Executive portfolio · For hiring managers
Meredith
Painter
marketing, communications and creative executive
I have 20 years of experience across sports, entertainment and B2B media. I have led integrated campaigns for the NFL Draft, NBA All-Star, MLB All-Star and the NCAA Men’s Final Four. I build marketing teams, lead creative and deliver results I can measure.
20
years on national stages
50+
major sporting events
1,000+
events managed or supported
01
Chapter one
Marketing and Integrated Campaigns
Ah, the power of marketing.
I have led full-time staff and contractors through more than 50 major national sports and integrated marketing campaigns.
2024 · Phoenix
NCAA Men’s Final Four
Phoenix, hosting for the second time.
I led a team of five through an integrated marketing and communications campaign with a $2M budget, split between $1M in paid media and $1M in decor and grassroots marketing. Cactus Basketball Hoops activations across the Valley earned national attention while showcasing a diverse artist, and a private airport hangar gave student-athletes an unforgettable welcome to Arizona.
$38.7Mpublicity value1.74Breach236Ktotal attendance, up 18%1.7B+campaign impressions74.4Kchampionship game attendance6.4M+grassroots impressions
2021 · Cleveland
NFL Draft
The pick was in Cleveland.
Cleveland hosted the Draft during a global pandemic, one of the first major national events to welcome fans back. I led three host committee workstreams covering marketing, communications and city decor, with teams from the City of Cleveland, Cleveland Browns, Destination Cleveland, Downtown Cleveland Alliance and Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. I managed a $500K signage and OOH budget, served as an appointed spokesperson and came in under budget.
160Kfans over three days40.1MTV viewers$42Mimpact to Northeast Ohio$118.6Mpublicity value2.8Breach838accredited media
2022 · Cleveland
NBA All-Star
A citywide stage, on the heels of the Draft.
I led host committee workstreams for marketing, communications and city decor, oversaw a $500K OOH and signage budget and served as a main point of contact with the NBA. I also led artwork placement for the first-ever citywide shoppable NBA All-Star NFT art gallery.
121.6Kfans in attendance$248.9Mimpact to Northeast Ohio$2Bpublicity value11.1Breach24countries represented
02
Chapter two
Communications and Media Relations
I love sharing a good story.
From 2017 to 2022 I led media relations for the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. During six years with the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, I shared countless stories of athlete impact in the community.
22.5Baudience reach$2.6Bin earned media
2016 · Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker and Jenna Warren
One very happy family.
Suns guard Devin Booker took super fan Jenna Warren and her family to the NBA Draft Lottery in New York City. They played basketball in Central Park, had lunch at her favorite Italian restaurant and shopped the NBA Store together. I led event coordination and logistics, built the itinerary and served as the on-site liaison.
$408Kpublicity value3.95Mimpressions54clips
2020 to 2022 · Cleveland
Press Conferences
Big announcements, tightly run.
For the 2021 NFL Draft host site reveal on Public Square, the 2024 Women’s Final Four logo unveiling and the U.S. debut of the Pan-American Masters Games, I wrote the run of show and Q&As, managed speakers and media and kept each event on budget.
$44.3Mpublicity value, NFL Draft reveal1.27Breach, NFL Draft reveal$6.2Mpublicity value, Women’s Final Four logo29.7Msocial impressions, Masters Games
Crain’s, NFL DraftCrain’s, Women’s Final Fourcleveland.com, Masters Games
Eight years on air · FOX 8 WJW
Spokesperson
I love connecting with people.
I served as an organizational spokesperson for more than eight years, including multi-day segments on Kickin’ It with Kenny, the most watched morning show in Northeast Ohio, for the 2021 NFL Draft, NBA All-Star 2022 and Tennis in the Land.
8+years on air3multi-day TV series
03
Chapter three
Brand Strategy and Creative Direction
I love uncovering a good brand story.
From an NBA mascot to a full organizational refresh, I have served as creative director on brands that needed a new look, a clear voice and a consistent way to engage their audience.
2021 · Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
Organizational Rebrand
New look, same mission.
An outdated look, inconsistency and no established voice left audiences confused about the Sports Commission and its accomplishments. After market research, focus groups and a detailed creative process, the new brand launched during the nonprofit’s annual fundraiser, televised on WKYC and Bally Sports Ohio.
+148%new website users+193%page views$5.9Mpublicity value182.8Mreach20.8Khouseholds watched the launch
Brand guidelinesMission videoWatch the launchclevelandsports.org
2023 · Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
23rd Greater Cleveland Sports Awards
Upping our game for a bigger audience.
In its second year at the FieldHouse, the show needed bolder graphics to reach young professionals without devaluing the event, while making clear it was a fundraiser for the Sports Commission. Cleveland Browns legend Joe Thomas led the live show for nearly 1,600 guests.
$600K+netted, the largest to date1,600guests100+credentialed media$424.4Mpublicity value269Mreach
2017 to 2018 · Cleveland
NEOCycle
The nation’s largest urban cycling festival, rebranded.
The three-day festival at Edgewater Park needed a new brand to promote Cleveland’s cycling-friendly side, active lifestyles and its parks. I brought in an agency to define the target audience, then led a new look and an edgier, more playful voice.
$320Kpublicity value, about 2,380% over 201612.97Mreach, about 3,150% over 2016632Ksocial impressions
2013 · Phoenix Suns
The Gorilla Rebrand
A glow up for Go.
When the Phoenix Suns refreshed their logo and jerseys before the 2013 to 2014 season, their famous mascot needed to keep up. I led the rebrand and creative for The Gorilla, known as Go, including his first new jerseys since the early 1990s, unveiled at a fashion show at Biltmore Fashion Square alongside the team’s new uniforms.
2new uniform styles1official logo2newly wrapped vehicles
04
Chapter four
Copywriting and Content
Every brand deserves a voice.
I have always had a knack for writing. I entered writing competitions in middle school and decided then that I would major in journalism.
Website copy and brand voice
2024 Women’s Final Four
Fans needed a guide to Cleveland beyond basketball. I wrote the pages with SEO in mind, balanced the NCAA’s partners with everything The Land offers and shaped the navigation with our web team.
Website copy
NEOCycle
Brand copy for a brand new event website during a complete rebrand.
61.8Kunique visitors in three months
Velodrome pageCyclocross pageCranks on the Banks pageNEOCycle on Facebook
Community reports
Phoenix Suns and the Sports Commission
I wrote and compiled the first Phoenix Suns community reports, including the president’s welcome letter, and added a by-the-numbers page to show impact at a glance.
Blogs
Kiya Tomlin
Conversational long-form posts for a fashion brand, written with SEO in mind.
Reports
2021 NFL Draft Recap
I compiled all post-event reporting from the host committee into one recap book.
05
Chapter five
Graphic Design
Something beautiful, by design.
I have more than 12 years of experience designing for clients. My specialty is event branding, where every piece lives in harmony.
InDesignIllustratorPhotoshopLogo designPrint designCreative direction
Clients I have designed for
Selected work
Pieces That Live in Harmony
Logos, collateral, invitations, social media and large format print. Hover over a piece to see what it is, and open any one full size.
Event brandingGreater Cleveland Sports Awards
Postcard and animated adHairspray, Phoenix Theatre
Logo conceptsRemi’s Canine Legacy
Race posterRun the Runway
Social media2021 NFL Draft announcement
InvitationTeach For America Phoenix
Large format and printNEOCycle festival
Postcard and animated adNo Way to Treat a Lady
Campaign logoPhoenix Suns Gorilla
Gala invitationChildren’s Cancer Network
Race logoTrot to Yacht
Race postcardRun the Runway
InvitationChildren’s Cancer Network Phoenix
Social mediaCactus Basketball Hoops
06
Chapter six
Event Management
I thrive in organized chaos.
I have been involved in or managed more than 1,000 events across sports, entertainment and live events, from hometown assemblies with NBA and WNBA players to major international sporting events.
1,000+events and counting
Phoenix Suns · Playworks
Gerald Green Anti-Bullying Assembly
Suns guard Gerald Green, who was bullied growing up, teamed with Playworks to share his story with students at Loma Linda Elementary, then played four square with them on the playground.
370students30staff
Phoenix Suns · Flagstaff
Suns Training Camp Takeover
Before the 2016 to 2017 season, the Suns trained at elevation while alumni, entertainers and The Gorilla took over Flagstaff with clinics, NBA Fit assemblies and a free scrimmage.
2,500students at assemblies5,000+scrimmage fans
Phoenix Suns · Make-A-Wish
A Sun for a Day
Jonah Zahm became a Phoenix Sun for a day. He shot around with the team, signed his contract at a press conference, got his own locker and joined the team huddle.
10players and coaches30reporters
Phoenix Suns · Southwest Airlines
Boys and Girls Club Renovation
The Suns and Southwest Airlines put about $50K into the Thunderbird Branch in Scottsdale, then celebrated with a ribbon cutting, photos and story time with Suns alumni and The Gorilla.
$50Krenovation40Club kids
07
Chapter seven
Awards
I am honored. Truly.
Recognition from my peers for the work my teams and I delivered.
SME Cleveland · 2021
Distinguished Marketing and Sales Award
The profession’s premier honor for outstanding sales and marketing achievement. I received it for the Sports Commission rebrand and my leadership of the 2021 NFL Draft campaign.
Sports ETA · 2018
Event Marketing Campaign of the Year
Voted by peer organizations for the NEOCycle rebrand and integrated campaign. I also wrote and designed the winning submission.
Word from the sideline
“Meredith is absolutely phenomenal to work with. Easily navigating the complexities of MarComm in fast-paced, scrappy and often stressful situations, she has rightfully earned awards and the respect of countless people in the sports and entertainment industries.”
Heather Tunstall, M.S.
President/Owner, Tunstall Content LLC
Ready to talk?
I would welcome a conversation about your team.
