Senior Communications Specialist/ Writer

Posted on: 2009-11-03

Martha Gibiser Shea SUMMARY • Proactive communications professional with global, high-tech, healthcare, public relations, media relations expertise • Extensive communications strategy experience, including executive counseling, issues and crisis management, media/external relations • Highest level of professional integrity and results oriented • Creative, with proven writing, editing skills a wide array of media, including newsletters, marketing collateral, speeches, brochures, news releases, web PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE r Shea Communications, Berkley, MI 2003-2008, 1997-2001 Principal Public relations firm specializing in external and internal communications in a variety of corporate and nonprofit clients. Among clients are: Aquent, Southfield, MI • Serve as lead member communications writer for BlueCaid (BlueCare Network) as it transitions to a BCN subsidiary from M-CAID –University of Michigan hospital system. Responsible for all deliverables in member communications, including member handbook, certificate of coverage, health education and plan newsletters, all written business communications including claims, care management, disease management, physician selection and provider network. Successfully led the transition while meeting stringent compliance regulations in observation of state contract. Communications plan recently received professional recognition with award of merit from International Association of Business Communicators. Proficient in AP style. INCAT, Novi, MI • Senior writer, North American internal and external publications, web magazines, case studies for international IT/high-tech firm Skidmore Studio, Royal Oak, MI Communications consultant; Developed web content for Great Lakes Interchange anew SE Michigan technology hub; primary writer for client publications, technical manuals, website content to automotive and healthcare clients; clients include Subaru, Automation Alley, Great Lakes Interchange DENSO International America, Inc, Southfield, MI North American internal communications manager • Directed internal communications for second-largest global automotive supplier, with 19,000 employees in North America • Initiated North American in-house television network, including multi-state installation, content building, IT integration, and daily messaging • Executive speechwriting, coaching • Media relations DaimlerChrysler, Auburn Hills, MI • Associate editor/ for DaimlerChrysler Times, the Chrysler Group’s primary internal communications newsletter; wrote on business, IT, technical, automotive news and executive strategy. Inforum Michigan, Detroit • Communications consultant, publications writer/editor, media relations. Responsible for member communications and releases, brochures, market collateral and newsletter; executive speechwriter Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Detroit • Communications consultant, writer, editor of marketing collateral, newsletter and donor communications. Detroit Medical Center • Communications consultant: Writer/editor for hospital external, internal and physician communications/newsletters Spaulding & Associates, West Bloomfield, MI • Communications consultant for nonprofit clients; grant writer with proven success Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Flint, MI • Communications Consultant: Media relations for micro-industry initiative, including writing news releases, speeches, newsletter articles Additional experience: Oakwood Healthcare System, Dearborn, MI 2001-2003 Media Relations Manager • Managed media relations for the third largest healthcare system in SE Michigan, including writing all news releases, web news coverage, speeches, press conference materials, news advisories and backgrounders. • Secured over $750,000 of print/radio/TV coverage in local, regional and national outlets over 12 month period • Oversaw Arab-American media outreach program that placed weekly stories in community’s media outlets; served as editor/writer for community newsletters and media • Extensive experience in crisis communications including bioterrorism readiness, Healthcare Information Portability and Privacy act (HIPPA) and IT integration and post 9/11 crisis planning, Joint Commission readiness, emergency preparedness. Created system media relations crisis plan. • Executive media coaching Detroit Zoological Society, Royal Oak, MI 1991-1997 Director of Publications • Managed internal and external publications of the Society, including monthly newsletter to 40,000 members, member and corporate annual reports, internal employee newsletter for Society and zoo employees. • Communications efforts led to growth of membership from 20,000 to 45,00 over four year period • Media relations manager for all aspects of Society supported events, including national blockbusters Michigan Council for the Arts, Detroit, MI 1980-1991 Public Information Officer • Responsible for all external and internal communication for state agency • Senior writer for agency, including all newsletters, media releases, conference and marketing collateral, annual arts resources publications, speeches, legislative communications. • Primary spokesperson for the agency, plan and executive media relations efforts • Liaison to Governor’s office for arts policy • Coordinated first grant support for full state coverage of arts news on Michigan public radio and television EDUCATION University of Michigan Double major: B.A. with honors, English B.A. with honors, Music Additional post-graduate work in management (Lansing Community College), film (Wayne State University), professional communications seminars (IABC, PRSA) AWARDS Bronze Anvil, Public Relations Society of American for best non-profit annual report Awards of Excellence, Detroit Chapter, International Association of Business Communicators for newsletter, annual reports, design/photography Awards of Merit, Detroit Chapter, International Association of Business Communicators for writing, newsletters Silver Quill, International Association of Business Communicators for newsletters, annual report, annual report photography ASSOCIATIONS Inforum Michigan GLIMA Southeast IABC - International Association of Business Communicators Open Hands Emergency Food Pantry University of Michigan Alumni Association