• Gabriana Marks

    • •
      San Francisco Bay Area, CA
    • • Web: www.gabrianamarks.com
    • • Mobile 415.646.6244

  • Objective

    Organized Creativity • Writing / Editing • Journalism • Marketing • Event Management

  • Summary

    • + 8+ years – Professional Writing & Editing
    • + 12+ years – Non-Profit Event Production & Leadership Service
    • + 7+ years – Client Relations & Sales

  • Education

    • + University of Southern California, Bachelor of Arts / Broadcast Journalism,
      Los Angeles, CA
      • High Honors – cumulative GPA 3.72

  • Professional Experience

    • + Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers, AFT-CFT Local 1936 Business Office Manager, Marketing & Events
      2011 – 2011
      Watsonville, CA
      • Redesigned & edited marketing outreach newsletter and several dozen print, email, social media & online marketing tools driving awareness and action.
      • Organized large general membership events attracting record attendance, and coordinated more efficient meetings.
      • Created & cultivated community relationships and built support for local teachers.
      • Managed business office, finances and business travel, resulting in several thousand dollars savings.
    • + Patch.com Freelance Reporter
      2011 – 2011
      Capitola, CA
      • Reported on hyper-local news issues and features in the Santa Cruz-Capitola area.
    • + Insurance Industry Business/Marketing Manager & Client Relations Specialist
      2009 – 2010
      San Francisco, CA
      • Worked a contract and a temporary position in the insurance industry to cover living expenses.
    • + San Francisco Chronicle Writer / Editor / Project Manager
      2007 – 2009
      San Francisco, CA
      • Edited & wrote for several weekly (Jobs, Homes & Cars) and a dozen special publications (Modern Bridal, Prom Guide, Holiday Gift Guide, Auto Show, National Pet Week & more).
      • Coordinated freelance writers, photographers, designers, sales & management.
      • Achieved deadlines without error, created compelling content in line with Chronicle & AP style and got ahead of schedule utilizing custom detailed charts I implemented.
      • Learned to efficiently manage a dozen+ publication projects at once in significantly understaffed department & saved the company money.
    • + San Francisco Chronicle Style section, Business & Technology section and SF Unzipped (style/beauty blog) Contributing Writer
      2008 – 2009
      San Francisco, CA
      • Researched & wrote freelance articles for newspaper sections and blog.
    • + KCBS 740 AM and kcbs.com News Writer
      2006 – 2008
      San Francisco, CA
      • Freelance online & radio news writer covering local San Francisco news.
    • + San Francisco Jewish Community Federation Campaign Administrative Coordinator
      2006 – 2007
      San Francisco, CA
      • Initiated, created & edited live travel blog as philanthropic marketing and community outreach while staffing a donor trip to Israel.
      • Managed department communications & edited weekly newsletter (developed best marketing best practices as Constant Contact expert); coordinated procedures, budget management & training; Managed executive & departmental needs while ensuring high-level donor relations and event & meeting support.
    • + Starbucks Coffee Co. Assistant Store Manager
      2005 – 2006
      Santa Cruz, CA
      • Created detailed charts outlining closing procedures for each partner on duty, allowing the team to close the store on time, cleaned & prepped for the early morning shift, resulting in significant savings to the company.
    • + KNX 1070 News Radio (CBS network) News Writer
      2003 – 2005
      Los Angeles, CA
      • Wrote broadcast news copy within tight deadlines, researched stories & interviewed sources, coordinated with anchors & editors while providing listener support. Covered local, national and international news.
    • + KTLA-TV Channel 5/WB CyberGuy Segment Editorial Intern
      2004 – 2004
      Los Angeles, CA
      • Researched segments and coordinated on field shoots, affiliate relations and office organization.
    • + Annenberg TV News News Writer/Reporter/Videographer/Editor
      2004 – 2005
      Los Angeles, CA
      • Researched, wrote & reported broadcast news affecting L.A. & the USC campus. Shot and edited video, designed graphics and produced feature and news packages.

  • Professional Development

    • + Ambassador, Careerealism Club (online expert career development network)
    • + UJC Boston 2010 National Young Leadership Conference: “Leadership. Service. Community.”
    • + San Francisco Chronicle Multimedia Photo Training
    • + Media Bistro Course: Advanced Travel Writing (2008)
    • + Media Bistro Course: Breaking Into Travel Writing (2008)
    • + Associated Press Television-Radio Association (APTRA): Anchor Academy (2005)
    • + Associated Press Television-Radio Association (APTRA): Reporter Academy (2004)
    • + Local tv news reporting training on ride-alongs with local CBS TV station CBS2/KCAL9 Reporter Joel Connable
    • + QuickBooks Pro 2011 Course, Watsonville-Aptos Adult Education

  • Volunteer Experience

    • + Jewish Community Federation, YAD Board VP Communications
      2010 – 2011
      San Francisco, CA
      • Produced & facilitated Young Leadership Board Retreat for 20 volunteer members.
      • Designed & edited thorough board manuals to help leaders understand their community roles as well as several marketing pieces
    • + Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation, SF Planning Committee Marketing Chair
      2010 – 2010
      San Francisco, CA
      • Designed & edited several well-crafted marketing pieces to help inspire 700+ attendance and $70,000 raised at charitable event in support of ending childhood hunger.
    • + Jewish Community Federation, YAD Board Leadership Development Team
      2009 – 2010
      San Francisco, CA
      • Co-chaired planning committee for Leadership Speaker Series.
      • Designed & edited informative newsletter for leaders' use in speaker series
    • + Jewish Community Federation, YAD Board Marketing Chair
      2008 – 2009
      San Francisco, CA
      • Founded & edited "Challah Back" blog covering community, philanthropy & leadership and highlighting the city's hottest events for professional, young Jews.
      • Significantly increased traffic to blog utilizing coordinated social media marketing on Facebook & Twitter.
    • + USC Hillel Jewish Student Center President
      2004 – 2004
      Los Angeles, CA
      • Organized & initiated events / activities more than doubling attendance. Coordinated elected board and liaison with media, university and other student organizations.
      • Served as VP Programming on the board the previous year; Worked as intern planning annual cultural festival for two years.
    • + Extensive additional volunteer experience available upon request

  • Skills

    • + Expertise in Mac & PC operating systems
    • + Proficiency in the following software: Microsoft Office Word, Excel & PowerPoint; iWork Pages Layout; CCI Design; Adobe InDesign, Photoshop & Illustrator; AP News Service & iNews newsroom software; Dreamweaver; FileMaker Pro & AFT Membership Suite; QuickBooks Pro 2011; Raiser’s Edge fundraising software.
    • + Extremely Web-savvy (trained in online investigative journalism); Proficiency with Web applications, including: Moveable Type, Wordpress & Blogspot blog software; Google applications; Constant Contact and SalsaLabs email marketing; and social media, including Facebook (early adopter), Twitter, LinkedIn, Skype & more.
    • + Multimedia: Photo, video, AVID linear & non-linear editing & graphic design.
    • + Languages: Hebrew, some Spanish.