FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 30, 2001 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 PILMER JOINS DRAKE AS MARKETING DIRECTOR Drake University alumna Sharon Pilmer recently returned to the University as director of marketing and communications. She had been senior vice president and director of market research and planning at CMF&Z Marketing and Communications. Pilmer succeeds Drake journalism professor Ronda Menke, who had served as interim director of marketing and communications since January. Pilmer, who started her new position April 19, is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the Office of Marketing and Communications, including advertising, publications, public relations, community relations, marketing and market research. As Drake's chief spokesperson and community relations representative, she also works closely with the news media, neighborhood leaders and city officials. "The opportunity to lead Drake's marketing and communications programs is a real privilege," Pilmer said. "Having begun my career as a Drake graduate, I'm truly delighted to be a part of promoting Drake to prospective students and faculty, alumni, and the community." Pilmer holds two degrees from Drake. She received a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1979 and a master's degree in mass communication in 1994. She has done post-graduate work at Iowa State University and the American Press Institute. At CMF&Z, Pilmer was responsible for managing all client research and worked closely with account teams to develop and execute marketing and communication plans for key accounts. She also has led the agency's media (advertising) planning and buying staff. Prior to joining CMF&Z, Pilmer led research and strategic marketing functions for The Des Moines Register, where she also served as director of The Iowa Poll. Before that, she was a public relations manager for Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, where she worked for former Drake President and Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray. Pilmer also spent several years working in Iowa state government and politics. She served two years as administrative assistant to the House majority leader and later staffed House committees on education and higher education funding.