MARY K. PINKERTON M.A.

Mesquite, Texas 75150 972.754.0346 . kay.pinkerton@att.net PROFILE Accomplished professional communicator and educator. Creative and analytical strengths enable the ability to perceive patterned trends, define public relations issues and opportunities, and generate win-win solutions and recommendations. Organized and effective account manager and team leader. Excels at high-tech media relations, written and oral communication, and creative idea generation. Background includes: 1) almost three years as a university instructor, 2) eight years of high-tech P.R. experience, 3) a decade of petroleum industry employment, and 3) a masters degree in mass communication. SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES Ability to establish positive relationships with people from different national, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds Client-focused Exceptional business and PR writer EXPERIENCE Educator, UT-Arlington * Arlington, Texas Courses taught: Communication and Society Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) Case Studies Intercultural Communication Introduction to Mass Communication 2008-August 2011 Introduction to Public Relations Media Sales and Promotion Public Relations Management Public Relations Methods Highly organized Graduate-level research skills Outstanding networking skills Problem-solving attitude Visionary/creative thinker

Situation: A UTA senior faculty member had a family emergency and I was hired, on a temporary basis, to take over his classes. The classes included a seniorlevel intercultural communication class, an introductory public relations class with more than 100 students, and an advanced public relations management class. Result: In spite of joining the faculty mid-semester with little time to prepare I successfully transitioned the students between two professors with distinctive teaching styles (verified via positive teacher evaluation scores). The department asked me to return the following semester even after the return of the senior, tenured professor. Public relations manager, McLeodUSA * Dallas 2007-2008

Partnered with public relations senior director to establish company's public relations department. Developed a communication plan designed to increase awareness and enhance company reputation. Secured media placements with publications that included Bloomberg, IP Business, Telephony and more. Researched and developed a survey targeting employees' views and opinions of company merger. More than 90 percent feedback resulted in senior management's ability to understand and address employees' specific praises and concerns. Situation: Telecommunications firm McLeodUSA experienced a network shutdown that was quickly remedied by company engineers. The situation revealed the need for a corporate crisis communication plan, however. I recommended the immediate development of such a plan and volunteered to manage the project.

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Result: After researching various crisis plans, I created a custom-designed strategy for our company. The crisis plan was adopted by the company in its entirety. McLeodUSA was later acquired by another firm; the buyers public relations department adopted the plan for its own use. Graduate student/researcher , UT-Arlington * Arlington, Texas 2004-2006

Developed a qualitative study targeting the U.S. public image abroad. Respondents were international students from Muslim nations. Research explored respondents' perceptions of the United States, U.S foreign policy, democracy in the Middle East, domestic and international media, and other issues. Uncovered positive changes in participants' perceptions, highlighting the opportunity for improved relations with citizens from Muslim nations. Introduced Anna Freud's displacement theory to public relations research. The thesis was submitted to the U.S. Department of State. Recognized by the faculty as the "2005 outstanding graduate student." Situation: While investigating thesis topics, I discovered a Pew global attitudes study that did not coincide with media stories. The Pew study revealed, for example, a majority of Jordanians negatively perceived the United States, its citizens, and its government. I decided to explore this issue more deeply by interviewing college students from Muslim nations. Result: Among the participant sample, my research revealed substantive, positive changes in attitude toward the United States and its citizens. The research was submitted to the U. S. Department of State, and I was subsequently recognized as the departments Most Outstanding Graduate Student. Account executive, Michael Burns & Associates, Inc. (PR agency) * Dallas 2001-2004

Managed multiple client accounts, including Paragon Innovations Inc., Fujitsu's ATM division, and Blessing Petroleum Group. Quality services and targeted media placements resulted in increased awareness among stakeholder groups, customer satisfaction and client referrals. Situation: I was enlisted to manage the account of a small engineering firm that wanted to build awareness among key stakeholders. Leveraging the companys client list, I developed a strategic communication plan and, among other tactics, aggressively placed news articles and speaking engagements. Stories were placed in publications such as EETimes, EE Product News and Design News. Result: Within a year, the firms brand recognition had increased to the point that media began contacting me for interviews and stories. As a side benefit, the IEEE included my client in a recruitment video that featured three engineers: the engineering firms president, a well-known female engineer, and esteemed integrated circuit inventor and Nobel Prize laureate Jack Kilby. Assistant account executive, Edelman Public Relations * Dallas 1999-2001

Teamed on a number of business-to-business technology client accounts, including Ericsson Inc., Apple Computer Inc. and Raytheon Company. Situation: Edelman client Texas Instruments experienced an especially robust second quarter in its laptop division. The divisions vice president wanted to express appreciation to the employees. Asked to spearhead the project, I collaborated with the vice presidents wife to create a tropical-themed pool party at their lovely home. Result: The event resulted in stronger professional relationships, increased employee morale and enhanced loyalty among both employees and their supervisors. Public relations contract employment * Dallas 1996-1998

Conducted customer relations/PR activities, secured media placements for clients such as Texas Instruments, Dell Computer, Nortel, SBC Wireless Communications, and Sprint Business. Developed and managed corporate special events focused on clients.
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EDUCATION University of Texas at Arlington Master of Arts in Communication, 2006 University of Texas at Arlington Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (minor in business), 1995 Cum Laude ACADEMIC AWARDS 2005 Outstanding Graduate Student Member, Alpha Chi (National College Honor Scholarship Society) Member, Kappa Tau Alpha (National Honor Society in Journalism and Mass Communication) LINKS LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=19975239&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro Research: http://dspace.uta.edu/handle/10106/428 INTERESTS and ACTIVITIES Participated in volunteer work for both a U.S. Congressmans and a state representatives election campaign. Currently pursuing The Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential via the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

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