Amanda Jacobson is a strategic digital marketer and content expert based in the greater Fort Wayne area

In my 13-year career thus far, I’ve helped launch successful re-brands, digital campaigns and full-scale marketing initiatives
for arts and culture organizations, universities and nonprofits alike.

Professional Experience

Rum Blonde Studio

2023 – Present

As owner of Rum Blonde Studio, I support the growth and success of arts and culture organizations in the greater Fort Wayne community through a fresh, next-gen approach to brand activation, mission-driven storytelling and campaign marketing.

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University of Notre Dame

2020 – 2023

In January 2020, my team and I launched the Mendoza College of Business’ new brand, Grow the Good in Business, activating its master narrative, pillars and key messaging across website, email marketing, social media, paid display and paid social properties for 12 distinct graduate and executive degree offerings.

Additionally, I chaired a DE&I committee on staff culture and inclusion; streamlined project management and workflows for my team; and handled crisis communications and updated student resources during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

City of South Bend
Venues Parks & Arts

2019

During two major campaigns to revitalize and redevelop the City of South Bend’s public parks, I supported fundraising, donor stewardship, digital marketing and grant-writing to benefit the $18 million Howard Park Revitalization Campaign and the $19 million My South Bend Parks & Trails beautification and conservation campaign.

Perhaps the most rewarding part of my role was contributing to the marketing and success of Best Week Ever, the city’s annual celebration of arts and culture, local shopping and dining, and community parks.

Sisters of the Holy Cross
at Saint Mary’s College

2018

As the Web & Social Media Editor, I spearheaded an overhaul of the organization’s social media presence and website content.
These improvements led to a 53% increase in the organization’s organic social reach, as well as a marked decrease in website bounce rates and improved user experience.

Indiana University Foundation

2015–2017

As Communications Specialist in the Office of the President and CEO at the Indiana University Foundation, I had the pleasure of not only managing internal communications for the organization, but also assisting with marketing For All: The Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign and planning the launch of IU’s most successful initiative for giving and engagement, IU Day. The IU Day hashtag trended nationally on socials with a 9.4 million reach, with the campaign raising more than $11 million in 24 hours.

City of Bloomington
Entertainment & Arts District

2013

Blogging for a municipal arts district gave me the rare opportunity to rub proverbial elbows with leaders of and donors to Bloomington’s community arts and culture organizations.

It was this early-career experience that ignited my passion for supporting nonprofit organizations, specifically in the arts and culture sector.

While working for Indiana University’s independent, student-run news publication as a student on the Bloomington campus, I established myself as a prolific arts and culture reporter, regularly attending local music shows, arts festivals, gallery exhibits and more.

In 2013, I served as editor of the paper’s Arts section while contributing occasional arts-and-culture reporting to the paper’s digital and print versions.

Indiana Daily Student

2009-2013

Michigan City News-Dispatch

2011

After college I worked for the Michigan City News-Dispatch, a northwest Indiana-based community newspaper with a circulation of 17,000 readers.

During my time at the News-Dispatch, I covered two beats: local arts and culture, and K-12 community schools.

This role was an opportunity to flex my skills in reporting, editing and photography, with my stories and photos regularly gracing Page One.

Skills & Expertise

Digital Marketing Focus Areas

  • Omni-channel Content Strategy

  • Brand Narrative Activation

  • Social Media Marketing & Analytics

  • Email Marketing & Analytics

  • Paid Media: Display, Paid Social, PPC & Google Ads

Design & Visual Storytelling

  • Adobe Illustrator

  • Adobe InDesign

  • Adobe Premiere Pro

  • CapCut

  • Canva

Project Management & Workflows

  • Agile Methodology

  • Wrike

  • Asana

  • Workfront

  • Trello

  • Redbooth

Nonprofit Knowledge

  • Days of Giving Marketing Strategy

  • Campaign Marketing Strategy

  • Donor Stewardship & Engagement

  • Board Relations & Recruitment

  • Institutional & Endowment Reporting

Email Marketing & CRM

  • Slate

  • HubSpot

  • Constant Contact

  • MailChimp

  • Kit (formerly ConvertKit)

  • Salesforce Marketing Cloud

  • Blackbaud

Marketing Analytics & Data Visualization

  • Tableau - Owned, Earned & Paid Media

  • Google Looker Studio - Paid Media

  • Google Analytics 4 - Web

  • Hootsuite - Social

  • SEMRush - SEO

Social Media Marketing & Analytics

  • Hootsuite

  • Sprout Social

  • Meta Business Suite

  • Buffer

  • Later

  • Link in Bio tools

Interpersonal Skills

  • Project Management

  • Team Leadership

  • Stakeholder Collaboration

  • Internal Culture & DEI Advocacy

In my spare time I enjoy reading, making art, discovering new music, practicing piano, volunteering, gardening and spoiling my cats, Odin and Sif.

I’m an art enthusiast, a foodie, a self-proclaimed beer savant, and a fervent music history buff.

(Ask me about my vinyl collection sometime!)