STACEY ELLIS STACEYJOELLIS@GMAIL.COM
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Stacey Ellis

310-​367-4912
​staceyjoellis@gmail.com
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​Hello. I'm Stacey Ellis. I created this space to offer prospective employers insight into my capabilities in three core areas: Public relations, corporate communications and organizational change management. I view these bedrock competencies as both unique and highly symbiotic skills. Both call for lots of words, but never more than necessary, I say!


Contained here are samples of my work as an introduction to my communications career that has helped evolve, in some cases transform, and always improve the organizations I've served. I welcome an opportunity to discuss my experience and how I can support the infrastructure of the City of Coronado as Communications and Engagement Officer.
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I can be easily reached at 
staceyjoellis@gmail.com or by phone at 310-367-4912.

Sincerely,
Stacey 

​Download Resume Here



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About Me

​Award-winning communications strategist, proficient in developing written, visual, and digital content. Veteran public relations practitioner, professional storyteller and certified organizational change manager with an internal communications focus.
Expert writer for web, social media, internal communications, speechwriting, and publications.  Proven ability to perform in a complex, fast-paced environment.

Career Objective

​​Seeking full-time position as director of communications or related field. Highly qualified in the historic buildings, wildlife conservation, tourism, attractions, hospitality, lifestyle and health and wellness. Experienced and compassionate team leader and culture builder. Positive, kind and compassionate co-worker.

Communications Management Skills

  • Community Relations
  • Writing for Organizational Stakeholder Needs 
  • Writing for Publications (AP Style)
  • Public Speaking & Company Spokesperson
  • Team Mentorship and Management
  • Agency and Vendor Relationship Management
  • Employee Communications
  • Executive Communications
  • Strategic Planning and Budget Management
  • Crisis Communications Strategy
  • Photo/Video Asset Development
  • Organized and Detail Oriented

Highlights and Innovations

  • Masterplan Renovation, Hotel del Coronado 
  • Life is Suite Blog Launch, ​Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants 
  • Endangered Species Propagation PR, San Diego Zoo 
  • Blaze Public Relations, Blazing Briefs, Email Marketing

Change Management Highlights

  • Social Media for Marketing,  Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
  • Enterprise Social Sharing Tool, Yammer, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

Public Relations & Communications

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$400 Million Masterplan Renovation, Hotel del Coronado

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When the 132-year-old Victorian seaside resort began a massive multi-year, multi-phase $400 million masterplan renovation, I was called upon to lead communications strategy with a goal of maximizing local support for the project, driving occupancy and rate in the midst of ongoing construction and creating demand for new and future features of the resort over a three-year period. Challenges included ensuring message alignment through all communications channels while mitigating unforeseen complications due to record rainfall and the onset of Covid-19.

Hotel del Coronado Communications Channel Mix

  • Public Relations
  • Employee Communications 
  • Executive Communications
  • Dedicated Masterplan Website Management​
  • Documentary-Style Videos​​
  • Email Marketing
  • Trip Advisor Reviews
  • Community Events
  • In Room Magazine
  • Local Government Relations

Digital Communications Skills

  • Social Media Content Development
  • Employee Newsletters
  • Video Conferencing
  • Website Development and Management

Example: Community Milestone Celebration Event

February 2020: The Del Breaks Ground on 142 new guest rooms, conference center and underground parking lot as part of phase two of the masterplan renovation. A community event was created to commemorate the day. 
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Left To Right: City Council Member Mike Donovan, Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey, Representative for Ownership Kathy Breedlove, City Manager Blair King, General Manager Harold Rapoza.
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To commemorate the day a steel beam was signed by all employees and participating civic leaders. The beam was designated to be used in the construction of the project.

Additional Work Samples for Hotel del Coronado

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Masterplan Renovation Phase One Included  the Opening of a New Restaurant.
Serea Opening Press Release
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Phase One Included Significant Improvements to the Vista Walk Event Space.
Vista Walk Press Release
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Holidays at The Del Included Promotion of Holiday Dining, Ice Rink and FrostBite Lounge. 
Travel Channel Video Here
holiday_happenings_release_2019_final.pdf
File Size: 59 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Brand Public Relations 

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Kimpton PR Brand Handbook

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In 2014, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants closed its fourth institutional real estate investment fund with a goal of acquiring $500 million worth of hotels over three years. To help ready the company for growth and change, I established stylistic PR brand standards to assist more than 30 PR agencies in six countries and dozens of in-house PR managers in the U.S. in elevating the company's reputation with consistency of message and voice. The PR Brand Handbook described vital brand attributes such as voice, personality and editorial stylistic references in a manner that was consistent and reflective of new brand standards. The adoption of the PR brand handbook contributed to the growing sophistication of the brand and positioned the company as a global player in the boutique hotel segment. Today, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants owns or operates 60 hotels and 80 restaurants in 10 countries. ​

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PR Agency Experience

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Account Executive
Leveraged client news, product launches and events to drive awareness and support for NST clients. Represented Timken Museum of Art, U.S. Grant Hotel and Grant Grill restaurant, The Marine Room, San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park. Represented NST on board positions with Travelers Aid Society and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
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Vice President & Culture Leader
Directed campaigns for clients within real estate, tourism, hospitality and health and wellness industries. Created employee-relations initiatives including mentorship, recognition and performance-based rewards leading to improved morale and reduction in turnover.
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Organizational Change Management

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Social Media Marketing Integration

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As Facebook began to emerge as a powerful customer relationship and marketing channel, I initiated Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants' inaugural social media marketing program. The goal: To expand brand awareness and grow marketshare through direct relationships with guests, and amplification of Kimpton's signature familial and irreverent brand voice. Facebook and Twitter were deployed first at the brand level, followed by a nationwide rollout to 80 hotels and restaurants.

I led a multi-phase, systematic change process to ensure:
  • Readiness for Change
  • Adoption of Change
  • ​Expansion of the Program Over Time
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Success factors included:
  • Phased Implementation Timeline
  • Effective Sponsorship
  • Committed Work Group
  • "Champion" Model (empowered team) ​
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Social Media Adoption Timeline

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Organizational Change Management

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Enterprise Social Software Integration (Yammer)

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As Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants approached its 30-year milestone and billion dollar revenue mark, the company recognized a need for better systems for real-time communication among 10,000 employees at 125 properties in 26 cities and multiple countries.  To become prepared to meet its future, preserve its unique workplace culture and continue to be a Fortune 100 Best Place To Work,     I was one of a three-person team to manage the adoption of the enterprise-wide social sharing tool Yammer.
Primary Goals:
  • Preserve Kimpton's Unique Company Culture During Period of Rapid Growth Toward Global Presence
  • Create Knowledge Base for Expedited Training & Employee Onboarding
  • Improve Problem Reporting 
  • Expand Reach and Frequency of Executive Communications
yammer_intro_letter.pdf
File Size: 71 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Strategy: 
  • Enlisted Executive Sponsor & Advisory Board
  • Created Content Plans for Executive Team Leaders
  • Hosted Lunch & Learns for Home Office Users
  • Incentivized Interaction With The Tool With Surprise & Delight Rewards
  • Added Training to New Employee Onboarding
  • Shared All Publicity & Company News to the Platform
yammer_editorial_calendar.pdf
File Size: 18 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

ceo_yammer__email_final.pdf
File Size: 52 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

newsletter_transition_plan_final.pdf
File Size: 68 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Editorial & Publishing

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Editorial Director, LifeIsSuite.com

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​As director of public relations for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, overseeing the Kimpton brand and PR programs for nearing 100 hotels and restaurants in dozens of cities in the US and Canada, I was aware of the inspiring stories we had to tell. Many of our greatest feature opportunities were subject to fierce competition for editorial space in mission-critical media outlets. ​
To leap ahead of news cycles, reach new Kimpton customers and expand engagement opportunities with loyalty members, I initiated, planned and managed  the launch of the HSMAI award-winning Kimpton-owned blog, LifeIsSuite.com. Serving as editorial director and content contributor, I managed a team of writers and photographers across the country.

Business Benefits

  • Increased Organic Search Results
  • Inspired Reasons To Travel
  • ​Promoted Direct Bookings
  • Loyalty Member Engagement
  • Resource for Journalists
  • Supported Sales Team

Required Skills & Responsibilities

  • Journalistic-Style Writing
  • Appropriate Use of Brand Voice and Aesthetics
  • Editorial Planning and Organization
  • Creative Storytelling
  • Editorial Oversight
  • Art Direction
  • Staffing and Budget Management
lifeissuite_relaunch.pdf
File Size: 645 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Community Service & Affiliations 

Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP), Southern California Chapter
2020 - 2021
Member, Board of Directors and Social Media Chair
Write and produce digital member newsletters, manage social media member marketing of events and trainings. 

ACMP SoCal Sample Newsletter

Culture First
​September 2020 to 2021

Member, Community of Business Professionals Advocating for World-Class Company Culture
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