Dana Fenech

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Hi, I'm Dana Fenech, Director of Communications and Marketing

Dana Fenech's Bio:

Dana Fenech's Experience:

• Director, Communications and Marketing (Interim) at University of Calgary

  June 2024 - Present | Schulich School of Engineering

  In this leadership role, the Director of Communications and Marketing works with the Dean and the Office of Advancement to build the national and international reputation of the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering. Leading a team, the Director develops, implements and measures marketing and communications strategies for Schulich, focused on strengthening and aligning all aspects of communications, marketing and reputation management within the strategic direction of the school and the university. Duties include: -Develops, implements and measures high-quality and timely marketing and communication strategies. -Proactively seeks out opportunities and achieves success in reputation management, brand strategies, marketing, media relations, social media, campaigns, publications, events and internal communications designed to create a positive image for Schulich and the University of Calgary. -Provides long- and short-term communications advice to senior leaders and faculty members within the school and across campus on Engineering-related initiatives and issues -Ensures the implementation of strong and consistent brand and positioning protocols for the marketing efforts of the school. -Ensures alignment of marketing and communications efforts across the Schulich School of Engineering to ensure resources are focused on Engineering priorities. -Develop productive relationships with the leadership team, academics, students and staff -Manages contracts and relationships with external contractors, freelancers and design providers -Works professionally and collaboratively with other university communicators and marketing professionals, as well as members of the Office of Advancement and external funding agencies -Leads strategic marketing and communication plans in support of the university's entrepreneurial brand, its strategic direction, Academic Plan, Research Plan and other initiatives.

• Senior marketing and Communications Manager at University of Calgary

  April 2022 - May 2024 | Calgary, AB

  In this leadership role, the Senior marketing and Communications manager primary objective is to manage communication strategies, projects, initiatives & publications for The School of Public Policy (The School) Duties include: Identify the strategic communication goals & objectives, priorities, target audiences & key messaging in support of The School's business & strategic plans as well as the strategic plan of the University of Calgary. Provide leadership in the development & implementation of all internal & external communications plans including: Media relations, community relations events, print & online communications as well as brand management. Manage & lead the complex publication process for up to 60 papers per year. This includes managing authors, editors & graphic designers. Creating individualized stakeholder distribution lists, formal editing, distribution & marketing as well as budget management. Manage projects from conception to completion and provide expertise advice across functional areas within The School. Produce or oversee the production of a variety of other communications pieces, including donor support materials, press releases, media advisories, newsletters, publication notices, annual reports, research summaries & other marketing materials. Develop, execute & monitor online communication initiatives including social media & opportunities through The School of Public Policy website. Primary liaison with external consultants, & staff within University Relations, Development Office & other units in the University. Manage relationships & projects with external parties such as media, graphic designers, editors & web developers. Proofread & edit all communications for The School. Manage & create website strategy & development for new site launch (policyschool.ca) including RFQ process, layout/design, content, beta testing, coordination of feedback/changes between web designers, faculty & staff in preparation for launch, spring 2016.

• Marketing Communications Specialist at Melder & Melder, P.C.

  2009 - 2013

  Development, Implementation and management of marketing and communications initiatives across various communication channels including email, web, social media and print. Selected Duties: Managed, maintained and provided updates to company website. Managed and maintained social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Developed and managed all marketing and communication tools including media advertisements, website, brochures, newsletters, various marketing collateral including event and program materials. Maintenance and distribution of company e-newsletter. Managed seminars, events and customer communications. Executed and analyzed results of advertising and marketing initiatives (Google Analytics, AdWords, CPC, ROI). Built and cultivated relationships across various professional and networking channels. Handled and resolved day-to-day questions, challenges and issues with third party vendors, printers. Managed Media relations. Developed partner marketing programs.

• Strategic Account Manager at Entertainment Promotions

  2004 - 2009

  Served as liaison between clients, agencies, sales staff, marketing and internal/external operations to manage all facets of the creative, production, implementation and financial management of over 27 strategic accounts such as Dick'€™s Sporting Goods, Fred Meyer, Ralph'€™s, AT&T, Cookies by Design, Papa Murphy€™s & Sherwin Williams. Provided superior ongoing service to accounts and monitored opportunities for account growth. Directed and supervised activity with clients, sales force, marketing and operations to successfully manage all facets of client€™s programs including: Followed effective workflow procedures, which connected with operations and marketing departments to produce client programs including approval and sign off of all advertising. Provided timelines for estimation of resources needed and monitored work by internal and external operations to meet completion dates in accordance with schedules and best practices established by management, sales, clients and printers. Oversaw the communication of all client information on new and existing account activity with sales staff, marketing and internal departments. Contract negotiation and sign-off. Handled and resolved day-to-day questions, challenges, issues and conflicts with customers, sales and operations staff, outside vendors and agencies. Partnered with sales and management on account development strategies aimed at increasing revenue opportunities through further account penetration and up selling. Built and maintained open, communicative, and team-oriented relationships with all other departments/subsidiaries of the corporation in the execution of account requests. Participated in the development & launch of new products as identified by product managers, sales force senior management and other EPI divisions. Identified process improvements, best practices and participated in cross-functional teams and initiatives.

• Account Coordinator at Entertainment Promotions

  2002 - 2004

  Managed largest U.S. market for the Entertainment book, including quality control of content, maintenance of sales staff & merchant information, developing and maintaining merchant relationships. Maintained all aspects of book production including all Logos/Photos/Menus for all merchant contracts, created all layouts, proofread all content for coupons, made necessary corrections and followed workflow procedures that ensured the timely and complete release of the Entertainment book. Maintained CRM database and auditing of data, including working closely with sales force to ensure accuracy and quality assurance. Provided technical support for end users navigating website. Handled and processed Account Executive, customer and merchant issues and concerns in effective & timely manner. Reduced issues in Chicago market by 100%. Managed all legal evaluation, approval, activation, and compensation of all sales contracts within department. Managed all workflow and reporting for department in absence of supervisor for 6 months. Trained new sales executives in signing guidelines and compliance of policies increasing sales activity. Trained new employees in responsibilities as coordinators. Developed and maintained Merchant relationships for entire Chicago/Illinois region. Assisted with streamlining company productivity.

• Project Coordinator at Entertainment Promotions

  2001 - 2002

  Coordinated the production of custom marketing projects, products and programs from its initiation through the prototype stage and complete release of product. Oversaw the execution of production through maintaining data in resource databases; trafficked job requests to operations teams; proofread all content for releases to ensure accuracy of project/product; communicated vital project information to various Operations teams; followed workflow procedures that ensured the timely and complete release of a project. Maintained accurate information on a project throughout the production process and gave status updates to the Project Supervisor. Ensured that quality standards and product specifications were met as determined by the organization and client. Worked with program publishing manager on the enhancement or modification to procedures to ensure a high level of service to customers, and a high level of efficiency to organization. Revised hotel directory content that resulted in an elimination of grammatical/style changes for premier clients, which increased productivity, decreased production time resulting in early release of products. Created, tested & implemented training & communication initiatives for release of new operations system.

• Marketing Coordinator at Razor Performance Products

  1997 - 2001

  Directed implementation and creation of new marketing programs. Managed national US marketing campaign for racing events spanning over 100 race tracks. Developed yearly marketing plan and advertising budget. Managed events and customer communications. Developed and managed all marketing and communication tools including media advertisements (TV, radio, print), decals, brochures, event and product materials. List and inventory management. Media Kits. Wrote, managed and distributed press releases, monthly company & product newsletter. Created promotional video for company resulting in a cost savings of $12,000. Obtained a full page feature for Razor Performance Products in Circle Track magazine increasing exposure resulting in increased revenue. Increased overall revenue by two million dollars in the first two years.

• Web Officer at St. Mary's University

  July 2014 | Calgary, AB

  Responsible for all web properties of university site as well as marketing/communications initiatives. Duties include: Website strategy & development for new site (stmu.ca) including layout/design, content, beta testing, coordination of feedback/changes between faculty & staff in preparation for launch in Nov. 2014. Content management including updates to the current website & preparation for the new site Manage web projects across multiple departments/faculties Manage branding & marketing guidelines to ensure websites are in alignment with standards Manage website development team ensuring timelines & project deliverables are achieved Develop images for the websites using graphic design programs (Adobe Creative Suite) Develop social media strategy for Facebook contests SEO strategy & placement Content Marketing Develop in conjunction with other communications team members, a communications strategy for web launch Working with a cross-departmental team, maintain and develop the master content calendar for all web properties Execution of marketing & communications initiatives for Faculty of Education including, design & production of various marketing & communications collateral, promotional materials etc. Proofread & edit all web content Internal communications Train/instruct faculty & staff on new website functionality Develop website process improvement techniques Liaise with faculty & staff on content strategy, creation, quality, & management Change management Issues management: Preparing for and responding to issues Ensure that the website meets the needs of all of the university including staff, faculty, departments, campaigns, supporters and students Maximise accessibility of the website to a diversity of users, with input from various staff, faculty Liaise with the IT department on technical matters in formulating strategic developments of the website and integrating it with other organisation IT systems

• Director of Communications and Marketing (Interim) at University of Calgary

  | Schulich School of Engineering

Dana Fenech's Education:

• Cornell University

  2020 – 2020
  Certificate Corporate Communication
  Concentration: Crisis communication planning, communication planning for change, Leading strategic change initiatives, problem solving using evidence and critical thinking

• Central Michigan University

  2010 – 2011
  Marketing Design Professional Certificate
  Concentration: Marketing Design
  Activities: Branding and Identity, advertising design, logo design, marketing, marketing design concepts, design software including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, web design including Dreamweaver.

• Canadian Tourism College

  1996 – 1997
  Tourism
  Concentration: Tourism & Marketing
  Activities: Marketing, Travel Sales, Tour Planning, Accounting, World Destinations, Destination Awareness. Received Superhost Japan, Superhost Across Cultures, Aussie Specialist & American Airlines Sabre certificates.

• University of Windsor

  1991 – 1995
  Bachelor of Arts (BA) Communications
  Concentration: Communications, Advertising, Marketing, Television/Video Production.
  Activities: Teachers Assistant- Instructed 3rd and 4th year intermediate and advanced television production courses.

Dana Fenech's Interests & Activities: