Barbara Thomas

Regional Marketing Manager

Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area

About

Ms. Thomas has experience as a marketing, communications, and publishing professional in campaigns relating to the development and production process of print, web, and marketing materials. In these roles, her tasks have included strategizing, budgeting, writing/editing, and product outreach—all while adhering to accurate content, organization, grammar, and branding guidelines. She has successfully collaborated with colleagues and various industry-related clients, vendors, and customers.

Experience

  • Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (Full-time · 8 yrs 9 mos)
    • Regional Marketing Manager - Texas
      Aug 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 11 mos

    • Senior Marketing & Pursuit Coordinator
      May 2022 - Aug 2023 · 1 yr 4 mos

    • Marketing and Pursuit Coordinator
      Oct 2017 - May 2022 · 4 yrs 8 mos

  • Publishing Coordinator at Octane Press
    Mar 2016 - Sep 2016 · 7 mos

    • Managed the writing and production of print products and marketing materials, adhering to budget, deadlines, and high-quality standards • Direct liaison to authors, photographers, graphic designers, printers, distributors, and customers • Project manager to multiple contractors, vendors, and warehouse staff • Monitored warehouse inventory and online / phone order fulfillment and shipping • Developed monthly email marketing campaigns • Trained / supervised customer service specialist and short-term contractors • Reviewed, edited, and collaborated on web development and content creation of landing pages • Generated customer engagement and sales reports using data collected and analyzed from web, Google Analytics, distributors, email marketing, and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) • Planned/operated logistics at local marketing and annual trade show events—product showcases/sales, author signing sessions, a children’s activity hour, and an off-site VIP customers reception

  • Production Consultant/Media Researcher (Contractor) at Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)
    2008 - Jun 2015 · 7 yrs 6 mos

    • Coordinated media research on science curriculum lessons and teacher guides for grades 6-8 • Managed / secured all permissions and copyright requirements for 100s+ of images, art, text, data • Collaborated on the writing / editing and creative direction of 12-book literacy series, curriculum lessons, and teacher guides for grades K-5 • Produced publications and marketing copy that adhered to quality, accurate content, clarity, organization, writing, grammar/style, and brand guidelines • Managed contractors—photo researchers, photographers, illustrators/graphic designers, printers • Prepared technical specifications, purchase orders, and negotiated with vendors for the best, most cost-effective bids/quotes on design, print, and other production-related contracts • Collaborated with staff to discuss, track, and problem-solve during multiple projects and recommended cost saving initiatives, improving efficiency • Monitored publication inventory and collaborated to edit and reprint 6-8 titles/fiscal year

  • Director 2005–2008/Marketing Manager 2004–2005, Communications and Publications Division at National Science Resources Center (NSRC)/Smithsonian Institution
    2004 - 2008 · 4 yrs

    • Established budgets, marketing strategies, and revenue forecasting; reporting directly to executive staff and stakeholders • Managed the vendor contract process for print products and goods / services • Planned and managed production process and direct mail distribution of print materials • Coordinated manuscripts, production, dissemination, and generation of revenue strategies for 16-book literacy series of readers for grades 3-6 • Supervised 3 full-time staff and 1 intern • Collaborated with Smithsonian/internal staff, federal/state staff, scientific / educational organizations, stakeholders, customers, and community and corporate partners • Managed promotion and event coordination, production, supervision, operation, and follow-up for 6-10 exhibits and 4 special events/year

  • Marketing Communications Specialist, Library & Reference Division at CQ Press, a Division of Congressional Quarterly Inc.
    2000 - 2004 · 4 yrs

    • Developed 25 direct mail campaigns/year: renewal packets, flyers, postcards, and brochures • Direct vendor liaison—designers, printers, and list brokers • Managed convention budget for staff travel (10ppl), exhibit, special-events, and planned / operated all trade shows for library/reference division, 5–10 conventions/year) • Generated weekly/monthly revenue sales reports for senior management—title sales history data and frontlist reports: sales, backorders, standing orders • Liaison to wholesalers, bookstores, and catalogers for reference, college textbook, and professional directory materials, providing product information, facilitating orders, and managing vendor accounts resulting in additional sales of about $25,000/month or $300,000/year • Assisted with a database conversion, streamlining the process for packs, approval and paperback plans, and discount categories for various types of vendors • Tracked source codes and targeted mailing lists for all marketing efforts • Generated promotions for a new Spanish-language journal and topical books