Samantha Gerken
Public Relations Professional
RESUME
Skills
Education
Iowa State University - Ames, IA
​2009-2013
Bachelor of Arts in Advertising
Minor in Psychology
Cision
My Emma
InDesign
Photoshop
Illustrator
Word
Excel
Power Point
HTML
Site Viz
Prezi
Experience​
​​Public Relations and Communications Intern 2012-2013
-Wrote press releases and publicized events
-Developed content and managed the website on an ongoing basis
-Produced promotional material
-Constructed a newsletter from the template to the content
Center for Excellence in the Arts & Humanities
Dean's List 2012
PRSSA Star Chapter Award 2011-2012
Awards
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
​President 2012-2013
-More than tripled membership and increased meeting attendance
-Motivated executive board through enthusiasm and positivity
-Attended all Greenlee Advisory Board and Liberal Arts Council meetings
-Developed a more efficient executive body
-Introduced a member written newsletter for the first year
-Enacted the Member of the Month award in order to excite and inspire
the members to become more involved

Fundraising Director 2011-2012
-Doubled PRSSA funds through various fundraising with a group seven people
-Managed and coordinated planning all aspects of the annual Donate & Look
Great Fashion Show
-Collected donations for the PRovide Hope clothing drive
-Delegated responsibility among my fundraising committee
​
Member 2010-2011
-Established the first Donate & Look Great Fashion Show and Clothing Drive
successfully
-Developed the Annual PRSSA sunglass sale doubling our funds the first year
Tradehome Shoes
Sales Associate 2010 - 2013
-Utilized my communication skills and built relationships with customers
-Exceeded company standards by surpassing my sales quota consistently
Student Union Board (SUB)
​Vice President of Public Relations 2012
-Wrote multiple press releases for student events on campus
-Oversaw all promotions and advertising for eight different event committees
-Maintained the online webpage, and improved navigation for user interaction
-Marketed all Student Union Board events, including some with over 1,000 in
attendance
Iowa Wildlife Center
​Volunteer 2012​
- Developed a brand identity for numerous communication touch points
Iowa State Daily
​Advertising Account Executive 2011-2012​
-Constructed yearly and monthly advertising proposals for local businesses
-Budgeted advertising expenses for clients according to their budget
-Developed and maintained a relationship with a territory of 85+ accounts
-Built advertisements from the copy to the design using Adobe

Special Sections and Promotions Manager 2012
-Produced organizational documents and promotional items for the advertising staff
-Generated new promotional ideas for the Iowa State Daily as a whole
Ethos Magazine
​Advertising Sales Representative 2010
-Consulted with local business owners about advertising
-Created copy for advertisements
Freshman Council
Social Committee 2009
-Coordinated events for the entire Iowa State freshman class
-Helped implement the Andy Albright Jingle Jog
Maple Shilling
Social Chair 2009-2010
-Planned socials and events for Maple Shilling dorm floor
-Communicated with other floors to plan entire dorm events