If you need help telling your story, call the Texas REALTORS® Communications and Marketing Department. The 10-member team specializes in shaping and delivering information to your audience, whether it’s members, the general public, or other stakeholders.
One of the department’s main tasks is to be the voice of the association. The team produces Texas REALTOR® magazine, the weekly Focus e-newsletter, and monthly and quarterly specialty newsletters.
Communications and Marketing maintains texasrealestate.com and the association’s social media channels. “I make sure communications to members and the public are well-written, engaging, and informative,” says Marty Kramer, Director of Communications and Editor-in-Chief.
The department’s graphic designers make sure each publication, including marketing materials and promotions, not only looks great, but is intuitive and useful for you and your clients. Graphic Design Manager Joshua Banks, Senior Graphic Designer Valérie M. Horne, Art Director Joel Mathews, and Graphic Designer Chris Nelson work on how to best present the association’s messages.
When the association needs to speak to the general public, Communications and Marketing steps up. Team members handle media relations, edit news releases, and manage the association’s radio campaign. Communications and Marketing collaborates with other departments to help spread the word by helping to develop talking points and create presentations. Team members even work on signage for meetings and videography and editing for recorded trainings.
Another way Communications and Marketing helps members is by identifying and managing the numerous member benefits, affinity partnerships, and sponsorship programs. Member Benefits Manager Shandra Norman oversees the association’s efforts to connect with these partner organizations.
No matter what project Communications and Marketing tackles, the department protects the association’s brand by ensuring all messages have a clear and consistent tone.
“Reaching members and the public to increase awareness about what we do is always a top priority,” says Angela Brutsche, Vice President of Communications and Marketing. “The talented people on our team stay informed about the latest strategies and tools to help us reach our goals, and together we identify priorities and implement the plans that help drive success across all divisions.”
Banks enjoys the range of projects Communications and Marketing works on. “It’s a very eclectic team,” he says, laughing. “There’s such a variety of personalities and skill sets. We add a lot of flavor and color to what could be very straightforward information.”
Norman loves the camaraderie on the funny and supportive team. “The team is hard working and very knowledgeable,” she says. “They will challenge you in a healthy way. The dynamic is that you always want to do better, and everyone pushes each other to be better. It’s just a really cohesive, fun group of people.”
Learn more about these skilled communicators:
Joshua Banks, Graphic Design Manager, played hockey goalie in college.
Angela Brutsche, Vice President of Communications and Marketing, worked as a Seaman’s Apprentice at Long John Silver’s for her first job.
Joe Fisher, Marketing Specialist, was born with 11 fingers.
Patee Franks, Digital Marketing Specialist, once walked up 2,744 steps and back down for fun. The Manitou Incline is the equivalent of climbing the Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower twice, or the Statute of Liberty six times.
Valérie M. Horne, Senior Graphic Designer, and her husband got married in the cheese section of Central Market.
Marty Kramer, Director of Communications and Editor-in-Chief, won first place in the overall competition in the first rodeo he ever entered, a second-grade bike rodeo.
Ward Lowe, Director of Marketing Technology, met his wife skydiving.
Joel Mathews, Art Director, once unintentionally embarrassed actor Jim Nabors, who played Gomer Pyle.
Chris Nelson, Graphic Designer, has been to at least 34 countries and set foot on six of the seven continents.
Shandra Norman, Member Benefits Manager, has proclaimed 2024 as her year of yes and is planning a trip to swim with sharks.
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