E RICA H INTON

508 Barksdale Drive │ Raleigh, NC 27604

919.609.9558 │ ericahinton@hotmail.com

COPYWRITING. EDITING. JOURNALISM. PUBLIC RELATIONS.

Knowledgeable E-commerce Writer, Editor, Journalist, Public Relations Professional and Freelancer with a 25-year history
across multiple communications platforms. Ability to write and distribute different pieces in a timely manner. Expertise
in communicating in written and oral forms. Skilled editor and liaison. Highly accomplished in Marketing, Public
Relations, Communications and E-commerce writing, including brochures, press releases, advertisements and websites.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

§ Microsoft Office § Photography § Teamwork

§ Adobe Acrobat § Videography § Problem Solving
§ Photoshop § Squarespace § Deadline-Oriented
§ SurveyMonkey § Independent Worker § Detail-Oriented

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CHEROKEE MEDIA GROUP, Cary, NC June 2019 – Feb. 2023

Senior Editor, Wake Living Magazine
Associate Editor, Cary Magazine
Curate, manage, write and edit for two lifestyle publications serving Wake County. Responsible for ensuring brand
consistency across all platforms; overseeing content, quality and accuracy of each issue; delivering ethical, topical and
informative articles; planning featured sections of the magazine; overseeing writers, copy editors and interns; designing
editorial calendars, enforcing deadlines; and making final edits on all content. Requires a sharp eye for detail, interviewing
skills, community outreach, the ability to meet and exceed deadlines, impeccable organization, and social media
management expertise.

IMAGE ASSOCIATES, INC., RTP, NC June 2016 – Present

Editor
Editing of marketing materials, presentations, annual reports and other tasks, as assigned. Primary clients are the
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program, both divisions of the National
Institutes of Health.

ERICA HINTON COMMUNICATIONS, Raleigh, NC May 2013 – Present

Freelance Writer
Marketing, e-commerce, journalism and public relations writing and editing for small- to mid-sized companies,
marketing/communications firms and nonprofits. Accomplished at overseeing and completing large and small
communications tasks on time and under budget.

NORTH CAROLINA OFFICE OF STATE TREASURER, Raleigh, NC May 2014 – Feb. 2015
Communications Officer
Oversaw communications and served as liaison between the NC Total Retirement Plans, Prudential and TIAA-CREF to
ensure brand consistency, cohesiveness and one voice. Created communications plans to educate current and potential
membership bases about complex financial, investment and legislative issues. Worked closely with the Department of
State Treasurer’s Communications Team to write and distribute advisories and press releases, set up media events, and
garner positive attention for the Retirement Systems Division (RSD). Part of team tasked with uniting NC Total
Retirement Plans and NC Pension Plans under on RSD umbrella. Wrote and edited marketing materials, talking points
and PowerPoint presentations for statewide and national conferences. Conducted member surveys and analyzed results.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, Raleigh, NC Feb. 2007 – Apr. 2013
Communications Officer
Edited a 180,000-circulation magazine. Represented the company at Downtown Raleigh Alliance and Greater Chamber of
Commerce events. Managed media relations. Initiated, developed, and edited employee intranet. Wrote and distributed
press releases, brochures, advertisements, direct mail pieces and statement stuffers. Built and maintained business and
media relationships. Supervised annual reports and volunteer website. Handled content for marketing communications
with external clients. Assisted other departments with communication and marketing efforts. Enhanced internal
communication needs with other departmental support.
§ Promoted from a Communications Specialist to a Communications Officer within 18 months.
§ Tracked and reported media efforts (avg. $40,000 per quarter).

RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER, ETC., Raleigh, NC Jan. 2001 – Feb. 2007
Freelance Journalist
Contributed to the Raleigh News & Observer, Triangle Business Journal, AOL CityGuide, Wake Living, Fifteen-501, The Park Guide,
Business Leader, and The Corporate Relocation Guide. Wrote nightlife columns for The Raleigh News & Observer, as well as for
Triangle.com. Served as Features Editor for Lather Weekly, a small magazine published in 2003.

NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR’S HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM, Raleigh, NC July 1999 – Jan. 2001
Public Relations Officer
Wrote press releases, speeches and educational materials. Developed and maintained media contacts. Served as Webmaster.
Created PowerPoint Presentations. Assisted with the development of public service announcements.

NEW BERN SUN JOURNAL, New Bern, NC June 1998 – Mar. 1999
Staff Writer
Generated ideas and articles for the environmental and legislative beats, including some photography.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, News/Editorial Sequence, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Member, International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
Member, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
Certified National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) Basic Public Information Officer
Certified, FEMA Advanced Public Information Officer
Certified, North Carolina Credit Union Cooperator