Bio

GREG SWAN
Social marketing strategist, music blogger, citizen journalist, egoist
greg (at) perfectporridge.com, +1-304-449-GREG

Greg’s experience with the Internet, social media, emerging media and how specific audience groups interact online provides clients valuable strategy, insight and counsel as they consider a standalone viral campaign or expanding a brand or product launch using new media. An expert at monitoring blogosphere buzz, Greg uses this expertise to inform client campaigns on brand, product and trend issues.

An avid blog reader and trend spotter, as well as an active member of PRSA and MIMA, Greg is always looking for ways to take a more active role in defining and shaping the fields of public relations, advertising and marketing.

In his free time, Greg runs a music blog, PerfectPorridge.com, and is co-captain of Metroblogging Minneapolis, a citizen-journalism online community.

Greg is a frequent guest lecturer at marketing organizations, including American Marketing Association, Public Relations Society of America, Minnesota Interactive Marketing Assocition, area colleges, including University of Minnesota and University of St. Thomas, and conferences, including TCMA’s Fall Forum, MIMA Summit and Unsummit, presenting real-life thought-leadership, strategies and applications of marketing and public relations.

WHY: If you absolutely must communicate with a target audience in an effective, efficient manner while offering solid counsel in often challenging and time-sensitive situations, you want Greg Swan on your roster.

WHAT: Branding, Public Relations, Social Media, Marketing, Communications, Crisis, WOM, Citizen Journalism, ETC.

WHO: Greg Swan is a 12 year veteran in the communications field with an old soul in the industry. A degree in PR from Drake University, multiple agency experience and a foundation in the printed news industry all add value to Swan’s work. An active member of PRSA, MIMA and numerous social media groups, Swan is always looking for ways to take a more active role in defining and shaping the fields of public relations, social media, advertising and marketing.
Did we mention he also shakes hands firmly and uses eye contact like it’s his job? He does, and it is.

BACKGROUND: At the age of 17, Swan began his four year career at The Meyocks Group, a marketing communications/advertising agency in Des Moines, Iowa, where he specialized in branding, marketing strategy, database management and media buying. After completing his degree in Public Relations at Drake University, Swan co-founded Art Scene, a monthly newspaper devoted to the arts with statewide distribution. In the following year he accepted a position at Kohnstamm Communications, adding media relations to his communications arsenal. Joining Weber Shandwick‘s Minneapolis office gave Swan the opportunity to apply his massive brainpower to Fortune 100 brands, helping consumer household brands reach their target audiences. In September 2007, Swan sought out an opportunity to help grow the Minneapolis office’s Interactive and Emerging Media (Digital) practice — combining his full arsenal of skills with a penchant for social media to help clients throughout the company’s 36 offices connect, engage and communicate with their stakeholders using social media.

CONTACT: Call 24/7. He never sleeps. He’s basically a vampire: 304-449-GREG. Or e-mail. He has a Blackberry and isn’t afraid to bust it out during church. Or PerfectPorridge (AIM), perfectporridge (GTalk), perfect_porridge (Yahoo). Or LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

COMMUNICATIONS EXPERIENCE
Weber Shandwick Worldwide, Minneapolis, MN …the world’s leading global public relations and communications management firm.

Digital Strategist, Digital Communications Practice, September 2007-present
Consumer Marketing Practice, September 2005-September 2007

Kohnstamm Communications Public Relations Counsel Saint Paul, MN …an award-winning public relations firm specializing in results-oriented media relations campaigns that build brands and increase sales.

Account Executive, March 2004-September 2005

The Meyocks Group, West Des Moines, IA …an integrated brand communications firm, offering counsel and services in the areas of branding, advertising, public relations, database/relationship marketing and finding partridges in pear trees.

Account Coordinator – January 2001-August 2002
Intern - June 1998-December 2001

Art Scene (circ. 12,000 statewide) Des Moines, IA …Iowa’s first statewide arts and entertainment tabloid newspaper, pushing art “to the forefront of Iowa’s collective conscious.”

Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Sept 2003-Oct 2004

Pointblank Des Moines Newspaper (circ. 26,647) Des Moines, IA …the Des Moines metro’s only independent alternative newspaper (years later sold to a giant corporation).

Freelancer, Intern, Aug 2002-March 2003

ONLINE PERSONALITY