I am a woman of many identities. Some might say too many.
Writer
I have been a professional writer since I cracked a front page news story in my local paper as a teen reporter in Syracuse, NY, garnering national attention. Since then, my news pieces, arts coverage, and commentary have been published on a variety of blogs and regional publications including The Syracuse Herald-Journal and Herald-American, The Colgate Maroon-News, The Sun Runner, 11211 Magazine and Extra Criticum. I am an avid six word memoirist (and multiple SMITH Magazine contest-winner) and maintain this personal blog, Avoiding Regret, which chronicles my attempts at overcoming a sheltered childhood. I recently workshopped a travel memoir with NYC’s Naked Angels theater company and write and copyedit marketing communications on a variety of subjects from classical music to non-profit arts to health/wellness and film.
Writing samples are available here.
Marketer
I began my 14-year marketing career at Atlantic Records, where I launched campaigns for musical artists in jazz, classical, world, and other eclectic genres, and distributed labels such as The Children’s Group. I joined Razor & Tie Entertainment in 2002 as Product Manager, responsible for many of the company's non-traditional properties such as a cheerleading instructional DVD for tweens and a #1 gospel workout, and for such best-selling children’s properties as Laurie Berkner and KIDZ BOP. As head of marketing for KIDZ BOP, the #1 music brand for kids in the U.S., I launched such brand extensions as the award-winning "Be a KIDZ BOP Star National Talent Search," the KIDZ BOP LIVE concert tour, and KIDZBOP.com.
An award-winning marketer and industry thought leader (and past panelist at Kid Power and Winter Music conferences), I have also provided consulting services for brands and campaigns in the entertainment industry and beyond. I have worked in every genre of music from dance, hip hop, gospel, jazz, classical, Christian, holiday, and children’s, and have established myself as a marketing generalist who can take on any project that comes along.
Earlier this year, I relocated to LA for a (what turned out to be) short-term assignment building the marketing department at a tech start-up / dot-com, a stint which got me to California but only lasted three months. Who knew the digital world would be even more unstable than the music industry?
I currently serve as General Manager for Tuff Gong Worldwide, which manages Ziggy Marley and his record label operations, music publishing, touring, merchandising, endorsements and sponsorships as well as film/TV efforts.
Specialties include: DRTV, marketing (integrated, digital, consumer, direct), branding, business development, strategic partnerships and sponsorships, departmental organization, training, social media, communications, writing and presentations.
Career highlights are available here.
Actress/Host/Spokesperson
I've always been good at speaking in front of people, from the time that my parents used to have me and my sister sing songs at Christmas at our grandparents' house, to getting up in church and reciting the readings from memory in Catholic school. My first starring role was as one of the eight maids a-milking in my kindergarten production of The Twelve Days of Christmas. I subsequently performed lead roles in high school productions of Scrooge, The Odd Couple, Crimes of the Heart and Arsenic and Old Lace, supporting roles in community theater productions of Brighton Beach Memoirs and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, and a lead role in the Colgate University production of Edward Albee's The American Dream. Since moving to NYC, I've done the requisite extra work (appearing as a blurry dot in the Will Smith rom-com Hitch), often ending up on the cutting room floor. My big breaks have come in the form of a game show, two PSAs for MTV, and most recently as the music expert on call at QVC. I've been a regular reader at Naked Angels' Tuesdays @ 9 cold reading series for six years, first in NYC and now in LA.
Media clips are available here.
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I've never really wanted to pick just one career. I don't see why I can't do it all - take every opportunity that comes my way - and then tell the world about it.
If not me, who else?
Making up for lost time and missed opportunities, one adventure at a time.
