Erin Merz

About

I’m an accredited public relations professional with nearly 15 years of of experience. My communications expertise, passion for storytelling, results-driven mindset, and commitment to building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders adds substantial value to the organizations I work with.

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My top priority is achieving business objectives through meaningful communications. I create quality content that reaches the right audiences and inspires action.

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Exceptional Writer
Thoughtful Leader
Creative Thinker

Engaging Presenter
Ethical Practitioner 

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I’m a lifelong fitness enthusiast and swam competitively in college. When I unplug and unwind, I enjoy reading, running with my super fit German shorthaired pointer, Goose, open water swimming, yoga, biking, hiking, camping, traveling, exploring the great outdoors and experiencing Oregon’s craft beer scene. I was born and raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and am proud to be a Yooper.

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My key to happiness: people, place and purpose. I thrive on healthy relationships, experiences in nature and a fulfilling career. 

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I'm currently the director of marketing and communications for The School of Business at Portland State University. 

Connect

I’m always looking for ways to collaborate, learn, teach and grow. Don't hesitate to say hello at or connect via social. 

I'm active in Portland's PR scene as a former board member and active volunteer with PRSA Oregon. You'll find me at events around town that inspire and educate. I love hearing people's stories of personal and professional success. Recent favorites: Elevating Impact Summit, A.Wordsmith's Like a Boss Coffee Chats and TechfestNW.

I enjoy sharing my expertise with others through writing and presentations. Topics of interest include:

• Brand management (business and personal)

• Content marketing

• Public relations

• Storytelling

• Strategic planning

Notables

Education

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• Accreditation in Public Relations, 2013 - Present
  Public Relations Society of America

• Master of Arts in Communications, 2008, 4.0 GPA
  New York Institute of Technology

• Bachelor of Science in Broadcasting, 2005
  Grand Valley State University

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Awards

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• NIRSA Creative Excellence Award, 2018

• NIRSA Creative Excellence Award, 2017

• PRSA Portland Spotlight Award, 2016

• Portland State EMSA Creative Excellence Award, 2016

• NIRSA Creative Excellence Award, 2016

Recent Talks

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Score Big With Your Brand Strategy

• Communicators Conference, Portland

• NIRSA Region VI Conference, San Diego

• NIRSA National Conference, Denver

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Power to the People:
Best practices for integrating stakeholders into the entire strategic planning process

• Communicators Conference, Portland

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Play at Campus Rec: A Branding Case Study

• Northwest NIRSA, Seattle

• NIRSA/ACUI Marketing Institute, Las Vegas

• Oregon State NIRSA Conference, Portland

Build Your Personal Brand

• Guest Lecturer,  University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
  Nutrition 600 – Professional Development and Capstone in the Nutritional Sciences 

• Portland State Student Leadership Conference, Portland

• Portland State School of Social Work Career Forward Workshop, Portland​

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Places I've Lived, In Order

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• Michigan

• Australia

• Indiana

• New York

• California

• Connecticut

• Oregon

My Bookshelf

• Start With Why, Simon Sinek

• All Marketers are Liars, Seth Godin

• The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell

• Blink, Malcolm Gladwell

• Shoe Dog, Phil Knight

• Let My People Go Surfing, Yvon Chouinard

• On Writing, Stephen King

• Brand Thinking, Debbie Millman

• Freakonomics, Stephen J. Dubner & Steven Levitt

• Pretty Much Everything, Aaron Draplin

• Bossypants, Tina Fey

• Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg

• Rules of the Red Rubber Ball, Kevin Carroll

• The Red Rubber Ball at Work, Kevin Carroll

Captured Life