My Resume

717.659.8897    |    bconnpsu@gmail.com    |    Philadelphia, PA    |    www.linkedin.com/in/bconnpsu/ 

INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIST

I’m a passionate collaborator known for my EQ and inspiring leadership style. I have nearly 15 years of consumer PR, social media, and marketing experience with deep expertise in travel & hospitality and consumer lifestyle. My instinct to be curious and pay attention to the world around me fosters the creative, integrated thinking that I bring to projects big and small. I love developing strategic comms plans for brands that deliver both awareness through traditional and social media impressions and impressive business results. I have a reputation for inspiring my teams to think differently, instilling confidence in my clients and always bringing new ideas to the table. 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Developed the strategy that got Ollantaytambo in Peru’s Sacred Valley recognized  as one of TIME’s World’s Greatest Places

  • Launched Seabourn’s first purpose-built, ultra-luxury expedition cruise ship to media - and the world

  • Led the fastest-growing sparkling water brand’s most winningest PR and social campaigns to date

  • Worked in and traveled to nearly 30 countries all over the world broadening my creativity and cross-cultural fluency

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

The Rittenhouse, Director of Marketing | 2.2024-current | Philadelphia, PA

As the marketing leader of MICHELIN One Key and Forbes Five Star luxury hotel in the heart of Philadelphia, I oversee the Public Relations, Social Media, Programming, Creative Content, eCommerce, and CRM strategy and execution for the property and its outlets.

  • Develop and execute comprehensive marketing strategies, including creating on-property programming, promotions, and ticketed events in partnership with outlet leaders.

  • Lead internal and external communications efforts, enhancing brand messaging and ensuring consistency across all channels.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create impactful creative materials and enhance the digital web presence by developing new photo and video content for the property.

  • Oversee public relations initiatives in partnership with the PR agency, ensuring the brand secures media placements in top-tier publications; increased coverage and impressions by over 60% year-over-year within the first six months in the role.

  • Manage social media strategies and agencies, increasing revenue by over 40% and driving over 1,000 followers year-over-year

Lippe Taylor, Vice President, Engagement | 9.2022-12.2023 | NYC (remote)

Vice President in the consumer and lifestyle division of the company. Served as lead of integrated PR, social media, influencer, and creative teams across key accounts: Waterloo Sparkling Water, Homesense (TJX), Gold Bond, and Hyland’s Naturals.

  • Spearheaded the development and execution of an annual integrated PR and social media strategy for Waterloo, the fastest-growing sparkling water in its category, resulting in YoY increases earned media coverage and impressions (50%), social media following (15%)  and social media impressions (50%)

  • Instrumental in the strategic development, creative direction and execution of media, influencer and consumer events for my clients including celebrity-led launch campaigns, pop-ups, and intimate media events including:

    • Waterloo’s Q1 2023  flavor launch in partnership with celebrity chef Curtis Stone, which resulted in perfect  media attendance (29 total), over 5.3m media impressions and the addition of Waterloo to Fresh Grocer’s retail line up

    • The launch of Café Cravings by Hyland’s Naturals in Los Angeles with Bravolebrity, Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave, which welcomed nearly 40 media and 300 consumer attendees, resulted in 15 media placements, 500m+ media impressions, nearly 200k IG video views

  • Developed a comprehensive TikTok launch strategy for Hyland’s Naturals that resulted in the creation of over 100 pieces of creator and influencer content in one quarter for the brand’s use on its O&O channels

Hawkins International (FINN Partners), Vice President Integrated Comms | 7.2021-9.2022 NYC (remote)

Reported to the company’s Managing Director as the agency’s first VP of Integrated Communications. Served as day-to-day client contact for integrated accounts and served as the leader and mentor of a team of four social media creatives and strategists.

  • Strategically launched Seabourn’s first ultra-luxury expedition ship including pre-sailing media roundtables with the company’s President and other key executives and the securing of over 15 media and influencer sailings throughout the ship’s inaugural year resulting in billions of impressions and millions of dollars in bookings for the brand

  • Publicized the opening of Peruvian boutique eco-resort Las Qolqas, facilitating four editor visits to the property, securing  more than 50 pieces of media coverage about the property resulting in over 320m earned media impressions and the naming of the properties’ home, Ollantaytambo, in TIME’s World's Greatest Places 2023

  • Developed and executed PR and social media strategies for luxury villa community, The Tryall Club, including ongoing press outreach, media and influencer visits and ongoing content development and community management for the property’s Instagram

SimpleTire, Brand Marketing Manager | 5.2020-7.2021 | Philadelphia

Reported to the CMO to help manage the strategy and execution for the brand marketing, PR, and social media channels for a multi-hundred million dollar eCommerce company.

  • Managed the day-to-day management of proactive and reactive press opportunities, developing PR pitches to elevate business within the media and grow share of voice

  • Developed 360-degree marketing plans for key sales periods like Black Friday/Cyber Monday including creative digital content, social media amplification, PR outreach and CRM

  • Directed  influencer relations, content management and distribution for our social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Pinterest

  • Worked cross-functionally with SEO, promotions, user experience and manufacturer relations to communicate our offerings, news and creative content directly to our customers

Menus & Venues (URBN), Brand Marketing Manager | 5.2017-5.2020 | Philadelphia

Served as leader of tight knit marketing team that oversaw the development and execution of PR, marketing, creative, in-store, events, CRM and social media strategies for three distinct restaurant and wedding venue brands with over 10 locations; terrain cafe + Events, Pizzeria Vetri and Amis Trattoria

  • Worked in tandem with the Terrain Events sales team to launch the newest terrain events venue, Terrain Gardens, to media and consumers resulting in over 50 pre-build bookings and millions in sales

  • Developed Terrain Events’ first standalone website - www.terrainevents.com - in partnership with URBN IT and Development, terrain marketing, and content teams to help better position the venues for wedding and event sales

  • Managed paid digital and print media buying strategy,  social media strategy, and content distribution across Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for all Terrain Events and Terrain Cafe venues

Edelman, Account Supervisor | 8.2016-5.2017 | NYC

Served as Account Supervisor on the Unilever brand working specifically on Dove Deodorant

  • Played an integral part in the development and execution of new product launch strategies, such as the launch of Dove Invisible Dry Spray in collaboration with celebrity stylist, Zerina Akers, garnering billions of earned media impressions for the new sku

DEC PR, Senior Account Manager | 6.2013-4.2016 | SYD, AU

Promoted three times throughout my tenure working alongside my Account Director to lead the consumer PR division for the company supporting top brands such as Palmolive, Club Med, PPG Paints (Taubmans, White Knight), Pinnacle Drinks (various alcohol brands), The Last Drop Distillers, Oakstand Property Developers, Leica Cameras, BRP (Sea-Doo and Evinrude), Tip Top Bakeries

Alison Brod Marketing & Communication, Account Executive | 4.2012-12.2012 | NYC

EFG PR, Account Executive | 4.2011-4.2012 | NYC

Krupp Kommunications, Assistant Account Executive | 5.2009-4.2011 | NYC

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Arts, Pennsylvania State University, University Park | Graduated 2009