Brooke Benschoter, APR

Experienced Integrated Marketing, Branding and Communications professional

Brooke A. Benschoter, APR
Brooke often calls herself a “branding geek.”

The best brands are not accidents,” she says. “Brand success comes from planning and strategies that are owned at the highest levels of an organization. They are the foundation the rest of the organization is built on – not just because they are what people see and hear but because a strategic brand speaks to values in the marketplace,” she adds.

Benschoter has more than 25 years experience in corporate communications, advertising, public relations, and marketing with organizations such as Drake University, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., Meredith Corporation, ITAGroup and the National Pork Board. Her experience covers many industries including education, health care, agriculture, publishing, social media, television, licensing, biotechnology and intellectual property.

In each position she has held, Benschoter applied the art and science of brand management to the opportunities advancing each organization’s public image, mission and working agenda both the internally and externally. Benschoter has been responsible for advertising, publications, public and media relations, crisis communication, social media and e communication, marketing and market research, branding and internal communication. Benschoter is avid proponent of integrated marketing and communications approaches and has presented on both IMC and branding to both local and national audiences. In 2007, Benschoter began helping college students develop and protect their personal brand. Today, clients of all ages can benefits from Benschoter’s approach.

Most recently, Benschoter married her brand management expertise with the increasing use of social media not just a communications tool but a marketing tool. Supported by her integrated approach to marketing and communications, she has consulted with companies large and small regarding the need to plan the use of social media and adopt practices that enhance and protect their brand at the same time. During this time she added “social media geek” to her resume.

Benschoter successfully shepherded the updating of the Drake University’s brand identity and messaging, both academic and athletic. Under Benschoter’s leadership, Drake’s branding strategies, directions and executions were honored with a Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Sweepstakes Award in 2006.

An avid life-long learner herself, Benschoter completed a M.S. in adult learning and organizational performance with an emphasis in leadership at Drake University in May 2010. She earned her B.A. degree in mass communications and journalism from Creighton University. She began her career as director of community affairs for the Omaha Community Playhouse in Omaha, Nebraska. She then served as assistant news director for KHAS TV in Hastings, Nebraska, before joining WHO TV in Des Moines, where she was a reporter covering health care, education and agriculture and a producer and assignment editor.

She also has been vice president and director of broadcast and video services for Anderson Communications Companies Inc. (Meyocks Group) and public relations manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred’s North American Seed Division. In addition, she was director of consumer advertising and promotion for Meredith Corporation’s Book group that included brands like Better Homes and Gardens, Home Depot, Ortho and Books. Before joining the National Pork Board in 2001 where she was responsible for the “Other White Meat” brand consumer communications, Benschoter was director of brand management for ITAGroup.

She is a 27-year resident of the Sherman Hill historic district and is active in community and cultural initiatives while being recognized by professional organizations for her skill, creativity and achievement. A 20-year volunteer for Festival of Trees and Lights, Benschoter chaired the event in 2006, raising a record $306,000 for Blank Children’s Hospital through the Iowa Health Foundation. She serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Beacon of Life Transitional Housing for Women. Most recently, she has hosted branding and public relations shows on the Des Moines Local Llive.com, Des Moines all-talk internet radio station.