Alison Law Resumé

Professional Experience

I have performed duties as a publicist, marketing director, writer, social media manager, and senior communications strategist. My clients have included authors, national and regional book festivals, university and small independent presses, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, Fortune 500 companies, professional services providers, attorneys and law firms, CPAs and accounting firms, financial planners, veterinarians, and entrepreneurs.

In this role, I am responsible for content strategy and writing all content for public health practitioners and a broader public audience with oversight of four direct reports. I assist in defining the target audience or creating personas for all content such as training for educators, public service announcements for federal agencies, and various diverse clientele. Job highlights include:

• Performing complex and technical research to synthesize data into easily understood and engaging messaging.
• Leveraging journalism background to conduct superlative interviews that capture comprehensive information from executives, public figures, scientists, and other subject matter experts.
• Covering sensitive topics with empathy, sensitivity, and integrity.

Banyan is a woman-owned, cause-driven creative agency with more than 27 years of experience developing and implementing social marketing campaigns and innovative communications solutions for nonprofits, government agencies, foundations, and community organizations. Banyan’s work is driven by a belief in the potential for evidence-based, human-centered, equity-focused communications to illuminate thinking, inspire action, motivate positive behavior and social change, disrupt oppressive systems, and enable individuals and communities to create positive, lasting change in the world.

In my role as For Momentum’s marketing director, I partnered with senior leadership to:

  • Develop and execute the agency’s marketing and business plans.
  • Develop and launch the agency’s new responsively designed, SEO-optimized WordPress website at www.formomentum.com.
  • Manage content marketing strategy, all content marketing assets (blogs, case studies, websites, email marketing and e-newsletters, landing pages, social media profiles, ad copy, press releases, key messages and talking points, video scripts, etc.), and cause marketing tools.
  • Oversee new business and sales operations, including CRM database, list segmentation and data analysis tools, sales presentations, proposals, and responses to RFPs.
  • Lead the planning and execution of all marketing and sales events (trade shows, webinars, partner events, sponsorships, speaking engagements, etc.).

In this annual contract position, I worked with the program director to identify, evaluate, and craft pitches for potential authors/sessions at the festival. We programmed the stages, developed panels/sessions, session titles, and descriptions. We managed author/presenter and publicist relationships, ensuring all relevant information was captured, coordinated, and promoted.

In 2019, I served as the media relations contact for the book festival. I drafted and distributed press releases, managed incoming requests for interviews and information, and directed premium events like the sold out reading and signing for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

  • Managed all marketing and business development activities for the litigation department of 170+ attorneys at one of the largest law firms in the country
  • Worked with the department chair and business manager (equivalent of the CEO and COO for the department) to develop and implement marketing goals, initiatives, and strategies
  • Managed a six-figure department marketing budget and one direct report
  • Assisted team leaders (directors of each service line) in creating and implementing strategic plans and budgets
  • Developed internal system and best practices for responding to requests for proposals (RFPs) and regularly collaborated with attorneys on customized pitches and proposals
  • Facilitated client service team meetings and provided individual and small team business development coaching
  • Served as manager and practice group liaison at international law firm of 600+ attorneys, headquartered in Atlanta
  • Worked with attorneys to develop and execute business development plans, plan and direct seminars and conferences, publish electronic alerts, newsletters and brochures, respond to RFPs and provide wide-ranging client relations support
  • Led firm’s efforts to create and develop an alumni relations program and alumni website, which launched in September 2005
  • Managed four direct reports and workflow of all business development activities in Atlanta office
  • Originally hired as legal secretary in firm’s litigation practice; assumed marketing duties and helped firm create its first marketing position
  • Coordinated development of firm’s new brand, logo, letterhead system and website
  • Created and managed annual marketing and client development budget
  • Collaborated with firm professionals to write, create and develop presentations, media releases, and responses to RFPs
  • Supervised outside marketing vendors – printers, public relations professionals, Web developer, freelance graphic designers – for individual and ongoing firm marketing projects
  • Planned social events and educational seminars for firm employees and clients

  • Originally hired as a weekend newscast producer at this ABC affiliate
  • Promoted after three months to newsroom manager responsible for directing daily activities of newsroom staff of 40
  • Served as liaison to public relations professionals and community, speaking to police academy recruits as part of their media relations training and serving as a member of the communications committee for the Lexington Chamber of Commerce
  • Started as a part-time production crew member, operating cameras and TelePrompTer during live newscasts while a full-time college student
  • Advanced to positions as an associate news producer, fill-in producer, and interim managing editor in the news department
  • Left as writer and director in this NBC affiliate’s promotions and marketing department, responsible for writing scripts, selecting video, and using a non-linear editing system to produce spots

Podcasts

The Grief in Progress podcast inspires listeners with messages of hope and healing as told by people who have lost a firefighter or first responder to a line-of-duty death. The podcast also strives to open dialogue around contemporary issues related to grief, healing, and resilience—and spark new ways of seeing the world and connecting with others.

Grief in Progress is a production of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation honors fallen fire heroes, supports their families and co-workers with programs and services, and works to help prevent and reduce line-of-duty deaths and injuries.

“Atlanta is a Book Town, home to avid readers and host to some of the finest writers and storytellers on the planet.” That was the thesis statement of the Literary Atlanta podcast, and for two amazing years, I was proud to provide the supporting details. I interviewed over 100 writers, authors, storytellers, literary and book festival organizers, and other creatives–live in front of an audience of hundreds or remotely.

Education

4.0 GPA

Thesis: “How the Performances, Song Lyrics, and Activism of the Indigo Girls Demonstrate the Mutable Composition of Southern Identity”

Golden Key International Honour Society, Graduate English Association, Modern Language Association (MLA)

Research and Teaching Interests
• Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century and Contemporary American Literature
• Literature and Culture of the U.S. South (New Southern Studies)
• Gender Studies and Feminist Theory
• Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Social Media

University Echo Newspaper, Student Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Sigma Kappa, Chattanooga Singers

Teaching

As a part-time English instructor, I taught writing and literature to students enrolled in ENGL 1101 Composition I (3 hours) and ENGL 1102 Composition II (3 hours).