James Saracini

jlsaracini@gmail.com — 573-639-1665 — JamesSaracini.com

Los Angeles, CA

A results-focused marketing strategist and experienced advertiser that develops successful campaigns by
taking the creative approach. Leverages more than nine years of experience in the complex world of nonprofit
and government communications. Welcomes the challenges presented by roles where the ability to adapt
quickly, manage auxiliary responsibilities and juggle competing priorities is required. Proven to be an
invaluable ally that executive leaders can rely on to take ownership of difficult projects, find innovative
solutions and get things done right the first time.

• Digital Advertising: • Message and Brand Strategy

- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest
- SEM: Google Search and App Stores
- Programmatic Native and Display
• Project Management:
- Website and Mobile App Development
- Production of Graphics, Photo and Video
• Content Marketing: Copywriting and Editing
• Social Media Strategy and Brand Management
• SEO and Link Building
• Analytics Reporting and ROI Assessment
• Email Marketing
• Fundraising: Appeals, Direct Mail, Grants
• CRM Upkeep, Implementation and Reporting
• Event Planning and Public Relations

EXPERIENCE
GRACE Communications Foundation LA & NYC 2014 to Present
National leader in the campaign to build consumer support for sustainable food and sustainable farmers.
Digital Marketing and Communications Manager
Digital Advertising
Lead all in-house advertising by planning, deploying and refining hundreds of campaigns.
Goal: Bring quality traffic to GCF’s advocacy content. KPIs: traffic growth; dwell time and scroll depth.
Outcome: 81% increase in site visitors with a 21% conversion rate for engagement-related KPIs.
• Social Media Ads: Use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest to uncover valuable audience
insights and craft powerful campaigns. Average CTR of 4.9%. Accounts for a 17% growth in site traffic.
• Google Ads: Use paid and grant accounts to insert product evaluations into the research phase of
searchers’ consumer journey. Responsible for more than 140,000 site visits. 57% hit scroll depth goals.
• Native and Display Ads: Bring extensive exposure to GCF’s newly-launched flagship brand by earning
7.8 million impressions and 20% of new site visitors. 15% conversion rate on engagement KPIs.
• Agency Collaboration: Work with leading ad agencies on special projects. Ensure a successful ROI.
Project Management: Marketing Collateral and Website Development
Oversee production, review and deployment of multimedia packages for integrated marketing campaigns.
Full lifecycle project management of large-scale development projects, such as: FoodPrint, a new flagship
brand and website; the creation of mobile apps; and the production of digital products and tools.
• Key liaison between directors, designers and IT staff in addition to external developers.
• Ensure deadlines are met. Manage quality assurance and coordinate stakeholder feedback.
Brand Strategy
Develop metrics-based strategies for rebrands and launches. Create brand messaging across all platforms.
Content Marketing and SEO
Managing Editor: Write copy and edit staff’s work. Collaborate with executive staff on editorial strategy.
SEO: Ensure content is fully optimized. Use Moz, Google and Yoast to improve SERP rankings.
Goal: Educate users and inspire new buying and cooking habits. KPIs: scroll depth and dwell time.
Outcome: Users exceed engagement KPIs: 45% hit deep scroll depths, 15% hit highest dwell time goals.
Social Media Marketing
Set and execute strategies to grow and engage a combined audience of more than 130,000.
Evolve organizational voice and convey GCF’s complex positions on science and policy developments.
Protect GCF’s public image. Train junior staff to represent GCF and ensure the quality of their work.
Goal: Grow audience to expand the reach of GCF’s message. Increase site traffic. KPI: account growth.
Outcome: Consistent year-over-year growth. Earns 14% of total traffic. Exceeds engagement rate targets.
• 60% net increase in Facebook page likes for FoodPrintOrg and sub-brands (54,600 total likes).
• 45% net increase in Twitter followers for @foodprintorg and sub-brands (66,000 total followers).
• Collaborate with team to expand Instagram (320% growth) and Pinterest (210% growth).
Email Marketing
Write, edit and design weekly and monthly newsletters and automated campaigns that drive traffic to site.
Analytics
Lead report generation for Board on all foundation websites, social media, advertising and newsletters.
Departmental Management
Assist director in managing and onboarding junior staff. Manage vendors and freelancers.

Nazareth Housing New York, NY 2011 – 2014

NYC community development organization that provides shelter for homeless and low-income families.
Coordinator for Development and Communications
Marketing, Fundraising and Communications
Collaborated with executive staff on all development and communications decisions. Led social media.
Fundraised more than $500,000 per year. Supported programs and grew brand recognition in NYC.
Drove donations by crafting appeals, webpages, newsletters and graphics using effective CTAs.
Direct Mail: Coordinated the design, printing and mailing of all materials to 2,500+ donors.
Event Planning
Assisted with the planning and execution of 3 annual benefits, 3 auction events and other fundraisers.
• Direct management of the 2014 Annual Benefit, raising $615,000+ (171% of previous record high).
CRM
Led Blackbaud CRM expansion, donation page integration, reporting and acknowledgment creation.
Website Management and Redesign
Media Relations
Vendor, Volunteer and Intern Management
Junior Board Philanthropy Chair, 2014 to Present
State of Missouri Jefferson City, MO 2010 - 2011
Office of Governor Jay Nixon | Office of Administration | Department of Natural Resources
Public Information Specialist
Promoted government initiatives and engaged the public. Drove traffic to online tools and services.
Multimedia Production
Produced videos for State Departments, Parks and the Governor’s office. 114,000+ YouTube views.
Social Media Marketing
Tripled Twitter followers and doubled Facebook fans.
Web Development
Assisted with the rebuild of Mo.gov, the State’s primary website.

We Always Swing Jazz Series Columbia, MO 2009 - 2010

Award-winning Jazz Series responsible for bringing world-recognized musicians to central Missouri
Assistant Director
Increased ticket sales to sell out concerts. Provided high-quality experiences for attendees and artists.
Concert Promotions and Event Planning
Coordinated digital marketing, print marketing and partnerships resulting in thousands of ticket sales.
Social Media Marketing
Increased following seven-fold.
EDUCATION
University of Missouri in Columbia 2010 Magna Cum Laude
School of Journalism College of Arts and Science
Bachelors of Journalism Bachelors of Arts in English

TECHNOLOGY
Advertising Platforms
Google Ads, DSP (e.g., Outbrain’s Zemanta), Facebook/Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest
Analytics
Google Analytics, Google Search Console, HotJar and Raven Tools
Social Media Management
Hootsuite, TweetDeck, Link In Profile and Keyhole
Project Management
Atlassian’s Jira, Confluence and Trello; Basecamp, Airtable, Slack, Asana and Bugify
Web Publishing
HTML, CSS, CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress, Blogger and Dreamweaver)
Design, Photo and Video Editing
Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator; Adobe PremierePro and After Effects
CRMs and Donor Databases
Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge, Merchant Services, Sphere and NetCommunity
Email Marketing
MailChimp, Constant Contact and Blackbaud
Microsoft Office Suite and Google’s G Suite