PRESTON
MERCHANT
Public Relations
Marketing
Networking
PORTFOLIO
VIDEOGRAPHY
LOGOS, WEBPAGES, FLYERS
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PHOTOGRAPHY
WRITING SAMPLES
PERSONAL PROFILE
I’m an aspiring professional currently based in Gilbert, Arizona where I live with my wife and daughter. My work is focused on:
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Strategic communication across all platforms
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Creating relevant and powerful messaging
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Producing concise and impactful content
I apply the experience and skills I’ve obtained to complete tasks with creativity and innovation. I possess a strong eye for detail and can thrive independently as well as in a team environment. I'm always willing to learn and receive feedback and additional training as needed.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
My Roles & Responsibilities
MARKETING DIRECTOR, IMPACT EXCHANGES
Oct 2017 - Sept 2018
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Consulted on contract negotiation in acquisition of Impact by Chinese company
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Recruited 30 volunteers to run American-style summer camps for Chinese children through social media campaigns, email blasts, networking, door-to-door flyer distribution, planning/executing recruitment events (e.g. a concert of 300+ attendees)
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Led 12 volunteers to run camps of 500+ Chinese students by planning weekly curriculum and recreational activities, training and motivating the team, managing against a highly constrained budget, holding daily trainings, counseling with team members one-on-one as needed, correcting children and team members as needed
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Created original marketing content; conceptualized, filmed, directed and edited promotional videos, managed creation of print materials from design to distribution, created Facebook and Instagram ads, redesigned logos and the company website to professionalize and simplify, resulting in 80% more American volunteer applications and attract more Chinese students
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Proposed and managed annual social media budget of $10,000 and built up social media presence from ~600 to 900 Facebook followers and 1000 to 1200 Instagram followers
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Established and built relationships with Chinese partners over phone and email communication in order to understand their needs and ensure we aligned expectations in order to meet them
LIFE COACH, TELOS U
June 2017 - Sept 2017
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Assisted 7 men with a wide range of needs including autism, clinical depression and anxiety, substance abuse, sexual addiction, and alcoholism to develop skills including organization, time management, commitment completion and wise technology use; aided in college enrollment, resume development, and job searching
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Helped motivate clients by creating specific, personalized metrics to measure their progress
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Communicated frequently with clients’ parents, counselors, and clinical support to evaluate and develop better strategies to help each to succeed
SEMINARY TEACHER, THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Apr 2016 - May 2017
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Prepared lesson materials and taught 2 daily high school classes of ~25 students each
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Managed administrative logistics including attendance and parental communication to assist students who needed individual attention to improve their grades and performance
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Went through a rigorous, competitive teacher training that began with hundreds of potential teachers; was 1 of ~30 hired
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Jan 2013 - Apr 2016
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Partnered with YouTuber Stuart Edge in the initial development of his YouTube Channel by being creative consultant, videographer, and actor in multiple viral videos with over 20 million combined views, attended conferences in Orlando (Playlist Live) and Anaheim (VidCon) to connect with over 2.5 million subscribers
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Headed a promotional campaign for two local bands, Anchor Chasing and Postcard Reunion, built up a social media presence and recorded / produced an album
EDUCATION
BS, UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY, COMMUNICATION - PUBLIC RELATIONS EMPHASIS
2012 - 2017
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Public Relations Student Society of America
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Launched social media campaign for new student center
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Teaching assistant for communication course
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Testing Center Proctor
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Led student team of 5 in PR campaign for Summerfit (summer curriculum books for children)
