ABOUT
CINDY BERTRAM
Cindy Bertram is an author, speaker, diverse writer, content creator, marketer, storyteller and public relations expert, known as a genuine connector who builds ongoing relationships. Her 20+ years of professional experience includes different industries - cruise, travel and publishing.
From marketing, communications, content creation, storytelling and branding across different media platforms, Cindy assists people and their companies, so they are not “hidden gems.” And she helps them bring their real stories to life.
A nationally published writer and author herself, Cindy continues to contribute articles to diverse online and print publications, where she’s also become known as a travel expert. She has also contributed chapter sections in three different PR NEWS’ Guidebooks. She brings her expertise to life in new ways, helping companies, business owners and their teams take their recognition to new levels. Having a high creative edge works well with her business savvy and MBA from Loyola University Chicago.
An advocate of video marketing, Cindy has also grown her expertise in this area. Beyond creating videos herself, she provides assistance with strategic planning, themes, stories, and content. The public speaking arena is another area where she brings value because she has spoken at different conferences and done presentations. Cindy was the opening speaker for the PR NEWS Writers Boot Camp.
Cindy has also been doing guest speaking as an invited guest on different radio and television shows throughout the country. Bringing her wealth of experience combines well with her successfully working with top level executives, assisting them with interviewing and speaking preparation for conferences and press briefings.
Showcasing what makes a company, their people and products stand out is what she is passionate about, along with helping create that positive impact. Richard Sasso, Chairman, MSC Cruises (USA), shared more about Cindy and said, “Cindy has been an example for all, men and women alike, as a gifted professional who never hesitates to give a helping hand. Her short story, ‘A Cruise and a Promise,’ published in Chicken Soup for the Traveler’s Soul (2002), is one.”
Also a book author, Cindy’s first book, How Six Women Executives Steer the Cruise Industry Today was published in November 2018. And her latest book, Message from the Dog…Learning from Great Humans, available on Amazon, focuses on great well-known nationally recognized leaders, ones she has interacted with personally, along with helping them enhance their businesses through positive coverage.
These are areas Cindy Bertram can assist you with. If you’re interested, let’s schedule a call.
MY SERVICES
Accomplished Business Storyteller, Book Author, Ghost Writer, Editor, Corporate Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Video and Social Media Expertise
The most successful content needs to fit the audience, and this involves marketing communications as well as storytelling. People love stories because those resonate best, pulling people in. I help people define, write and then share their brand’s richest stories. These are stories that connect people with places, cultures, what they’re passionate about, as well as others. One successful example of my storytelling ? I was able to help create a positive impact on a college student’s life, through writing about it and my story, A Cruise and A Promise, was published in the book, Chicken Soup for the Traveler’s Soul
I have assisted people and their businesses with different public relations avenues, and this ties in well with my expertise in public relations – from writing press releases, backgrounders, newsletters, to pitching media and getting coverage. One project involved creating materials and then pitching and successfully securing 5 different national speaking engagements for the editor of a Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. Another was creating new bios, company press releases, and other press materials for a growing fast-food family-owned restaurant chain. I successfully got them coverage in a national magazine.
I have been doing diverse writing myself for over 22 years, and this includes writing articles, thought leadership pieces, special industry forecasts, blogs, top ten lists and more. Both online and print, I fit the content with the target market and audience.
Known for my expertise in diverse writing over the years, I have also done ghost writing for different organizations. One project involved my doing ongoing ghost writing for a well-known international cruise industry professional association. I also assisted a professional business owner with writing marketing pieces for him to incorporate in a special marketing project.
Video marketing is growing at a fast pace, and before the filming actual takes place, it’s critical to do strategic planning, coming up with the stories and then advance preparation. I’ve done this myself (through my own video series) and this is another area I can provide assistance with.
Stories pull people in, and my work includes storytelling. I’ve been doing this for a few years, because I’ve found people are unsure on how to tell their stories in the best way. Also I’ve gone through professional training in this area myself and completed a 4-part detailed Story Building Bootcamp in March 2022.
Having given diverse presentations myself that include workshops at national conferences, being a guest speaker on different radio and television shows as well as being the opening speaker for the PR NEWS’ Writing Boot Camp Chicago, I have also assisted people create and then practice their presentations. Podcasting continues to grow, and I’ve also done professional training in this arena as well as being a member of a professional podcast group
Leveraging my professional training in public speaking (that began with a liberal arts BA with double majors in English and communications with theater/public speaking) I have assisted business people in this area.
Having successfully written and published books myself, as well as contributing chapter sections to other successful guidebooks, my expertise and services includes assisting professionals who are writing and/or want to write their own books. Earlier in 2022, I assisted a well-renowned international chef in updating and improving a book he has been working on for the past few years which is not yet published.
My two different books, Message from the Dog…Learning from Great Humans (fall 2021) and How Six Women Executives Steer the Cruise Industry Today (fall 2018) are both available on Amazon, I’ve contributed chapter sections to 3 different PR NEWS Guidebooks – PR NEWS’ Video Guidebook, PR NEWS’ Book of Crisis Management Strategies & Tactics Vol. and PR NEWS Writer’s Guidebook Vol. 1. And I was the lead writer and content creator for the Ebook, How to Organize a Successful Group Cruise, published by Premier Travel Media. We took my original seminar in print, “How to Organize a Successful Group Cruise,” updated it and turned it into a successful Ebook.
Being that “second pair of eyes” is value I bring, because I do proof reading and editing.
Areas of social media continue to change along with the audiences that embrace those channels. In my work I have added more social media channels, but also use ones that best fit to market the audiences I have and continue to target. So this is another area of expertise I bring.
Today, it’s been said, “You are a Brand,” and I could not agree more. Helping people find ways to stand out, what makes them (and their products/services) stand out, so they are not seen as “just one of many” is another area I assist people with.
People tend to buy products and services from companies they like, know and trust. Another part of this involves that very important human component. We tend to see that lacking at times as a result of “talking with a machine”. This is an area I’m passionate about, and along with having written about it? I help people and businesses on ways and avenues to create that customer loyalty.
MY BOOKS
Message from the Dog…Learning from Great Humans
Message from the Dog...Learning from Great Humans, written by Cindy Bertram and Miss Zooey, Cindy's puppy niece, provides inspiration via true stories from extraordinary human beings. And we need that now more than ever. As the world evolves into more of a digital one, there is a lack of real human communication at times – talking in person, face to face. People are still the key to success in today's world and sharing stories about some of these wonderful ``humans`` is a way to learn more of their traits, as well as how we can implement those in our lives today.
Want to learn more about how Captain Kate McCue actually became the first American woman Captain for Celebrity Cruises®, well-known cruise line? Or how Herb Kelleher, Co-Founder, and past Chairman of Southwest Airlines Co. actually mapped out an idea (on a napkin) to create and start Southwest Airlines Co. with a co-founder, which has become one of the most successful airlines today? Another is Rudi Schreiner, President and Co-Founder of AmaWaterways™, who is fondly known as the “Godfather of River Cruising.” Richard Sasso, Chairman of MSC Cruises® USA, is one more, who has more than 30+ years leading and successfully growing different cruise lines even during turbulent times. And Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, Chaplain, Loyola Ramblers Basketball team, became a national inspiration in her role when the team made it into the NCAA Final Four in 2018, as well as when the Loyola Ramblers were in the Sweet Sixteen 2021. These a few of the humans included in Message from the Dog…Learning from Great Humans. What truly makes a positive difference in the world today is that very much needed human touch and learning from inspiring leaders, true humans!
Message from the Dog…Learning from Great Humans is available for purchase on Amazon, paperback and Ebook.
HOW SIX WOMEN EXECUTIVES STEER THE CRUISE INDUSTRY TODAY
The fast-paced growth of the cruise industry, from ocean to river cruising, continues to evolve. But one surprising fact? There are an increasing number of women executives in top positions at these different cruise lines. In her book, How Six Women Executives Steer the Cruise Industry Today, Cindy Bertram shares the stories of these women executives.
Bertram says, “As you know, we have terrific leaders in the cruise industry, both men and women alike. But what is a bit more unusual? We have numerous women executives, and that’s something you don’t see in other industries.” She explains more and says, “In my book I shared the stories of six different women executives – Ellen Bettridge, Christine Duffy, Kristin Karst, Diane Moore, Edie Rodriguez and Jan Swartz.”
How they got into the cruise industry and moved up in their careers, along with successfully balancing out their personal family lives while successfully running a cruise line are key things Bertram covers. Bertram details the inspiring stories of Diane Moore, President, Paul Gauguin Cruises; Ellen Bettridge, President & CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection®; Edie Rodriguez, Americas Brand Chairman and Corporate Special Advisor, PONANT; Jan Swartz, Group President, Princess Cruises® and Carnival Australia; Kristin Karst, Executive Vice President and Co-Owner, AmaWaterways™; and Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line®.
How Six Women Executives Steer the Cruise Industry Today by Cindy Bertram and published November 2018 is available on Amazon.
ARTICLES
VIDEOS
Barbados
Qsine restaurant on Celebrity Summit
Sailing to St. Barts
Tortola Port Area (Crystal Serenity)
St. Lucia
Great Stirrup Cay
Sailing in the Caribbean
