C.S. Pothitt has more than 15 years experience in marketing communications, as well as writing and editing, in the fields of health care, food and wine, computers, business, television, biology and agriculture. She can research, digest and write highly technical material while making this same material comprehensible to people unfamiliar with the topic. She has built her career on helping people understand something that is new to them, taking information—from dry facts to common knowledge to scientific research—and making it sparkle with life.

Pothitt has an eclectic background: a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, a Master’s degree in Journalism from the number one public relations graduate program in the nation (according to U.S. News & World Report), and education in video production, science communication and dance. She has worked in marketing communications and public relations for City of Hope National Medical Center, Blue Shield of California, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Gracelyn & Burns (representing Champagne Deutz, The Bergkelder and Llano Estacado). In addition, she has worked in employee communications for City of Hope, KidsGrowth Professional and New Century Financial.

About five years ago, she expanded her skills into the world of the Web. She’s created an internal website for the editorial board of a health plan’s Medicare-focused magazine, was the editor of KidsGrowth Professional, a website for pediatric professionals, and has written web copy for Arcturus, Inc., Pediatric Partners, BrainBench, Virtual University, New Century Financial and others. In addition to taking courses in online marketing and social media, she has been studying on her own search engine marketing and optimization (SEM and SEO), email marketing and direct marketing. She launched and manages an online travel magazine for science fiction, fantasy and horror fans, as well as three blogs, including one dedicated to pumpkins. She is also working on several other website projects on topics such as:

• public speaking,
  
  
• organizing your job search and using direct mail techniques to improve the chances of getting an interview,
  
  
• the history and sociology of science fiction,
  
  
• cooking and baking, and
  
  
• making money with art online.

While at Blue Shield of California, she was the editor of eight newsletters, helped launch a magazine, and led the redesign on several other publications. During her tenure at City of Hope, she spearheaded the transition from a weekly letter-sized newsletter to a monthly, tabloid newspaper. This new publication was so successful that The Communicator Awards awarded it an “Award of Distinction” and it won two more awards, as well.

While attending the University of Maryland at College Park, she worked as a staff writer for The Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station covering aquaculture, alternative pest control and ranching. As an intern at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, she wrote the case study of a humpback whale stranding and the definitive story of Froggy and Oliver, two adult California sea lions who found a new home in Spain. Since Oliver died en route to Spain, she gained experience dealing with a public relations crisis.

A Toastmaster for six years—earning her Competent Toastmaster (CTM) Award and working half-way to her Able Toastmaster (ATM) Award—she has developed excellent verbal communication skills. She also produced a 27-minute video introducing new and prospective members to the Toastmasters experience.

Pothitt blends her knowledge of science, marketing and communication, as well as a passion for the potential of the Internet, to create powerful and accessible copy for her clients and employers. Her creativity, coupled with her superb organizational skills, enables her to take loosely defined projects and see them to fruition. A take-charge person with a “can do” attitude, her patient demeanor, attention to detail, tireless energy and enthusiasm make her a valuable asset to any organization on which she focuses her energies.