DANELLA SOEKA

9374 Monroe Court Crown Point, IN 46307

219-789-2702 ds58fb12@westpost.net

MARKETING AND MEDIA EXECUTIVE

Media, Advertising and Marketing Professional Driving Strategic Initiatives and
Productivity Gains to Return Bottom Line Results in both Public and Private Indu
stry Sectors
Advertising Media Relations Marketing Public Relations
Seasoned marketing executive with proven experience as project lead driving mark
eting, communications and key strategic initiatives for both public and privatel
y held companies; strong business development and consultative problem-solving e
xpertise with internal and external clients and prospects; champion of change; u
nwavering commitment to integrity and work ethics; strong ability to collaborate
and persuade at all levels of professionals including executive management; pas
sionate commitment to leading and developing high performing teams; hands-on, go
-to professional, implementing and directing marketing, advertising and communic
ations initiatives to contribute to bottom line results

KEY SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

Media Management Change Agent Business Development
Customer Focus Project Management Solutions Provider
Digital/Online Website Manager Budget Management Detail Oriented

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY, University Park, IL 2006 present

Hired to develop and execute the marketing and distribution of media-based cours
es and a foster parent training program funded by a $3MM educational grant for t
his accredited university with 8000 full time students and 53 degree programs; G
SU manages >$30MM in financial aid, grants, loans and scholarships
Marketing and Media Distribution Manager; Faculty Member
Introduced distance learning processes; guide proper marketing and support tool
s to support the Universitys digital teaching media requirements including websi
te redesign
Provide leadership oversight for client relationships, strategic partners and r
elated accounts; oversee royalty calculations and other financial matters associ
ated with the marketing of university materials
At the request of the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, serve as Marketing Boar
d Chairperson for National University Telecommunications Network with complete o
versight for the 2010 leadership conference
Analyze and compile financial reports and present findings and recommendations
to senior management as part of forward-looking financial and strategic planning
process
Generated >$520k in new revenue; led contractual negotiations leading to closin
g of licenses with U.S. and Canadian Agencies for PRIDE Digital Curriculum
Champion of unique Aboriginal cultural event focusing on digital training; liai
son with Canadian tribal elders and oversaw live remote with film crew to five s
eparate reserves
Teach Marketing and Media Communications and developing online Advertising as C
ommunications course
EMPRESS CASINO HOTEL, Joliet, IL 2003 2006
Hired by senior management to lead advertising, public relations and customer se
rvice strategic programs for this regional casino generating >$2MM in revenues a
nnually; managed $4MM advertising budget
Marketing Communications Manager
Led and managed development and executed creative process for complete re-launc
h and property rebranding campaign; provided leadership for multi-channel advert
ising (print, radio, television, Point of Sale (POS), audio messaging, photograp
hy, videography and website), external communications and media campaign details
Liaison between ad agency and in-house design team for all creative
Company media spokesperson in charge of public relations and media relations co
mmunications including media buys, press releases, press conferences, media even
ts, interviews, press tours
Developed and executed property-wide customer service tracking and recovery pro
gram
Led expense control initiatives, saving the company >$500k in annual expenses
DANELLA SOEKA page 2
ds58fb12@westpost.net
TRUMP CASINO HOTEL, Gary, IN 2000 2003
Currently known as Majestic Star Casino, hired by senior management to lead mark
eting and advertising initiatives for this regional casino; managed $3MM adverti
sing budget and tasked with managing multiple departments
Marketing and Advertising Manager
Collaborating closely with the General Manager, planned and implemented new mar
keting programs and developed rebranding campaign for the property; led direct-t
o-market promotions, advertising, public relations, communications and creative
design; managed in-house creative team of professionals
Generating incremental revenue and increasing market share in a highly competit
ive industry
Key liaison for Donald Trump during property visits; company representative in
charge of all communications with media contacts and corporate executives; super
vised and managed interviews and VIP appearances between Donald Trump and the Ch
icago-based media
Led United Way Campaign for two consecutive years; increased contributions from
$14,000 to >$100,000
HARRAHS EAST CHICAGO CASINO, East Chicago, IN 1998 2000
Brought on board by senior management to lead rebranding campaign for this newly
acquired Harrahs casino property (from Showboat Casino); coordinated and manage
d advertising and collateral materials (now Ameristar Casinos)
Marketing Communications Specialist
Leadership oversight for $3.6MM advertising budget; closely tracked expenses an
d achieved 100% expense control within budgetary guidelines
Coordinated and executed professional property photo shoots; managed all vendor
and agency relationships
Member of weekly marketing incentive team meeting with department heads to stra
tegize and execute marketing initiatives resulting in revenue growth
Liaison with communications professionals at other Harrahs properties including
corporate headquarters

EMPRESS CASINO HAMMOND, Hammond, IN 1996 1998

Currently known as Horseshoe Casino, led media content, design and advertising f
or this regional casino resort facility
Corporate Advertising Supervisor
Collaborated closely with advertising and marketing executives; arranged and su
pervised all details related to advertising including photography, design and pl
acement; created promotional and information products to support casino operatio
ns
Managed ad agency relationship and media print schedules to ensure timely deliv
ery of advertising content
Successfully tracked local and out-of-state competitive advertising strategies
Collaborated with external vendors; negotiated highly competitive bids and in c
harge of communicating and ensuring quality expectations and on-time delivery of
final product
Other Experience:
Held positions as Owner, Marketing & Design Director, News Editor and Graphic Ar
tist for leading regional newspapers and entrepreneurial endeavors 1991 1996

EDUCATION
PURDUE UNIVERSITY (Calumet), Hammond, IN 2004
Masters in Communications and Media
CALUMET COLLEGE OF ST. JOSEPH, Hammond, IN 1998
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Organizational Management

LEADERSHIP
Memberships: Board Member (2009 present) and Marketing Conference Chair (2010),
National University Telecommunications Network; Women in Communications
Presentations: Keynote speaker at various conferences with topics including The
Art and Science of Transforming Classroom Training into a Digital Curriculum; De
veloping Caregiver Competencies: Learning Anytime, Anywhere
Leadership: Fundraising Coordinator, Governors State University Campus Campaign
(2008 2009)