Brian Taylor

Contact:

• Email: taylorbg[at]dukes[dot]jmu[dot]edu OR briantaylor97[at]gmail[dot]com

Education:

• James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia
  

• Media Arts & Design Major
  • Corporate Communication concentration
• Communication Studies Major
  • Public Relations concentration

Profile:

• Brian Taylor is a senior at James Madison University scheduled to graduate in May 2011.
• Brian will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts & Design with a concentration in Corporate Communication, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a concentration in Public Relations.
• Brian has developed a firm grasp of news writing, corporate decision-making, graphic design, and basic web design from his Media Arts & Design courses.
• He has obtained many valuable skills regarding both visual and written public relations from his Communication Studies courses.
• He hopes to obtain an internship/job offer in the fields of public relations, corporate communication, or advertising.

Work Experience:

Tuckers Restaurant

• Brian has worked as a server at Tuckers Restaurant in Beach Haven, New Jersey for three consecutive summers.  Here, he utilized his outgoing, friendly personality to always provide guests with excellent customer service.  He has been offered the opportunity to resume his job at Tuckers Restaurant once again for the 2011 summer due to his exemplary service and work ethic.

Saint Barnabas Health Care System Internship

• During the summer of 2009, Brian interned for the Saint Barnabas Health Care System.  There, he refined his skills in corporate communication and public relations writing as well as strategy.  He wrote press releases and online news briefs as well as contributed analysis on the organization’s web content.

The Marathon Group Internship

• Brian worked with The Marathon Group‘s advertising and graphic design teams. Brian was able to exercise his creativity and strengthen his graphic design skills working in  Quark XPress. Brian edited and drafted brochures, flyers, business cards, posters and the like for various advertising campaigns.

Attributable Quotes:

• “Brian interned for the Saint Barnabas Health Care System during the summer of 2009.  He had a keen instinct for writing for the medium in a clear, concise manner.  He was able to write creatively whether the project was a press release for a local newspaper, an online news brief, a web page or fact based copy for the many collateral pieces we assigned to him over the summer.  He was dedicated, hard-working and was embraced by my Public Relations team.  I would welcome Brian back anytime to my team.”

Michael Slusarz

Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations

The Marathon Group

• “During his tenure in our department, Brian showed professionalism, maturity and a clear grasp of the principles of corporate communications and public relations. Brian tackled each task with enthusiasm and eagerness. His work was thorough, timely and always very well done. Aside from his command of the industry, Brian’s outstanding personality and helpful attitude are going to make him a very valuable employee. I have no doubt that he will be a true asset in the field of public relations and corporate communications.”

Kristine A. Brown

Director of Public Relations

Saint Barnabas Health Care System

Involvement:

• Alternative Spring Break ’09
  • Brian taught at an underprivileged, underfunded school in Treasure Beach, Jamaica
• Club Roller Hockey
  • Secretary [2010-2011]
    
  • Social Chairman [2010-2011]
    
• PRSSA member

Honors:

• James Madison University Dean’s List

Technical Skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite [Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Bridge]
• QuarkXPress
• Social Media Applications
• Basic Web Design [Dreamweaver]
• iMovie & GarageBand
• Apple & PC computers

Multimedia:

Video: Interview with Brian discussing the television industry and social media.

Podcast: Brian discusses the efforts of the television documentary Summit on the Summit and its use of social media.

Relevant Coursework:

Fundamental Skills in Media Arts & Design I:

• In this course, Brian gained great proficiency in creating with the Adobe Creative Suite 4 programs: Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
  

Organizational Communication:

• Brian worked with a team of four to organize a Volunteer Recognition Reception attended by over 100 people for the Bridgewater Retirement Community.  Brian and his team handled the recruitment of entertainment, fundraising, selection of volunteer gifts, decorating and hosting the event.

• Event Photos:
• Photo 1
• Photo 2

Information and Communication Technologies:

• Brian learned how to implement Web 2.0 and Social Media tools for corporate communication purposes.  He worked collaboratively on a research paper about the successful use of blogs and podcasts completed entirely on Google Docs.
• He also authored the blog, SocialTelevision about the role of social media on the television industry.

Public Relations Writing:

• Brian wrote public relations documents such as, press releases, public service announcements, feature stories, FAQs, fact sheets, and biographies.

Public Relations Visuals:

• Brian learned about the design principles and how to create effective visuals for the purpose of public relations.  He created business cards, flyers, brochures, letterhead, and print advertisements.

Public Relations Management:

• Brian conducted an in depth case study and crisis management plan as if he were working for the University of Notre Dame Athletics Department.
  

Principles of Advertising:

• Brian worked on an advertising campaign proposal for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization.

News Writing:

• Brian gained an understanding of how to write for news media [feature story]

Fundamental Skills in Media Arts and Design II:

• He learned basic web design using Dreamweaver software.  This is the homepage of a website created by Brian.