Profile
Donald P. Davidson
Senior-level communications, marketing and public relations professional with extensive experience in strategic planning, creative development of print and electronic media, media relations, community relations and crisis communications. Accomplished writer, editor, photographer and photo editor with a substantial technology skill set.
Professional Experience
Davidson Communications, Redlands, CA 2009 – present
Owner and managing principal
Provide leadership and management of projects for organizations needed assistance with marketing, communications, public relations, media relations, website and print and e-publication development and crisis communications. Currently engaged under contract at the University of California, Riverside, serving as communications manager for the Bourns College of Engineering.
Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 2004 – 2009
Director of Public Relations
Led the Office of Public Relations and its staff in developing and enhancing the visibility and positive image of this elite 750-student college of engineering, science and mathematics regionally, nationally and internationally. Served as primary spokesperson for the college and advised the president and her cabinet on issues of strategic and crisis communication.
Selected accomplishments:
• Chaired task force that oversaw the college-wide re-engineering of its website
• Oversaw development of messaging and graphics for print advertising and radio sponsorship (NPR)
• Developed crisis communication plan and coached senior administration on working with the media
• Served as primary spokesperson and managed communication during events drawing national media attention
• Wrote and disseminated more than 300 news releases and pitched stories to media, resulting in regional, national and international media coverage in print and on radio and television
• Developed and launched a segmented e-newsletter with click-through results analysis and reporting that resulted in targeted increase in website traffic
• Served as a member of the following committees: Strategic Planning , 50th Anniversary, Presidential Inauguration, Emergency Management, Teaching and Learning, Campus Master Plan, and Incident Management
Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles, CA 1999 – 2004
Director of Communications and Marketing
Led the Office of Communications and Marketing at this 2,200-student, two-campus college. Responsibilities included external and internal communications and publications, community relations, advertising, media relations and campus news bureau, government relations, and website content and design.
Selected accomplishments:
• Led two highly successful projects to re-engineer the college website
• Developed crisis communication plan and managed communication during crises
• Led project to rebrand the college in concert with new website design and architecture, including development of graphics and editorial standards and usage guidelines
• Led Town and Gown Committee, resulting in reduced friction between the college and the local community
Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA 1995 – 1999
Director of Marketing and Communications
Led the Office of Marketing and Communications at this comprehensive graduate university comprising eight schools and centers and 21 academic programs. Responsibilities included external and internal communications and publications, media relations, advertising, website content and design.
Selected accomplishments:
• Led the team that rebranded the institution from Claremont Graduate School to Claremont Graduate University
• Led the team that re-engineered the university website
• Developed and launched CGU magazine, a quarterly publication for alumni and friends of the university
• Developed family of publications that reflected institutional brand across all 21 academic programs
Health Data Sciences Corp., San Bernardino, CA 1993 – 1995
Director of Marketing Communications
Led the Office of Marketing Communications for this international developer and supplier of healthcare information systems. Managed advertising (creative and placement), media relations, trade show graphics and logistics, external and internal communications and user group activities.
Selected accomplishments:
• Developed numerous successful proposals and final papers for company clients to present at the prestigious annual conference for HIMSS, the world’s largest healthcare information management organization
Color Images Systems, Riverside, CA 1988 – 1993
Director of Sales and Marketing
Managed sales and marketing activities for this professional photo laboratory that served regional businesses and professional photographers.
Education
Certificate, Executive Management (emphasis in marketing)
Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management
Claremont Graduate University
Claremont, Calif.
B.A., Commercial and Illustration Photography (honors in business and writing)
Brooks Institute of Photography
Santa Barbara, Calif.
B.A., Sociology and English
University of Redlands
Redlands, Calif.
Affiliations and Activities
• Member, Counselors of Higher Education, Public Relations Society of America, 2009
• Member and director, Public Relations Society of America, Inland Empire, 2008-2009
• Member, director and program chair, American Marketing Association, Inland Empire, 2008
• Member, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
• Marketing chair (2008 and 2009) and marketing and communications track chair (2008), CASE District VII annual conference
• Judge, CASE national Circle of Excellence awards, 2006
• Co-chair, communications and marketing track, CASE District VII annual conference, 2003
• Judge, CASE District VII Awards of Excellence, 2003
• Member, Centennial Pacesetters Society, University of Redlands, 2007, 2008
• Member, Redlands Fund Leadership Committee, University of Redlands, 2006
• Member, Kappa Sigma Sigma Alumni Association, University of Redlands
• Member, Bicycle Commuter Coalition of the Inland Empire
• Member, HealthNet/Citrus Valley Velo bicycle road racing team
• Member, Brooks Institute of Photography Alumni Association
• Member and director (2003-2005), Communicators for Higher Education
• Member, Rotary Club of Los Angeles (Rotary V), 2001-2003
• Contributing photographer, iStockphoto.com
• Past president, Toastmasters Club 2593, San Bernardino
Awards and Achievements
• Ranked first in State of California and fourth in U.S., masters criterium standings, USA Cycling, 2008
• Silver medal, Southern California/Nevada Cycling Association criterium championships, 2006
• Third place, Southern California/Nevada Cycling Association SoCal Cup (best overall rider), 2006
• State champion, Southern California/Nevada Cycling Association team time trial championships, 2005
• Silver medal, Southern California/Nevada Cycling Association climbing championships, 2005
• Remarkable Service Award, Mount St. Mary’s College—2004
• Speaker of the Year, Toastmasters Club 2593—1995
