Tell Your Story is thrilled to introduce you to its first full-time team member, Amanda Stewart. Amanda will serve as our Social Media and Public Relations Manager, responsible for developing and executing strategic PR and social media plans for clients as well as Tell Your Story. She will also oversee me, the intern.
Prior to Tell Your Story, Amanda worked as a public relations consultant for business-to-business firm, Gyro (formerly HSR Business to Business), where she helped increase awareness, preference and thought leadership for clients including USG Corporation, Morton Salt and SIRVA. She takes a metrics-driven approach to social media and PR and is passionate about integrating social and digital media with traditional public relations.
Originating from Rockford, IL, just 90 miles outside of Chicago, Amanda attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois where she received a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and Political Science. Although she initially planned to be an attorney, after interning at a law office in college, knew she was better suited for a career that allowed for more creativity and communication. After her first marketing/PR internship, Amanda was hooked. She was then drawn to the beautiful city of Chicago where she not only loves the abundance of business opportunities, but to the amazing culture, food and people.
“I have loved developing highly- targeted messages, and sharing those messages through public relations and social media strategies. One of the most fascinating things about this industry is the evolution of it,” Amanda expresses. “Just in my 5-year career, the way we communicate with customers has completely changed with the widespread use of social media and user generated content. I look forward to seeing what is to come and helping my clients navigate the changing landscape to their best advantage.”
Amanda learned about the opportunity with Tell Your Story because George Rafeedie, Founder of Tell Your Story, was the Managing Director at her first agency job at HSR Business to Business. They kept in touch over the years after George started his own agency, and when the opportunity arose, they both knew it was the perfect fit.
“I saw Amanda grow rapidly at HSR and her reputation for doing great PR and social media work grew tremendously after I left,” George said. “Once I saw I had the opportunity and clients to get someone like her on board to help craft and tell great stories, I had to go for it. I can’t be more excited about the work we are currently doing and will be doing for our clients. Keep an eye on us.”
Welcome Amanda!