I am a marketing craftsman driven by creativity and curiosity. I inspire people to leap forward.
Rook is a dynamic marketing and communications executive driven by curiosity, creativity & blue-ocean thinking.
She possesses extensive B2C & B2B brand and omnichannel marketing experience with exceptional strength in all aspects of digital marketing, content/marketing communications, public relations, and corporate communications. Rook is especially effective in building and leading marketing functions in response to rapidly changing competitive environments using the latest digital tools and brand-building tactics to gain a competitive edge.
Rook credits her success to her ability to find the opportunity in every situation; lead great teams; her analytical approach to understanding customer behaviors & shopping patterns; and her willingness to step in a variety of marketing positions and agency roles. Rook is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
She applies her energy to improve company success by:
- Maintaining peak client satisfaction and voice of customer experience advocacy, developing high ROI strategic marketing direction, and cultivating a company-wide "customer first" synergy.
- Establishing and improving full customer lifecycle management, pricing strategies, customer segmentation, consumer/customer insight, and sales & channel effectiveness.
- Providing fluency in building new operations and continually streamlining practices within a matrixed organization.
- Focusing on people by hiring, training, mentoring, coaching, supervising and developing top performers at all levels in sales & support techniques, market knowledge, regulatory compliance, fiscal responsibility, and creative troubleshooting. I believe it is my job to create leaders for the company.
Timeline
Birth of my son - Leo Edward
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Senior Manager, External Relations, Meijer, Inc
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Director of Marketing Communications, Elkay Manufacturing
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Senior Manager PR, Social Media & Events, Gold Eagle Co
Promoted after 1 year from Manager to Senior Manager! Managed three agencies and a team of seven.
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Public Relations & Social Media Manager, OfficeMax
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MS in Communications, Northwestern University
Birth of my daughter - Audrey Therese
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Media Relations Manager, The Chicago Board of Trade
After four years of intense travel, landed an incredible opportunity to work in an intense media relations role at the Chicago Board of Trade dealing with the financial press. Managed 40+ reporters daily (U.S., Europe and Asia) in an intense newsroom setting. Prepared executives for on-camera and print interviews. Managed communications for the CBOT's IPO, and the launch of the Joint-Asian Derivative Exchange, and the daily performance of the metals and agriculture contracts.
Had the opportunity to move to the "client" side once I started graduate school at Northwestern. Joined Harley-Davidson's Finance and Insurance division, developing dealer communications and managing presence at motorcycle rallies and dealer events.
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Account Supervisor, Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Achieved my goal of working for a notably large PR agency. Worked as an Account Supervisor in the Business and Technology practice. Managed the day-to-day account work and strategic planning for a number of accounts focused on increasing exposure ahead of IPOs during the frenetic pace of the dotcom boom.
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Account Manager, Slack Barshinger & Partners
Joined a leading B2B integrated marketing agency. Increased my exposure to all aspects of advertising from designing direct mail pieces to print and digital advertising. Continued to hone my skills in client management and strategic planning. Managed an account load of four clients.
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Assistant Account Executive, Knoll Communications
Where I got my start in PR! Worked for a small consumer agency specializing in media relations. Pitched stories, wrote promotional news releases, and staffed publicity events for clients including Jim Beam Brands, the Home Depot and People's Gas. Left the agency once the owners moved the office. I faced a two-hour commute each way.
Got Married
Married to Patrick Rook.
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Bachelor of Arts, University of Illinois at Chicago
Earned a BA in Liberal Arts in Journalism/English Writing. Completed three internships working for local newspapers and a PR Agency
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Interior Carpenter, U.S. Air Force/Air National Guard
Airmen of the Year 1991; Earned a Meritorious Service Award; Recipient of Gulf War Participation Medals (Awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in, or directly supported, military operations in Southwest Asia or in surrounding areas between August 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995 (Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and follow-up))
Experience Highlights
Realized $300k in Department Cost Savings
Elkay,Manufacturing
Created live "blogcasts" that won multiple industry awards
OfficeMax, Inc.
Generated a 30% increase in media impressions and 5% increase in new user traffic on goldeagle.com.
GoldEagle, Inc.
Introduced Brand Journalism to an 80-year-old retailer to expand awareness and attract new audience
Meijer, Inc.
Launched a new brand direction for a 90-year-old plumbing manufacturer
Elkay Manufacturing
Education Highlights
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
University of Illinois at Chicago
Master of Science in Communications
Northwestern University
Causes
Tourette's Syndrome of America
non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of individuals affected by Tourette syndro
Team RWB
RWB's mission is to enrich the lives of America's veterans by connecting them to their communit
Interests
Highlight Title
Women on the Move - INforum
Co-chair,  Inforum Focuses on promoting the career advancements of women
