Bike

Creative Agencies

Lifestyle

Outdoor

Snow

Surf

Travel

Mentoring

Enviro causes

Giving back

Freelance Writer and Marketing Multi-Tool  

Travel/outdoor/adventure & cause marketing communications specialist with proven experience in creative direction, campaign development, content strategy, writing, PR, social media, and brand marketing.

Freelance journalist (words + photos) specializing in outdoor, travel, surf/snow and cause-related topics. Articles published in: Outside, Powder, Backpacker, Islands, Backcountry, Freehub, Couloir, Snowboard Journal, Transworld Business, Kronicle, Bombsnow, The Inertia, Huffington Post, American Cowboy, Outside Bozeman and others. Former contributing Editor to Backcountry Magazine. Commercial/copywriting for: Patagonia, Burton, Mountainsmith, Arbor, Mystery Ranch, Life-Link, Perception Kayaks, Montana Tourism and others.

Marketing attaché/consultant: PR/earned media and content producer for quality brands ranging from: Kohala Coast Resort Association (Hawaii's Big Island), Arbor Snowboards, Potosi Hot Springs Resort, CompareSurfboards.com. Sharpening message(s), capturing compelling editorial/earned media coverage, executing smart/engaging social media, monitor and measure w/ most relevant tracking methods.

Served as PR Director for 10+ years; agency was chosen by Outside magazine as a "Top-50 Places to Work"? four-consecutive years (2011-2014). Managed all elements of Montana Office of Tourism PR account. Additionally served agency in: creative direction, brand strategy, social media, copywriting/content production, converged campaign execution and new business initiatives.

Accomplishments: 
* Built a respected, profitable PR department from the ground up.
* Generated multi-millions ($) annually in destination defining earned media exposure. 
* Maintained 100% billability for 10 years.
* Provided creative & art direction for Effie Award winning "There's Nothing Here"? campaign.
* Co-authored copy for Montana's hugely successful "Get Lost" campaign.
* Participated in strategy & presentation to help the agency win key new business pitches.
* Trained, mentored and managed PR/social staff.

Public Relations Director

Worked with iconic brand through major growth years. In PR role, collaborated with the owners, CEO, and key stakeholders to identify, develop and pitch: brand, product, and environmental initiative stories to the media. Worked with journalists to facilitate editorial coverage at every level of the business. From in-depth interviews with Patagonia's founder, Yvon Chouinard, to coverage of the company's aggressive, generous - sometimes controversial - giving and related activism. Specialized in working with endemic outdoor sports media to garner on-brand exposure for Patagonia's products. My training in this role was from a former-presidential press secretary which was both rigorous & illuminating. 

As ski & snowboarding product line manager, worked with the R&D team to develop a complete, merchandised collection. With the marketing/creative teams, I was responsible for developing all elements of the storytelling and promotional campaigns. See Linkedin profile for more deets... 

PR/Media Communications Manager & Snowsports Product Line Director

Find out detailed information about Mike Harrelson, Freelance Writer and Marketing Multi-Tool   in Bozeman, MT

Mike Harrelson: Freelance Writer and Marketing Multi-Tool in Bozeman, MT

Mike Harrelson

scribe content + communications

MercuryCSC

Patagonia, Inc.

Virginia Tech