Member Spotlight: Marilyn McCray

by Samantha Furry

This month’s member spotlight is on Marilyn McCray, owner at McCray & Company.

AWC AUSTIN: How long have you been a member of AWC Austin?
MM: I’ve been a member of AWC Austin since 2007.

AWC AUSTIN: What do you use your membership for?
MM: I have found AWC really important for making connections. I worked on a project just out of graduate school for the International Museum of Photography in Rochester, New York.  The PR person for the museum was an AWC member and we used her connections from the New York chapter to promote the project.  When I got to Austin and learned there was a local chapter, I started attended events as a way to meet people in the field and joined later.

AWC AUSTIN: What surprised you most about the benefits that AWC provides?
MM: I always enjoy programs at luncheons, the Banner Brunches and Get Smart. There is always something new to be learned and wonderful people to meet.  These things would never happen without AWC Austin.

AWC AUSTIN: Describe your area of communications.
MM: I have had the opportunity to gain  a wide variety of skills from working with organizations that range  from Fortune 500s to not-for-profits.  I bring the diverse experience I’ve gained working in different arenas, whether it be writing for a website or creating a marketing plan for a new company. Since I’ve been in Austin, I’ve developed a strong network of specialists.  While I may not be a graphic designer, I can pull from a superb network of experts and bring the greatest value to my customers.

AWC AUSTIN: What was your career path?
MM: My career path has been unusual.  I started out in the arts spearheaded a project that took a look at what artists were doing with new techniques developed by Xerox and other companies who created copying technologies. .  It wasn’t writing a proposal about an art project; it was writing a proposal and structuring a business proposal. In addition to the  museum director,   I reported to the CEO and to the VP of Public Affairs at Xerox.  Over three years of this project lasted, it felt like that I gone through business school. It helped me in more ways than one.  It also would never have happened if I relied solely on my background in the arts.  

AWC AUSTIN: What do you enjoy most about your job?
MM: I like working with a diverse group of people; state health agencies, technically based mailing and fulfillment businesses, small marketing groups, and even acupuncturists. I like the flexibility!

AWC AUSTIN: Your firm covers marketing, writing, PR, and social media;the whole shebang.  How are you able to successfully cover such a large realm of communications?
MM: Throughout my career, I have worn many hats. Starting in the arts, spending time as an account executive, leading a not-for-profit, and holding positions in destination marketing and high end hospitality, I have  experience in many aspects of the communications field.   It’s the Swiss army knife approach; you learn to do what you need to do at the time.  For me it’s a matter of having done all these things and learning pulling  in experts when I need to.  We collaborate to provide a full range of services.

AWC AUSTIN: Do you cater to a particular special niche or do you cast a wider net?
MM:  A lot of  opportunities have come to me.  And a lot of it is really fun!  I was working at a hotel in Santé Fe and one of the guests looked so very familiar.  It turned out to be Samantha Brown!  One week after she left, we got a telephone call letting us know she wanted to do an episode of Great Hotels on our hotel.  You have to keep your eyes and ears open!

AWC AUSTIN: Is my info correct?  You’ve cooked at a dude ranch before?  What was that like?
MM: I did! It was a lot of work.  I was in transition in Colorado and have always been interested in food and hospitality and found a dude ranch up in the mountains.  It was a one woman show except for when the wranglers came in and sometimes helped with dishes.  For six days out of the week, I cooked all the meals and was in charge of keeping an endless cookie jar fully stocked.

AWC AUSTIN: What’s your favorite Austin food event?
MM: I like the Green Corn Project Annual Fall Fundraiser.  The Green Corn Project is a not-for-profit aimed at teaching people without resources to grow food. The fundraiser will be at Boggy Creek Farm.  I spend Saturdays volunteering  at   Boggy Creek.  The Green Corn Project Annual Fall Fundraiser is October 24^th from noon to 3 PM.  Check it out at www.greencornproject.org.

Connect with Marilyn!
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