Marketing Manager
First Transit
As First Transit’s marketing manager Ashley McNamara is responsible for every facet of marketing: tradeshows, events, brochures, flyers, presentations, website, corporate videos, branding, sales materials, email marketing, graphic design and sales database. In addition to marketing responsibilities, she also assists other departments within First with various projects including recruiting, procurement and safety. Projects include graphic design, recruiting materials, branding, etc. McNamara has been the Chair of FirstGroup America HQ Charity committee for last two years, planning and executing many fundraisers to benefit Children's Miracle Network - having raised just about $20K in those two years. She also manages FirstGroup America's Branding website, which houses First Transit’s graphic standards, logos, templates and photo library.
McNamara assists transit systems across the country with implementing marketing plans and initiatives including:
- Branding and creation of new logos for various First Transit managed/operated locations.
- Marketing reviews and assistance. This includes creating a marketing plan, identifying target markets, brainstorming marketing campaigns to generate ridership, implementing social media, etc.
- Helped systems create advertising, flyers, brochures, comment cards, etc.
As a member of APTA’s Expo Committee, McNamara contributed an article for Mass Transit's Marketing E-Newsletter, focused on planning an out of town corporate event. She launched a marketing campaign when First acquired Laidlaw, which included print advertising, brochures, internal newsletters, client newsletters, giveaway items and tagline - APTA Adwheel First Place winner. Other accomplishments include initiating First Transit's e-mail marketing program; successfully planned and executed over 15 client events/functions in various cities in the last four years; developed and launched First Transit's shuttle microsite - website dedicated solely to its university, airport and business shuttle market; assisted with First Transit's social media implementation for Twitter and Facebook; initiated First Transit's presence on YouTube with three videos highlighting its clients in North County and the benefits to contracting transit services.
“I enjoy the fact that each day brings something different. Being involved in all aspects of First Transit’s marketing, I can go from booking a tradeshow to designing a brochure to working on a client presentation all in one day. I am able to interact with our location managers and staff, as well as our clients on a personal level. My most favorite aspect of my job is the event planning part of it … I get to plan fun events for our clients and staff, and play while I work!”
“The public transportation industry is unique because it connects so many different people in so many different ways. I enjoy being part of an industry that can touch the lives of so many people. I also enjoy seeing all the advancements that transit has made over the last few years, especially by way of technology.”
