MELISSA FORD THORNTON Freelance Writer/Editor November 1989 - present Provide writing, editing and public relations services. Clients range from for-profit businesses and entrepreneurs to musicians and non-profit organizations.
Published Articles: Shattered Magazine, Community Journal, Hometown Press, Huntsville Magazine, Business Alabama Monthly, Mobile Press Register, Birmingham Post Herald and Huntsville Times.
INTERGRAPH CORPORATION Senior Press Representative Department of Corporate Public Relations January 1989-March 1992; December 1983-May 1985 Managed public relations strategy for mechanical engineering design and engineering trade press. Coordinated product publicity with vertical trade journals and general computer press for mechanical engineering and electronic publishing software suites and managed corporate community relations projects. Cooperative Education Student, Department of Corporate Communications Assisted with marketing writing, slide show scripts and proofreading.
UNIVERSITY OF HUNTSVILLE Coordinator of Editorial Services Division of University Advancement Editor of UAH Magazine, Distribution of over 20,000. Researched, wrote and marketed stories from the colleges of science, liberal arts and business to the news media; several received national coverage. Coordinated news conferences and photo ops. Wrote and edited speeches, brochures and flyers
AWARDS
- Southern Public Relations Federation’s Award of Excellence for Special Short Term Public Relations Program - World Oil Magazine Readership Award for Petroleum Software Advertisement, Intergraph - National Council for Advancement and Support of Education Special Merit Award for Science News Release - Society of Technical Communicators Merit Award for Software Introduction Flyer - Huntsville Press Club Award for Best Magazine - Huntsville Press Club Award for Best News Release Huntsville Literary Association’s Young Writer of the Year Award
SERVICE
Alabama Sports Festival Marketing Committee
United Way Campaign Committee
Public Relations Council of Alabama, North Alabama Chapter, Member of the Board, Chairman of Professional Development Committee, Co-chairman of Projects Subcommittee
