​​​​David Thomas

Contractor. Thomas Communications

​2014 - present

 

Performed nonprofit development and marketing/communications services for clients.

• African Entertainment Awards: promoted with the Executive Producer; garnering global participation in the awards process from over 200,000 online respondents
  Now in its fourth year, the AEA-USA Awards have become the premiere showcase for African music in the United States bringing awareness of this musical genre to tens of thousands of American fans

• Alliance for Young Artists and Writers: Prospect research and proposal writing

• Central Park Conservancy :  Produced content, performed research and edited submissions for publications

 

Communications Project Manager. Newark Public Schools

​8/2014 - 7/2015

 

Responsible for bringing to the forefront all of the achievements and good news being produced by the district schools during a period in which the district was receiving heavy criticism from the Mayor’s office and certain segments of the community for implementing its One Newark plan which enabled greater school choices for Newark’s students and families.  Outcomes included:

• Critical communications channel: established @NPSVoices on Twitter to receive accurate and inspiring information for parents, students, educators, administrators and community members.

• Stakeholder communication and outreach.

• Research on new innovative initiatives for the CIO ( I.E. established a hands-on functioning computer help desk program for students)

• Internal newsletters for teachers and administrators keeping NPS’ 5,000 employees informed about urgent information, special events, initiatives and so on.

 

Public Relations/Development Specialist. Oiada International

9/​2003 - 8/2014

 

Utilized public relations expertise to help take this local start up and build it into an international organization.

Key highlights

• Helped establish this international distance learning organization headquartered in Newark.

• Built Oiada from a local start up into an international organization through outreach to school districts throughout the US and establishing relationships with schools and organizations around the globe.

• Successfully established partnerships with key corporations, foundations, associations and governmental entities resulting in over $250,000 in grants from such partners as Polycom Corporation.

• Garnered television, print and social media coverage of the organization and its programs.

• Utilized social media to spread awareness of the center’s programs and events.

 

Public Relations/Development Associate, Newark Emergency Services For Families, Inc.

7/2001 - 5/2003

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I coordinated the agency’s successful 25th anniversary celebration handling the logistics, advertising, marketing and outreach and resulting in net income of over $75,000.

• With no budget for advertising, I was able to secure four donated billboards in the Newark area, free PSAs on Cablevision, a listing in the Star Ledger’s Weekend Spotlight and a profile of the agency on NJTV.

•     Driving awareness of post-September 11th emergency services.