Sondra barr
marketing/CONTENT STRATEGY/WRITING /EDITING
SCOTTSDALE, AZ


resume



Sondra Barr
P.O. Box 5253
Scottsdale, AZ 85261
(480) 282-3992
sondra@themediabarr.com



EXPERIENCE


Owner, The Media Barr, Inc.

2006 to present

Contractor providing content and marketing solutions for seamless messaging, branding, and positioning on digital and print channels. Clients have included: Barrett-Jackson, Arizona Republic, Prestige Cleaners, Weeks & Mitchell, Rose + Moser + Allyn Public & Online Relations, The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Red Fox Wireless, Richman Media Group, and TLC Pediatrics, in addition to the contracted positions listed below.


Editorial Director, LIVING WELL

June 2010 to present

Contracted to write celebrity cover stories, edit & proof content, manage social media, maintain a website, blog, optimize content according to SEO, and analyze website traffic and engagement metrics.


Consultant & Manager, AEI Advertising

April 2012 to present

Contracted to work on various projects for AEI Advertising's clients. Projects include: research, social media management, social media advertising, copywriting (website copy, landing pages, print & digital ads, press releases, and blogs), and content marketing.


Managing Editor, Times Media Group

Aug. 2012 to Aug. 2018

Concurrently contracted to run multiple lifestyle magazines for the Times Media Group. Planned and developed all written content, managed writers and photographers, wrote stories, edited & proofed content, managed three Wordpress websites, handled social media, and acted as a public spokesperson. Created and launched three of the four following publications: North Valley, 85086, 85085, and East Valley magazines. Single handedly negotiated ad buys that resulted in over $75,000 in revenue.


Content Director & Brand Ambassador, Red Fox Wireless

Jan. 2013 to March 2015

An integral part of the team that brought Red Fox Wireless to market, responsibilities included starting and managing all social media, community relations, and public outreach initiatives, working with the CEO and CFO to create branding, marketing plans, and packaging, and contacting fitness retailers to introduce them to Red Fox products. As a brand ambassador, managed and led sales teams at shopping expos including the Arizona Rock & Roll Marathon, Health & Fitness Expo, Arizona Women's Expo, Phoenix Marathon, and Tucson Marathon. Led a team to the highest expo sales of any Red Fox Team in the country.


Editor in Chief, 202 Magazine

Dec. 2010 to May 2012

Contracted to create and manage 202 Magazine. Responsible for creating the concept, departments, content, and overall design. Responsibilities included writing, editing & proofing content, budgeting of freelance writers and photographers, securing photo releases, and managing social media accounts, in addition to developing strategic alliances and partnerships with community organizations. Generated over $30,000 in advertising sales with branded editorial features.


Editor in Chief, Go Gilbert!

Feb. 2008 to Feb. 2010

Contracted to manage the direction, design, content, production, and promotion of Go Gilbert! Responsibilities included editing & proofing content, budgeting and hiring of freelancers, organizing photo shoots, managing social media channels, and heading up campaigns including Gilbert’s Biggest Loser Weight Loss contest, which generated over $50,000 in revenue, $35,000 of which I personally sold.


Editorial Page Assistant, Arizona Republic

2004 to 2006

As an employee, interviewed notable community figures for editorial page pop quizzes and columns. Duties included writing and securing photography for weekly stories appearing in the Southeast Valley Monday section.


Associate Editor, Tycoon Magazine

2000 to 2001

Wrote, researched, fact checked, and proofed content prior to publication, as an employee.


EDUCATION

Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ––B.A., Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, 1999


DEMONSTRATED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Competent researcher, interviewer, and reporter with a firm command of the English language and AP Style; skilled in utilizing contemporary tools including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Docs.

• Digital media dexterity in SEO, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WordPress, and resulting analytics.

• Efficient at managing multiple projects and freelancers on deadline.

• Ability to effectively sell multi-layered marketing packages and editorial concepts.



testimonials



I have had the pleasure of working with Sondra Barr with a couple of different magazine publications here in the Valley. She has always been professional, personable, and has always gone above and beyond her call of duty when it came to help with any of my needs. She always had a handle on bright ideas and was very innovative when it came to being creative and figuring out new ways to advertise my business. I have enjoyed working with Sondra, and I’ve stayed in contact with her over the years to get her take on my new business ventures.



Brenda Bark, Focus on Fitness



When one has a young company and looks to hire talent, the hope is that this person can help you grow and provide sound advice. Rarely have I found someone who is as concerned about reputation and brand quality as Sondra is about my brands. As my company has grown and launched new services, I could not have accomplished such quality and results without Sondra’s genuine input and top-notch talent. She’s helped contact and facilitate the interviews of several celebrity covers & stories, brought our social status up to date & provided sound input and help for the recent launch of our new website and media brand launch. I would recommend her to any business looking for the best talent and partner to help them achieve their goals.



Josh Cates, Founder & CEO, LIVING WELL & Red Fox Wireless



I am grateful to know Sondra and to have worked with her via The Media Barr for about three years on a variety of projects. She is one of the top, local content experts I admire, and she ranks in the top national professionals. Sondra's variety of content skills, quality of her work, and pleasant attitude impress me with each assignment, especially considering the amount of work and range of tasks she manages. For instance, every project we've worked on together, she's provided succinct details, making it clear what work needs to be done, by when, leaving no questions unanswered. If you're considering working with The Media Barr for any content needs, you won't regret working with Sondra.



Shay Moser, Journalist & PR Professional



Sondra, I wanted to thank you for being such a phenomenal blog writer for me for the past year! I've appreciated it so much. You're a wonderful writer."



Molly Dugan, Owner, Social Roadmap



Sondra, owner of The Media Barr, is the best editor I've ever worked with. I have been working in the industry for 12 years, and have seen many editors come and go. Sondra is, in my opinion, the easiest to work with, extremely friendly and very good at what she does. I would HIGHLY recommend using The Media Barr for your next project. You will not be disappointed. There's nothing she can't do.



Vanessa Fryer, Graphic Designer



Creative director of The Media Barr, Inc., Sondra Barr's work has far exceeded my expectations. She is always on time and within budget. She takes ownership of her projects and works unsupervised delivering a product meeting or exceeding expectations every time. Her knowledge of SEO is superior, and her fresh ideas and willingness to push the limits has provided excellent results for our magazine. She is a real team player who displays an attitude of what’s best for LIVING WELL.



Bob Cates, CFO, LIVING WELL



SONDRA BARR



P.O. BOX 5253
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85261
(480) 282-3992


SBARR@SONDRABARR.COM