Here’s the slightly longer version of my story:
I was born the middle child of three sons to two loving parents. Growing up in New Jersey, my passion was playing soccer. My talent on the field and in the classroom earned me admission to The College of New Jersey, the top public college in the North, according to a 2011 U.S. News and World Report study.
During my studies at TCNJ, I found a new passion: marketing and communications. I attacked my classes with vigor and won an internship with MWW Group, New Jersey’s largest PR firms and one of the top firms in the country, according to PR Week. Acting as a public affairs intern, I learned the ins-and-outs of the PR industry from some of the top professionals in the field. From drafting press releases to making phone calls and the illustrious job of clipping stories, I developed a foundation that has propelled me to great successes throughout my career.
After leaving MWW, I joined the team at BurrellesLuce, the nation’s leader in media monitoring and media analysis. As an account manager, I was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the monitoring efforts for the company’s top-tier clients such as IBM, Time Inc. and Disney. Through these interactions, I elevated my level of skill in both written and oral communications while continuing to grow my knowledge of the PR industry.
While with BurrellesLuce, I moved to Las Vegas to work remotely for the company. After a few months, I decided to join BRAINtrust Marketing + Communications, a boutique PR agency focused on hospitality, non-profit and consumer clients. During my tenure with the company, I was responsible for the creation and implementation of a variety of campaigns ranging from publicizing grand openings to raising awareness for promotions and increasing buzz around properties such as Silverton Casino Lodge, Sahara Hotel & Casino and Tropicana Las Vegas.
My work at BTMC attracted the attention of Kirvin Doak Communications, the largest and most successful PR firm in Nevada. Upon joining the company, I was immediately asked to become a member of the CityCenter team, responsible for promoting the gaming, hospitality, entertainment, dining and meetings & convention features at the new $8.5 billion dollar development. I also publicized the wide-array of restaurants for MGM Resorts International and led the media outreach efforts for the launch of the company’s international M life loyalty program.
After having had my fun in Las Vegas, I decided to move back east, eventually landing in the Washington DC metro area. To bridge the transition, I immediately joined Long Fence and Home, the regions top home improvement company. Working part time as I settled in to my new environment, I was responsible for the SEO and SEM of the company as well as media outreach and website development.
Once settled in to Silver Spring, MD, I started work with The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation as the organization’s communications manager. In this role, I was responsible for all media outreach, development of a weekly newsletter, the creation of marketing materials, the development of talking points and a host of other tasks.
With 4-H, the largest youth development organization in the United States. I wore two hats with 4-H: one as PR Manager and the other as Partnership Marketing Manager. Some of the more memorable successes were securing the opportunity for 4-H to be featured on NBC’s The Biggest Loser, developing marketing-focused events to highlight youth achievements in science and healthy living, and working with the White House to send a group of 4-H’ers to meet President Obama in the Oval Office.
So that’s my life. If you have any questions or want to know the juicy stuff I left out, feel free to email me at cooney.jim@gmail.com.
jim cooney 