Fern A. Oram

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thinkspink@outlook.com


BACKGROUND SUMMARY

Marketing, Content, and Communications leader with extensive experience and expertise in strategic planning and surpassing organizational goals by leveraging content, marketing, product development, and communications initiatives.
•    Leadership roles in providing strategic direction to drive growth, target audiences, focus outcomes, and bolster the bottom line
•    Successful track record in aggressive deadline-driven environments, aided by a penchant for humor and grace under pressure
•    Stellar presentation and facilitation skills and a ferocious attention to detail
•    Poised and diplomatic with associates, clients, customers, partners, and vendors at all levels and capacities


PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT/STRATEGIC & MARKETING INITIATIVES
Defining content strategies and delivering the right content (book, newsletter, online course, SEO articles, etc.) to the right audience (student, parent, undergraduate, etc.) according to the right delivery schedule (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.)
  • Conceptualize and create new print and online products, combining market research, analysis of profitability, outlining and acquiring of specific content, and scoping of format and design to meet business objectives
    • Smart Choices: Honors Programs and Colleges (collaboration with National Collegiate Honors Council)
    • Vocab Rock! (collaboration with Defined Mind)
    • Unzipped guides (five book new series launch)
    • Virtual Career Library (online tool for military personnel transitioning to civilian workforce—part of Department of Defense contract deliverable)
    • SEO college descriptions (part of Recruitment Services contract deliverable)
  • In-depth understanding of marketplace, with full knowledge of competition, leaders in field, trends, etc.; brainstorm and provide creative direction and solutions to meet content needs
  • Collaborate on the development and execution of marketing plans and sales efforts, including marketing copy and collateral; creation of company’s visioning statements appearing on all print and web properties

CONTENT ACQUISITION, DEVELOPMENT, DEPLOYMENT & MANAGEMENT
Directing and ensuring creative, accurate, cost-effective content is acquired, written, edited and optimized in formats that fulfill defined strategies
  • Develop publishing plans and manage tactical execution; year over year bringing frontlist of more than 100 titles to market on schedule and under budget
  • Identify and recruit content sources; network and foster relationships with freelance writers, subject matter experts and third party vendors; negotiate and execute contracts
  • Establish and implement publishing policies and editorial guidelines and product lines’ format, structure and voice, working with internal teams and external sources to guarantee quality; QA review of all content, either one-on-one or as department, significantly reducing errors and negative customer feedback
  • Fulfill SEO requirements and tactics as part of content acquisition and/or creation, increasing client contract renewal rates as leads were delivered 50% faster

P&L STATEMENT & BUDGET MANAGEMENT/FINANCIAL ACUMEN
Searching out innovative, low cost means for obtaining content to support business initiatives by strengthening market position, volume and profitability
  • Forecast cost estimates for content acquisition and continually manage to plan; realigning and renegotiating author contracts to double product profitability
  • Oversee departmental budgets; reducing staffing costs by more than 25% while maintaining delivery timetables and quality
  • Employ and communicate profit and loss metrics for both new and existing products to inform go/no-go decisions

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT & TEAM BUILDING
Managing and mentoring a multi-functional team in acquiring, developing and deploying high quality content
  • Establish team strategy and build team work plans and metrics for success; foster a collaborative environment where team members, key clients and stakeholders are able to continually move forward in products’ development
  • Hire, develop, coach, conduct performance appraisals and set goals to empower team members, boost self-esteem and self-directed learning and facilitate free-flowing communication
  • Educate team members in industry best practices, procedures, protocol and current trends through attendance at trade shows, seminars, courses and/or on-the-job training

CAREER EXPERIENCE

Marketing/Communications Consultant, 2019-2020
The More Than Giving Co., Boston, MA
Providing strategic planning and direction, professional expertise in nonprofit best practices, and innovative solutions to the challenges facing nonprofits today
•    Develop and manage marketing, content, and communications strategies and implementation for organizational and client initiatives, including webinar series development, deployment, and hosting for largest client, Kids’ Chance of America

Marketing Consultant, 2018-2020
Society for Young Inklings, San Jose, CA
Nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth writers, ages 8-18
•    Marketing strategy assessment and development with focus on press releases, sponsorship campaign, partnership and speaking opportunities, and website review

Chair, Marketing Task Force, 2015-2019
Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, Princeton, NJ
Creating a zero-tolerance industry by providing and disseminating information and resources for suicide prevention and mental health promotion in construction
•    Partnered with internal and external stakeholders to originate and execute on inbound marketing, Alliance collateral, press releases, website deployment, print ad campaigns, Suicide Prevention month and #BeThe1To campaigns, trade show representation, and newsletters

Director, Content Marketing & Communications, 2014-2019
Associate Director, Product Management, 2011-2014

Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA), Princeton, NJ
The only organization for construction financial professionals and partners serving their unique needs
•    Spearheaded development and implementation of the content, marketing, communications, trade show, and volunteer management strategies
•    Managed the development and production of flagship educational products: CFMA’s Construction Industry Annual Financial Survey and online Construction Financial Benchmarker, biennial CFMA Information Technology Survey for the Construction Industry and online IT Benchmarker, and Financial Management and Accounting for the Construction Industry

Editorial/Online Content Director, 2002-2009
Peterson’s, Lawrenceville, NJ
Leading education content provider, both online and in print
•    Liaised with Business Line Owners, Product Development, Sales, Marketing, external vendors, and freelancers to evolve inventory of new and existing online content and electronic products; developed editorial calendar for both in-house review and subject matter expert review; shaped and executed annual publishing plans for 100+ frontlist and 300+ backlist titles, including companion electronic media, ensuring editorial integrity, timely release and profitability; conceptualized and developed new web, electronic, and print products


SPECIALIZED TRAINING & EDUCATION

Nelnet Leadership Forum                      
Influence Course Facilitator
Performance Management Improvement Course Facilitator
Employee Retention Course Facilitator
New Leaders Program Facilitator 
Pathway to Prime Participant

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA


COMMUNITY SERVICE AFFILIATIONS


  • Kappa Delta Sorority
    Chair, Chapter Advisory Board, Eta Theta, Villanova University
    President, Alumni Association, Philadelphia Suburban West Alumni Association
     
  • Mighty Writers
    Tutor  
  • Association Media & Publishing
    Volunteer, Annual Meeting Committee

AWARDS & RECOGNITION
  • Trending 40 Association and Non-Profit Innovators 2016
  • The President’s Volunteer Service Award 2012
  • Villanova Greek Advisor of the Year 2008-2009


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