As the Marketing Communications Manager at Watkins Meegan, Ms. Contres uses her years of experience in professional services marketing to promote brand awareness of the firm, maintain client relationships, and grow firm presence through both web and PR campaigns.  She works with each industry group to create a marketing plan that is tailored to their target markets.  In doing so, Ms. Contres emphasizes the importance of a plan that is adaptable to the ups and downs of the economy and the rapidly changing world of marketing.  In addition, she works as the lead for all web activity and social media driving traffic to the website, increasing search engine optimization, and managing the voice of Watkins Meegan on the web. Ms. Contres also designs advertisements and collateral pieces, serves as the point of contact for all media sources, and organizes sponsorship opportunities and seminars.

Networking plays an important role at Watkins Meegan.  Ms. Contres encourages all colleagues to be proactive by first establishing contacts and then nurturing those connections.  As the Marketing Communications Manager, she develops meaningful relationships with professional alliances and takes on important roles within her community to grow the presence of the firm within DC, MD, and VA.  Ms. Contres represents the firm on the Marketing Committee for the International Group of Accounting Firms (IGAF), and the Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM). Moreover, Ms. Contres is working on expanding the firm’s educational outreach programs to its clients and prospects through its lunch and learn seminars.

Most recently Ms. Contres held the position of Market Development Manager of Signature Financial Partners an office of John Hancock Financial Network.  While at SFP, she developed revenue generating campaigns based on industry trends, market development, and competition.  Over the last 5 years, Ms. Contres transitioned roles from Marketing Coordinator to Market Development Manager and in turn developed a close relationship with the corporate office in Boston and the Director of Talent Acquisition to recruit top-notch employees.  She ran the training program, working with all new advisors to become effective marketers and in developing solid market plans.