Kristin Gast

Professional Experience

Tunheim Partners, Minneapolis, MN
Account Representative
March 2008 – Present

Specialize in media relations, healthcare communications and social media. Current and former clients include: ClearWay Minnesota, Target, Life Time Fitness, Minnesota Department of Health, Dominium Management Services, Start Noticing Coalition, St. Paul Foundation and Minnesota Community Foundation, Minneapolis Aquatennial, Red Rock Corridor Commission, and Mystic Lake Casino.

Media Relations: Determine appropriate strategy for communicating news, events, results and information to media for various clients. Develop and foster positive relationships with members of the media throughout the Twin Cities and across the country. Secure interviews, commentary and by-lined articles in outlets including The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, Minnesota Monthly, Twin Cities Business, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, METRO Magazine, Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, WCCO-TV, KARE-TV, KSTP-TV, KMSP-TV, WCCO-AM, Minnpost, WCCO’s The Wire and more.

Online: Develop strategy and execute campaigns using Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Yelp, Foursquare and Google tools. Create content and manage e-communications through platforms such as GetActive, iContact and Constant Contact, including writing emails and tracking results. Provide strategy for website development and upgrades, write copy, install and evaluate analytics, optimize site for search and edit HTML and CSS coding. Monitor current trends in social media and online communications for emerging technologies.

Event Planning: Assisted in the organization, coordination and execution of Target READesign events in cities across the country, Target recruitment events for 2008 and 2009 NSHMBA conferences and the 2008 RNC Media Party for 10,000 members of the media.

Meet Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN
Communications Intern
May – December 2007

Managed media clips for tourism, convention sales and groups marketing. Created public relations plan for reunions marketing. Provided content and updates to Meet Minneapolis Web site.

The Minnesota Daily
Marketing Intern
February – May 2006

Designed weekly newsletter sent to members of campus community. Researched for, marketed and launched new “Drink and Dine” Web page.

Nemer Fieger
Promotions and Publicity Intern
November 2005 – May 2006

Promoted new movie releases for Universal Studios to the campus community. Interacted with campus media, student organizations and local businesses for promotional activities.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Public Relations Intern
September – December 2005

Organized the 2005 “Costumed for a Cure” fundraiser and increased fundraising by 63 percent from last fiscal year. Recruited businesses to participate, revamped coordinator packets and media kits, contacted media and wrote press releases.

Education

University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
College of Liberal Arts
Major: Professional Strategic Communications – Public Relation
Minor: History
GPA: 3.681/4.0, cum laude honors