Thoughts on success from a Forbes 30 Under 30 Midland native

As first reported in the Midland Daily News, Thea Neal, a social media wiz and Midland Native has earned a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30 List. She credits her professional success to experiences like studying abroad to sharpen her communication skills, achieving an education in Journalism from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts from Duke University, and various social media internships. She is no stranger to the curves that inevitably appear down the ethereal road toward success.

Through her diverse experiences, she set the bar high in her current position with Hallmark, running social media for their 2,000 Gold Crown stores. Neal’s strategy to grow the iconic brand is measured in more ways than one. In one year, Neal has generated more than 50 million impressions and 3 million user engagements for Hallmark. Her efforts to utilize social media pages of “influencers,” as a means to build trust with Hallmarks’ audience, along with her online show Party 101 have generated over $25,000 in revenue.

Neal’s accomplishments are impressive, and she encourages young professionals in the marketing and advertising world that it’s possible for anyone if they are willing to step outside of their comfort zone. She also advises recent college graduates to view their talents as a competitive skill set, and not to settle.

A traveled young woman who hails Midland home, Neal believes the best is yet to come for Midland residents, and is confident that there will be numerous people to join her in Forbes’ realm of recognition.
 
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