Cindy Bertram is a positive energy, results oriented marketing, media, public relations professional with 15+ years&rsqu...
Cindy Bertram (219) 775-6488
[email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindybertram _________________________________________________________________________________________________
MARKETING, PUBLIC RELATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA PROFESSIONAL Positive energy, results oriented marketing, media, public relations professional with 15+ years’ diverse expertise. Proven ability to plan, coordinate marketing strategies creating content, public relations, social media and placement. Storyteller creative edge, video content, talking points, presentations, PowerPoints, events. Spokesperson. Travel industry expertise. Key Skills: Diverse Content Creation Social Media, Marketing and Strategy Visual and Print Storytelling, Media Relationship Marketing Public Relations, Press Releases, Events Thought Leadership, Interviews Blogging & LinkedIn Posts Presentations, Training, Spokesperson Video Concepts, Scripting, Content ________________________________________________________________________________________________
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ________________________________________________________________________________________ BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Crown Point, IN
April 2008 - Present
Business Consultant (Full time)
Marketing, Business Development, Social Media, Branding Strategy Consulting
Grew consulting base from zero clients to 75+ viable small business owners in first year. Create successful solutions in marketing, strategy, business development, branding and social media including LinkedIn. Successful client coaching resulted in food manufacturer client being one of 10 national finalists in 2014 Samuel Adams’ Brewing the American Dream. Recycling company has grown from $35,000 sales to $3 million sales. Business and Marketing Blogger – write ongoing blogs focusing on marketing, social media tips (2012 –present) Through developing strong relationships, successfully secured high level Chicago business presidents as keynote speakers at annual “Entrepreneurial Excellence” Awards luncheon regional event (2010 – 2012)
POSITIVE IMPACT COMMUNICATORS, LLC Chicago, IL & CINDY’S INSIDE CRUISE AND TRAVEL TRACK, LLC
March 2003 - Present
Owner –Consulting and project work in marketing, content creation, social media, blogging, public relations
Achievements - Diverse Writing, Social Media, Blogging
Successfully pitched and contributed sections in best-selling books, PR NEWS’ Book of Crisis Management Strategies & Tactics published June 2015 and PR News’ Writer’s Guidebook published September 2014. Developed concept for and became content creator/lead writer for 56 page Ebook, “How to Organize a Successful Group Cruise,” published by Premier Travel Media, March 2015. Successfully got quotes from executives. Editorial board and columnist for Travel Agent Professional – contribute high level management focused articles featuring insights, input from top executives and leaders -http://travelagentprofessional.com 2013 to present. Professional blogger, “Cindy’s Inside Cruise Track,” – catalyst behind high end blog, adept using WordPress and Fotosizer. http://leisuregrouptravel.com/category/cindys-inside-cruise-track/. 2011 to present. Through building genuine relationships with 50+ travel and cruise industry executives, have successfully interviewed and featured them in high level forecasts (Leisure Group Travel) and articles in PORTHOLE Insider.
Achievements - Strategic Marketing and Sales, Content Creation, Video, Rebranding
Leading marketing strategies for new specialized training company including creation of short video scripts. Successfully edited and revised stories for inclusion in CLIA’s “Travel & Cruise” quarterly magazine, May 2016. Strategic sales planning and marketing work for high end print mailer company expanding into new markets Through meetings with travel company president, identified gaps and created needed content, top ten lists. Successfully led rebranding of well-known high end fast casual Chicago restaurant chain. Created media materials, press releases, bios. As a result of pitching, company was included in national trade publication.
Achievements - Presentations, National Conference Speaker Asked to be opening speaker at PR News’ Writing Boot Camp Chicago, Hyatt Regency Chicago, November 19,
2014. Presented “11 Steps to Razor Sharp Writing Habits.” Pitched and invited to present workshops at national travel conferences, including Travel Weekly CruiseWorld 2011 and 2010, AAA Travel National conference in 2008. Travel Trade Cruise-a-thon in 2008.
Resume of Cindy Bertram 219 – 775 – 6488 page 2 ________________________________________________________________________________________
EAGLE TRAVEL, INC.
Crown Point, IN
January 1993 – June 2003
Marketing and Business Development Director
Achievements - Marketing, Public Relations, Writing, Presentations, Branding, Crisis Management
Successfully increased client bookings 20% after 9/11 through implementing new strategies and marketing. Helped raise over $55,000 for trust fund established for disabled double amputee accident victim. Obtained two different cruise donations from major cruise line. Short story, “A Cruise and a Promise” in Chicken Soup for the Traveler’s Soul highlighted events. Personal recognition from cruise line President for positive coverage. Using crisis management expertise, successfully handled issues caused by uncontrolled events, from 9/11 tragedy, airline strikes, work stoppages, Desert Storm. Spokesperson and key public relations contact. Successfully negotiated thousands of dollars in refunds and inconvenience compensation for clients. Created positive agency presence and branding as a monthly-featured guest on local PBS affiliated TV station. Successfully pitched and became a guest columnist sharing expertise in various travel industry trade publications – Leisure Group Travel, ASTA Agency Management, Travel Weekly, and Travel Agent.
Achievements - Business Development, Preferred Supplier Arrangements, Staff Training
Increased cruise sales 700% in first 4 years with no designated marketing budget through creation of agency cruise department to tap into growing industry. Achieved 20% increase in group business within five years came about from training staff on selling techniques, core steps to lead and build groups; also created booking policy guidelines and procedures. Reached top commission revenues (15%) by successfully negotiating agreements with preferred cruise line suppliers and then successfully growing sales. Managed exclusive vendor relationships. Through successfully negotiating advertising trades and partnership marketing programs with travel suppliers, grew major supermarket corporate account sales by 15%.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING MBA - LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO (Business Administration, Marketing and Management) Graduate courses in Communications - PURDUE UNIVERSITY B.A. - INDIANA UNIVERSITY (Double majors in English/Communications and Theater/Performance/Television)
COMMUNITY & BUSINESS ACTIVITIES ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2000 - Present
Videos, Social Media, Multi-media, Marketing, Content, SEO, Linked In, Periscope, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, You Tube, Instagram - via webinars, half day training events including Boom! Social Marketing Conference 2015. Member of a diverse variety of special meet-up groups including Video & Marketing Strategy 250+ diverse workshops, events, national conferences, Masterclasses, webinars attended (Chicago, Vancouver, Florida, Las Vegas, Seattle) Business Network Chicago (BNC)
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO Graduate School of Business Alumni Board – board member 2003 - 2012 “So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?” annual event – served as co-host and emcee for event; also co-chair of
planning committee, 2005 to 2012. Successfully secured high level, well known business leaders and presidents as speakers from Chicago and other parts of the country. Also prepped speakers on talking points and advance preparation. NOTE: Dean, Graduate School of Business phased out MBA Alumni Board 2012
