Department of Communication Studies
cpatten@mymail.marylhurst.edu

Education

MA in Mass Communications, University of Denver
BJ in Journalism, University of Missouri

Classes Taught

Beyond Damage Control: Reputation Repair & Re-Branding
Crisis Communications – Before, During, & After
Media Writing Basics for Public Relations
New Media Relations: Building An Online Newsroom
Pitch Perfect: Crafting the Winning Client Proposal & PR Plan
Press Releases & Guerilla Marketing Basics
Research & Planning for Strategic Communications
Social Media Strategies: Digital News Releases, Online Newsrooms & Blogger Relations
Topics in Public Relations: Taking Control of the Message

About

Carolyn Patten began her career as a general assignment feature writer for the Santa Fe New Mexican and the Santa Fe Reporter.  Later, as executive director for the non-profit Metropolitan Lawyer Referral Service in Denver, she began Colorado's first legal advertising campaign, and later joined TCI as editorial director, helping to launch The Disney Channel and the cable industry's first pay-per-view events.

In California, she worked as publication director for three award-winning, satellite television trade industry publications, and served as managing editor of Palm Springs Life Magazine before joining The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage as public relations director. She went on to become tourism public relations director for the City of Palm Springs, developing an international marketing program and launching the city's first website.

In Portland, she developed a complete re-branding and marketing campaign for Albertina Kerr centers before launching a successful freelance writing and consulting career.

As the owner of her own public relations business, she has handled full marketing and public relations for a varied group of consumer-oriented clients, including hotels, restaurants, tourism destinations and attractions, boutiques, non-profits and a winery.

She is the author of the travel guidebook, The Insider's Guide to Palm Springs, and co-author of Hidden San Francisco & Northern California and Hidden Coast of California, and continuing update author for the DK Eyewitness Travel Guides to California, Northern California, Los Angeles, Seattle and Hawaii. She is a regular writer for The Oregonian newspaper as well, contributing weekly and monthly columns and feature stories. The Mazatlan Hotel Association honored her with the Golden Deer 2009 Award for best international travel feature.