Employee Information

James Douglass

Phone: 507-433-0611
E-mail: James.Douglass@riverland.edu
Department: Communications & Marketing
Job Title: Executive Director of Communications, Media Relations and Marketing
Austin Campus: East Building N118

About James

As the son of a rural newspaper editor/publisher, I started working at our family-owned newspaper at an early age. I pursued an education and a career in Mass Communications. Since 1987 my career has evolved from newspaper to communications expert. Today, I work with all forms of traditional and digital media. My passion for growing new or heritage brands leverages all media including print, broadcast, web, and social media to achieve organizational objectives. Now celebrating more than 25 years working in marketing and public relations, my experience covers a variety of communications elements including: strategy, advertising, budgeting, negotiating, traditional and digital media, writing, positioning, research, public relations, promotional events, live productions, public speaking, management, crisis management, creative direction, and vendor management.

Area(s) of Expertise

MARKETING: Strategically plan, implement, manage and direct Communications department activities.

PUBLIC RELATIONS: Provide leadership and direction for the public relations efforts for the college.

WEBSITE: Provide strategic and operational direction for the administrative and academic functions of the college Web site; manage continued growth of the Internet and Intranet web sites including SharePoint and social networks.

SUPERVISORY: Exercise supervisory authority so that employees effectively perform assigned job duties to achieve the annual objectives of the department.

Professional Associations

Member, National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR)

External Professional Activities/Organizations

Absolute Theatre (Co-Founder/Board Member) May 2016 – Present Rochester, Minnesota

Absolute Theatre is a fiercely passionate ensemble whose absolute commitment to honing the craft raises its artistic merit. With this concentration, we produce NEW works, recognized greats, and texts otherwise overlooked, all which offer intense, intimate explorations of the stories of our own humanity. Brought together by a common desire to create and share theatre which transcends expectations, we formed in the Spring of 2016. As a team, our involvement in hundreds of shows in dozens of theatres has led us to begin our new venture together with a specific focus on improving our craft. The definition of absolute guides our work: existing independently, not qualified or diminished in any way; total, pure.

Minnesota Marketing Association for Two-Year Colleges

Over the years, he has served as an officer and/or president of the Minnesota Marketing Association for Two-Year Colleges several times and has organized many of its statewide conferences. National Council of Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) State Delegate for Minnesota, 2004 to Present

Volunteer and Community Service Activities

Very active in the arts, James has been a volunteer at theatres all over Southern Minnesota including, Summerset, Riverland Theatre, Jackson County Arts Guild, Albert Lea Community Theatre, Rochester Repertory Theatre, Pyramid Theatre Alliance, Rochester Civic Theatre, and Veritigo Theater Factory. He was the co-chair of one of the first Relay for Life events for the American Cancer Society in Olmsted County.

Awards and Honors

2015 District 5 Communicator of the Year, National Council of Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR)
2016 National Communicator of the Year, National Council of Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) He has won numerous (medallion awards)

Student Instructional Activities

James has taught theatre and speech for Riverland, as well as directed student productions. He works as a judge for the Minnesota High School League One-Act Play Contests each year.

Riverland Community College