Chris Johnston - Marketing Freelancer, self-employed

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Work Background

UTR SportsPickleball Flex League Manager - San Diego

Feb. 2024San Diego, California, United States · RemoteResponsible for the growth and management of UTR's new Pickleball Flex Leagues in the San Diego area.

Wing Walker MarketingCompany Owner and Marketer

Apr. 2019 - Mar. 2024Newburyport, Massachusetts · On-siteDevelop social media tone of voice and strategies for a portfolio of businesses. Author posts for LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook daily. Clients included: biotechnology, startups, retail, and restaurants, fitness, non-profits Execute and monitor paid social media advertisements on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Quora. Managed budgets from $5 - $5,000/month. Help owners realize their product/service’s competitive advantage by developing effective messaging and communication strategies. Also, introduce them to key influencers and help them build relationships. Conduct regular meetings with business owners to report analytics and evaluate strategies. Familiarize and follow trends in multiple industries to maintain professional, educational, and humorous messages. Use Canva, Adobe, Shopify, MailChimp, Constant Contact, Squarespace, etc. to develop a well-rounded customer experience that results in increased exposure and sales.

Great Wines. Great Times.Founder, Wine Educator

Nov. 2014 - May. 2019Newburyport, MAGreat Wines. Great Times. is an in home/business wine-tasting business. We guide you through the wine world in a fun, entertaining and educational way. Step away from the Chardonnay and explore what specific characteristics you enjoy about wine. Learn how the experts taste and evaluate wine. Pick up a few tips on what to look for on a restaurant menu. The wine world is fascinating. We look forward to teaching you!

Peabody Essex MuseumDevelopment Officer, Major Gifts and Corporate Relations

Mar. 2018 - Apr. 2019Salem, MassachusettsHelping individuals and businesses to understand the important role that culture and art play in our everyday lives. Collaborate with team responsible for completing a $650 million campaign by 2022. As of January 2019 we completed $630 million of the campaign. Grow and manage a portfolio of 150 major gift prospects and art collectors. Maintain regular correspondence with C-level donors and industry influencers to drive involvement and donations to the museum. Conduct online research to identify global prospects that show interest in art institutions. Methods have resulted in 24 previously unidentified major gift donors cable of making over $2.2 million in donations. Partner with South Asian & Indian Art and Contemporary Art Curators to expand interest with key influencers in their respective fields. Author newsletters and correspondence that resulted in strengthened relationships locally, in London, India, New York City and Boston. Develop relationships with art fair executives that resulted in Curators being invited to lecture at major art fairs in New York City and India.

Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce & IndustryDirector, Membership Development & Small Business Cheerleader

Jan. 2015 - Mar. 2018Newburyport, MAEnjoyed three years of collaborating with colleagues and members to create a healthy, vibrant and economically sound business environment. Developed strategic sales and marketing campaign focused on member retention for Chamber that was losing double-digit members per year. Managed and lead a team of Membership Committee Members Understood customer base, market and local business environment to develop program and services suited to customer needs Exceeded goal of 85% retention rate in each of three years. Recruited new members with aggressive promotional campaign and door to door solicitation where I define benefits of being part of our business community. Lead development of all marketing collateral and customer targeting approach Resulted in year over year growth and recruitment of over 310 new members in a three year timespan. Collaborated with a team to develop a promotional plan that positioned the community as a beneficial place for businesses, locals and visitors. Grew averages to 15,500 people visiting our office and over 500,000 website hits per year. Launched Young Professionals with a Purpose Networking Group. Networking outlet for young professionals that involves raising awareness for a local charity. In 2016, we raised over $6,000 for local charities.

Dingo CreativeDirector of Social Media

Feb. 2012 - Dec. 2015Newburyport, MAWorked with owners of small-midsize companies to build their social media and online presence. Lead the development of social media department for a creative marketing firm. Grew firm’s client base through networking events, cold calling and grassroots marketing efforts. Developed social media tone and and strategy for a portfolio of 15 businesses. Authored posts for Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn on a daily basis. Clients included: start-up companies, retail and restaurants, assisted living centers, fitness coaches, relocation providers, tutoring, non-profits, alternative therapy providers and massage therapy centers. Develop value proposition, and positioning for clients product’s to showcase competitive advantage with effective messaging and communication strategies. Monitored market and industry trends to support client base and maintain profession, educational and humorous message. Conducted regular meetings with business owners to report analytics and evaluate strategies.

Mill River WineryDirector of Sales & Marketing

May. 2012 - Jan. 2015Rowley, MADeveloped an effective online and offline, multi-channel marketing strategy on a small budget. Implemented a social media strategy that included educational informative and sales oriented posts. Grew Facebook following from 400 followers to 1,840. Twitter grew from 30 followers to 698. Created positive and consistent brand image on Yelp, Tripadvisor, Google, etc. Designed marketing collateral and advertisements for magazines, hotel accommodations and strategic locations north of Boston. Collaborated with local breweries and wineries to create the North Shore Crush & Brew Trail. Responsible for all aspects of wine sales and account management including restaurants, package stores and tasting room sales. Grew package store and restaurant sales from five accounts to thirty-five accounts in one year. Overall winery sales grew 55% percent over a twelve-month span; a 103% performance to plan figure. Led business development efforts with local businesses and nonprofits. Utilizing these relationships to build brand awareness and increase market awareness. Designed, executed and maintained Mill River Wine Club. Exceeded 2014 goals by signing up over 160 wine club members (goal was 100.) Developed messaging and retention strategy. Maintained a retention rate of 98% in 2014.

Boston UniversityLeadership Gifts Officer

Sep. 2009 - Oct. 2011- Deciphered and organized a database of over 80,000 alumni to locate appealing prospects for BU’s campaign. - Managed a portfolio of 126 leadership gift prospects capable of making gifts from $25,000 to $10 million. - With a team of three colleagues, raised over $10 million in fiscal year 2011 for the College of Arts & Sciences. This was one of the most successful fundraising years in school history. - Align donors interests with University needs to develop a compelling case to support BU. Foster long term commitment and repeated giving to their alma mater. - Efforts resulted in increased Leadership Annual Fund gifts and negotiations for a $250,000 gift for the chemistry lab renovation project, $100,000 Computer Science Professorship and a $25,000 gift for the Art History Department. - Personally organized and participated in monthly travel to the West Coast and Midwest to conduct face-to-face meetings with executive-level alumni.

Cornell UniversityRegional Annual Fund Officer

Sep. 2008 - Jun. 2009Managed 70 alumni volunteers who were responsible for soliciting peers for $5,000+ Annual Fund gifts. Expanded volunteer group. Provided strategies and solicitation advice for assigned peers.

University of RochesterAssociate Director of Corporate Relations

Apr. 2008 - Aug. 2008Responsible for engaging local businesses with the University. Teaching business leaders the best way to utilize a partnership with UR.

University of RochesterAssistant Director of Development

Jan. 2007 - Apr. 2008Responsible for reengaging alumni that live on the west coast with the University. Also manage and solicit a portfolio of high-end Annual Fund donors capable of making gifts of $1,500 - $25,000.

Atlantic City SurfDirector of Ticket Operations

May. 2004 - Dec. 2004Atlantic City, NJDevelop sales strategies to increase ticket sales. Manage game day ticket sales and operations. Assist in on-field operations.

Lakeland TigersFront Office Intern

May. 2002 - Aug. 2002Lakeland, Florida AreaEverything! Game day operations, ticket sales, community service, on field promotions...dress up as Southpaw the mascot.