sonja andic

Current

Freelance at Sonja Andic

Past

Media Lounge Liaison at Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC)
Account Coordinator at Cowan & Company Communications Inc
IABC Toronto Volunteer (since 2007) at IABC

Managing Editor at Torontostreetfashion.com
Writer & Researcher at Context Creative
Communications Consultant - Hug Day Toronto 2007 at Elevator Film

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Education

Centennial College

Recommended

8 people have recommended sonja

Connections

141 connections

Industry

Public Relations and Communications

sonja andic’s Summary

As a skilled communicator with solid PR agency, journalism, event, and social media experience, I am seeking a new role were I can learn from the best and work in an environment which encourages professional growth. I welcome the opportunity for new career challenges ~ taking my role to the next level with people who uphold and strive for innovative, creative and rewarding high standards.

Please feel free to contact me.

Cheers,
Sonja

sonja andic’s Specialties:

Event Planning & Implementation
Media Relations
Word of Mouth Publicity
Creative Writing
Client Relations

sonja andic’s Experience

Freelance

Sonja Andic

(Public Relations and Communications industry)

September 2009 — Present (4 months)

Since the end of my summer break, I have been working for private clients involved in the arts, music and film.
The hours are flexible which allow me to continue with other projects, such as the recent short-term contract with the FDCC.
Media Lounge Liaison

Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC)

(Apparel & Fashion industry)

October 2009 — October 2009 (1 month)

The 21st fashion week season showcased the spring 2010 collections: 50 shows held over five days in the second largest fashion week in North America.
Managed and monitored the media lounge during Toronto’s LG Fashion Week.
• Liaised with communication coordinator to monitor and assess media lounge activity, user feedback, status of volunteers, and other relevant issues.
• Managed the media lounge, providing a comfortable atmosphere for media to file and rest between shows. Provided guests with access to LG laptops and Internet. Ensured media materials such as FDCC press releases, designer PR kits and media swag bags were available.
• Greeted and accommodated over 300 registered media guests over five days. Directed and responded to requests including setting up interviews with Robin Kay, Internet network key and backstage access queries.
• Supervised eight media lounge volunteers; conducted daily team briefings, actioned volunteer feedback, reviewed responsibilities and issues, and assigned work details for the media lounge, the showroom and front registration desk.
• Facilitated a steady flow of dialogue between FDCC management in regards to media lounge logistics, décor, designer relations, and volunteers.
Account Coordinator

Cowan & Company Communications Inc

(Public Relations and Communications industry)

September 2007 — June 2009 (1 year 10 months)

Toronto’s “Small PR Agency of the Year” voted by IABC (2007 & 2008)
Work with first class brands such as L’Oréal Paris, Lancôme, Kraft, Prime Restaurants (Casey’s, Bier Markt, Prime Pubs), Egg Farmers of Ontario and Childhood Cancer Foundation, developing and implementing media relations, event management and promotions.
• Conceived and executed online YouTube.com campaign for L’Oréal Paris Beauty Tubes mascara garnering over 500,000 media impressions and winning team IABC Ovation Award of Merit 2009.
• Executed CHANGE Lingerie media relations securing consistent exposure for the brand with coverage in top tier media such as National Post, Flare, Loulou, Elle and Breakfast Television.
• Kick-started grassroots research that resulted in the list of 1,000 influential women in Toronto’s cultural scene celebrated in Lancôme’s Mille Femmes photography project for Luminato 2008. Facilitated media interviews for Mille Femmes photographer Pierre Maraval.
• Worked on “Pokémon Peaks Again” campaign winning team IABC Ovation Award of Merit 2008.

• Created and pitched story ideas to print, online and broadcast media.
• Tracked, monitored and compiled media impression reports using Cision, Infomart and traditional methods.
• Planned and coordinated media briefings, media receptions and product launches.
• Wrote media releases, advisories and client summary reports.
• Created strategies and investigated tactics to drive traffic to various client projects, products and/or services.
• Liaised with clients and maintained relationships.
IABC Toronto Volunteer (since 2007)

IABC

(Non-Profit; Public Relations and Communications industry)

2007 — 2009 (2 years )

• 2008 & 2009 Director of Volunteer Special Events
• 2009 Ovation Award Gala Committee Volunteer
• Participant in Mentor/Mentee Project
Managing Editor

Torontostreetfashion.com

(Media Production industry)

October 2005 — September 2007 (2 years )

Put Torontostreetfashion.com on the map as a Toronto fashion and event coverage publication. The resultant buzz and editorial influence lead to fashion print and video assignments being solicited by National Post and Canada.com.
• Used the power of word of mouth to increase unique traffic to the website by up to 200 per cent within first year.
• Secured media coverage for Torontostreetfashion.com in National Post, Toronto Star, Canada.com, The Globe and Mail, NOW, Eye Weekly, Fashion File, XTRA! and MTV Canada.
• Networked and built relationships with key industry leaders resulting in recognition as a fashion influencer.
• Developed and managed Torontostreetfashion events.

• Managed editorial schedule and deadlines as well as developed story ideas.
• Wrote articles, media releases, newsletters and trend reports.
• Liaised with contributors, media, industry professionals and educators.
• Solicited advertisers for online banners and the retail directory.
• Responsible for recruiting and training volunteers.
Writer & Researcher

Context Creative

(Design industry)

April 2007 — May 2007 (2 months)

Initiated outside the box tactics while working on the Ontario Trails Council project with the aim to create buzz and gather information on relevant new trends.
• Devised social media strategies and web content for the Ontario Trails Council.
• Took initiative to research outside the office; hit the trails of Toronto to investigate geocaching.
Communications Consultant - Hug Day Toronto 2007

Elevator Film

(Media Production industry)

January 2007 — January 2007 (1 month)

Brought the global phenomenon of Hug Day to Toronto via an outdoor event held in Nathan Phillips Square.
• Created a public awareness campaign for Hug Day Toronto covered by CP24, Toronto Star, CBC and CFRB radio, BlogTO.com and Torontoist.com.
• Took on social media to stimulate word of mouth grassroots publicity.
• Involved in all elements of event from creating signage, writing the news release and fact sheet, greeting media onsite and facilitating interviews.

sonja andic’s Education

Centennial College

PR and Communications 2006 — 2007

• Created and implemented two-day student event - Your Personal Brand Creating the Better You. Produced promotional material, contacted VIP guests, hosted and introduced seminars.
• Podcast project details: produced podcast series focusing on issues such as: astroturfing, net-seeding and Brand Power. The series explored the relationship between PR, advertising and ethics.

Activities and Societies:

• Student Professional Development Day event
• Podcast project