About Christina

     Christina Johansen loves to plan a party.  “Especially if it’s someone else’s,” she says with a laugh.  As assistant manager in charge of events planning and networking for the strategic marketing and advertising firm, MediaFit, she knows it’s not all fun and games, even if she makes it seem that way.  “It takes a lot of hard work, a lot of nights and weekends, but I can’t imagine doing anything else.” 

     One of Johansen’s responsibilities include planning events for NASCAR sponsors.  At NASCAR tracks, she organizes the hospitality tents for drivers as well as booths for sponsor companies—keeping track of food, drinks, promotional materials, checking people in—whatever the driver, sponsor, or company needs.  Some of the more interesting setups include NASCAR simulators, corn hole games, and show car displays.  “We may have a booth in the midway servicing two thousand people—sometimes in the rain.”  She smiles.  “You do your best and hope it all works.” 

     Related to the firm’s efforts at race tracks, MediaFit coordinates with race teams and sponsors to create show car events at varied locations such as grocery stores, golf courses, college campuses, and even a mall or two.  The events Johansen organizes include driver appearances, giveaways, ticket raffles for upcoming race events, autographing sessions, and live radio remotes.  “These projects are a challenging but important part of building relationships between fans, drivers, and sponsors.”

     NASCAR customers aren’t the only ones who need event planning.  Johansen also works with branding and advertising clients in organizing retail grand openings and anniversaries, and charity and non-profit groups, employee special events, open houses, seminars, and trade show booths.  “These functions are popular, but planning and getting the proper media coverage can be tricky.”  Clients benefit from her expertise in picking the date, deciding the schedule of events, finding the perfect draw for customers and the media, and also creating postcards, email reminders, ads, and press releases. 

     For projects involving charity and nonprofits, she says it serves as a reminder the business world isn’t just about making a dollar.  “Whether it’s creating a community garden or sponsoring a local triathlon, the task of pairing a business with a charity that speaks to their purpose or to their heart builds a relationship we hope lasts for years to come.”

     Energetic and outgoing, Johansen began planning parties when she was only fifteen while working at a community pool.  After graduating from college, she got a job as a marketing assistant for ClarkPowell in Winston-Salem and from there moved to Chick-Fil-A where she worked as a marketing director.  At Chick-Fil-A, she planned all the store’s marketing efforts, including creating and implementing school programs, charity, and family events.  She designed and produced store coupons and fliers and acted as a liaison with media print, radio, and television advertising.  She also created the Second Mile Service training program for new and existing employees which combined with other marketing efforts increased sales more than twenty percent. 

     Today, MediaFit depends on her initiative and sense of humor to make their client’s events a success.  “I care if people are having a good time,” she says.  At home, Johansen enjoys walking and running with Daisy, her cocker spaniel, as well as cooking and reading.  She intends to continue event planning and hopes that division of MediaFit will grow, allowing her to manage a small staff.  “It’s easy to plan two or more events, but it’s difficult to attend them all.”  She winks.  “Plus I want to go to the good ones.”  But with Christina Johansen in charge of the party, you get the feeling they’re all the good ones. 

Biography written by: Carrie Graves