about.me/gusforward gusforward84@gmail.com

(832) 588.0924

Gus J Forward

SUMMARY

Five years marketing, communications and project management experience that includes an

award-winning branding, promotional, special event, social media, maverick marketing and

multimedia portfolio, with expertise messaging for B2C audience segments of all age groups.

Education

Bachelors of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences: University of Houston • May ‘09 Major: Corporate Communications

Professional Experience

Marketing & Communications Manager: University Relations • April ‘09 to Present Manage the strategic implementation of marketing budgets and creative teams for the university’s in-house marketing

communications agency, including university-wide and community-wide branding projects that contributed to a 4% increase

in admissions and unprecedented $25 million increase in donation-based funding

Recipient of 3 AMA Crystal, 3 PRSA Excalibur and 3 IABC Gold Quill Awards in 2012, including 13 entry finalist

nominations combined, for the direct planning and management of the following marketing projects: marketing campaign,

radio and TV spot, logo design, promotional product, social media and maverick marketing campaign, marketing video,

interactive/multimedia marketing video, photo and outdoor signage

Develop content updates of the domain university website (uh.edu) and deploy e-mail marketing messages for the institutional

communicators

Creative director, writer-producer of the award-winning Choose Houston TV and radio spot, that aired on ESPN, CBS, ABC

and FOX

Directed the award-winning Keep Houston Red campaign, a series of integrated marketing programs that set the foundation

upon which to build a brand, multimedia campaign for the university, including web, social media, video, community

partnerships, media coverage, and other print/digital promotion components

Orchestrated the award-winning non-profit event Legacy of the Pride, a four-day gala including event signage, archival

exhibits, email marketing, and multimedia video, that strategically positioned the institution’s brand message with the 80-plus

history of the university.

Served as creative director and producer of the award-winning multimedia video series You Are The Pride, which featured

prestigious alumni: Carl Lewis and Hakeem Olajuwon, Richard “Racehorse” Hanes, Brett Cullen, Barbra Padilla and

Danny Olivas

Marketing Coordinator: University Relations • May ‘08 to April ‘09 Facilitated communications efforts towards brand awareness and capital fundraising campaigns

Managed video projects, which included creative director of web promos and multimedia presentations for the president’s

office, admissions, colleges, and other campus departments and news media outlets

Communications Intern: University of Houston • July ‘06 to May ‘08 Writer-producer of multimedia videos that promoted President Renu Khator’s 100 Days campaign during her arrival

Conducted web research that yielded a new UH domain website (www.uh.edu), affecting over 600 pages of content

assisted in a multi-phase redevelopment project affecting over 600 pages of content and departments campus-wide

Marketing Intern: University of Houston • May 2006 to August 2006 Writer-producer of recruiting promos featuring Jim McInvale (“Mattress Mac”) that promoted the #1 ranked in the nation

Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship

Wrote college press releases to faculty, staff and students

Professional Associations

Member/Volunteer: American Marketing Association Houston • April ‘08 to Present Writer-producer of career development videos that offer helpful tips for future and current marketing chief officers