of up to four professionals in developing and executing media-intensive, communication programs (with combined annual fee billings of $750,000+) to help clients launch products and services, drive sales, improve recruitment, enhance organizational image and manage crises. Partnered with Edelman offices and affiliates around the country and also abroad on behalf of global clients.
  
  Clients included Texas Instruments, United Parcel Service, Boy Scouts of America, Comerica Bank, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Digital Marketing Services (an AOL joint venture company), Greyhound Lines, ICI Explosives USA (after bombing of Oklahoma City’s federal building), La Quinta Inn & Suites, New York Life, Trammell Crow Company, and the national litigation firm of Bickel & Brewer.

Susan Tull’s Education

• Northwestern University

  Master of Science , Journalism , 1980 — 1981

• Hampshire College

  Bachelor of Arts , American Studies and Communications , 1974 — 1979

• Hackley High School

  HIgh School , HIgh School , 1970 — 1974

Additional Information

Susan Tull’s Interests:

Golf, skiing, mountain biking, road cycling, tennis, live music, travel, dogs

Susan Tull’s Groups:

2009-2010 Austin Interactive Marketing Association Board Member; 2006-2008 Austin Advertising Federation -- Chair, Communications Committee; Austin American Marketing Association; Media Bistro

•    Northwestern University Alumni
•    Austin High-Tech
•    Hampshire College
•    Innovative Marketing, PR, Sales, Word-of-Mouth & Buzz Innovators
•    Hampshire College Alumni Network
•    Five Colleges Alumni
•    Corporate Communications Executive Network
•    LIVESTRONG
•    Austin chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC/Austin)
•    Austin Social Media Club
•    Austin Ventures Network
•    Past & Present Edelman Employees
•    PRSA Dallas Chapter
•    ex-Convio Alumni
•    Hackley School Alumni
•    PRwise
•    BluMail

Susan Tull’s Honors:

2007 American Advertising Federation’s Club Achievement Award for Communications (clubs with 250-499 members)
1996 Silver Anvil Award of Excellence, Public Relations Society of America
1996 Pegasus, Public Relations Society of America-North Texas chapter

Susan Tull’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• consulting offers
• expertise requests
• business deals
• reference requests
• getting back in touch