The Communications and Marketing Department is the voice of Texas REALTORS®. The 10-member team plays a major role in shaping the messaging sent to you, the general public, and other real estate stakeholders.

The department produces Texas REALTOR® magazine, the weekly Focus e-newsletter, and monthly and quarterly specialty newsletters. Communications and Marketing maintains texasrealestate.com and engages you through its social media channels. “I make sure communications to members and the public are well-written, engaging, and informative,” says Marty Kramer, Director of Communications and Editor-in-Chief.

The department’s graphic designers make sure each publication, including marketing materials and promotions, not only looks great, but is intuitive and useful for you and your clients. Graphic Design Manager Joshua Banks, Senior Graphic Designer Valérie M. Horne, Art Director Joel Mathews, and Graphic Designer Chris Nelson work on how to best present the association’s messages.

When the association needs to talk with the public, Communications and Marketing steps up. Team members handle media relations, edit news releases, and manage the association’s radio campaign.

Communications and Marketing helps other departments and leaders share their stories. Department members help develop talking points and create presentations. They even work on signage for meetings and videography and editing for recorded trainings.

Another way Communications and Marketing helps members is by identifying and managing the numerous member benefits, affinity partnerships, and sponsorship programs. Member Benefits Manager Shandra Norman oversees the association’s efforts to connect with these partner organizations.

No matter what project Communications and Marketing tackles, the department protects the association’s brand by ensuring all messages have a clear and consistent tone.

“Reaching members and the public to increase awareness about what we do is always a top priority,” says Angela Brutsche, Vice President of Communications and Marketing. “The talented people on our team stay informed about the latest strategies and tools to help us reach our goals, and together we identify priorities and implement the plans that help drive success across all divisions.”

The Communications and Marketing Department is: Joshua Banks, Graphic Design Manager; Angela Brutsche, Vice President of Communications and Marketing; Joe Fisher, Marketing Specialist; Patee Franks, Digital Marketing Specialist; Valérie M. Horne, Senior Graphic Designer; Marty Kramer, Director of Communications and Editor-in-Chief; Ward Lowe, Director of Marketing Technology; Joel Mathews, Art Director; Chris Nelson, Graphic Designer; and Shandra Norman, Member Benefits Manager.