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My Story

elissa bass on a beach in a denim jacket
journalists with a big stuffed bear
two women at a st patricks day parade
elissa bass and her beloved pit bull
elissa bass even judges dance contests
elissa bass in a blue sweater
elissa bass at a wine and cheese party

Born into a family of journalists, I spent more than two decades in print before moving to a digital platform. Of course, there is no such thing as 'just print' these days — anyone with something to say needs to use all the avenues available, whether it be pen-to-paper or a blog. I bring a journalist's eye and an editor's ear to any story, and tell it in a meaningful way.

 

Experience

Hartford HealthCare, July 2019-present

Community Liaison, Mystic, CT region

  • Responsible for community partnerships and collaboration in connection with HHC opening of 47,000 SF medical services facility in Mystic, CT.

  • Community Outreach

  • Audience development

  • Marketing/Events

Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA,  October 2019-March 2021

  • Social media strategy/management​ for the world's leading education facility for blind and low-vision children.

  • Content development and creation

Hope in Focus/Sofia Sees Hope, U.S., 2015-December 2021

Director of Marketing and Communications

  • Social media strategy/management​ for global nonprofit that provides advocacy for the rare inherited disease community, specifically those that result in vision loss and blindness

  • Public relations

  • Audience development

  • Marketing

  • Internal and external communications

  • Digital strategy

  • Content management

Flat Stanley, U.S., June 2014-present

  • Social media strategy/management​ for one of the world's most-traveled literary characters

RIHub, Providence, RI, January 2020-present

  • Social media strategy/management​ for Rhode Island's innovation hub, helping entrepreneurs find funding, mentors, and grow their concepts to fruition.

Sea Swirl, U.S., 2015-present

  • Social media strategy/management​ for one of CT's most beloved and iconic clam shacks

LinkedIn Learning, June 2018-June 2019

Writer

  • Wrote case studies on companies, NPOs and educational institutions that use LinkedIn Learning to promote the sale of LinkedIn Learning platform globally. 

Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, CT, December 2016-July 2019

Social Media/Digital Manager

●      Responsible for all social media for one of the world’s leading maritime museums, including strategy development and execution for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, LinkedIn. This includes content creation (videos, photos, narrative), as well as customer service.

●      Responsible for maintaining the Museum’s website, including uploading calendar content, writing web stories about goings on and news at the Museum, refreshing content as needed to stay current, and editing/posting other departments’ content.

●      Supplements communications office PR needs as required.

●      Responds to media and other requests for Museum information, photos, videos, etc.

 

Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation, U.S., November 2015-2018

  • Social media and content strategy for nonprofit that funds breast cancer research

  • PR strategy and execution​

Becca Rose, Mystic, CT, May 2017-2018

  • Social media/marketing strategy for retail shop specializing in Eastern health and healing methods.

  • PR​​

Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, Old Saybrook, CT, 2017

  • Social media strategy and execution for major resort destination.

National Coast Guard Museum, New London, CT, July 2015-2017

  • Social media strategy/management for proposed museum

Inn at Mystic/Harbour House, Mystic, CT, July 2014-2017

  • Social media strategy and management​ for local resort destination

 

Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, January 2014-November 2016

Director of Marketing and Communications

  • Responsible for all marketing of nature center, including programs; social media strategy designed to increase program participation and membership; all communications including media coverage; website maximization

 

CT Coalition to End Homelessness, October 2013-October 2015

Communications consultant

  • Responsible for boosting social media visibility and crafting/executing a communications/media strategy for statewide nonprofit. Monthly eNews.

be homeful, Hartford, CT, November 2014-October 2015

  • Communications/social media

  • Responsible for promoting new initiative launched by CCEH on Dec. 1, 2014 called be homeful, to end family homelessness. Crafting/executing communications/media strategy, promoting initiative via social media.

 

Pine Point School, Stonington, CT, December 2014-June 2015

  • Responsible for social media management, strategy, and execution. Some public relations consultation.

 

Connecticut Conference on Tourism, February-October 2014

Social media consultant

  • Responsible for social media marketing of annual convention around Connecticut tourism.

 

Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, January-December 2014

Director of Digital Strategy

  • Responsible for creating and implementing a cohesive digital strategy for the chamber, website and social media designed to increase membership. 

 

Patch.com, Connecticut, 2010-2013

Senior Regional Editor, (2012- 2013)

  • Managed 42 hyperlocal news and community award-winning websites in Connecticut with a staff of 40 and an annual budget of $2M+. Guided content strategy, fostered user engagement, marketed Patch brand, developed community partnerships, met aggressive monthly traffic and engagement goals.

Regional Editor, (2010-2012)

  • Launched eight hyperlocal news and community websites. Managed a staff of eight local editors and numerous freelancers.

 

The Day, New London, CT, 1987-2010

Breaking News Editor, TheDay.com, (2008-2010)

  • Oversaw online breaking news, including reporting, writing, editing, video. Responsible for fostering engagement on TheDay.com via polls, live chats, blogs and contests.

Features Editor, (2000-2008)

  • Launched The Day's first stand-alone daily features section. Managed staff of five writers and two designers.

Food/Education Editor, 1995-2000; Night City Editor, 1992-95; Reporter, 1987-92.

 

Foster’s Daily Democrat, Dover, N.H. 1985-1986.

  • Community reporter; health, education and business beat reporter.

Public speaking

  • Presenter, CT Housing Coalition 2014 Annual Conference, Sept. 2014: Everyone Loves a Good Story. How to use narrative and other techniques to tell the story of housing and homelessness. 

  • Presenter, CT Coalition to End Homelessness, May 2014: Social Media as an Advocacy Tool. How nonprofits can take advantage of social media to broadcast their message.

  • Presenter, Connecticut Conference on Tourism, April 2014: Advanced Social Media. Techniques and best practices around organic reach.

 

Community Service

  • Operation Snuggle, 2012: Led Connecticut Patches’ drive to send comfort to Newtown, CT in the wake of the shootings in Dec. 2012. Coordinated stuffed animal collection across 50+ communities using 100 local businesses as drop-off points. Sent 1,000 stuffed animals to Newtown, and donated thousands more to CT State Police for use by troopers on the road to comfort traumatized children.

  • Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation, 2012-19: Walker + volunteer

  • Walk MS, 2010-present: Member of Friends of Sue team to raise money for MS research.

  • Charity Chowder Cook-off, 2011-2014: Judged 35+ chowders at annual fundraiser for the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center food bank.

  • MADD About Dancing, 2009-2012: Judged annual ballroom dance competition as fundraiser for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

  • YMCA Ocean Community Branch Reach Out To Youth Campaign, 2014: Team captain, recruit six fundraisers and collectively raise $7,000 for YMCA YCares scholarships

  • Groton Animal Foundation, Board of Directors, Fall 2014-Fall 2015. GAF is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that raises funds to subsidize the general needs of the Town of Groton Animal Control Facility and the medical needs of its residing animals and engages in public education.

 

Awards

  • Patch Mission & Values Award, 2013: ‘In recognition of outstanding achievement that represents the best of Patch and our mission and values.” Presented as part of team coverage of Newtown shootings.

  • ‘Patch on the Back’ merit awards, 2011, 2012, 2013.

  • CT Society of Professional Journalists:  Team won 21 awards in 2012, 13 in 2013.

  • New England Society of Newspaper Editors, 2008: 1st place headline writing

  • American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors, 2005: 1st place, headline writing

  • New England Associated Press News Executive Assoc., 1999: 1st place, feature writing

  • Education Writers Association, 1999: Special Citation for Education Section

 

Education

Bates College, B.A., English literature, 1985.

Class Secretary, 2010-current

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