Diana Hilson

I have lent my expertise to various brands and companies as a consultant for various companies including: Channel One News, Black Enterprise, Culture Shift Labs, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and others. Functions for my clients have included:

• Creating custom integrated programs across digital platforms, broadcast, print, and events.
• Developing messaging and communications plans, new sales materials, sales and marketing plans, and assist with new business opportunities.
• Direct strategy and execution for initiatives across social media, CRM, and online (SEO/ SEM).
• Writing and deploying marketing assets via direct marketing (MailChimp, YMLP) and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Hootsuite).
• Digital and social media management, event management, creation of white papers, sponsorship sales, product training, client service. 

I directed the overall strategy and integration of multicultural marketing for the US Navy as a part of a multi-agency partnership. I crafted and presented the FY19 Multicultural POV and Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy and I worked with the other agency partners to integrate this strategy into their FY19 plans. I drafted the FY19 Scope of Work (SOW) for my agency in alignment with the FY19 GTM strategy. I was also able to build strong and productive relationships within the agency partnership and Navy client to facilitate a successful working environment.

I was responsible for developing the overall marketing strategy for the multi-office physical therapy practices by studying economic indicators and impact on health care. I also tracked changes in the health insurance industry, identifying and developing potential patient referral streams and partnerships, and monitoring the competition. I created and increased their online presence via development of their websites, social media profiles and community engagement. I oversaw the creation of all marketing collateral from development through to production.

BobCar Media is an experiential, sales, media and marketing company that utilizes their patented eco-friendly interactive mobile demonstration showrooms to engage with consumers in an interactive environment. In addition to client relations and business development, my responsibilities included the development and overall management of the T-Mobile Mobile Showroom campaign in nine markets across the country. My program was the winner of the Silver 2015 EX Award for Best Mobile Marketing Program.

I conceptualized custom integrated marketing programs across Forbes' digital, mobile, tablet, and print platforms for technology, business, finance, luxury, auto, and pharmaceutical categories. I worked closely with the editorial and new product teams to bring to life existing editorial and helped to create new, contextually relevant editorial programs for advertising partners. Leveraging proprietary franchises and incorporating syndicated and primary research I was able to strategically position Forbes properties against our client's desired target.

I conceptualized and developed strategic integrated marketing programs and partnerships with Fortune 500 companies to increase revenue, profits, and brand awareness for both Black Enterprise and it's partners. I worked collaboratively with the sales and creative departments to generate marketing and sales tools as well as synergistic programs across multiple platforms at Black Enterprise: digital, mobile, print, broadcast and events.

Highlight:

• Directed sales and secured sponsorship for two $75K events catering to over 1K patrons to introduce the new franchise, BE Next.

Conceptualized and developed strategic integrated marketing programs with Fortune 500 companies to increase brand awareness, revenue, and profits. Directed the Marketing staff and worked collaboratively with the creative and sales departments to generate marketing and sales tools as well as synergistic in-book advertorials, targeted client branded direct-to-consumer mailers and annual media kits. Oversaw and assisted with development and execution of experiential branded events which included talent negotiation and logistics, venue acquisition, event production, hiring of staff, budget management and integration of sponsor benefits. Directly supervised the ad proposal development process of the Marketing Associate, Event Manager, and the Designer.

Highlights:

• August 2009 VIBE issue - developed, presented, and sold advertising assets and sweepstakes promotion to Ford Motor Company. Art directed and copy wrote the ad; managed all aspects of sweepstakes and secured all prizing items
• Established partnership with ADCOLOR organization and co-sponsored awards season kick-off celebration; established both the Publisher and EIC/VP as hosts for event and gained exposure for VMG with the tastemakers within the marketing and advertising communities.
• Managed all sponsoring advertising expectations for participation in proprietary VSessions LIVE! events in New York, Atlanta and Chicago.
• Created VIBE Media Group overall capabilities presentation.
• Negotiated and directed media sponsorship of several 2009 Inaugural events with partners Hip Hop Summit Action Network and Hip Hop Caucus.
• Annual Yardfest proprietary concert tour - directed all aspects of South Pole brand integration in VIBE college concert tour.

Crafted strategic and creative national programming for on and off-premise experiential marketing initiatives for Diageo. Partnered with various clients (Brand Teams, Trade Marketing) to bring lifestyle programs to fruition. Directed vendors and partners to ensure proper coordination of all program components and logistics (POS, venues, caterers, staffing, etc.).

Highlights:

• Project lead on multi-agency ten city national event tour - Tanqueray Style Sessions.
• Project/event manager - Dress for Success Gala (a not-for-profit organization promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women), Something to Share (raised over $6m).
• Developed and managed successful national on-premise experiential program - Smirnoff In the Mix.

Freelance Marketing Associate supporting various business groups and clients. Activities included creating custom integrated programs across digital platforms, broadcast, print, and events; developing messaging and communications plans, new sales materials, sales and marketing plans, and assisting with new business opportunities.

Developed, managed and taught remedial education program focused on reading, writing, and math at universities across the country. Directed all marketing and assisted in sales efforts for the Academic Success program. Interviewed, hired and trained all teachers associated with the Academic Success program.

Taught standardized test preparation courses (SAT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT). Developed, managed and taught remedial education program focused on reading, writing, and math at Wilberforce University.

Developed and implemented customer and market specific consumer-marketing promotions in the consumer packaged goods segment for Unilever Best Foods in the Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Utah and Idaho markets. Created shopper marketing programs at point of purchase (Carolina Coupons, etc.), in-store partnerships with retailers. Managed relationships with the national, regional and local management teams of major grocery retailers including Safeway, Albertsons, and Kroger. Created and executed a proprietary brand program, Ragu Classic, an annual national high school basketball tournament in Salt Lake City; directed client sponsorships of major regional events: Bite of Seattle, Los Angeles Black Business Expo and Safeway Golf Classic.

Developed and implemented customer and market specific consumer-marketing promotions for multiple clients including RCA, Quest Communications, Canon and Xerox. Defined the standards and executed on-going development programs for the field staff and was responsible for the availability of qualified personnel for each project.

Developed and implemented customer and market specific consumer-marketing promotions for Duracell, Starkist and Millstone Coffee. Coordinated internal trafficking and maintained monthly billing and processing.