Arron Neal
Communications Strategist
Writer/Creative Storyteller
USA: 213-568-3334
CAN: 514-880-4911
Communications strategist, writer, and creative storyteller with 20 years of agency, in-house and consulting experience. Skilled in strategic planning, campaign management, story and message development, competitor research and analysis, and meeting facilitation. I seek remote opportunities to guide organizations in education, culture, wellness, lifestyle and the arts from intent to impact.
Experience
Mission Partners
Bethesda, MD
Remote Contract
01/2017-Present
Senior Counselor (Current)
Provide big picture strategic counsel, expertise and direct client services to support the agency's growth. Serve as agency strategic lead for cross-functional communications initiatives for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to raise public awareness and engage donors.
Chief Strategy Officer (Jan 2020-Dec 2021)
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Led project teams to close contracts on time, in scope, and on budget.
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Collaborated with the leadership team to implement an EOS business strategy.
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Led thought leadership strategy for a private foundation. Developed the concept, content and guided development of an award-winning social impact infographic focused on the economic and human costs of political violence. Facilitated four contract extensions.
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Led strategic planning for a national, equity-focused grantmaking collaborative.
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Guided message and brand guide development for a national education organization. Secured a second scope of work to refine messaging for a new Master’s program.
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Mentored six junior staffers in their role as project managers and communications activators.
Senior Strategist (Jan 2017-Dec 2019)
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Delivered communications support as strategist and project manager across education, philanthropy, public health, social justice, consumer safety, journalism and arts-focused clients.
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Launched deBeaumont “40 Under 40 in Public Health,” resulting in record social engagement from industry peers and influencers and online audience growth.
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Co-produced six Diverse By Design events. Secured 450+ registrants per event and above industry average digital marketing outcomes for web and social.
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Implemented communications strategy for the 2019 and 2020 Newsmatch campaigns. Helped ensure alignment of campaign messages across internal and external channels and resources. In 2019, Newsmatch earned its best-ever Giving Tuesday returns. In 2020 more than $47M was raised for nonprofit news organizations - the most successful of four years.
arPR
Los Angeles
Montreal
02/2008-01/2020
Communications Consultant
Develop and implement communications strategies for businesses, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and boutique public relations agencies, including:
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C.Fox Communications – Silver Spring, MD. Led communications campaigns for more than 12 social impact organizations, including: AARP, AIDS United, America’s Promise, Change the Equation, Family Independence Initiative, Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, Points of Light, and the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE.
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University of Maryland Do Good Institute – College Park, MD. Developed and led key message development and media release strategy for three research reports focused on giving and volunteering in America, securing positive coverage with local, academic and philanthropy-focused news organizations.
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Chicago School of Professional Psychology – Chicago. Consulted on media relations strategy, content development and internal communications audit frameworks.
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National Society of Leadership and Success – Hoboken, NJ. Announced 2014-2015 Broadcast Speaker Series securing 39 news and feature stories.
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Moxie Institute – San Francisco, CA. Launched “The Future Starts Here,” an AOL Original Series, and the “Let it Ripple: Mobile Films for Global Change” with filmmaker Tiffany Shlain.
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Photon Energy Services – Mountain View, CA. Led communications to promote commercial solar development. Secured 110+ media placements with regional and solar industry media.
X PRIZE Foundation
Playa Vista, CA
02/2009-06/2009
Interim Vice President of Communications
Led all communications initiatives for the Foundation, its PRIZEs, and special events. Served as divisional liaison, mentored in-house communications staff, and managed external PR agencies. Secured more than 94 news stories reaching an audience of 100 million.
The Busby Group
Beverly Hills
03/2008-09/2008
CarryOn Communication
Los Angeles
01/2004-02/2008
Senior Account Manager
Managed media, celebrity and film festival relations for the John Kobal Foundation, WorldWide Motion Picture Company and independent filmmakers.
Account Manager
Managed media, corporate, product and crisis communications for clients across three practice groups. Clients included Pharmavite LLC, OLAY® and Nature Made®, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, X PRIZE Foundation, Revival Soy, Last Chance for Animals and the MTV Rock the Vote Awards.
Community engagement
Ecole Bancroft
Governing Board
Montreal, QC
09/2020-Present
Chairperson
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Serve as liaison between the Governing Board, school administration and parent community.
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Preside over annual elections and monthly Board convenings.
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Support school communications regarding COVID-19 practices and policy.
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Facilitate budget approvals for school activities and beautification projects.
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Encourage inclusivity through bias training for educators, library books that center BIPOC and LGBTQA students, and the celebration of cultural observances as a school community.
education
Syracuse University, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Syracuse, NY
Bachelor of Science, Public Relations - Cum Laude 09/1999-05/2003
University of Southern California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
UCLA Extension Program, Business Administration and Management 01/2013-03/2013
Connect with me on LinkedIn