Nikoletta G. Martin

 

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS as Free-lance Public Relations professional & Journalist:

 

01/03 – Present

Associate Editor of www.athens24.com – Athens, Greece

The first online Athens Guide to holistically report on all aspects of the city of Athens (including daily headline news, tourism, nightlife and the Olympics) on a 24-hour basis. €350 -500 / month.

 

Public Relations, Booking Agent and Promotions Manager:

·          Collaborated with promotional teams in Athens, New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Booked / promoted US DJ & MC for large tour group in Athens and Myconos venues. (Aug. 2006 & 2007). www.tonypresents.com/greece-summer-2006-1.htm.

·        Official Opening and celebration of the 1^st Annual 2x2 Men’s & Women’s Beach Volley Tournament at Vari Sports Club. (July 2005). www.varisportsclub.comwww.varisportsclub.com.

·         Valentine’s Day Launch Party at the Hilton Galaxy Ballroom on for the “Essence of You” CD Single Release Party & the New Face of Pure Pleasure Perfume by SFP’s Romeo Miller with 30 Models from the major Athens agencies. (February 2005).

·         Promotion Director for Danzza record label (GR) releases, DANZZA (RED LABEL) DJ TACO: Flow and (BLUE LABEL) DJ PIERRO: Deeper Love. (December 2004).

Production Assistant:

·          MTV’s THE REAL WORLD # 13 - ON VACATION. Assisted the film crews with authorizations, set up, travel arrangements and translations for the entirety of their stay in Athens, Santorini and Myconos. (October 2003).

·         Technical advisor for Canadian-based Re:Source Media Inc. TV producers to film 2 Documentaries: on Greek nightlife (ENVY TV) and the historical significance of the country (KARMA TREKKERS). (June 2003). Received credit listing on the productions.

Public Relations / Press Agent for the over 25 venues:

·         i.e. Motel, Athens (2004 - 2007), Stereo, Athens (2006 - 2007), Mao Club, Glyfada (2006), Bolero Club, Myconos (2006), Paraga, Myconos (2006), OneHappyCloud, Athens (2006), Apsendi Restaurant, Filothei (2005.- 2006), Barfly, Skiathos (2005), Daze, Athens (2005), Playback, Athens + CD Release (200 - 2004), Wünderbar, Athens + Paulaner Beer (2004), Bossa Nostra, Athens (2003), Plus Soda, Athens (1999 - 2003), etc.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE as Full Time employee:

 

05/01 – 03/03

Plus Management - Dance Events Coordinators - Ltd. - Lycabettus, Athens, Greece

Marketing Manager

Writer for website. Customer communications. Advertising & media agent, guest relations and sponsorship contracting. Represented joint ventures on an international level .Negotiated bookings / tours for major international artists and local musicians. Assisted in the creation of major dance festivals amounting in crowds of over 10,000 people.

 

06/99 – 06/01

AΔΚ (Aronis-Drettas-Karlaftis) Consulting Engineers - Exarchia, Athens, Greece

Marketing Advisor

In-house public relations. Exhibitions/symposiums: INFRALYMPICS 2000, ΜΕΤΑΩΟΡΕΣ (TRANSPORTATION) 2000, ΛΙΜΕΝΕΣ (PORTS) 2000 - “Best of Show.” Heavy amounts of report editing and project sheet translations (GR to EN). Website copywriter. Min. wage.

 

11/98 - 06/99

FREE 99.7 FM - Pangrati, Athens, Greece

Advertising and Public Relations Agent

Negotiated the procurement of radio advertisers. Established ongoing customer relations. Team member of the PR staff — creating publicity for the station. Non-profit.

02/98 - 01/99

PEOPLE Celebrity Management & Public Relations - Filothei, Athens, Greece

Talent Agent & Public Relations Assistant, Actors Department

Responsible for international business communications. Aided publicity events / openings. New business / media contact developer. Assisted clients on an “on-call” basis. Trained employees in computer skills.

 

06/97 - 12/97

PhotoDisc (stock photography) Inc. - Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

Public Relations Intern

Created press coverage files / press releases. Compiled press kits. Aided Tradeshow Coordinator. Controlled donation requests. Projects: event planning, licensing research, awards listing, photographer / graphic designer profiles, library and database creations.

 

03/97 - 10/97

Parsons & Associates Public Relations - Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

Public Relations Intern

Created press releases, public service announcements, media alerts and hot sheets. Selected / interviewed story candidates. Promotion site aide. Updated mailing lists and media directories.

 

 

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES:

06/06 & 02/04

Feature interviews in FREE MAG (Feb. 2004) and COSMOPOLITAN-GREECE (June 2006) regarding my role as a free-lance PR professional in Athens.

 

05/01 – 10/01

Free-lance writer for Periscope Publications, Model Expert (English Edition).

 

09/99 – 10/00

Volunteer for DOCTORS OF THE WORLD. Event planning, and international communications. Aided forums: i.e. half-day conference in cooperation with the HELLENIC INSTITUTE OF EUROPEAN & FOREIGN POLICY (ELIAMEP). Heavy copy translations (GR to EN).

 

01/98

Trained employees at “T.G.I.Fridays” Kefalari. Required to verbally translate from Greek to English and English to Greek between US management and staff members.

 

06/96

Represented PhotoDisc at the Media Coffee for the prestigious “Red Herring” publication.

 

 

SKILLS:

·         Highly proficient is all areas of Public Relations and Marketing.

·         Excellent expository writing skills (advanced English), blind system typing abilities.

·         Computer literate in all XP/MS Office programs (high), Corel and PhotoShop; excellent Internet navigational skills, webchat and website content management system.

·         Fluent in English (native: high) and Greek (native: med/high) includes translation experience.

·         Good knowledge of current political issues; accustomed to working independently.

·         Solid personal databases of Greek mass media and national sponsors.

·         Great sense of humor, a team player and highly organized.

 

 

EDUCATION:

Deree College, American College of Greece (Athens, Greece)

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1996

Concentration in Management and Organizational Behavior

Elective emphasis in Marketing and Communications

 

Decatur High School (Federal Way, Washington)

Graduated: 1991

Marketing Club member, Advanced English student

COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE INTERVIEW MAY 2006

 

Niki Martin

Public Relations Agent for Clubs, Bars & Restaurants, Festivals and Events

Currently representing ONE HAPPY CLOUD - featuring DJ Christo Z. on Thursdays

Aristofanous 12, Psirri

Associate Editor for www.athens24.gr

Age: 33

 

1.

After having received my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Deree College, I decided to move back to Seattle to have my first practical experiences in the work place. After reviewing what my strengths were, what I liked to do and which classes I had most excelled at, I realized that Public Relations was more in my field of interest. I spent my first year working for a PR firm ran by 3 women with national clients as well as under the Marketing Department for the Public Relation Manager of a global company, PhotoDisc. After extending my contracts twice, I decided to move back to Greece and implement what I had learned here. For almost as long as I had been a student in Athens, I had also been working for one of the most popular celebrity clubs in Greece, Atomo Club – where I had made many contacts and was exposed to the business of club PR firsthand  – while I was also learning about business in the formal learning environment of college. My outgoing personality and work ethic was a perfect match for what was then not such a well known or organized job like club public relations. In fact, I helped set up one of the first offices for the administration of a proper club for Plus Soda in 2001 and later for Motel in Psirri.

 

2. & 4.

Many people mistake my job as that of being out only at night. That is the biggest myth because all of the work needs to be done during regular business hours just like everyone else. My responsibilities usually cover being the direct liaison and having good relations with all of the mass media – beginning with creating press releases and / or any other publicity materials that may be called for and ensuring that the club is publicized in many of the City’s major entertainment magazines and covered by television and radio stations whenever needed Research is also important to keep all lists updated or add to them when specialty events call for other types of media. Complete follow-up with press clippings, feedback, etc. is also very important for me to feel that the job has been done professionally.

Another major aspect is to have a good list of business, VIP and customer contacts with whom I also have close relations with and invite to events.

Depending on what my client asks for, I also offer internet services that vary from being their Website Content Manager or creating newsletters to send to my large mailing lists. This means you need to know how to use a computer very well not only to create documents and send them, but also to understand how graphic design works and can be sent electronically as well as how it will look in print (i.e. flyers, posters, advertisements).

Other duties (again, if asked for) are the creation of advertising plans and budgets along with additional brainstorming as to how to interest more customers. Sponsors have played a large role in the nightlife activities of Athens for the past years and they are important to all of my clients. Therefore, many times I also am asked to make proposals for sponsorship of events of which I will get a percentage if an agreement is made.

Finally, I feel it is my obligation to spend at least 3-4 hours at a venue I am representing a few times per week to show that we are a team and greet my personal guests. I like to introduce people that usually would not have had the chance to meet and many times not only have business contacts been made but I am proud to say that I have even introduced people that are now actually married! I have to say that this is what makes my job the most fulfilling. (8.)

It must be noted that you should not confuse what being a “hostess” is with what doing public relations for a club. The hostess is there every night from beginning to end to greet and mingle with the customers to make them feel comfortable. Public Relations also require that you have excellent interpersonal skills but by now, you should see the difference between these two job descriptions. All I have to do at night is show up and have fun like everyone else!

 

3. & 6.

Half of the time I use the offices of the city guide website of which I am an Associate Editor: www.athens24.gr and the other half of the time I work from my home office. Most clubs still do not have proper offices, but they are slowly getting there. That is why my fee also includes all of my expenses (including phone calls, internet, time and physical presence at all preparatory stages and at actual events, travel, talent bookings, referrals, misc., etc.). Personally, I have always tried to keep my position as a strictly freelance professional and therefore, prefer to rely on my own resources.

 

9. & 11

My advice to a young lady that wants to get into this line of business is that even though a college degree is not a prerequisite, I would highly recommend that she gets some form of higher education not only in order to do her job more effectively, but also to be able to diversify her skills and knowledge if the opportunity presents itself from one of the many different contacts she will make in this industry. If you look at my resume, I have been involved in various projects from television and film productions to record label promotions, to modeling (yes, your appearance DOES HELP when doing PR) (12.) – most of which came about through the people I have met on the job over the years. Computer and Internet skills as well as a good grasp of the English language are also valuable assets – which especially help when I am asked on many occasions to coordinate booking major DJs, performers and sponsors from abroad for the clubs I have represented. Most important of all is to keep a good name for yourself and be as truthful as possible My fair dealings, professionalism and trust with all those involved in this business are the reason I am usually actively sought out to represent clubs while never having a problem receiving publicity by the media and have made so many friends who come from all over Athens to enjoy a night that I can promise will be fun and classy. Vise versa, unfortunately, there have been times where some club owners have been insulting or not willing to pay after I have done the work agreed upon and had waited until very early in the morning (5. & 10.). After these cases, I have come out with a better instinct as to who to work with and simply put them on my black list. In this game, your name is all you have so treat it and others with the same respect.

Lastly, remember to smile, it’s contagious!

EDUCATION

You don’t need a degree in Public Relations, just plenty of experience, reliable contacts and, good office and interpersonal skills.

 

The closest degree you can find at Deree American College is as a

BACHELOR OF ARTS, with a major in Communication: emphasis in Public Relations.

Check out the link: http://www.acg.gr/deree/academic_deree.shtml

 

Niki Martin

www.athens24.gr  

Nikoletta G. Martin

www.athens24.gr

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

 04/03 – Present    Public Relations Agent for the following venues:

1.       Motel, Athens (2006 – 2007, 2004 – 2005) www.motelclub.gr

2.      One Happy Cloud, Athens (2006)

 3.       Barfly, Skiathos Island (Summer 2005 & 2006)

4.       Apsendi Bar Restaurant, Filothei (2005 – 2006)

5.       Bee, Athens (2004 – 2005)

6.       Dekko, Glyfada (2005)

7.       Goya, Myconos (2005)

8.       Daze, Athens (2005)

9.       Playback, Athens + CD Release (2003 – 2004)

10.   Pierro’s, Myconos + CD Release (2003 – 2004)

11.   Danza, Athens (2003 – 2004)

12.   You (2004)

13.   Luv, Athens (2004)

14.   Moods, Ekali (2004)

15.   Floral Liberál, Athens + Client: Paulaner Beer (2004)

16.   Wünderbar, Athens + Client: Paulaner Beer (2004)

17.   Yes, Peiraias (2004)

18.   Bossa Nostra, Athens (2003)

19.   Illusions, Athens (2003)

20.   Plus Soda, Athens (1999 – 2003)

 

Free-lance Public Relations, Productions and Journalism:

Associate Editor re: Clubbing of www.athens24.com: the first online Athens Guide to holistically cover all aspects of the City of Athens (including daily headline news, tourism, nightlife and the 2004 Olympics) on a 24-hour basis. (2003 – Present)

 

 Public Relations and Promotions Manager for the Official Opening and celebration of the 1^st Annual 2x2 Men’s & Women’s Beach Volley Tournament at Vari Sports Club. (July 2005)

 

Public Relations and Promotions Manager for the Valentine’s Day Launch Party at the Hilton Galaxy Ballroom on Monday, February 14th for the “Essence of You” CD Single Release Party & the New Face of Pure Pleasure Perfume by SFP’s Romeo Miller with 30 Models from the major agencies in Athens. (February 2005)

 

  Promotion Director for Danzza record label (GR) releases, DANZZA (RED LABEL) DJ TACO: Flow and DANZZA (BLUE LABEL) DJ PIERRO: Deeper Love. (December 2004)

 

Production Assistant for the US MTV during their on-location filming of

THE REAL WORLD # 13 - ON VACATION. Assisted the Line Producer and film crews with authorizations, set up, travel arrangements and translations for the entirety of their stay in Athens, Santorini and Myconos. (October 2003)

 

Guide and Technical Advisor for Canadian-based Re:Source Media Inc. television producers during their visit to film 2 Documentaries: one regarding Greek nightlife (ENVY TV) and the other on the historical significance of the country (KARMA TREKKERS). Received credit listing on the productions.

(June 2003).

05/01 – 03/03

Plus Management Ltd.

Plus Management emerged to oversee a line of popular dance venues and major festivals, which over the years have hosted the most famous names in the dance music industry (i.e. Digweed, Oakenfold, Sasha, Deep Dish/Grammy winners, etc.). The venue’s established a strong following among youths (30,000 members nationwide) during the years that the electronic music genre developed from a minority movement into a mainstream demographic in Greece — influencing the musical preferences and styles of a large number of the population in Athens.

Lycabettus, Athens, Greece

 

Marketing Manager

Originally hired to write for the company website as well as to communicate with customers via email and SMS. Upon full-time employment, dealt with advertising, acted as media agent, dealt with guest relations and was responsible for sponsorship contracting. Represented joint ventures on an international level (i.e. at the 2002 & 2003 Miami Winter Music Conferences, Ibiza and London). Negotiated bookings / tours for major international artists and local musicians as well as hosting them in the country. Assisted in the creation of major dance Festivals amounting in crowds of over 10,000 people. Furthermore, created numerous venue profiles, sponsorship proposals, communications and edited artist biographies.

 

06/99 – 06/01 

AΔΚ Consulting Engineers

AΔΚ was established in 1961 and is today a leading multidisciplinary Consulting Engineering firm in Greece — with an established and extensive presence abroad, having undertaken numerous large and complex projects in over 50 countries. Exarchia, Athens, Greece

Excharchia, Athens, Greece

 

Marketing Advisor

Worked under the company’s Business Development Department and was responsible for all of its marketing endeavors / in-house public relations. During Third Quarter 2001, the BDD successfully took part in several separate exhibitions/symposiums: INFRALYMPICS 2000, ΜΕΤΑΩΟΡΕΣ (TRANSPORTATION) 2000, ΛΙΜΕΝΕΣ (PORTS) 2000 — the latter of which ADK won “Best of Show,” etc. Responsibilities included heavy amounts of report editing and project sheet translations (GR to EN). Became well versed in above form of technical writing and was also responsible for the upcoming re-construction of the company web site.

 

11/98 - 06/99  

FREE 99.7 FM

Fashionable radio station whose target group consisted of young fans of techno, house and progressive music. Various underground artists performed on the station.

Pangrati, Athens, Greece

 

Advertising and Public Relations Agent

Negotiated the procurement of radio advertisers. Established ongoing customer relations. Team member of the PR staff — creating publicity for the station.

 

02/98 - 01/99  

PEOPLE Management & Public Relations

PEOPLE managed the careers and handled the public relations needs of celebrities in the entertainment and athletic fields in Greece.

Filothei, Athens, Greece

 

Talent Agent & Public Relations Assistant, Actors Department

Responsible for international business communications. Aided on a variety of publicity events and openings. New business and media contact developer. Assisted clients on an “on-call” basis. Trained employees in Windows and Internet skills. Supported general public relations services.

 

06/97 - 12/97  

PhotoDisc Inc.

Major international provider of royalty-free, stock-photography on CD-Rom and on the Internet.

Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

 

Public Relations Intern

Created press coverage files and press releases. Organized press kits and aided tradeshow coordinator. Controlled donation requests. Projects included: event planning, licensing research, awards listing, photographer and graphic designer profiles, library and database system creations.

 

03/97 - 10/97  

Parsons & Associates

Public relations provider for the greater Seattle, Oregon and California areas. Clients included: The Good Guys, the Dairy Farmer’s of Washington, the San Francisco and NW Flower & Garden Shows, Chevy’s and Bucca Di Beppo restaurants, Exordium Group, Leisure Care, etc.

Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

 

Public Relations Intern

Created press releases, public service announcements, media alerts and radio/TV hot sheets. Corresponded with all forms of mass media. Selected / interviewed story candidates. Aided at promotion sites, created mailing lists and updated media directories.

 

11/96 - 03/97   Wilmer Communications Group

Provider of marketing and advertising materials, dealing in media relations for clients in the world’s most competitive hospitality and leisure locales (main client: Westin Resorts).

Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

 

Office Assistant

Composed general correspondence while working diligently with clientele to ensure proper editing of print advertisements. Responsible for reception as well as general office administration.

 

07/96- 12/96   

Law Offices of F. Andrekita Silva

Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

           

Legal Assistant

Conducted client interviews, maintained filing systems and reception duties. Assisted with discovery of facts. Drafted various legal documents pertaining to family law and aided with administrative tasks.

 

08/94 - 05/96  

Rhino VIP Restaurant/Bar

Kolonaki, Athens, Greece

 

Events and Personnel Coordinator

Designed and distributed press releases and fliers in both English and Greek. Conceived and coordinated special event activities. Developed patron and media address files. Created a regular customer base, organized staff schedules and placement assignments. (While attending College).

 

11/92 – 05/94 

Atomo Club

Monastiraki, Athens, Greece

Waitress

One of the most popular VIP clubs under the management of Mr. Tasos Meletopoulos.