Amanda D. Smith

Providing marketing consulting to culinary and event businesses, including social media plans, startup marketing planning and content marketing guidance.

* Responsible for marketing, private events and public relations for four restaurants in downtown San Francisco. * Supported Operations, Human Resources, Business Development, Culinary and other essential business functions. * Developed new marketing strategies and programming to drive sales and exposure for each location. * Launched profitable private events revenue center, trained new sales manager and created protocols for event management. * Mentored managers and chefs to improve understanding of their restaurant's brand and marketing needs. * Established effective concierge program to improve relationships and increase referrals, as well as partnerships with key community organizations. * Managed and directed public relations, resulting in ongoing media coverage and extensive coverage of key openings/events. * Created the Au Bon Repas story, which has a long history, but is building a new identity under the new name. * Partnered with outside design and web agency to create compelling visuals that enhance the brand. * Created effective social media and email programming for all properties, establishing creative voice for each brand.

* Responsible for branding, marketing strategy and communications for a regional 19-unit casual dining chain. * Increased sales during economic downturn through strategic launch of new menu. Collaborated with Food & Beverage team to develop, test and implement a broad set of new menu items, and training materials for all staff. * Improved profitability of menu through menu engineering as part of a menu refresh. * Increased staff loyalty and engagement through new internal communications and incentive programs. * Managed outside vendors to cost effectively complete all marketing projects: media buyer, web developer, creative services, radio copywriter and printers. Decreased printing & design costs through use of creative, low-cost solutions. * Created successful 50th Anniversary celebration plan, which yielded increased guest engagement, loyalty and sales. * Implemented strategic communications plan resulting in key awards, including 2009 Sonoma Valley Business of the Year, and the California Restaurant Associations's Restaurant Neighbor Award in 2010, in addition to ongoing press coverage. * Member of crisis management team, and successfully overcame an incident of credit card hacking. * Effectively integrated social media into marketing plans to increase reach, customer loyalty and top-of-mind awareness.

* Serving as an in-house agency, developed and executed marketing and communications plans for approximately 30 west coast restaurants, cafes and catering venues, ranging from 4-star fine dining venues to fast-casual cafes. * Maximized public relations efforts for all restaurants and key events, including the Emmy Awards Governor's Ball. * Partnered with Directors of Operations, restaurant managers and sales mangers to develop and implement effective sales, catering, press and marketing strategies targeted to each location's audience. * Successfully launched four major restaurants and new catering programs at five performing arts venues. * Developed and launched national gift card program resulting in over $100,000 in sales in first 2 months. * Managed projects and workflow for all marketing staff, including graphic designers, web developer and admin staff. * Created annual marketing plans and worked with management and executives to create annual business plans. * Worked with cultural institutions and other key partners to develop mutually beneficial promotions, including LACMA, the Music Center of Los Angeles, Walt Disney Concert Hall, OCPAC, MOCA and others. * Maximized impact of charitable contributions requests and opportunities through improved criteria and procedures.

* Executed seasonal advertising campaigns, from creative direction to ROI analysis, for a Sony's experimental entertainment destination, including restaurants, attractions and unique retail experiences. * Increased second year attendance by 15% on average. * Managed ad agencies and in-house graphics teams to develop all advertising, collateral and marketing materials. * Developed & executed events, from intimate lectures to an indoor snowstorm, driving increased attendance and press. * Collaborated with marketing, finance and merchandising teams to develop strategic marketing plans. * Provided marketing services to a variety of internal clients, maximizing value of their marketing budgets. * Collaborated with key local and national sponsors on mutually beneficial promotions and events.

* Created and implemented comprehensive marketing plan including advertising campaigns, collateral material, promotions, discount incentives, media sponsorships, group sales and online initiatives. * Increased attendance 23% over previous year through comprehensive marketing plan for temporary exhibition Frogs. * Provided creative direction to advertising agency and designers, managed agency and media buyer. * Developed media sponsorships, and worked with media & corporate partners to achieve mutual business goals. * Executed exhibit launch parties for members, partners, sponsors and VIPs. * Developed and implemented new logo and identity program to meet brand and business priorities. * Assisted Store Manager in developing profitable new products and marketing plan.