My work
There's a lot of travel DNA in my body of work but what I've learned in my numerous communication roles touches every industry and lifestyle: Speak to your audience as one of them.
I'm passionate about the message
One of the most exciting challenges is to try and change someone's mind. From a sales standpoint, it takes marketing savvy that connects with a buyer on multiple levels. From a political standpoint, things get even more personal. I'm proud to have had a hand in many types of communication, challenging my creativity to produce valuable content using different tones and voices. I'm a media wonk and I take notice of how audiences react to the way people try to get their attention.
On this page are examples of some of the content I've produced for blogs, web pages, online newspapers and even an upstart political campaign.
advocacy & messaging
#FoBL
I am the Director of Communications for Friends of Bachman Lake, a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
I created friendsofbachmanlake.org and manage the production of images, video, articles, themes and social media content in support of the group's mission to protect and promote the safety, cleanliness and community enjoyment of Bachman Lake and Park in Northwest Dallas.
travel and government
As the Director for Consumer & Travel Industry Affairs for the International Airline Passengers Association (IAPA), I looked after the interests and concerns of a global membership of frequent flyers. Part of my duties involved acting as a liaison between airlines and aggrieved passengers and as a voice for passengers in the government-appointed Aviation Security Advisory Committee of the TSA. I also produced the content for the monthly ezine and was the sole author of all articles featured in the quarterly membership newsletter. I also authored opinion pieces for online newspapers concerning the pressing issues of the time.
What is metal fatigue and why is it a concern for passengers?
The engine fan blade that came loose on a Southwest flight in April was but one incident of a safety threat that many passengers only hear about after they happen. Planes, like flyers, can get "tired" after many flights and though incidents where pieces fall off of an airplane are rare, they point to a very important need to look under the proverbial – and literal – skin of all aircraft.
I've said that travel is in my DNA, and the art of communication is a passion. In this role, I proudly merged both. Here are some of my writing samples.
marketing and social media
When called upon by the marketing team at the the largest provider of airport lounge access in the world to help boost online readership and social media interaction, I accepted the challenge.
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From news items about industry happenings to nostalgic looks back to the evolution of airline travel and even a photo contest for social media, I offered my talents to increase readership and jumpstart interaction with members and members-to-be. The result? There was an eight-fold increase in readership and 200% uptick in conversions.
mass media, politics and a voice
I've always wondered what it would be like to get involved in local politics. When a neighbor announced that he would run to unseat an incumbent for City Council in Dallas District 6, I jumped at the chance to volunteer. The words of a former President were loud and clear: "If you're disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself.” Alex did just that. With the lightest budget of all the candidates, a small but determined group of us brainstormed and then came back to basics with this simple mission: Let's get a clear message out and do our best with the limited resources by using the most personal ways to connect with voters.
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Alex was tireless, hitting the streets and knocking on doors, all while continuing his day job as an educator. With his dad's guidance and political savvy, I helped draft the campaign logo and wrote content for his website highlighting his reasons for running and the issues concerning him the most. I also created several versions of a campaign video.
In the end, Alex came up short by just under 50 votes. We had moved the needle enough to get the attention of other Dallas City Council incumbents and candidates who had far more funding and also the Mayor, who joined in amazement at how an unknown with no political experience and so little money came so close. It was a proud moment for all of us.
"In District 6, incumbent Monica Alonzo will make the runoff, no matter what happens with the 400 or so disputed mail-in ballots in District 6 that will not be counted until next week at the earliest. Her likely opponent is Dallas County Schools trustee Omar Narvaez, but there is a chance Alex Dickey, the candidate endorse by the Morning News in District 6, could sneak into the runoff if those outstanding mail-in ballots go his way. With one precinct and the mail-in votes yet to be counted late Saturday, Narvaez had a 48 vote lead on Dickey for the second spot in the runoff."
- Dallas Observer, May 6, 2017
My various roles required my interaction with mass media whenever a statement or position was sought about industry developments. I have been interviewed and quoted on and off camera by multiple media outlets including:
in the works ...
Always the dabbler, I'm working on starting up a network of hyperlocal podcasts, beginning with a retooling of my just-before-COVD-hit effort to launch the UNeasy Street Podcast, conversations about the trials and tribulations of local life at street level.
As a sister offering, I've launched a retro new wave radio station on Live365, UNeasy Street Radio - The Wave You've Missed, as a way to test live DJ features and share some music that was seldom played or completely overlooked in its day in favor of more commercially popular tunes. Sometimes we have to take the UNeasy road to get to something better, or at least unique.
Yes, I'm all about the message and no stone is left unturned as to how that gets delivered. Sometimes our activities call for some passive time, especially when driving, or simply unwinding. I love working with audio and still try and press my prints on podcasts and other forms of verbal messaging. This little snippet is a brief introduction and a reminder that there's a world of possibilities using a form that is once again thriving quite nicely – the spoken voice.