Rod Willis – Professional Writer & Editor

ROD WILLIS10656 Merrick Lane / Montgomery, OH 45242

513-646-4100 / willis.rod@gmail.com / www.linkedin.com/in/rodwillis1

WRITER, EDITOR & ONLINE CONTENT SPECIALIST

Wide-ranging experience writing and editing for print, online, and social media Strong background in marketing and employee communications, business and

medical journalism (print and digital), and video script and speechwriting Excel in translating complex medical, business, financial, and technical subjects into

appropriate language and images for specific target audiences Adept at aligning copy with organizational branding, audience demographics, strategic

messages, and key talking points Strong track record of project and process management, focused on meeting deadlines and

achieving measurable communication objectives

JOB EXPERIENCE

KPG Creative, Mason, Ohio December 2015 – PresentIntegrated Communications Content Specialist Provide services to KPG’s Web, Internet and Social Media Services by creating and assisting in the

distribution of insightful content such as articles, presentations, webinars, white papers, e-newsletters and other digitally focused efforts.

Develop content for Web, Internet and Social Media Services by interviewing client’s employees, editing employee-authored thought leadership pieces, repurposing existing content, and researching industry trends to capitalize on third-party data or develop primary research topics.

Leverage written and verbal communication skills to turn customer experiences and results, subject matter expertise, project management application and benefits into engaging stories.

Provide thought leadership and creative thinking about distribution platforms, including social media, online publications, blogs, and print materials as needed.

Batesville Casket, Batesville, Indiana (Hillenbrand Industries) July 2013 – Nov. 2015Marketing Communications Manager Provided project management, editorial, and creative/tactical support to Batesville’s industry-

leading Burial Solutions, Cremation Options, Technology Solutions, and Memorial Solution business units, as well as cross-portfolio projects and ongoing campaigns and process improvement initiatives, working closely with marketing and product managers and cross-functional team members and using Easy Projects software to track progress to completion.

Developed creative briefs, write, edit, and monitor design and production of online and print marketing communications collateral, including customer emails, convention display panels and signs, print and online catalogs, sell sheets, infographics, brochures, handouts, print and online ads, short video scripts, web landing pages, forms, webinar presentations, bylined articles, product spotlights, cover letters, and various other projects – as requested and on deadline.

Wrote, edited, and monitored design and production of marketing and sales support materials for new product and service launches, including the integration of Batesville’s recently acquired Management Information Systems business.

Wrote, edited, and managed special projects, including an orientation presentation on the Batesville brand, product and service testimonials, and recruitment materials for customer research groups.

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Rod Willis – Professional Writer & Editor

Rod Willis / Wordsmith, Cincinnati, Ohio 2009 – 2013 Freelance Writer, Editor, Content Specialist Provided article writing, public relations, and editorial services to various business clients, including

Focus Communications, Lyghtel-Rohrer Communications, and ProScan Imaging. Wrote and edited training video scripts, including a series of training video modules, demonstrating

proper procedures for all Lasik Plus™ patient-care interactions delivered by LCA-Vision network of outpatient clinics.

Edited and designed keynote PowerPoint presentations and handouts, including “Building a Strengths-Based Organization” for Atticus Consulting, LLC; clients included South Carolina’s Area Health Education Consortium (AHEC).

Wrote promotional video scripts and marketing materials. Clients included IncreaseMINDSHARE promos featuring sportscaster (CBS Sports, NFL Network, and Sirius NFL Network) and former Bengals pro defensive back Solomon Wilcots.

Volunteered writing, editing, and marketing services to two local nonprofit groups, GLAD House (www.gladhouse.org) and Montgomery Farmers’ Market (www.montgomeryfarmersmarket.org).

ProScan Imaging, LLC, Cincinnati 2006 - 2009Director, Marketing and Public Relations Led three-person in-house “agency” that wrote, designed, and placed all local print and online advertising

and created hundreds of customized marketing pieces for ProScan Imaging’s 24 freestanding radiology centers in 11 states.

Wrote and executed national and regional print and electronic ad campaigns, marketing collateral, and sales support pieces for ProScan Reading Services, a large teleradiology service based in Cincinnati.

Launched three electronically distributed newsletters (e-mail/PDF versions) – The MRI Mentor for radiologists (circulation 30,000 and rising), The WorldCare Clinical Note for clinical trial researchers, and Radiology 101 for physicians and others interested in the basics of advanced medical imaging. Worked with physician authors to select topics, design format, and edit all copy.

In July 2009, wrote all copy for a successful direct-to-consumer ad campaign in Cincinnati with billboards, radio spots, and a revamped website designed to educate healthcare consumers about the benefits of medical imaging at ProScan’s seven outpatient facilities in the Tri-State area.

Wrote or edited all content and supervised design for a new ProScan Internet site with separate portals and “navigation paths” for consumers and physicians.

Wrote or edited marketing mailers, e-mail solicitation, and trade show materials, and booth handouts for both live and recorded medical education courses taught by ProScan’s founder and others. Edited PowerPoint slides and other copy for 75+ new lectures in 2008- ‘09 alone.

Edited and placed bylined articles in radiology journals and on imaging websites, as well as quotes in local newspapers and magazines.

Wrote and edited initial website, marketing materials, and public relations announcements for WorldCare Clinical, a Boston-based clinical trial imaging company (spin-off of the Harvard Medical School).

Provided marketing, advertising, and editorial support for Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund, a Cincinnati nonprofit agency serving women, children, police, and firefighters.

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati (Johnson & Johnson) 1997 - 2005 Manager, Global Communications (2004 - 2005) Manager, Internal Communications (1997 - 2004)

Led news team that posted daily updates and breaking stories on the EES intranet.

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Rod Willis – Professional Writer & Editor

Developed and managed an internal communications and publicity campaign for 2005 employee engagement and alignment survey. Exceeded stretch goal of 88% global participation.

Cited in 2003 for outstanding work in writing and producing original video documentaries on topics including a volunteer eyecare clinic in Juarez, Mexico and self-managing teams in Juarez and Albuquerque.

Led a team that planned and executed an integrated corporate branding campaign to all associates in the U.S. and Mexico; rollout was featured at an annual Johnson & Johnson Corporate Communications Conference as a model for other operating companies.

KPMG Peat Marwick, Montvale, NJ 1992 - 1997 Manager, Creative Services (1994 - 1997) Senior Editor, World: The Magazine for Decision Makers (1992 - 1994)

Editor of Inside Track, award-winning internal newsletter for 26,500+ U.S. employees and partners; also wrote copy for KPMG’s global employee magazine, websites, and other media.

Senior Editor of World, a quarterly business and general-interest magazine that reached 120,000+ KPMG clients and global thought leaders per issue.

Other Editorial Experience

Founder & Proprietor, The Dark & Stormy Book Company (1987 – Present)Director of Periodicals, Executive Enterprises (New York, NY)Editor, Management Review, Financier, and Campus Connection Magazines (NY, NY)Assistant Editor, Marketing Communications, Arthur Young (now Ernst & Young; NY, NY)Freelance Medical Writer, Convention & Symposium Reporter (NY, NY)Technical Writer, Administrative Data Processing Dept., University of Wisconsin - Madison

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

“Perfect Storm” Award, ProScan Imaging Marketing & Education Team Johnson & Johnson Standards of Leadership Awards (four-time winner; included bonuses) ACE (Achievement in Communications Excellence) Award, Ethicon Endo-Surgery (EES) EES President’s Quality Awards (four-time winning team member) AiME Silver Award for News/Media (for consumer website excellence, EES) Volunteer Appreciation Awards, Cincinnati United Way (for EES employee campaign communications)

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Journalism & Mass Communications (News/Editorial Concentration)

Frequent continuing education courses and workshops on topics including digital marketing, web analytics, social media, online branding, project and content management applications, and effective webinar presentations

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