about.me/gusforward
Gus J Forward
gusforward84@gmail.com (832) 588.0924
SUMMARY Five years marketing, communications and project management experience that includes an award-winning branding, promotional, special event, social media, maverick marketing and multimedia portfolio, with expertise messaging for B2C audience segments of all age groups. Education Bachelors of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences: University of Houston • May ‘09 Major: Corporate Communications Professional Experience Marketing & Communications Manager: University Relations • April ‘09 to Present Manage the strategic implementation of marketing budgets and creative teams for the university’s in-house marketing communications agency, including university-wide and community-wide branding projects that contributed to a 4% increase in admissions and unprecedented $25 million increase in donation-based funding Recipient of 3 AMA Crystal, 3 PRSA Excalibur and 3 IABC Gold Quill Awards in 2012, including 13 entry finalist nominations combined, for the direct planning and management of the following marketing projects: marketing campaign, radio and TV spot, logo design, promotional product, social media and maverick marketing campaign, marketing video, interactive/multimedia marketing video, photo and outdoor signage Develop content updates of the domain university website (uh.edu) and deploy e-mail marketing messages for the institutional communicators Creative director, writer-producer of the award-winning Choose Houston TV and radio spot, that aired on ESPN, CBS, ABC and FOX Directed the award-winning Keep Houston Red campaign, a series of integrated marketing programs that set the foundation upon which to build a brand, multimedia campaign for the university, including web, social media, video, community partnerships, media coverage, and other print/digital promotion components Orchestrated the award-winning non-profit event Legacy of the Pride, a four-day gala including event signage, archival exhibits, email marketing, and multimedia video, that strategically positioned the institution’s brand message with the 80-plus history of the university. Served as creative director and producer of the award-winning multimedia video series You Are The Pride, which featured prestigious alumni: Carl Lewis and Hakeem Olajuwon, Richard “Racehorse” Hanes, Brett Cullen, Barbra Padilla and Danny Olivas Marketing Coordinator: University Relations • May ‘08 to April ‘09 Facilitated communications efforts towards brand awareness and capital fundraising campaigns Managed video projects, which included creative director of web promos and multimedia presentations for the president’s office, admissions, colleges, and other campus departments and news media outlets Communications Intern: University of Houston • July ‘06 to May ‘08 Writer-producer of multimedia videos that promoted President Renu Khator’s 100 Days campaign during her arrival Conducted web research that yielded a new UH domain website (www.uh.edu), affecting over 600 pages of content assisted in a multi-phase redevelopment project affecting over 600 pages of content and departments campus-wide Marketing Intern: University of Houston • May 2006 to August 2006 Writer-producer of recruiting promos featuring Jim McInvale (“Mattress Mac”) that promoted the #1 ranked in the nation Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship Wrote college press releases to faculty, staff and students Professional Associations Member/Volunteer: American Marketing Association Houston • April ‘08 to Present Writer-producer of career development videos that offer helpful tips for future and current marketing chief officers