B.D. Stuart | Strategic Communication

About Brian D. Stuart

I have 20 years of deep and diverse communication experience, both in strategic planning and tactical execution. This includes five foundational years as a newspaper reporter, where I conducted research under tight deadlines and gained skill in writing about complex subjects with clarity and attention to audience. My ability to translate high-level strategy into marketing tactics that help organizations convey their unique value has served my employers and clients well.

I have completed projects as diverse as writing annual reports, designing print ads, serving as editor and project manager for a university alumni magazine, reorganizing the information hierarchy of a web site, composing speeches for executives and volunteers at signature public events, ghostwriting opinion pieces, providing PR counsel to senior management on highly-sensitive matters, balancing the needs of reporters and institutional stakeholders, editing a financial firm's broker recruitment publications, strengthening the language, logic and supporting arguments of a client's doctoral thesis, and helping a plastics industry supplier translate product features and benefits for a cross-cultural audience.

I have been particularly effective in helping small communications departments build capacity and multiply the impact of limited resources to advance their institutions in the areas of...

  • brand stature and marketplace differentiation
  • increased quality of publications and web-based communications
  • increased public awareness through strategic media placement and messaging
  • building relationships and systems that create synergy across departments
  • team building and vision casting that aligns employees around common goals
  • managing external impressions in the face of organizational /environmental change
  • adapting a singular, focused message for multiple media and audiences
  • helping CEOs, senior management and key volunteers connect powerfully and authentically with their audiences

Resume | download full PDF version

  • Director of Marketing and Communications
    United Way of the Greater Capital Region, Albany, NY, 2009 - 2011
  • Marketing Consultant, 2008-2011

    Clients included
    - Franklin Pierce University (Rindge, NH)
    - Empire State College (Saratoga Springs, NY)
    - Williams Financial Group (Dallas, TX)
    - Ph.D. candidate at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas
    - Results by Design | Marketing and Branding (Dallas, TX)

  • Director of Marketing and Communications
    Franklin Pierce University, Rindge, NH, 2005-2008

  • Associate Director of Communications
    Mount Ida College, Newton, MA, 2004-2005

  • Public Affairs Writer
    Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA, 2003-2004

  • Vice President of Marketing and Media Relations
    Old Colony YMCA, Brockton, MA, 2000-2003

  • Director of Communications
    United Way of Dutchess County, Poughkeepsie, NY, 1997-2000

  • Manager of Communications and Public Awareness
    Bowery Mission / Christian Herald, New York, NY, 1994-1997

  • Reporter - municipal, general assignment, transportation
    Poughkeepsie Journal, Poughkeepsie, NY, 1989-1993

  • Reporter - general assignment and photographer
    The Register Citizen, Torrington, CT, 1988-1989

Education

  • MBA, University of Maryland - University College, Phi Kappa Phi Honors

  • B.A. Journalism, B.A. Russian, Minor in Linguistics
    University of Rhode Island, Phi Beta Kappa

Awards and Distinctions

  • 2011 media relations program for United Way financial stability initiative received Capital Region Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Empire Award

  • 2010 United Way campaign brochure chosen as finalist, non-profit category for Capital Region PRSA Empire Awards

  • Collaborated on concept and writing of Bridgewater State College 2004 Annual Report, which won a national bronze award in Admission Marketing Report's annual advertising awards.

  • Second-place divisional award for web site in 2000 United Way National Communications Contest.

  • Third-place divisional award for radio ad in 2000 United Way National Communications Contest.

  • Brand Management Citation from United Way of Tri-State (New York City Metro Region) for local execution of 1998 national marketing platform.

  • First place award for Bowery Mission brochure in International Union of Gospel Missions' 1995 Communications Competition.

  • First place award for Bowery Mission / Kids with a Promise newsletter in International Union of Gospel Missions' 1995 Communications Competition.

  • Associated Press honorable mention for news coverage of school budget and education issues.

Endorsement