Claire Calhoun, M.S.
Owner, New Life Public Relations
Member since: Apr 2020Visit Claire Calhoun, M.S. online https://newlifepublicrelations.com/
Consultant
Claire Calhoun's Video Introduction
Claire Calhoun, is a marketing and public relations specialist. She has a passion for engaging with customers and building meaningful relationships with her customers and their clients.
She has spent close to 20 years in marketing, communication, and sales. During the last five years Claire served as the National Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Colors on Parade. Colors is an automotive reconditioning business with locations all across North America. She has a B.S. in Communication from Appalachian State and an M.S. In Advertising from the University of Tennessee.
Claire is a Charter Member and Speaker for The Women in Automotive Association and has published articles in Automotive News, AutoSuccess Magazine and FixedOps Magazines. With a passion for recruiting women into the industry Claire has a special interest in technicians and after-market specialists. While working with Colors on Parade, Claire established a CarLove scholarship for women and veterans to receive free training and a franchise in the mobile paint and dent industry.
Within the automotive industry Claire has served as a trainer, consultant and leader. She is responsible for launching programs including Ecosmart, CarLove and Colors on Parade Veteran Franchising. She established the first international CarLove franchise and managed marketing efforts and recruiting for over 300 locations across the United States. Claire has played an active role in SEMA, NADA, FixedOps Conference and the MultiUnit Franchising Association.
Claire is also a Professor at Coastal Carolina University and owns a consulting business called New Life Communications. Through New Life, Claire works with clients ranging from automotive to pharmaceuticals and not-for-profits to real-estate. As a consultant, Claire offers trainings online and in person as well as project management. These projects range from public relations to branding, fundraising, project launches, social media, SEO and more. Her approach focuses on transparency and relational marketing.
Living in North Myrtle Beach between the inter coastal waterway and the ocean, Claire absolutely loves the ocean and raising beach kids. She serves as a youth soccer coach, athletics booster member, South Carolina Pediatric Autoimmune Encephalitis Board Member and a Coastal Carolina Communications Curriculum Consultant.
Credentials:
Master’s of Science for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
20 Years of Marketing, Communication, Management and Sales Experience
20 years of media relations and media training experience
Over five years as an Automotive Executive
Over seven years as a Not-For-Profit Executive
10-year as an entrepreneur consultant
Over 10 published research articles
Three years’ experience as a University Professor and Curriculum Consultant
Women in Automotive and MultiUnit Franchising Speaker and Trainer
Four automotive product launches
One year of Business Development Center training
“Stir Up the Water”
New Life Communications is committed to bringing "new life" to each and every brand we represent. We do this by looking at each project individually and developing an approach that will stir up the water in their industry. Creating a splash (or even a ripple) is what brings attention to our clients.
Workshops and Project Management
Integrated Marketing Campaigns
Development and implementation for marketing campaigns for small or large business including, collateral materials, electronic and social media, advertising, public relations, direct marketing, events, grass roots relationship building
Strategic Planning and Branding
An analysis of current business practices, marketing efforts and budget allotment along with forecasting and recommendations for growth
Strategic development of a company image including colors, logos and language
Public Relations and Media Training
Development of news stories and journalistic relationships in order to create media coverage for clients that provides a third-party endorsement for their brand
Staff trainings on working with local and national journalist to develop a consistent brand image and positive media coverage
Sales Training and Industry Relationship Development
Team and individual training on face to face, social media and phone sales strategies with key focuses on the brands message and revenue goals.
Coordination of targeting potential partners and clients while establishing contact and developing a strategy for ongoing relationships including partnerships, meetings and project referrals
Web Development, Social Media and Digital Marketing
Development of new web sites using SEO/SMO and transition of older sites to new platforms along with Google Business connections and increased exposure.
Development of social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and others along with staff training, a plan for productive usage and incorporation into current marketing strategies
Collateral Materials and Direct Marketing and Presentations
Development, design and printing of collateral marketing materials used to brand clients and inform customers
Traditional mail, electronic mail and business development packages of targeted collateral materials sent to intended markets
Development of training, sales and branding presentations including graphics, video and social media execution
Fundraising and Development
Strategic efforts for raising funds including events, grass roots, partnership development and marketing
Event Planning
Development and implementation of events that create community relationships and potential media coverage
Media Planning
A strategic plan for advertising expenditures based on the greatest possible return on investment, developed through a review of the target market and negotiated advertising rates with traditional and untraditional media outlets
