Sofia Whitcombe: Senior Public Relations Manager in Asheville, NC

? Successfully oversee PR projects from ideation to completion in high-pressure and fast-paced environments. ? Manage all endemic/non-endemic communications for product, athletes, and corporate messaging for brands. ? Lead all PR, communication, and brand development strategies and tactics to support key business objectives. ? Research, write, edit, and public relations management skills to deliver successful projects. ? Liaise with internal and global stakeholders and leaders to develop and execute strategic communications programs. ? Use knowledge of cycling industry and relevant health, fitness, and marketing trends to maintain brand status. ? Coordinate/ manage launch event executions, on-site media appointments, and key tradeshows appearances. ? Ensure clear brand messaging is communicated to media (print, broadcast, and online) throughout the agency. ? Oversee global media tracking of select brands and compiling up-to-date press tracking reports. ? Showcase brand lifestyle and products by managing national media tours and desk side appointments. ? Develop need-based PR plans based and product distribution in coordination with global Directors of Marketing. ? Brands and products represented include: Cannondale, GT, Kid Trax, Schwinn, and Mongoose; previously SUGOI, and Sombrio.

? Managed non-endemic communications through PR agency for product, athletes and corporate messaging. ? Grew brand awareness with meaningful pitches and story ideas surrounding product, athletes and experiences. ? Oversaw global media tracking for all brands and created press tracking reports for senior leadership. ? Coordinated, secured, and managed key events, on-site media appointments, and major tradeshows appearances. ? Showcased products and educated reporters with media tours and desk-side appointments with NYC-based media. ? Developed PR plans based on individual needs in coordination with Director of Communications and Marketing. ? Built relationships with existing clients while continually networking to secure new business and projects. ? Ensured brand marketing needs were identified and met by brainstorm with stakeholders during planning sessions. ? Researched industry, health, fitness, and marketing trends and applied research to Cycling Sports Group brands. ? Brands supported includes: Cannondale, GT, Schwinn, Mongoose, SUGOI, Sombrio, GURU, Charge, and Fabric.

Missy Farren PR (Mfa Ltd.), New York, NY - Account Executive 2010-2013 ? Oversaw PR for high-value consumer lifestyle, health, fitness and action sports brands, and luxury travel brands. ? Increased consumer engagement by developing and managing successful client social media campaigns. ? Maximized brand growth and market visibility by brainstorming to create and execute custom client PR plans. ? Performed a wide range of duties to execute daily health, fitness and lifestyle media relations. ? Researched trends in the health/ fitness industries to identify and pursue opportunities to raise client awareness. ? Wrote custom press releases/targeted pitches and compile monthly editorial and press-tracking reports. ? Managed sample allocation and media seeding clients’ objectives and value of editorial placement. ? Health/fitness brands included Schwinn, Mongoose, SUGOI Performance Apparel, 2XU and ROXY Outdoor Fitness; luxury travel brands included Colonial Williamsburg, The Little Nell, as well as the Limelight Hotel. ? Coordinated media communication and outreach for large scale events and media tours, including DVF loves ROXY collection launch, media meetings with surfers Kelia Moniz, Monica Byrne-Wickey and Lee Ann Curren, 2XU Compression launch in the US, Dorel Sports consumer media events. ? Successfully secured feature stories and product placement in: The Rachael Ray Show, ESPN, The Magazine, Sporting Goods Business, Baltimore Magazine, Seventeen, Time Out New York, Fitbie.com, Travel+Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, AirTran’s Go, Women’s Wear Daily, Running Insight, Competitor Magazine, Women’s Running, Cosmopolitan, Fox & Friends, National Geographic Traveler, Outside Buyer’s Guide Summer and Winter 2012, Popular Mechanics, W.I.R.E.D.