Dan DiPietro-James

World’s largest live family entertainment company; brands include Disney On Ice, Disney Live!, Monster Jam, Supercross, Arenacross, Marvel Universe LIVE!, Sesame Street Live! and Ringling Bros.

Communications Director, East Central Region

Drive corporate communications & public relations strategies and campaign management for Feld’s largest N.A. region -- 50+ markets from Kansas to Quebec, Canada for all Feld properties. Establish and cultivate solid working relationships with broadcast, print, and online media outlets. Coordinate performer and execuitive interviews. Provide media training for performers, staff & executives on brand messaging, crisis PR. Supervise 36 publicists and promoters.

• Managed multiple crisis PR campaigns since 2011, including Ringling Bros. Hair Hang Accident in 2014, Ringling Bros. Elephant Retirement in 2106, Ringling Bros. Closing Down in 2017, and Monster Jam Fan Death incident.
• Piloted numerous social media video production initiatives, and championed increase in Media Influencer Ambassadors for traditional, digital, social media and blogs to enhance brand coverage.
• Devised and implemented national PR efforts across all brands, drove launches for new Feld properties including Sesame Street Live & Marvel Universe Live, facilitated partnership with Marvel, Disney and Sesame Street Workshop.
• Produced successful large-scale publicity events, press conferences, news live shots, and press junkets.
• Crafted local media pitches and successfully booked “Week of Show” media placements and interviews.
• Created multi-tiered and cross-promotional social media campaigns to achieve national and geo-targeted results.
• Recognized with 7 Public Relations PROMIE AWARDS, including Best PR Event 2012, ’13, ‘16 – Motor Sports, Best Multimarket PR Campaign 2013, ’14 – Best Team Effort – Motor Sports 2015, Ringling Bros. 2016.

SCOUTWARE, LLC, Chicago, IL

Leading software and communication service provider for colleges and universities with 45 staff members.

Communications Director

Drove all internal and external communications initiatives; supervised 7-member Project Management and Client Services staff. Developed and implemented all company messaging, promotional materials, and advertisements. Oversaw press outreach and media relations. Managed website content and social media networking presence. Led convention exhibition preparation, messaging, and promotional efforts. Conducted media training. Managed client communications and long- and short-term sponsorships.

• Piloted complete overhaul of communications efforts; rebuilt and re-launched social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and internal intranet social network channel.
• Devised and introduced new employee communications methods and client retention plans, pitched executives.
• Drove complete website redesign including all online messaging.
• Launched case study campaign that showcased client testimonials in presentations that were utilized across sales strategies, promotions, conventions, outreach, and other client retention programs.

Freelance Writer, Lead Publicist, Communications Consultant & Field Producer

Managed publicists and created press campaigns and press materials. Booked press hits in print, online, radio & television. Delivered media training, speech writing, and article writing. Coordinated special events such as grand openings and press junkets. Conducted interviews with politicians, celebrities, and high-profile public figures.

• Served as writer/editor for LendingTree and its portals including HealthTree.com and Realestate.com.
• Served as lead publicist on campaigns for such high-profile clients as Major League Baseball 2010 World Series, 2K Sports Inc., The Sports Authority, NRG Marketing, Acento Advertising, Save-A-Lot Food Stores, Wagit.com, etc.
• Lead public relations and communications campaign for Save-A-Lot food store openings in Dallas Fort Worth area.
• Field Producer for ABC News/Good Morning America 2006-2008; broke “Goleta Postal Killing Spree” story; field-produced several live satellite shoots for national GMA broadcast.

Leading media and entertainment company, specializing in news, entertainment and information products.

Producer

Produced primetime weekday and weekend newscasts and morning shows for KNBC and WMAQ. Drove all aspects of production; selected and developed newscast content; created show rundown; managed reporter, writer, and editor assignments; coordinated production with studio crew. Supervised assignment desk team. Co-produced joint productions with NBC Nightly News and The Today Show. Researched stories, conducted newsmaker interviews, and developed broadcast quality stories for primetime newscasts. Oversaw video editing and delivery of news stories. Produced live news broadcasts from control room. Maintained on-going relationships with public relations firms and national companies and organizations.

• Earned multiple promotions from writer to producer of several award-winning programs and newscasts.
• Played vital role in producing Today In LA and some of the biggest headlines in the last 15 years.

Note:

After working a full day from 9-5pm as a publicist for Ink Public Relations Group (see resume) M-F, I would go into the NBC newsroom to write and produce for the 11pm KNBC newscast and then produce the KNBC, Today In LA morning show on Saturdays and Sundays. So I worked simultaneously in both PR and News with the blessing of my superiors.

• Generated press coverage for new brands, products, books, companies, and talent in top media outlets from The Today Show to Business Week and Vanity Fair to The New York Times among many more.
• Was promptly promoted to Media Manager after a short time and served as the main media liaison and consultant on many accounts.

Note:

After working a full day from 9-5pm as a publicist for Ink Public Relations Group (see resume) M-F, I would go into the NBC newsroom to write and produce for the 11pm KNBC newscast and then produce the KNBC, Today In LA morning show on Saturdays and Sundays. So I worked simultaneously in both PR and News with the blessing of my superiors.

• Honored with multiple AP Award and Emmy nominations; served as Lead Producer on multiple newscasts and significantly boosted morning show ratings by developing new edgier, multi-guest format.
• “Best Newscast” Designated Day Emmy Winner for 6pm newscast, Pacific Southwest Division, 2005
• “Best Newscast” Emmy Nominee for 11:00 newscast, Pacific Southwest Division, 2004
• “Best Live Coverage” Emmy Award-Winning Team, Pacific Southwest Division, 2004
• “Best Newscast” Associated Press Award-Winning News Team, CA & NV, 2004
• “Best Newscast” Emmy Award-Winning Team, Pacific Southwest Division, 2003