Eric Olsen

+ 1 734-660-4009 :: erioca2@gmail.com


Highlights

  • Extensive writing experience, including news stories, press releases, marketing and promotional materials, organizational/internal communications, technical documentation.

  • Journalist, Thomson-Reuters Detroit, Toledo City Paper, Ann Arbor Observer, Ann Arbor Current.

  • Marketing Manager for University of Michigan Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering department (CLaSP), and the Space Physics Research Laboratory. Directs communications strategy for department. Manages all facets of department communications, including news stories, website, publicity/media relations, social media, internal communications, communications from department chair, department intranet, graphic design, video script/production/editing.

  • Communications Manager for Zingerman's Service Network. Directed overall communications strategy for Zingerman's Community of Businesses. Managed general communications, copy writing/editing, publicity/media relations, social media. Proofed/edited regular column by Zingerman's founder.

  • Voice over script writing/editing, 7 Cylinders Studio.

  • Product marketing copy for STEMboard LINGO instructional coding kits.

  • Editor and contributor, Detroit Noir, a literary crime anthology (Akashic Books). Contributors include Joyce Carol Oates, Loren D. Estleman, Desiree Cooper, among others.

  • Past Public Relations Chair for the Kerrytown BookFest, a non-profit book festival held each September in Ann Arbor.

  • Past Marketing Chair for Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival, non-profit music event formerly held in Ann Arbor

Work experience

Marketing Manager, Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering department
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2016 - Present

  • Communications strategy. Overall plan aligns department recruitment goals, educational objectives and outcomes, and alumni testimonials in presentation across all communications products and channels. Objective is to create a consistent narrative that conveys the benefits of a CLaSP degree for potential students seeking a career in the geosciences.

  • Writing/Editing. Writes/edits news stories and general content for department website; communications for department chair; internal department communications, weekly email newsletter, faculty communications, misc. communications and documentation.

  • Media Relations. Writes/edits media releases, works in partnership with faculty and various stakeholders such as NASA and NOAA. Primary contact for department media inquiries. Coordinates and manages media visits and interviews with CLaSP faculty and researchers.

  • Social Media. Manages all CLaSP social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube).

  • Conferences. Attends two major geoscience conferences each year to document CLaSP faculty research talks and media events, assist student advising staff in recruitment activities, host department social events for faculty, students, alumni.


Video Script Writer/Editor, 7 Cylinders Studio, Ypsilanti, MI

2020 - Present

  • Wrote/Edited voice over copy for client promotional video.



Marketing Copywriter, STEMboard/LINGO, Arlington, VA

2020 - Present

  • Wrote/Edited product marketing copy for LINGO instructional coding kit.


Communications Manager, Zingerman's Service Network, Ann Arbor, MI
2012 - 2016

  • Responsible for communications strategy for Zingerman’s Community of Businesses.

  • Writing/Editing. Wrote and edited copy for Zingerman's newsletter, Zingerman's Community website blog, email marketing, website updates, promotional/product, staff profiles, misc. as requested by business staff. Proofed/edited regular column by Zingerman's founder.

  • Media Relations. Wrote Zingerman's press releases. Primary contact for media inquiries. Managed media tours, photography and film crews. Coordinated and manages media interviews with Zingerman's business partners and staff.

  • Social Media. Managed Zingerman's social media accounts. Defined and shared best practices with Zingerman's business marketing staff. Addressed customer service issues via social media.

  • Marketing. Led monthly marketing meeting for all Zingerman's business marketers. Collaborated with businesses on monthly marketing agenda, focusing on shared promotions, best practices and tips, upcoming events and promotions.

  • Teaching. Managed Zingerman's Writing Group, including coordination with local college Zingerman's staff. Instructor for Zingerman's 'Art of Giving Great Service' and 'Art of Giving Great Service In Writing' classes for new staff.


Journalist, Thomson-Reuters, Detroit, MI
2005 - 2012

  • Covered cases of interest, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

  • Miscellaneous stories in Detroit/Southeast Michigan

Journalist, Toledo City Paper, Toledo, OH
2005 - 2008

  • Interviews with notable persons. Highlights included comedian/writer Chris Elliott, This American Life host Ira Glass, and U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer.

  • Profiles of restaurants and businesses in the Toledo/Ann Arbor area.

Channel Manager, Community Relations Manager, Borders Books & Music, Ann Arbor, MI
1996 - 2006

  • Project Manager for national proprietary in-store customer-facing web kiosk program. Provided direction, training, and support to field staff.

  • Coordinator for regional/national email marketing campaigns (including A/B testing, etc.).

  • Community Relations Manager for Borders #1 flagship store in Ann Arbor. Managed all store events, including book/music events, promotional campaigns, in-store marketing, store advertising, community partnerships, store newsletter.


Skills

  • Microsoft Office

  • Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver)

  • Google Drive (Documents, Sheets, Slides, Sites)

  • WordPress web publishing platform

  • iMovie

  • HTML


Education

  • Assoc. Arts, Technical Writing. Washtenaw Comunity College

  • Technical Writing Advanced Certificate. Washtenaw Comunity College

  • Web Technology Advanced Certificate. Washtenaw Comunity College