Well-Rounded Communications is a one-woman shop started by me, Tamara. I'm a senior-level communications pro who has done pretty much everything under the sun — with some grey hair to prove it. I believe the best consultants are well-rounded enough to come up with smart ideas AND execute them.
INTELLIGENCE
Audience Interviews
Media & Social Media Analysis
Messaging Analysis
STRATEGY + PLANNING
Branding & Messaging
Communications Plans
Campaign Development
CONTENT CREATION
Story-Gathering
Video, Online & Print Content
Op-Eds & Blog Posts
EXECUTION
Spokesperson Development
Project Management
Coaching & Training
Communications Consultants: I can help round out your team as a subcontractor on a per-project basis. Nonprofit Organizations: We can partner directly on a per-project basis or monthly retainer based on your needs.
"I am driven by two main philosophies: Know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others." - Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Past Work
I've done it all, from communications plans and video production to media campaigns and online events. Click on an item to learn more.
Spay & Neuter Your Pets
Spaying and neutering helps reduce the number of pets in shelters, but convenience, cost and psychological factors prevent people from getting their pets fixed. I helped implement a campaign to increase spaying and neutering in Reno, NV. Veterinarians were trained and placed as media spokespeople, and I developed partnerships with local pet food stores to spread awareness. The successful campaign was replicated in other regions.
Services: Media strategy, partnerships, public education campaigns, training
California’s Prop. 73 and 85 endangered at-risk teens by requiring parental notification for abortion. But traditional pro-choice messaging wasn’t enough to sway voters. I trained volunteers and organizational spokespeople on the campaign’s unique messaging and developed content for campaign organizing and fundraising efforts. Both initiatives were rejected by California voters.
I led the PR implementation for an exciting but controversial approach to stopping gun violence. I oversaw the launch of the organization’s new brand, ensuring implementation across partner sites across the country. I assisted the founder with an acclaimed TED talk and media trained a number of the organization’s workers, many of whom are formerly incarcerated and subject to media criticism. I also helped manage PR crises to help safeguard the organization’s reputation, as well as the reputation of their funders.
Services: Branding, crisis management, media strategy, messaging, training, video, writing
A legal settlement in California protects students’ basic rights to functional classrooms, qualified teachers and access to textbooks. But many parents are unaware of those rights. I recruited, trained and deployed parent volunteers to help other disadvantaged parents know their rights and improve their kids’ schools. I also worked with school districts and local congressional staff to help spread awareness.
Services: Messenger recruitment, public affairs, public education campaigns, volunteer management
Children need teachers, social workers and other professionals to ask, “What happened to you?” instead of “What’s wrong with you?” To encourage more youth-serving professionals to become trauma-informed, I helped develop a research-backed campaign to show how to become trauma-informed. I recruited messengers for a storytelling project and oversaw the production of more than 25 videos and story-gathering interviews highlighting the benefits of being trauma-informed.
Services: Messenger recruitment, messaging, public education campaigns, research, video
To introduce California’s young adults to jobs in health, I managed a successful advertising and social media campaign. I recruited real health workers as campaign spokespeople. To drive more traffic and engagement on the campaign website, I oversaw user experience testing, SEO and website redesigns.
Services: Messaging, online advertising, research, social media campaigns, volunteer management, user engagement strategy
Many health problems require a prescription for social services (e.g., home mold removal for asthma symptoms), not just medication. To kickstart more conversations about this issue, I oversaw a news-making survey of physicians on the value of writing prescriptions for social services. I led the development of messaging and media materials on the survey. Leading up to the survey’s release, I secured and trained physician spokespeople and managed the multi-person media relations team.
Services: Media strategy, messaging, project management, publications, training, writing
Grassroots organizations on Long Island were struggling to attract individual donors, many of whom give to Manhattan-based organizations. In partnership with Wonder: Strategies for Good, I oversaw a mystery donor research project to help the grassroots organizations improve their fundraising. I also developed a written guide and assisted with capacity-building trainings.
Being well-rounded is what I always strive for, professionally and personally.
Smart, reliable & easy to work with
I'm Tamara Murray, the comms pro behind Well-Rounded Communications. I've spent the past decade helping do-gooders get their message out. And a lifetime learning as much as I can.
Social change is in my blood, starting from my grandmother who went door to door to promote family planning in her small Filipino town. My social-change communications journey started with stints in-house with the ACLU, NARAL Pro-Choice California and The San Francisco Foundation. I was a vice president at Fenton, then struck out on my own by founding Well-Rounded Communications. I love being a consultant because it keeps my experience well-rounded, which helps my clients get the most out of our relationship.
My other passion is experiencing as much of this world we live in as possible. My husband and I love travel: the kind where you start driving not knowing where you'll end up. Our minimalist lifestyle allows us to travel while working. I'm always looking for a trail to hike, local to chat up, or song on the ukulele to learn.
SIDE PROJECTS
My book, Awesome Supervisory Skills
My travel blog, Nomads With a Van
well-rounded (adj.) : fully developed in all aspects; well-balanced
Testimonials
What's it like to work with me? See what others have to say.
During the years I worked with Tamara, I received expert guidance and stellar products, but also learned such an amazing amount that I would credit her with much of my early professional growth. From providing crisis support, helping design a multifaceted communication work plan and investing herself completely in a re-branding launch, Tamara delivered above and beyond at every step.
University of Illinois Center for Depression and Resilience
Tamara is an effective task-master, strategist, and all-around communications expert who is a lot of fun to work with. She keeps projects moving even in the most complicated situations. She rolls up her sleeves, gets to work and helps clients get to the finish line in the most painless way possible.
I worked with Tamara for three years. What impressed me wasn’t her ability to find simple ways to talk about complex problems. It wasn’t her ability to project manage a simultaneous re-brand, messaging refresh and website relaunch. It wasn’t the mastery by which she led conference calls with more coalition partners than you could ever imagine. What impressed me most about Tamara was the fact she could do all those things and still make you laugh.
