About Me
Overview
With 30 plus years of on-the-job marketing and communications experience, all with the aim of increasing company visibility and improving growth, loyalty and retention, you could say I’ve done it all. My work has included traditional and digital marketing, advertising, branding, messaging, partnership/affiliate programs, B2B and B2C product launches, customer relationship management, sponsorships, public relations, media relations, marketing communication creation and production, and primary/secondary research.
Career Highlights
I jumped right into the marketing world with my first job out of college when I went to work for a hospital, a Level I Trauma Center, taking calls from the media at all hours of the day and night to report on victims of often violent trauma. This role was followed by a position as marketing director for the hospital that performed the world’s first artificial heart implant in Louisville, Kentucky. I continued to work in hospital marketing at the corporate level and after this nine-year stint in healthcare marketing I became Vice President of an advertising agency and later Marketing and Promotions Director for two television stations. I then returned to healthcare at Humana Inc., a Fortune 100 managed care company. For 14 years I held various strategic marketing leadership roles with work that included new product launches and new program development for business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets.
Career Specialization
Throughout my career I’ve been involved in launching several first-ever initiatives, including a new United Paramount Network affiliate television station and the first local television website for a Fox network affiliate in 1994. I led the media launch of several pioneering medical procedures, including the first lung transplant, the first artificial heart bridge-to-transplant procedure (performed by Dr. William DeVries), and the first cochlear ear implant.
While working for Humana, a Fortune 100 company, I launched several company firsts, including an online health insurance product for small businesses, a full line of first-to-market consumer driven health plans, and the new Medicare Advantage (MAPD) and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) introduced to Medicare beneficiaries in 2006.
In addition to new product launches I specialize in new program development. I created Humana’s first Medicare member loyalty and retention program, Humana Active Outlook. Taking off on the existing general health education magazine, HAO, this award-winning program was created after doing extensive research with seniors to understand their health challenges as they aged. The program includes a specialty publication, Live It Up! Digest, that contains disease specific health information, a series of local classes and seminars, and a website containing educational health content and on-line classes. To further build a relationship, each member received a birthday card and a holiday card featuring original artwork. Specialty products were produced for family members including the CareGiver Kit, for family caregivers, and the LifeKeeper Kit, to house vital end-of-life information.
In my advertising agency work I served as a senior leader, working with a diverse group of clients. I assessed each client’s individual needs, quickly learned about their products, services, and competitors, and created business-building marketing strategies and tactical programs.
My current role
I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart so after a successful 30+ year career in strategic leadership roles in marketing and advertising I took the plunge and started my own business in 2014. New Moon Marketing Communications was the fulfillment of a dream I’d had for many years – to take the experience and knowledge I had gained throughout my career and use it to help other dreamers achieve their goal of owning and running a successful small business. With New Moon Marketing Communications, I provide custom digital and traditional marketing solutions to small and mid-sized companies. In addition to providing strategic marketing planning and brand development I specialize in digital content marketing – from concept to creation to implementation. To keep my writing and editing muscle fit I write for digital and print applications and serve as an editor for Quill Content, a global content production platform for ecommerce businesses.
I am also an Associate Professor of Marketing at for Strayer University’s MBA program at the Jack Welch Management Institute. I teach marketing in an online environment to MBA students from around the world.
Industry Experience
In addition to working with several Fortune 500 companies and a Fortune 100 company I have worked with small to medium-sized businesses. Some of the industries I’ve worked with include the following:
As a marketing director I’ve been a trusted advisor to company leaders, working with companies in the following industries: Appliance manufacturing; banking; broadcast television; casino gambling; Catholic Archdiocese; fast food; convenience store; grocery; health care (hospital, health insurance, physician, wellness); home builders association; horse racing, lottery; manufacturing; non-profit/fundraising; orchestra and the arts; entertainment; non-profits; adult beverage; paint manufacturer; property development and real estate; retail; social services; stock brokerage/financial services; tool manufacturer; tourism; utilities (water, gas & electric).
Education
My education includes a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Political Science, a master’s degree in Marketing, and a PhD in Communications.
Certifications
I received Copyblogger’s “Certified Content Marketer” designation after completing advanced coursework and passing a detailed review. Copyblogger Media is one of the preeminent marketing and blogging resources for bloggers. I also attained an “Online Teaching and Learning” certificate from Webster University after completing a one-year, 20-hour graduate level program.
Marketing Philosophy
My passion is getting into the mind of the consumer to create innovative, enduring marketing programs that drive businesses forward. Coupled with my strategic perspective and creative instincts, I develop unique and lasting programs that set businesses apart from competitors. Three words that describe me are: perceptive, expressive, and intuitive. I am a prolific idea-generator. I stay focused on the end goal, have a deep understanding of human nature, and know how to influence people with rational thinking and emotional feeling.
My colleague Christopher G. Padgett, PCC, CPCC, Principal & Executive Coach
Growth Revolution Inc., expresses what it’s like to work with me:
“If growth and profit are critical to your organization’s success, you really need to have a conversation with Denise Damron at New Moon Marketing Communications. I’ve known and trusted Denise for over a decade and have consistently found her to be valuable. She’s tackled and succeeded at some of the most complex marketing challenges. Denise is an exceptional marketing strategist and communicator. She brings her “A” game to every interaction, and I have always found her thoughtful and strategic approach refreshing, powerful, and effective. “
Subscribe to the monthly blog if you’re looking for a different perspective on how to market your business. Contact me at DeniseDamron@NewMoonMarcom.com to discuss how we can work together to achieve your business dreams.
Personal Interests
My lifelong passions are creativity and learning. Creativity for me takes many forms and I enjoy exploring the arts, music, photography, reading, and writing. Creative curiosity goes hand in hand with learning, so I am constantly pursuing educational opportunities, from herb gardening to art techniques to staying up to date on the digital marketing techniques.
About the Moon
New Moon Marketing Communications was founded on the new moon in February 2015. The new moon is a time to set goals and intentions. The new moon symbolizes new beginnings, possibilities and opportunities. The period of the new moon is a time to reflect on your true purpose, to envision your dreams and to guide your personal and business growth.
Throughout time people have followed the cycles of the moon and have used it to guide farming, health and healing, and emotional and spiritual awareness. Whether you believe in the hocus-pocus that surrounds moon lore or not, you can use the cycles of the moon to reflect on your daily choices and actions. Take the opportunity to follow the symbolism of the moon for self-reflection as well as a time to reinvigorate your business.
- Waning Moon: symbolic of letting go, surrender, release, quiet time and contemplation.
- New Moon: symbolic of new beginnings, a fresh start, rebirth.
- Waxing Moon: Symbolic of growth, manifestation, attainment.
- Full Moon: Symbolic of the height of power, the peak of clarity, fullness and obtainment of desire.
About the Logo
Concentric circles represent processes, interrelationships and wholeness. They symbolize a systemic view of nature and the universe. These are all elements of marketing practice in that they signify layers of meaning, or the layering of goals, strategies, and tactics that Engage, Relate and Expand.
The laurel leaves are believed to inspire creativity. They are believed to aid in spiritual awakening and becoming more aware of everything. Because they are used to reward intelligence and art and are associated with academia, they represent the spirit of Discover, Learn and Grow.
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