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CHRISTOPHER G. PARENTE
8320 Midwood Street
Alexandria, VA 22308
chris@chrisparente.com

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SUMMARY

 

 


PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

or Shorter Bio

 

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, Silver Spring, MD 2004 to present

Managing Director and Partner

       

  • Develop and execute public relations strategy for award-winning public relations consultancy providing clients with integrated communications and social media initiatives designed to increase sales, profitability, and corporate valuation

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  • Assist clients by leveraging industry connections and market relationships to identify sales, partnerships, and financial/M&A opportunities

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  • Contribute to business development efforts, and serve as company liaison to local business and industry associations


    • VERISIGN INC., Sterling, VA 2001 -- 2004

     

    Senior Manager, Corporate Communications 2002 -- 2004

            Spokesman for corporation, dealing with mainstream and Internet trade media

            Delivered media placements in national, local, and trade media, such as Washington Post, MSNBC, Network World, InformationWeek, Washington Business Journal and CNet

            Developed public relations strategies, ensuring consistent messaging and promoting corporate products and services

            Advised corporate executives on strategies, market implementation and crisis scenarios

            Anticipated and reacted to changing trends in the marketplace

     

    Product Manager, Wireless Solutions Group 2001 -- 2002

            Originally hired as management consultant, to develop distribution models and branding strategies

            Principal liaison with Asian distribution partners, assisting with marketing and sales channel strategy

            Successfully outlined strategies to develop innovative wireless services from concept to market introduction

    DSL.NET, New Haven, CT 2000 -- 2001
    Marketing and Communications Director

            Formulated and executed marketing and communication strategy for public company offering broadband access and online commerce applications to businesses

            Responsible for media relations, key message development, industry relations, investor relations, and management of outside vendors, including public relations firm

            Managed proactive and reactive strategies to marketplace, media, and investors during challenging time frame

            Declined company offer to relocate to CT, after company reversed decision to open a VA office due to market conditions

     

    ADVERTISING.COM, Baltimore, Maryland 1999 -- 2000
    Vice President, Corporate Communications

            Directed all aspects of communication strategy for fast growing web advertising network company

            Persistent media relations effort; purchased interactive and traditional advertising space; acted as company representative to industry groups (IAB, AIM, NYNMA)

            Supported advertising revenue stream and overall network growth

     

    CELLULAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS

    INTERNET ASSOCIATION (CTIA), Washington, D.C. 1997 -- 1999
    Marketing Manager, WOW-COM Web site

            Directed sales and marketing efforts for Web site of largest telecommunications trade association in the country, with ultimate responsibility for making Web venture profitable

            Launched successful HTML daily newsletter, the CTIA Daily News, creating new revenue stream for association

            Gained extensive knowledge of web architecture and packet switched communications networks

     

    NATIONAL JOURNAL INCORPORATED, Washington, D.C. 1996 -- 1997
    Political Products Sales Manager

            Directed sales efforts for three political information services with annual revenues of over $6M

            Achieved double-digit growth in all publication revenue numbers

     

    AMERICAN POLITICAL NETWORK, Washington, D.C. 1993 -- 1996
    Marketing Director, The HOTLINE

            Successfully marketed political industry's leading online briefing service

            Increased revenues of a mature, online niche product 38% over a two-year period

            In recognition of success growing subscription revenue, promoted to Director of two additional publications upon National Journal purchase of American Political Network

     

    ADDITIONAL MARKETING, ADVERTISING, AND SALES EXPERIENCE

    1986 -- 1993

     

    Significant Highlights

            Extensive management experience in the newspaper and magazine businesses

            Generated over $170,000 in new advertising and list rental revenue at political consulting group over a ten month period

            Successfully sought out marketing opportunities for leading political publication

            Generated over $20,000 weekly revenue at suburban newspaper

            Freelance writer for suburban newspaper



    EDUCATION

    THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, Washington, D.C.
    Masters of Arts, Public Communication. Concentration in Corporate Communications

     

    UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, Storrs, CT
    Bachelor of Arts, Political Science