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Mike Woolson

mike@jumbobrain.com • www.jumbobrain.com

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I’m a full-spectrum communicator with extensive experience as a project manager, writer, editor, graphic designer, cartoonist and photographer. With expertise in each, I excel at combining them for creative and effective communication in any form.

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Experience:

August 2021 – present

Communications and Marketing Director  

Aurora School, Oakland CA

Develop and execute marketing strategy, social media, and website for K-8 independent school

  • Manage messaging, branding, social media, website, advertising, outreach and more for independent K-8 school.

  • Redesigned website to target key and secondary audiences

  • Redesigned weekly family newsletter to support retention

  • Established biweekly newsletter to prospective families

  • Saw enrollment stabilize after five years of decline

  • Write and design all advertising, school guide listings, and other collateral

  • Partner with community organizations serving our demographic for outreach

  • Document school events for social media, newsletter, and archives

  • Established school yearbook taught as an elective to boost involvement and retention

  • Ran a promotional campaign that increased attendance at a school open house event by 60%

  • Implemented systems to capture email addresses of school event and summer camp attendee families

  • Drafted a competitive analysis to drive key messages and points of differentiation

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Oct 2018 – August 2021

Marketing and Communications Director  

Oakland First Fridays and the KONO Community Benefit District, Oakland CA

Managed messaging, social media, web site, grantwriting, documentation and more for 

community arts festival and nonprofit Community Benefit District

  • Created and maintained websites, newsletters and social media for both agencies

  • In one year, more than doubled Instagram followers to 12,500

  • Wrote and secured city, state, and federal grants in excess of $100K total to fund art and performance activities, a training program for local artists to build their business, and to subsidize First Friday’s return from the Covid suspension

  • Worked with local businesses on promotion and securing COVID funding

  • Held workshops on applying for grant funding for artists and businesses

  • Drove outreach campaign to get community input and presented findings at city meetings on proposed bike lane changes

  • Helped expand and promote kid zone, live performances and interactive art at the event

  • Created all graphic assets, maintained media contacts and managed event and district promotion

  • Drafted and maintained first long-term Strategic Plan for the CBD

  • Created and maintained first comprehensive online business directory for district

  • Recruited and supervised interns and event volunteers

  • Managed media relations and messaging, including during crisis situations

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January 2014 – November 2018

Editorial Director

Bowen & Bowen, Belize City, Belize

Provided off-site communications and design services Belize’s largest corporation, producers of Belikin Beer, Gallon Jug Estates gourmet food products, and Chan Chich wilderness resort

  • Designed and edited Powerpoint presentations and infographics

  • Wrote and edited internal communications, press releases, marketing material, website copy and product packaging text

  • Created Dis da Belize!, a comic strip used for Belikin Beer ads and promotions

 

January 1999 – October 2013

Creative Director                                          

ZOOM Marketing Corporation, Palo Alto CA

  • Designed and created infographics, presentations, cartoons, illustrations, taglines, logos, findings presentations and visual stories in a wide range of styles for clients including Dell, Microsoft, VMware, TiVo and dozens of startups

  • Singlehandedly crafted and implemented innovative brand identity in all permutations including website, presentations and pitches, social media, newsletters, cartoons, printed collateral, signage and client gifts

  • Created Great Moments in Marketing webcomic, which appeared online and in two printed collections to generate buzz and establish thought leadership  

  • Created, wrote and maintained website, newsletter and social media

  • Shot and edited videos and photos for client success stories and company events

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SKILLS:

Writing, editing, marketing, messaging, illustration, graphic and information design, project management, photography, image manipulation, wry observations

 

Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, Final Cut Pro, Hootsuite, Mailchimp, Wix, Squarespace, more

 

EDUCATION:

Master of Science in Journalism & Visual Communication
E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Ohio University
Graduate Associate on full scholarship. 

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Bachelor of Arts
University of Michigan

Major: English Language and Literature

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COMMUNITY:

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
Fully-professed member of 501(c)3 global order of drag nuns engaged in activism, fundraising, philanthropy, and nondenominational ministry.

  • Established and fill Mistress of Communications role to respond to media inquiries and inaccurate coverage

  • As Mistress of Saints, manage program to honor those who uplift our communities

  • Set up and host fundraising events for our org and support others

  • Represent and offer blessings on request at community events, memorials, weddings, and deathbeds

  • Named San Francisco Elks’ Distinguished Citizen of 2022 for hosting their most successful charity fundraiser four years running

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Five Ton Crane

Contributing artist for Oakland co-op known for large-scale art displayed at Burning Man, the Smithsonian Institution, the Oakland Museum of California and other venues

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Burning Man, The Crucible, various arts events
Volunteer documentary photographer for artists, performers, installations and events      

 

Samples and portfolio at www.jumbobrain.com • Professional references on request

 

All site contents © Mike Woolson or his clients

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