Waymon Hudson

Marketing, Communications, and Political Consultant

Email:

Location:

Twin Cities, Minnesota

I am an experienced and innovative professional with years of diverse experience in integrated marketing communications, graphic design, and digital outreach. My passionate work on political and issue campaigns of all levels has given me the ability to thrive in busy, fast-moving situations where personal initiative, hard work, organization, and the ability to manage multiple projects allows for success even in high stress environments.

My extensive experience across multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, allows me to have impactful and meaningful interactions online, which I enjoy on every level. Through hard work and hands-on experience, I have developed strong writing skills, expertise in creating marketing and branding strategies, and valuable marketing research and data analytics abilities.

My time in various positions and fields has shaped me to value interpersonal relationships well as robust personal, poltical, and professional ethical standards. My diverse experience, along with my strong editorial and ethical standards, unique writing voice, and experience with the new media landscape, makes me an invaluable asset to any organization.

EXPERIENCE

2021-Present

Marketing Director

Communication Service for the Deaf

Integrated marketing communications strategy and leadership for the global non-profit brand, as well as a portfolio of businesses owned by CSD and government contracts. As a fully remote company, work include new and innovative uses of technology to increase connectivity with teams and clients.

Skills include copywriting, graphic design, video production and editing, website creation, social media marketing, public relations, SEO and SEM strategies, analytics interpretation and reporting, team management, client relations, branding, B2B and B2C marketing, and presentations.
Led internal marketing team of 20, government program outreach team of over 200 people, and other cross-function teams, all in a virtual environment that required creating unique spaces to work, collaborate, and team build remotely.
Helped create new global branding strategy for CSD. Also created a new social media policy, updated the website, designed and implemented an automated event management system, and built new community and business partnerships.
Successfully rebranded a statewide program the California government, including new website, logo, social media presence, branding guide, digital and print advertising, and commercials, based on consumer studies, focus groups, program surveys, data and trend reporting, and needs assessments. This increased program inquires by over 300% and program applications by 150%.
Created completely new brand and marketing strategy for a telehealth startup called Health Signs Virtual Care. This included a new website, Telehealth platform integrations, print and digital collateral, videos, legal and privacy reviews, and individual marketing plans for government, business, insurance companies, and patients.
Created new strategy for Connect Direct, an innovative customer service platform for the Deaf community that trains and hires Deaf customer service agents for companies, including Google and Comcast, as well as small businesses. This included a new website, updated social media strategy and content, consumer awareness and demand campaigns, webinars, and data reporting.
Planned and implanted new marketing strategy for Gridcheck, a cloud-based scheduling platform for accessibility providers. Created plans to target interpreting agencies, school systems, and courts. This included new digital and social media content and advertising, presentations and webinars, updated collateral, and data reporting.
Wrote and won grant applications with multiple states to create COVID-19 hotlines in American Sign Language that provide equal access to up-to-date health information for the Deaf community in their native language. This included marketing these hotlines to their constituents through online marketing and on-the-ground outreach.

2021-Present

Copywriter

National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes

Content writer on issues supporting the deaf, deafblind, deaf+, and hard of hearing community.

Writes, edits, updates and revises newsletters, blogs, newsfeed articles, press releases, event wrap-ups, and educational scholarship.
Provides proofreading and copyediting support for NDC resources.
Creates webinars and presentations on a variety of educational, community, scholarly, and technical topics.

2007-Present

Consultant

Waymon Hudson Consulting,Political & Communications Consultant

Marketing Communications specialist with experience in creative web-based action, digital and print advertising, multimedia content creation, graphic design, targeted audience outreach, fundraising, and data analytics. www.WaymonHudson.com

Skills include social media outreach and creative multimedia content creation, campaign management, legislative policy development, volunteer management, media relations, website creation, direct mail campaign creation and automation, and donor outreach.
Campaign work includes:
- Florida Red & Blue: Vote No on Florida Gay Marriage Ban (Amendment 2, 2008): Head of statewide media outreach, media relations, online action, and social media. Led large, multilingual team of media experts.
- Anthony Niedwiecki for Oakland Park City Commission/Mayor (2009): Campaign manager and media relations
- Retention of Broward County Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Gillespie (2009): Web page creation, online outreach, and creative multimedia content creation.
- Justin Flippen for Wilton Manors City Commission (2008): Web page creation, online outreach, and creative multimedia content creation.
- Julie Carson for Wilton Manors City Commission (2008): Web page creation, online outreach, and creative multimedia content creation.
- John Adornato for Oakland Park City Commission (2010): Web page creation, online outreach, and creative multimedia content creation.
- Deaf Equity, Non-Profit Organization (2021): Web page creation, online communications, and creative multimedia content. www.DeafEquity.org
- Minnesota Deaf Queers, Non-Profit Organization (2021): Web page creation, online communications, and creative multimedia content. www.MNDeafQueers.org
- Deaf North Yoga (2021): Web page creation, online communications, and creative multimedia content. www.DeafNorth.com

July 2017-June 2020

Director of Marketing

and Communications

Golden Gate University School of Law

Work focused on creating an integrated and cohesive marketing and communications strategy that included advertising, print materials, email marketing, social media, specialized outreach campaigns, and media interaction that significantly increased student, donor, and alumni engagement and student diversity. Law.GGU.edu

Worked closely with a communications support team for the university and its separate specialized schools, programs, and centers. Created specialized marketing plans and strategies for each of the various programs and centers across the school.
Successfully worked on a complete rebranding of the school of law, which included a creative redesign and implementation of new collateral, a new website, new social median presence, and a fully integrated marketing communications plan to help further the school's goals and mission. This included the creation of an organized creative design vault of images, video, and other easily searchable content for use across the university, which had never existed previously.
Created a university-wide style guide and enforced its adherence.
Organized and supervised web developers, designers, photographers, videographers, graphic designers, and other teams for various projects for the university.
Worked directly with the Senior Leadership Team to produce and execute content around strategic planning and new programming, including building branding, logo, creative imagery, taglines, and advertising copy for a completely new online law degree program, as well as other programs.
Tracked marketing campaigns, ran Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms, and reported campaign deliverables and KPIs to Senior Leadership.
Organized and oversaw various webinars, workshops, conferences, and other events.

2007-2017

President

Fight OUT Loud

President and co-founder of Fight OUT Loud, a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping LGBTQ individuals and their allies fight discrimination and hate. www.FightOUTLoud.org

Skills include community organizing, online & event organizing, press outreach and public relations, and social media outreach and education.

2010-2018

Featured Columnist

The Huffington Post

Contributing columnist on LGBTQ issues, state & national politics, and pop culture. www.HuffingtonPost.com

Skills include creating content, researching issues, scheduling & conducting interviews, building & maintaining media lists and relationships, and pushing news & content on social media.

2010-2018

Featured Columnist

Chicago Tribune

Columnist and op-ed contributor for the Chicago RedEye, a division of the Chicago Tribune, specializing in LGBTQ issues, politics, and pop culture. www.RedeyeChicago.com

Skills include creating content researching issues, scheduling & conducting interviews, building & maintaining media lists and relationships, and pushing news & content on social media.

2012-2016

Host

Executive Producer

Gay TV on The Go

Host and producer of the political discussion show Critical Thinking, a show focused on in-depth discussions with newsmakers & opinion shapers on all things relevant to the LGBT community. www.GayTVOnTheGo.com

Skills include creating scripts, scheduling & conducting interviews, and organizing & creating video content.
Put together and supervised diverse team of videographers, film editors, sound teams, technology experts, and more for each episode as executive producer.

2001-2016

Political Editor

Featured Columnist

ChicagoPride.com

Featured columnist and op-ed contributor specializing in LGBTQ issues, politics, and pop culture. Author of the political column. www.ChicagoPride.com

Skills as Political Editor included creating content, writing website copy, organizing content, editing peer articles, and overseeing the content of the website.
Recruited, supervised, and mentored large diverse team of creative writers and journalists as Political Editor.

2007-2015

Editorial Board

Featured Columnist

The Bilerico Project

Contributing columnist on LGBTQ issues and politics. Member of the Editorial Advisory Board, which oversaw content and website quality. www.Bilerico.com

Skills included creating content, writing website copy, organizing content, editing peer articles, and helping with editorial oversight of the website.
Recruited, supervised, and mentored large diverse team of creative writers and journalists as Editorial Board Member.

2010-2012

Midwest Regional Co-Chair

The Trevor Project

Co-chair of the Chicago Ambassadors Council, created for Chicago-based supporters of The Trevor Project, the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ youth.

Skills included large-scale fundraising, event planning, community organizing, and“safe space” training in public schools & universities.

2001-2007

Inflight Crew Trainer

JetBlue Airways

Inflight Crew Member and trainer for new flight attendants.

Skills included providing friendly & effective passenger service and safety, providing high-level interpersonal communication & problem resolution for both passengers and coworkers, leading a team of inflight crewmembers, training new flight attendants, and coordinating and organizing complex logistics & concerns.

1998-2001

Entertainment Performer

Walt Disney World

Singer & Dancer for shows & parades and trainer for new cast members.

Skills included providing enthusiastic entertainment with both optimism and a sense of humor, using strong interpersonal skills to provide superior experience for guests, and working both independently and on a team.

SKILLS

Integrated Marketing Communications

Multimedia Content Creation

Project Management

Graphic Design

Branding

Data Analytics

Social Media and Digital Marketing

Politcal & Cultural Trends

PR & Media Relations

Community Organizing

Fundraising

American Sign Language

EDUCATION

2018-2020

B.A in Business Management with a Marketing Concentration

Golden Gate University

B.A in Business Management with a Marketing Concentration. Dean’s List throughout program, with 4.0 GPA throughout entire program. Graduated Summa Cum Laude.

1999-2001

B.S. in Business Administration

B.A. of Arts with a Music Concentration.

Stetson University, Deland, Florida

Worked towards a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.A. of Arts with a Music Concentration. Achieved 4.0 GPA throughout both programs. Left due to terminal family illness.

1997-1999

B.S. in Business and Political Economy

B.A. in Performance Studies.

New York University

Worked towards a B.S. in Business and Political Economy and a B.A. in Performance Studies. Both programs included rigorous writing skills, interpersonal relationship skills, and research ability. Achieved 4.0 GPA throughout both programs. Transferred due to terminal family illness.