About Me.
Professional Summary
Marketing communications professional with 20+ years of experience crafting impactful communication plans for diverse organizations. Proven ability to build brand awareness, manage media relations, and create engaging content across various industries.
My deep roots in Galveston, Texas, have provided me with a strong foundation in community engagement and storytelling. This experience translates into effective communication strategies for any client, regardless of location.
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Developed and implemented comprehensive communication plans for various organizations, including tourism, education, hospitality, and medical.
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Launched and managed successful social media campaigns, email marketing programs, and reputation management initiatives.
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Established strong media relations, securing placements in prominent publications and broadcasts.
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Adept at creating compelling content that resonates with target audiences; for example, hosted and produced the Experience Galveston series for an area media outlet; hosted a video series for Ryson luxury vacation rentals, and launched a history podcast to generate exposure for the Galveston County Museum.
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Authored "100 Things to Do in Galveston Before You Die," showcasing my passion for storytelling and content creation.
I'm passionate about helping clients share their stories and achieve their communication goals through strategic planning and creative execution.
"Speak to your audience in their language about what's in their heart."
— Jonathan Liste
Work Experience
Principal, Christine Hopkins Consulting
July 2020 - Present
Marketing & Content Strategist | Creative Storyteller
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Developed and executed marketing campaigns for clients across various industries, including medical & wellness, tourism, non-profits, and historical institutions.
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Produced and hosted engaging content (articles, podcasts, videos) for various platforms.
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Secured media placements in top Texas publications (Texas Standard, Houston Chronicle, Houstonia Magazine) for the HOPE sculpture campaign.
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Managed social media presence and publicity for a small local eatery.
Key Achievements:
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Increased awareness for vacation rental company through strategic content creation, including video series and blogs.
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Doubled organic reach for new medical and wellness clinic account over four months through consistent content on LinkedIn.
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Secured media coverage in prominent publications for multiple client projects.
Past Project Highlights:
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Planned and executed a comprehensive marketing campaign for the HOPE sculpture, resulting in community engagement and fundraising.
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Produced and hosted a video series for a small eatery, vacation rental company, and area media outlet.
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Increased visibility for a regional non-profit through ongoing blogs and social media content, enabling them to take the next step in their mission as a designated National Recreation Area
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Coordinated high-profile dedication ceremonies for major historical and development projects, including the HOPE sculpture, Juneteenth Legacy Project’s Absolute Equality art installation and the groundbreaking for McCormack Baron Salazar’s Oleanders at Broadway.
Director of Communications, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts for Galveston
June 2012-July 2020
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Planned and implemented marketing communications plan for three hotels and three outlets including reopening of Hotel Galvez & Spa and The Tremont House following Hurricane Ike (2009), Hotel Galvez Centennial renovation and year-long celebration (2011), launch and renovation of Galvez Bar & Grill (2013), Harbor House Hotel renovation (2014), and opening of The Quarters at The Tremont House (2018) including creating blog content and photos/video for social media accounts.
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Generated ongoing media exposure for properties through pitches, hosted media tours and desk-side visits resulting in national and regional media coverage with placements in USA Today, Southern Living, Texas Monthly, Texas Highways, New York Times, Reader’s Digest, Thrillist.com, Travel Channel, The Weather Channel, Texas Country Reporter, Texas Bucket List, and all Houston TV news stations.
Public Relations Manager, Mitchell Historic Properties
January 2008 - June 2012
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Managed all marketing for commercial properties and hotels
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Launched and managed website presence, social media platforms, and email marketing campaigns for commercial properties and hotels
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Spearheaded Hotel Galvez Centennial Celebration and commemorative “Queen of the Gulf” book
Public Information Officer/Dir. of Community Relations, Galveston Independent School District
October 2001 - December 2007
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Developed community programs to provide community exposure to schools including GISD Community Network, GISD Educator for a Day, and Superintendent’s Parent Advisory
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Increased positive coverage of GISD by 18 percent from 43% (June 2005-May 2006) to 61% (June 2006 – May 2007)
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Coordinated comprehensive marketing campaign for successful $69.45 million 2003 school bond program
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Served as director of the Galveston ISD Educational Foundation for two years (2002-2004) when the organization was created
Public Relations Manager, Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
1996-2001
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Increased publicity of Galveston Island as a year-round family destination by 421% from $1.4 million to $5.9 million over five years through news print, magazine, and television exposure
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Increased publicity of Mardi Gras! Galveston by 250% from $1.6 million to $4 million over four years
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Initiated biannual Houston media familiarization tours of Galveston reacquainting media to Galveston and improving media relations
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Coordinated all media fam tours for Galveston including securing the Society of American Travel Writers Western Chapter Meeting for January 2002
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Coordinated production of marketing video for Galveston Island
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Launched new Galveston Island campaign “Escape & Explore”
Education
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Specializing in Public Relations
Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications
Interests
I love to travel and, during the years when I was a runner, I would schedule my races in cities I was interested in visiting. I love art museums, taking tours with locals (I'm actually a ToursByLocals guide), dining out, and wine from small family-owned vineyards.
My fondness for wine led me to join Scout & Cellar as an independent wine consultant so one of my passions is marketing clean-crafted wine through private tastings and sharing.