Resume

ROBERT J. ROSS, JR.
713-201-2976 | rrossjr74@gmail.com | www.linkedin.com/in/robertjross2

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Committed and resourceful public relations professional with strong experience directing PR campaigns.  Proven ability to implement strategies and measure results across media channels.

  • Press Releases/ Press Kits
  • Media Relations
  • Relationship Management
  • Web Content/Social Media
  • Community Relations
  • Campaign Development
  • Budget Management
  • Performance Metrics
  • Proposal Writing
  • Adobe Cloud
  • Brand Awareness
  • Business Development
  • Research/Analysis
  • Project Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Medical Terminology
  • Physician Relations

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Robert Ross Consulting – Houston Texas
October 2016 – Present

Independent Contractor
Client: The Ensemble Theatre
Responsible for developing, executing, and analyzing  marketing and public relations initiatives to boost sales and revenue, and brand awareness including: press releases; media relations; social media; copywriting; and media buys.

Houston Health Department – Houston, TX
October 2016 – September 2018

Media Marketing Representative
Served in cross-functional role in the execution of marketing strategies for a multi-million-dollar Center for Disease Control (CDC) funded demonstration project including: leading marketing research, writing narratives for annual performance review reports, campaign development, and creative design.

  • Generated more than 1.4M impressions by developing the creative design and negotiating the advertising package for a Bathroom Poster Campaign promoting HIV treatment and prevention.
  • Exceeded goal of survey submissions to assist in the evaluation of community awareness of a new HIV prevention strategy by designing an ad and negotiating placement on a dating site.
  • Led team of 6 in marketing research endeavors to inform the development of a city wide HIV prevention and treatment campaign that included the recruitment of focus group participants, serving as moderator, analyzing the data, and drafting the report for executive leadership.
  • Negotiated contract with marketing firm to assist in large scale marketing projects by writing the scope of work for the request for proposal.
  • Negotiated partnership with national HIV resource organization to launch a Houston branded HIV treatment and prevention campaign that included customized web pages, brochures and palm cards, and promotional items.
  • Established partnership with an international campaign to increased awareness of the importance of HIV treatment by designing a t-shirt and collateral materials presented at the United States Conference on AIDS 2018.
  • Improved reporting efficiency by establishing controls for tracking distribution of marketing and educational materials to reach targeted consumers.

The Ensemble Theatre – Houston, TX
June 2006 – September 2016

Public Relations Manager
July 2008 – September 2016
Responsible for the development and execution of public relations and communication activities including: press releases; media kits; media relations; patron relations; social media; and writing promotional copy for print, web, radio, and television.

  • Consistently met organization strategic goal to receive earned media coverage at or above $75K of advertising equivalence by drafting and distributing media alerts and press releases, pitching stories to the media, and conducting ongoing media relations.
  • Increased revenue by more than $100K over a 3-year period by leading the initiative to develop a young professionals program to cultivate new patrons between the ages of 25-45 and develop a pool of candidates for board succession.
  • Increased organization brand awareness by establishing a web presence on multiple social media platforms
  • Used google analytics to monitor the performance of web page content.
  • Improved ability to make informed decisions by developing, distributing, and analyzing patron survey tool.
  • Organized a press conference to launch the theatre’s 40th Anniversary season that resulted in local and national media coverage.
  • Awarded a grant for new building signage by drafting a presentation to accompany the development director’s grant proposal.
  • Increased community presence and good will by establishing a partnership with Habitat for Humanity following Hurricane Katrina that resulted in an unanticipated personal donation from a City Council Member and citywide news coverage.
  • Fostered favorable local, state, and national partnerships that resulted in strengthening the theatre’s community presence: the Houston METRO Transit Authority; Habitat for Humanity; SEARCH Homeless Services; Texas Black Expo; Theatre Communications Group, a New York based national theatre resource group; and Project1Voice, a New York based national theatre advocacy organization.  

Audience Development Manager
June 2006 – July 2008
Responsible for meeting revenue goals by developing and managing programs to increase attendance, cultivate new audiences, and enhance program participation among under-served audiences. Managed six front line employees in patron services and box office operations.

  • Increased revenue 300% and theatre patron base 53% by managing annual subscription drive campaign, securing speaking opportunities at community events, and managing volunteer subscription drive recruiters
  • Saved $30K and increased sales 15% in one year by leading the research, acquisition, and implementation the Salesforce based CRM system, PatronManager, instrumental in the theatre’s transition to a fully integrated e-commerce donations and ticket sales system.
  • Increased attendance from 55% to 85% in a three year period as a result of pitching marketing campaign ideas to the program committee that were selected and implemented.
  • Established a 90% retention rate by developing a loyalty program for returning patrons
  • Increased the theatre’s customer service rating from 3.8% to 4.8% on a 5.0 scale by training and working with staff to identify opportunities to add value to the customer experience.

Memorial Herman Southwest – Houston, TX
November 1999 – August 2002
Surgical Technician
Specialized in the orthopedic and neuro-surgical disciplines, and rotated through other surgical areas as needed. Transported and prepared patients for surgery, sterilized and set up surgical equipment, and passed surgical instruments during procedures; Assisted as a preceptor for surgical technology students and medical residents during their clinical rotations; and Worked with vendors to coordinate use of medical supplies and implant systems with surgeons.

United States Navy
August 1993 – November 1999

Petty Officer Third Class – Hospital Corpsman
Served as a Hospital Corpsman with a Surgical Technician specialty and Nationally Registered (EMT) Basic; Rotated through operating room surgical disciplines including Vascular, Cardio-thoracic, General Surgery, Neurology, and Orthopedics ensuring proper room set up and equipment for surgical procedures using aseptic technique; Passed instruments, as well as, first assisted and closed on certain procedures; and coordinated with medical supply representatives for implant hardware and devices. Other responsibilities included sterilization and assembly of surgical equipment and ordering supplies; transporting and preparing patients for surgery; performed phlebotomy; and applied bandages, casts, and mobilization devices according to the doctor’s instruction.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

The T.R.U.T.H. Project –Houston, TX 
May 2014 – Current

Board Chair
Responsible for presiding over board meetings; leading the board and executive committee in the development of policies and governance structure, and carrying out its governance functions; ensuring legal compliance; assuring ongoing recruitment, development, and contributions of Board members; Working with the Founder in cultivating and soliciting major grants and individual gifts.

  • Collaborated with Founder to develop articles of incorporation and bylaws
  • Lead development of Financial Controls with board treasurer
  • Lead development of governance manual in collaboration with board officers

EDUCATION
Texas Southern University (Graduated May 2006)
Bachelor of Arts

Major: Journalism
(Public Relations/Advertising Focus)   
Minor: Telecommunication  

Texas Southern University
(Graduated December 2013)
Master of Business Administration: General Management

CERTIFICATION
The Bulsard Group, LLC (May 2016)Lean Six Sigma – Greenbelt