Thomas J. Sands

Strategic Communications

I am focused on building brands through big ideas, emotional storytelling, and cultural relevance. I develop campaign concepts, brand positioning, and experiential moments that create real energy and connection. My work blends consumer psychology, atmosphere building, and sharp messaging to help brands stand out and feel meaningful. I’m driven by turning insight into momentum and ideas into experiences people remember.

Through my education, degree, internship, and other roles in the marketing field, I have gained hands-on experience that has strengthened my ability to strategize, collaborate, and execute campaigns effectively in dynamic environments. I excel at creating engaging and memorable experiences for people while communicating with clarity and confidence. Through my experience in hospitality, I have developed the ability to adapt quickly, work collaboratively, and deliver results in fast-paced environments. My experience in hospitality has strengthened my interpersonal skills, enhanced my ability to communicate clearly, and developed my capacity to anticipate and meet clients’ needs effectively.

I enjoy working closely with people, understanding their perspectives, and shaping ideas into something meaningful. My goal is to create work that feels intentional, thoughtful, and grounded in a deep understanding of both creativity and human behavior.

Experience

Bartender and Server 2023-Present

The Draft Room / Treadwell Park

Marketing and Sales Associate 2023

Empire Strategics

Social Media Intern 2022

Fusion on Main

Marketing Campaign Coordinator 2021-2022

GoToMeals

Copywriter 2020-2021

American Advertising Federation

My Full Resume Here

Education

St. Bonaventure University 2022

B.A., Strategic Communications

Accepted into the Francis E. Kelley Program at the University of Oxford

Member, American Marketing Association

Copywriter, American Advertising Federation

I am currently seeking entry-level or internship opportunities in roles such as Creative Strategist, Brand Strategist, Experiential Strategist, Communications Strategist, or Strategy Associate.

Out of Office

Below is a collection of moments that influence and inspire me.

Exploring and learning from the best city in the world, my home.

Iconic view of the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, with visitors visible at the base and calm waters in the foreground.

Dusk view of an amusement park with illuminated rides and roller coasters, including a large Ferris wheel and vertical drop ride, against a twilight sky.

Three people standing together in front of the Unisphere, a large steel globe sculpture, at a park with trees, a fountain, and a clear blue sky.

Adventuring through every borough.

Front entrance of The Metropolitan Museum of Art with stairs, columns, and a red banner reading 'The MET'.

The entrance of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, with a sign for the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation above the door. The building has grand stone steps, large columns, and ornate architectural details, with a few people walking or standing in front.

Learning from world-class museums.

Nighttime scene in a city with a lit-up Empire State Building, American flags hanging from the building on the left, and colorful lights illuminating buildings on the right. Pedestrians walk along the sidewalk.

Walks in the concrete jungle.

Nighttime scene in Times Square, New York City, with brightly lit digital billboards and numerous people walking and gathering in the streets.

Being on a billboard in Times Square.

Interior of a theater with a large gold curtain, multiple balconies, and a stage with orchestral musicians, filled with an audience.

Shows at Lincoln Center.

Games at Yankee Stadium.

Large Christmas tree decorated with multicolored lights and a star topper, set against tall city buildings at night, with a crowd of people gathered in front.

Witnessing the impact of holiday landmarks such as the Rockefeller Christmas tree.

Crowd gathered on a city street at Macy's during a parade or event, with large green Macy's balloons shaped like stars. Tall buildings and a street sign for W 48th Street are visible.

Experiencing the marketing genius of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

Concert hall with a stage illuminated in blue, gold curtains, and audience sitting in darkened seats, with some using mobile devices.

Concerts at Radio City Music Hall.

Interior view of an ice hockey arena with players and officials on the ice, fans in the stands, and a video scoreboard displaying a huddle of hockey players.

Games at Madison Square Garden.

An orchestra on stage in a concert hall, with performers and audience members in attendance.

Performances at Carnegie Hall.

At the United Nations, learning how ideas influence the world and how strategic messaging shapes global diplomacy.

Stumbling across the skyline.

Views from Top of The Rock.

Traveling the world, learning from people, places, culture, and history.

Italy

Traveled through Rome, Venice, Cinque Terre, Naples, and Pompeii, exploring historic sites, canals, and coastal villages to see how architecture, history, art, and local culture shape people and places.

The Roman Colosseum in Italy under a clear blue sky with tourists walking nearby.

Colorful houses built on a steep hillside overlooking the sea, with a small harbor and boats, under a blue sky.

People visiting the Sistine Chapel interior, with intricate, colorful frescoes on the ceiling depicting biblical scenes, and a fenced-off area where visitors are observing the artwork.

A group of six people standing together outdoors at an ancient archaeological site, with ruins and a volcano in the background.

Tourists walking through a street in a European town with colorful buildings, laundry hanging outside, and a vineyard on a hillside in the background.

California

Observed how landmarks, creativity, and influential brands shaped culture across Los Angeles, Anaheim, and San Francisco.

The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, with people sitting on the grass and walking around, during sunset.

A panoramic view of a baseball stadium filled with spectators, with the field and players visible, overlooking the water and city skyline in the background.

People seated in a baseball stadium with a game in progress, some wearing Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks jerseys, during sunset.

A young man in a black T-shirt and khaki shorts stands on a trail, looking at the Hollywood Sign on a hill in Los Angeles, California.

A sunny beach with people relaxing under umbrellas and swimming in the ocean. Rocks in the foreground and a distant shoreline with hills.

A family of five standing in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, California, on a sunny day with blue sky, surrounded by trees and purple flower arrangements.

Three cheeseburgers with lettuce, tomato, cheese, ketchup, and pickles on buns, served in red paper wrappers on a red tray.

Washington, D.C.

Spent time among historic landmarks and institutions to understand how history shaped perspective and trust.

The White House with a well-maintained lawn, trees, and an American flag flying on a clear, sunny day.

The United States Capitol building in Washington D.C. viewed from a foreground body of water, with leafless trees and a clear sky at dusk.

Washington Monument standing tall on a snowy field with scattered clouds and the sun low in the sky.

France

Explored Paris and Marseille to see how architecture and design reflect culture and history.

People standing and walking in front of the Eiffel Tower during sunset.

View of a harbor with boats, surrounded by a historic city with fortifications, and mountains in the background under a blue sky with clouds.

People riding bicycles on a city street in front of a large striped cathedral with twin towers, cloudy sky, and waterfront in the background.

View of a grand train station interior with a glass arched ceiling, ornate gold details, sculptures, and passengers walking inside while a man takes a photo.

The image shows the front view of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris during daytime, with a crowd of people gathered in the square. The sky is clear and blue, and there is a construction crane on the right side of the cathedral.

Hawaii

Experienced the islands’ natural beauty and local culture to understand how environment and tradition shape community.

Young man with a green baseball cap sitting on an old wooden train track trail, surrounded by dry grass and trees, with a view of a city, green hills, and the ocean in the background, along with other hikers walking down the trail.

Crowded beach with people sunbathing, swimming, and playing in the water, with high-rise buildings, palm trees, and a mountain in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Four people riding horses along a lush green trail near the coast under cloudy skies, with distant islands visible over the water.

Family of five posing in front of aircraft carrier at a waterfront, with cloudy sky

Ireland

Explored historic towns, landscapes, and local traditions to see how history and community shape identity.

Scenic landscape with trees, bushes, a cloudy sky, and mountains in the background.

A young man taking a selfie at the Cliffs of Moher with dramatic clouds over the Atlantic Ocean.

A group of four people standing behind a wire fence on a grassy area observing a scenic view of a river flowing through lush green hills and mountains on a cloudy day.

A plate of grilled cheese sandwiches with a side salad and a lemon wedge on a dining table with utensils and glasses.

United Kingdom — London

Admired the blend of historic and modern architecture to see how the city balances tradition with innovation.

A large crowd of people gathered in front of Buckingham Palace in London, with a clear blue sky and the Victoria Memorial with a golden statue in the foreground.

Three British banknotes, a £10 note, a £10 note, and a £20 note, are laid out on a wooden surface.

Plate with fried fish fillet topped with tartar sauce, a lemon half, a bowl of guacamole, French fries, and a small cup of tartar sauce. A glass of beer is in the background, with another similar plate and drink also visible.

Big Ben clock tower seen through a rainy window with raindrops. People walking with umbrellas, buildings, and trees in the background.

Florida — Disney World

Experienced Disney firsthand, observing how storytelling, design, and attention to detail created memorable experiences and lasting connections with people.

Spain

Wandered through Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca to see how creativity, tradition, and local culture influence people and places.

Germany

Explored Munich and Bavaria, admiring historic architecture and local traditions while seeing how Oktoberfest combines culture, community, and marketing to create a globally recognized experience.