1. Deborah L. Gress
1878 E. Tolbert Rd., Wooster, OH 44691
Cell: (614) 582-1143 • Email: deb6264@gmail.com •
OBJECTIVE: As a passionate marketer with strong communication skills, an exceptional eye for detail and the ability
to strategize creatively, I am committed to high quality marketing and working with amazing teams to
achieve both short and long term goals. My expertise in the following areas are excellent attributes as I
continue my career:
Marketing Strategy Project Management Website Development
Public Relations Leadership Advertising& Media Buying
Branding/Messaging Event Planning Creative Development
Social Media Content Development Digital Marketing
EXPERIENCE:
5/17/10-7/8/16 WEAVER LEATHER LLC – Mt. Hope, OH – Marketing Associate
Responsiblefor managingmarketing mix elements across Equine, Livestock, Leather Supply, Pet, and
Arboristdivisions
Marketing and Brand Management
● Worked in cross-functional teams to promote and continue to build brand equity across company-
wide divisions
● Actively participated in annual strategic planningto develop marketing goals and formal marketing
strategy
● Collaborated on brand standard development across communication touch points to develop
consistentbrand message and translatethrough the appropriatechannels
● Analyzed budget constraints and assessed effectiveness of projects
Public Relations
● Pitched successful story and contest ideas to various industry publications to enhancePR efforts via
press releases and relationship building
● Secured prime product placement in high profileequineindustry publication featuresections
● Established positiverelationshipswith publication editors and secured reputation as the go-to
company in equine tack industry for editorial featureinformation,images and ancillary needs
● Secured interviews for feature articles with company Presidentand CEO, division managers and
appropriatecontacts
Content Development
● Wrote appropriateand compellingcopy across a variety of printmaterials includingcatalogs,sell
sheets, flyers,media kits,social media and more
● Participated in a content tour with industry leaders,known as our ProStaff, to educate end
consumers via website, social media,catalog,etc.
● Researched, developed and oversawcontent ideas to create seamless,consistentmessages and
learningopportunities acrossthemarketing mix and media strategy
Social Media
● Initiated presence on social media acrossfour company divisions and cultivated followers through
development of successful media scheduleand content curation
● Grew social media on Facebook and Instagramto over 65,000 followers across four divisions
● Conceptualized and carried outDesign a Tack Collection campaign to build brand awareness,social
media community and foster a sense of ownership among end consumers
Digital Marketing
● Guided largescaledevelopment efforts of company-wide, divisional websiteupgrades
● Utilized SEO, Google Analytics and other metrics to help evaluate ROI
● Continued to grow house listof names and email addresses through various lead generation avenues
● Adept at marketing automation includingsites likeWufoo,Woobox, ConstantContact and others

2. Project Management
● Coordinated and implemented Stacy’s Westfall’s Video Diary - Jac onlinetrainingseries launched in
October of 2013 and leveraged via social media and printthrough 2014
 Negotiated partnership with Horse & Rider Magazine that included monthly ads to promote
program, social media presence and a feature article
 Garnered a loyal followingwith over one million YouTubevideo views
● Piloted the total redesign and overhaul of existingLivestock catalogto target end consumers in
addition to wholesalecustomers
● Executed full length DVD storyboarding,planning,production and postproduction on various equine
and livestock video projects
● Assisted in managingcopy details of new equine packaging,merchandisingand POP project
Endorsee Management
● Worked directly with high profileequine industry professionalsto promote the Weaver Leather
brand,includingStacy Westfall,Ken McNabb, Brad Barkemeyer, Boyd Polhamus,Justin Dunn and
Dusty Watkins
● Brainstormed and developed specific contentplans uniqueto each endorsee’s particular skill set,
message and audience
● Ensured representation of Weaver Leather accordingto negotiated contractterms
● Outfitted endorsees in appropriatetack and armed them with the latestmarketing materials and
messages for clinics,shows and appearances
Donation and Sponsorship Management
● Developed and implemented sponsorship and event strategy with event organizers to ensure
maximum brand presence with various equineindustry organizations,including:
 All American Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle Reining
 ACTRA
 ACTHA
 Reno Rodeo
 Inaugural Boyd GamingChute-Out Rodeo
 Snake River Stampede
 BFA World Championships
Leadership and Teamwork
● Led a team of six peoplein chargeof ensuringall 3,000 plus items atAnnual Weaver Leather
Consignment Auction items aremarked correctly with winningbidder number
● Organized workers and volunteers for Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle pre-event and intermission
activities
● Stepped in as emergency team leader to motivate members and expedite processes when catalog
project was in danger of not meeting deadlines
1/28/02-5/10 HOSPICE OF NORTH CENTRAL OHIO, INC – Ashland, OH - Community Relations Coordinator
Responsiblefor the Marketing, Brand Management, Public Relations,and Special Events for Patient
Services,Bereavement, Volunteer, Education, and Development departments
Marketing and Brand Management
● Assured continuity of brand message by writing,editing and designingbrochures,quarterly
newsletter, annual reports,and bi-monthly physician newsletters
 Received League of American Communications ProfessionalsGold Award for 2007 and 2008
Annual Reports. Placed 2nd,one point behind winningorganization in category.Placed 207th out
of 3,000+ entries worldwide
 Negotiated exclusion of artwork/layoutcharges with local printshop
● Coordinated marketing efforts in 2008 roll-outof Hospicethriftstore in Mansfield,Ohio Carrousel
Districtincludingstorename, logo design, signageand collateral material
● Initiated implementation of website, assisted web designer with design and served as website
administrator
● Developed closeworking relationshipswith sales representatives throughout media outlets to secure
rates, proper rotation of radio ads and artwork parameters

3.  Developed and maintained system of post-loggingradio ads and negotiated over $2,500 in make-
good spots
 Negotiated largebillboard buy to come in $5,000 under budget
● Organized photo and video shoots for printand television advertising
Public Relations
● Coordinated average of three monthly speakingengagements with various community groups,
serviceclubs and media outlets
● Responsiblefor all media relations,submittingan averageof one press releaseeach week and bi-
monthly story pitches
 Negotiated exclusivesponsorship and interviewappearances on local television programming
● Oversawschedulingof HospiceHouse InpatientCenter conference rooms for use by 48 community
organizations each year and conducted presentations and individual and group tours
● Actively participated in various community groups to represent Hospiceand its message
 9/03-5/10 Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Committee
 5/03-5/10 Ontario Growth Association
 4/02-5/10 New London Community Improvement Corporation
 3/02-5/10 Rotary Club of Ashland Public RelationsCommittee and STRIVE Mentor
Special Events, Fundraising, and Development
● Coordinated and executed two Annual Golf Benefits that generated an average of $19,000 yearly
 Secured Presenting and Supporting sponsorshipswith major radio outletand printshop through
positiveworkingrelationships
● Managed volunteers in a variety of events and projects
● Served as interimdevelopment liaison in 2008 to secure and cultivatedonor relationships
● Successfully executed marketing and public relations plan for HospiceHouseCapital Campaign and
coordinated Dedication and Open House attended by 2,000 community members
4/26/99-8/31/01CTV MEDIA, INC. – Powell, OH – Research Analyst
Negotiated rates and commissions with local,regional,and national cablesystemrepresentatives to stay
within clientbudget constraints
Media Buying and Research
● Worked closely with Sales Representative to successfully secure spotplacement for two national
motorcycle manufacturer accounts
● Maintained positiveworkingrelationshipswith cablesystem sales representatives locally and
nationally
● Developed system to maintain data for a multi-tiered, EastCoast cablemarket; conducted research
for a major motion picture cableand broadcastbuy
EDUCATION: OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FISHER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS - Columbus, OH
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration,Marketing
Graduated March 20, 1998; GPA 3.5