Samantha Chagollan
Work experience
Self Employed
Yoga & Meditation Instructor | 04/2018 - Current
Breath-centered, alignment-based yoga instruction for corporate, studio and private clients.
The Smart Agency, Inc.
Senior Account Manager | 10/2023 - Current
Creating dynamic communications and PR for leaders in commercial real estate
Purple Ink Creative
Writer/Editor & Strategic Marketing Consultant | 01/2015 - Current
• Copywriting and editorial expertise
• Strategic and marketing guidance
• Content creation and curation
• Project management and execution
Clients across a variety of industries, including:
--Financial Services: Orange County's Credit Union, University Credit Union, Unify Financial Credit Union, O'Rourke & Associates
--Commercial Real Estate: Irvine Company (Office Properties)
--Agencies: Presidio Communications, Traver Hispanic Marketing Group
--Retail: Volcom, Willow Creek Press, H2Go Express
--Restaurant/Food: The Pie Bar, Burnin' Beak
--Publishing: Duopress/Workman, Harper Collins, Silver Dolphin Books, Westways Magazine, Capstone Press, Teacher Created Materials, Teacher Created Resources
I Heart Costa Mesa
Contributing Writer | 07/2018 - 03/2020
Profiling small businesses throughout my community and capturing their unique success stories for a digital magazine; representing the brand at live events; guest hosting the podcast.
Walter Foster Publishing
Acquisitions Editor | 12/2016 - 08/2018
• Procure new authors and titles to create a well-rounded list each publishing season
• Work closely with editorial director and authors to develop excellent content for each title
• Develop new concepts, formats and titles based on current and upcoming trends
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
Internal & Corporate Communications Manager | 03/2014 - 06/2015
• Managed all internal communications, including intranet, mass email team communications, and crisis communications through major organizational changes, including mergers, CEO retirement and digital banking relaunch
• Communicated through all channels, including email, direct mail, social media, web content
• Developed quarterly and annual strategic business plans; determined project budgets and analyzed results
• Planned and coordinated special events for 25-4,000 attendees
• Created and managed first internal company newsletter
• Presented organizational changes and project updates at management meetings
• Ensured that the brand was well represented in all channels and communications
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
Marketing Communications Manager | 07/2010 - 03/2014
• Developed and managed more than 300 annual promotional campaigns from concept to implementation, including direct mail, email, web, social media, brochures and flyers, merchandising and collateral, newsletter articles and promotional giveaways
• Worked closely with freelancers, agencies, and vendors to ensure excellent work and timely delivery
• Managed an exceptional team of 7 project leads and graphic designers who ensured our messaging looked great, was within budget, and arrived on time
• Successes include 36% YOY increase in acquisition rate, recognition with a Management Award, and consistent improvement of campaign results
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
PR/Communications Specialist | 11/2006 - 07/2010
• Managed external and internal communications for organization’s brand and name change in 2008
• Communications lead (internal and external) for mergers and acquisitions and other organizational projects
• Wrote promotional copy for Web, brochures, flyers, company bios and other collateral
• Ghostwriting of letters, memos and scripts for organization executives
• Coordinated and directed photo shoots
• Planned and coordinated special events, including golf tournaments, employee conferences and awards dinners
Walter Foster Publishing
Project Manager, Direct Market Sales | 01/2005 - 12/2006
• Directed more than 40 books and kits from concept through publication
• Wrote sales and marketing copy for press releases, catalogs and presentations
• Pitched new title concepts to sales team and clients
• Built and developed relationships with vendors and contractors
• Proofed and trafficked manuscripts and graphic files
• Determined production schedules for custom products
• Specialized in custom publishing, re-packaging
• Determined project budgets and profit margins
• Researched and identified areas for growth
• Sourced formats and components from vendors
• Negotiated new contracts
• Developed new project concepts and formats
• Worked with licensors including Disney, Hasbro, Nickelodeon and Warner Bros.
Walter Foster Publishing
Editor/Writer | 01/2001 - 12/2005
• Wrote, edited instructional art copy
• Managed authors/artists through the publication process, including contract negotiation, project timelines and budgets, content guidance
• Collaborated with graphic design and production teams to create innovative, creative new books and kits for adult and children
AAA
Travel Researcher | 01/2004 - 12/2005
• Copyedited book and magazine copy
• Researched various travel destinations and attractions
• Fact-checked tour books and map copy
Avalanche Publishing
Associate Editor | 01/2000 - 12/2001
• Conceptualized new formats and titles for launch of new gift line
• Worked closely with production and design on more than 30 line items
• Initiated improved, more efficient production schedule
Capital Group
Shareholder Services Representative | 01/1998 - 12/2000
• Resolved complex service issues daily in a deadline-based environment
• Serviced multi-million-dollar retirement plans
• Startup member of a task force team formed to streamline the handling
of new money
Holly Yashi Jewelry
Customer Service/Shipping Supervisor | 01/1995 - 12/1998
• Responded to customer and retailer requests and issues
• Collaborated with Marketing and Sales teams for large volume sales orders
• Ensured prompt order entry, fulfillment and shipping
