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MELODY COOK

 – Graphic Artist. Newspaper Veteran. Lover of most things Creative. –

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ABOUT MELODY COOK

A native of Northeastern Oklahoma Melody migrated to Mid-Missouri after graduating high school. While a student at Central Methodist University Melody took a part-time job at the Boonville Daily News in Boonville, Missouri, which started her journey in the newspaper industry.
She started her newspaper career as the Circulation Assistant at the Boonville Daily News, but took on several roles as the need arose and the industry changed. Eventually she moved on to the locally owned weekly paper The Cooper County Voice, also in Boonville, to become a part-time Sales Representative and Administrative Assistant. Melody would begin her design and creative path in newspaper at the Voice out of necessity, but she grew to enjoy the creative side of the newspaper industry.
Due to the small staff at the weekly paper Melody found herself fulfilling several roles as the need arose. While out on a sales call, she would head over to cover a story and take photos if necessary. Eventually Melody found herself the Interim Editor of the weekly shortly before the Voice closed in 2014. At that point Melody was not only responsible for keeping up her sales, but putting the paper and stories together each week as well as design ads and get the paper to the printer.
When the Voice closed Melody found her way to the Columbia Missourian where she had the opportunity to continue her creative path and learn more about the newspaper industry. Melody came to the Columbia Missourian as an Inside Sales Representative and eventually moved to her current position of Operations and Creative Services Manager within 2 years.
Over the last several years as the Operations and Creative Services Manager Melody has been responsible for tackling the production of print as well as digital advertisements for customers while also creating marketing and sales materials for the Columbia Missourian. Melody has also been responsible for mentoring many students in both sales as well as design as part of the Missouri Method at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

PORTFOLIO GALLERY

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LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Columbia, MO — June 1, 2015-Present

CREATIVE SERVICES AND OPERATIONS MANAGER, COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN

  • File and store newspapers and all special sections for advertising department

  • Upload classified advertisements and TV Book pages to website

  • Download, input and save TV Book pages for print and online

  • Create and send commercial print order for Columbia Missourian, any special section and VOX Magazine to be printed

  • Communicate with members of production staff so everyone is informed on deadlines, content and any duties needed to be covered. Regular meetings, emails and calls

  • Order promotional material for conventions and conferences along with merchandise to sell.

  • Keep inventory of all office supplies and order as necessary

  • On call each evening in case of problems prior to production deadline

  • Back up for Business Finance Manager

  • Intake and process advertising orders from sales reps

  • Schedule advertisements for print, online, special sections, and newsletters

  • Insure accurate publication of all advertising across all media platforms

  • Keep track of all advertising artwork incoming as well as outgoing

  • Schedule and prepare all online advertising components for the Missourian website

  • Intake camera-ready artwork for advertising

  • Create non-camera ready artwork for advertising clients along with all Missourian advertisements and marketing materials

  • Create pages & place advertisements along with comics and TV guide onto pages

  • Create all marketing materials

  • Intake all calls on multi-line telephone & assist customers of the advertising and circulation departments

  • Intake & process all legal advertising from court systems and lawyers

  • Communicate with carriers for circulation department

  • Communicate with the post office regarding daily bulk mail

  • Intake and disperse mail for building

  • Train and supervise all work-study and media sales students for both the circulation and advertising departments along with creative services

  • Intake & process all legal advertising from court systems and lawyers.

  • Notarize all affidavits of publication.

  • Work with clients to determine their needs and how the Missourian can assist with their marketing plans including classified advertising

  • Create marketing plans with clients and schedule all advertising requested by client

  • Work with clients to get artwork needed for scheduled advertising

  • Train and supervise all work-study students for the advertising department along with creative services.

JOURNALISM STAFF ADVISORY COUNCIL CHAIR (2020-2023)

  • Coordinate Staff Meetings in-person as well as on Zoom

  • Attend Executive Committee Meetings with Dean and leadership members of J-School

  • Acquire items for and create meeting agendas and communications to staff members

  • Arrange Professional Development presentations for staff members

  • Represent staff members in meetings with school administration and leaders

  • Help staff navigate issues to the correct person for assistance

  • Coordinate charitable events that staff participate in

  • Coordinate events that bring faculty and staff together in a more relaxed environment

  • Work with Journalism  Faculty Advisory Council on Strategic Planning items involving staff members

Home: Management Experiene

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2024 MISSOURI PRESS ADVERTISING AND MARKETING EXECUTIVES BEST AD CONTEST

15 Awards

Best Full Pg Ad - First Place, Second Place; Best Ad Smaller than a 1/4 Page - First Place, Second Place, Third Place; Most Creative Use of Full Color - First Place; Best Advertising Sales Tool - First Place, Second Place, Third Place; Best Ad Series - Second Place; Best Shared/Signature Page - Second Place; Best Ad Design - Second Place; Best Cover Design of a Special Section - Third Place; Best Online Ad Designer - Third Place; Best Sponsored Content/Native Advertising - Third Place

2023 MISSOURI PRESS ADVERTISING AND MARKETING EXECUTIVES BEST AD CONTEST

18 Awards

Best Ad Designer - First Place; Best Online Ad Designer - Second Place; Most Creative Use of Color - Second & Third Place; Best Cover Design of Special Section - First Place; Best Multimedia Campaign - Third Place; Best Sponsored Content/Native Advertising - First, Second, & Third Place; Best Full Pg Ad - First, Second, & Third Place; Best Ad Small than a Full Pg - No smaller than a 1/4 pg- First, Second, & Third Place; Best Ad Smaller than a 1/4 pg - First, Second, & Third Place

2022 MISSOURI PRESS ADVERTISING AND MARKETING EXECUTIVES BEST AD CONTEST

14 Awards

Most Creative Use of Full Color - First Place, Second Place and Third Place; Best Online Ad Designer - First Place; Best Ad Smaller than a Full Pg - No smaller than a 1/4 Pg - First Place and Second Place; Best Ad Designer - Second Place; Best Full Pg Ad - Second Place and Third Place; Best Shared/Signature Page - Second Place; Best Sponsored Content/Native Advertising - Second Place and Third Place; Best Single House Ad - Third Place; Best Ad Series - Third Place

2021 MISSOURI PRESS ADVERTISING AND MARKETING EXECUTIVES BEST AD CONTEST

19 Awards

Most Creative Use of Color In an Ad – First and Second Place; Best Ad Smaller Than a Full Page – no smaller than a ¼ Page – First, Second and Third Place; Best Sponsored Content/Native Advertising – First, Second, Third and Fourth; Best Ad Series First and Second Place; Best Single House Ad – First Place;  Best Advertising Sales Tool – Second and Third Place; Best Ad Designer – Second Place; Best Shared/Signature Page – Third Place; Best Online Ad Designer – Third Place; Best Full Pg – Third and Fourth Place;

2020-2023 CHAIR

University of Missouri School of Journalism Staff Advisory Council

          Facilitated the J-School Appreciation Board, J-School Non-Traditional Scholarship Fund for Staff Members continued education, Lunch and Learn Series for Professional Development.

2020 MISSOURI PRESS ADVERTISING AND MARKETING EXECUTIVES BEST AD CONTEST

12 Awards

Best Ad Designer – First Place; Best Full Pg – First Place and Honorable Mention; Most Creative Use of Full Color – Frist Place and Honorable Mention; Best Online Ad Designer – Second Place; Best Ad Smaller than ¼ Pg – Second and Third Place; Best Ad Series – Second and Third Place; Best Share/Signature Page – Second Place; Best Ad Smaller Than A Full Pg and No Smaller Than A ¼ Page – Honorable Mention

2019-2020 VICE CHAIR

University of Missouri School of Journalism Staff Advisory Council

Home: Accomplishments

WORK EXPERIENCE

INSIDE ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE, COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN

Columbia, MO – January 27, 2014 to May 31, 2015

  • Answer multi-line telephone

  • Work with clients to determine their needs and how the Missourian can assist with their marketing plans

  • Create marketing plans with clients and schedule all advertising requested by client

  • Work with clients to get artwork needed for scheduled advertising

  • Meet a monthly sales goal which consisted of display advertising as well as classified advertising sales

  • File and store newspapers for advertising department

  • File and store all special sections

  • Upload classified advertisements and TV Guide pages to website

  • Help customers at the front counter

  • Download, input and save TV Guide pages for print and online

  • Input insertion orders into Falcon Order system for scheduling and billing

  • Train work studies and work with them as they are scheduled

  • Back up for the Creative Services and Operations Coordinator

  • Lock and secure office upon leaving for the day

  • Notary Public License

OFFICE ASSISTANT, COOPER COUNTY VOICE

Boonville, MO – December 27, 2010 to December 31, 2013

  • Answer multi-line telephone

  • Take calls concerning all things concerning the weekly newspaper from Classified ads to not receiving a paper

  • Talk with people over the phone about possible news stories

  • Work with clients to determine their needs/wants and how the Voice can assist with their marketing plans

  • After determining clients needs/wants, schedule all advertising requested by client

  • Work with clients to get artwork needed for scheduled advertising

  • Take or modify Classified advertisements along with any display advertisements

  • Sell Special Sections and weekly advertisements

  • Design advertisements for customers using InDesign and Photoshop

  • Send a proof of advertisement to customers

  • Correct or change advertisement if necessary

  • Come up with promotions or sales to offer customers

  • Keep track of all display advertisements as well as Classified advertisements for each weeks paper

  • Insure accurate publication for all advertisements

  • Layout ads and content on the pages

  • Write content and take pictures to go along with stories

  • Contact local government officials concerning news stories and upcoming elections or meetings

  • Contact the sheriff’s office and police department for police reports

  • Receive and layout obituaries

  • Put content, pictures, and classifieds on the website

  • Update the Facebook page and Twitter account

  • Keep track of the paid mailing list

  • Help with distribution of papers on Tuesdays

  • Keep track of office supplies needed and order office supplies once a month

  • Notary Public License

CIRCULATION ASSISTANT, BOONVILLE DAILY NEWS

Boonville, MO – May 23, 2008 to December 24, 2010

  • Answer multi-line telephone

  • Take calls concerning circulation

  • Make calls letting customers know they are about to expire

  • Take after hours customer calls

  • Call carriers if customers do not receive their paper

  • Take papers to customers if carriers do not

  • Fill in on routes when carriers are sick or quit

  • Take over-the-phone as well as in-person new subscriptions and renewals

  • Take and log all cash or check renewal and subscription transactions

  • Send out single copy orders

  • Measure the newspaper for the postal report,

  • Enter report information along with subscription information, carrier information, and other data into MSSI system (a DOS system for keeping track of circulation information along with billing)

  • Print and send the postal report

  • Filing

  • Count news stand cash

  • Send renewals

  • Count and make deposits

  • Take mail to the post office

  • Run errands

  • Help front receptionist with customers

  • Keep track and organize back issues in storage room

  • Organize NIE tag sale

  • Help with special projects such as the veterans book or the cookbook

  • Use Microsoft Office to create circulation/NIE promotions to insert or mail

  • When short handed in the mail room-help inserters with inserting and bundling of the daily paper

  • Back up for Composition and Pagination Specialist.

UPHOLSTERY ASSISTANT, PATTY’S UPHOLSTERY

Boonville, MO – July 3, 2006 to May 22, 2008

  • Removal of old fabric from furniture

  • Answer phones

  • Make appointments for repairs, estimates, or pick-ups

  • Assist customers with pick-up and payments

  • Assisted in all other aspects of the upholstery business

STATION ATTENDANT, QUICK RUN II

Marshall, MO – September 6, 2005 to June 28, 2006

  • Ring up items

  •  Authorize gasoline sales

  •  Stock coolers and shelves

  • Refill ice machines and bag ice

  • Take out trash

  • Sweep and mop store

  • Keep counters clean

  • Stock cigarette shelves

  • Inventory of all tobacco products

  •  Clean restroo

  •  Count and put away all new merchandise

  •  Sign off on deliveries

  •  Assist sales reps. on walk around of their merchandise

  • Help customers find what they need.

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CONTACT

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2019 MISSOURI ADVERTISING MANAGERS' ASSOCIATION BEST AD CONTEST

10 Awards

Best Ad Designer – First Place; Best Ad No Smaller Than A ¼ Page – First Place;  Best Shared/Signature Page – First Place; Best Full Page – First Place; Best Single House Ad – First; Best Ad Series – First Place; Best Ad No Smaller Than A ¼ Page – Third Place; Best Sponsored Content – Third Place; Best Ad No Smaller Than A ¼ Page – Honorable Mention; Best Single Classified Display Ad – Honorable Mention

2018 MISSOURI ADVERTISING MANAGERS' ASSOCIATION BEST AD CONTEST

11 Awards

Best Single Classified Display Ad - First Place; Most Creative Use of Full Color in an Ad – First, Third and Fourth Place; Best Single House Ad -First and Third Place; Best Full Page Ad – First and Second Place; Best Ad No Smaller Than a ¼ Page – First Place; Best Ad Smaller than ¼ Page – Fourth Place; Best Shared/Signature Page – Fourth Place; Best Advertising Sales Tool – Fourth Place.

2017 MISSOURI ADVERTISING MANAGERS' ASSOCIATION BEST AD CONTEST

15 Awards

Best Ad Designer – Fourth Place; Best Online Ad Designer – Third Place;  Best Single Classified Display Ad – Second Place; Best Ad No Smaller Than a ¼ Page – Third and Fourth Place; Best Advertising Sales Tool – Second Place; Best Shared/Signature Page – Second and Third Place; Best Full Page Ad – Second and Fourth Place; Best Single House Ad – First and Second Place; Most Creative Use of Full Color in an Ad – First and Second Place

2016 MISSOURI ADVERTISING MANAGERS' ASSOCIATION BEST AD CONTEST

6 Awards

Best Advertising Sales Tool – First Place; Best Single Classified Display Ad – First Place; Best Shared/Signature Page – First Place; Best Ad No Smaller Than a ¼ Page – Second Place & Third Place; Best Advertising Idea or Promotion – Third Place.

©2021 by Melody Cook. Proudly created with Wix.com

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