Amy is a public relations (PR) professional who loves using social media to connect, engage, encourage, and dream. Her goal is to create conversations that organically stimulate audiences to speak up and become involved, while adding some great laughs along the way.

Amy focuses on media relations and cause-related PR campaigns, introducing and engaging people with various brands and organizations. She is comfortable pitching stories about start-ups or non-profits to journalists and bloggers, or alternatively in crafting messages for larger organizations with large-scale campaigns.

The non-profit sector is one that Amy has unique experience with. She started her PR career working for the American Cancer Society in Louisiana, orchestrating fundraiser events and leading media training sessions for volunteers. She also developed crisis communications plans that were utilized during post-Katrina outreach. Additionally, Amy worked for the DC-based International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), a non-profit, professional organization, which promotes quality journalism worldwide in the belief that independent, vigorous media are crucial in improving the human condition. She served as a communications liaison for ICFJ’s Board of Directors, directed a bi-annual photo auction fundraiser, wrote and designed numerous donor communications and crafted talking points for the organization’s CEO.

Amy earned her Master’s degree in Mass Communication, with an emphasis in Public Relations from Louisiana State University in 2008. Her thesis work centered on the (PRODUCT) RED campaign’s effectiveness from the perspectives of the project organizers and affiliated companies. She examined the interplay between PR and marketing strategies. You can read her [large!] thesis and see her proposed redesign of the (PRODUCT) RED communications strategy on the Portfolio page. During her graduate studies, Amy interned at EMI CMG Music Label Group. At EMI CMG, she initiated a social media publicity campaign for Mandisa, a previous American Idol contest and finalist that generated over 1 million online media impressions and 30,000 unique site visits.

In her spare time, Amy is on the DC Board of Directors for Indego Africa, an innovative social enterprise that returns 100% of profits from sales of fair trade handicrafts to Rwandan women and invests in their long-term skills development.

Amy lives in Washington, DC where she loves to explore hole-in-the-wall coffee shops and take in the sights of the city. You may frequently see her on long runs or out learning how to use her new Canon 7D with her boyfriend. She is a loyal Kansas State and LSU fan (“Geaux Tigers!”) and frequents many DC Twixers and mixers, or creates happy hours on her own.

For a full resume and portfolio, please contact Amy Liz Martin.

Legal mumbo-jumbo: The thoughts, opinions, assertions, assumptions and rambling on this Web site are those of Amy Martin and not those of current or former employers, friends, family or other acquaintances. This blog and its contents will only provide insight into public relations at the time of publication. Amy Martin reserves the right to change her mind, flip-flop and otherwise alter her opinions.