Hi. I’m Melissa Bearns, the founder of Current Shift.

I specialize in digital marketing, brand communication strategy, and content marketing for purpose driven brands and organizations. Simply put, I help my clients spark authentic dialog with consumers in a way that builds powerful relationships and intense brand loyalty by bringing intention, strategy and planning to all communication on digital channels: websites, social media, email newsletters, blogs, digital advertising, social media advertising and other emerging communication channels.

The back and forth nature of social media, the web, and even email has dramatically changed what consumers expect from brands. We’ve moved beyond just storytelling to conversations.

Let’s start some conversations. We’ll cut through the noise, define your brand voice, and put in place strategies and planning to guide and streamline your messaging and content. I’ll help develop strategies and planning to guide your communication and give your content planning structure. We’ll set up systems tailored for your team to make content management easier. We’ll track and measure key metrics so we know what’s working and what’s not, allowing us to pivot when we need to and take advantage of new opportunities.

Within just a few months, you’ll see dramatic improvement in your performance across channels, and increases in key metrics like engagement and community size. Your marketing initiatives and brand communication will be cohesive and integrated across all your channels, with everything working together to help you reach your goals. Most importantly, managing content and brand communication on your digital channels will feel manageable, intentional and in control, and you’ll know exactly how you’re doing.

I’m excited to hear about the conversations you want to inspire and the change you seek. Let’s talk!

Current Shift proudly supports the following organizations through financial contributions and/or volunteer work:

The Backyard Habitat Program

The Backyard Habitat Program supports urban gardeners in their efforts to create natural backyard habitats. It’s through our collective efforts to revitalize urban landscapes that positive change is made. Together we make our cities a healthier place, for ourselves and for wildlife. Our community of Backyard Habitats is over 3,650 strong, and growing every day. It is managed jointly by the Columbia Land Trust and the Audubon Society of Portland.

Volunteer Work: You’ll find me volunteering helping out at the native plant sales, and also participating in the Yard Tours during which I give tours of the Cutrrent Shift outdoor space to show how I’ve incorporated the key elements of the Backyard Habitat Program. The Current Shift yard was re-certified at the Gold level in 2018.

The Columbia Land Trust

The Columbia Land Trust works to conserve and care for the vital lands, waters, and wildlife of the Columbia River region through sound science and strong relationships.

Columbia Slough Watershed Council

The Columbia Slough Watershed Council works to protect and enhance the Columbia Slough and its watershed through community engagement, education, and restoration.

Volunteer Work: As a member of the CSWC Paddle Team I work with people in the communities of Fairview, Gresham and Portland to help educate them about the Slough, participate in restoration efforts of their local watershed and natural areas, and get people out on the water in boats at paddling events such as evening paddles, youth educational events and Slough School, and summer festivals. You’ll most often find me giving safety talks before people head down to the dock to go out paddling on the Slough, or guiding people out on the water as a boat captain or safety boater. Hope to see you out on the Slough this year!

About Forest Park Conservancy

Forest Park Conservancy restores and protects Forest Park, Portland’s 5,200 acre urban forest. Guided by the Greater Forest Park Conservation Initiative, we maintain trails, restore habitat, and inspire community appreciation for our greatest natural treasure.

Volunteer Work: After spending a couple of years volunteering on trail crews for the FPC, I signed up for the crew leader training and now am a crew leader. It’s loads of fun spending time with so people who share my values of stewardship and community involvement, and the training and support we received as volunteer crew leaders from the FPC is phenomenal!
After spending a couple of years volunteering on trail crews for the FPC, I signed up for the crew leader training and now am a crew leader. It’s loads of fun spending time with so people who share my values of stewardship and community involvement, and the training and support we received as volunteer crew leaders from the FPC is phenomenal!

NARAL

The 1.2 million member activists of NARAL Pro-Choice America fight for reproductive freedom for every person in every state. Each day, we organize and mobilize to protect that freedom by fighting for access to abortion care, birth control, paid parental leave and protections from pregnancy discrimination.

Oregon Environmental Council

Oregon Environmental Council advances innovative, collaborative and equitable solutions to Oregon’s environmental challenges for today and future generations.

Founded in 1968, Oregon Environmental Council is a nonprofit, non-partisan, membership-based organization. The OEC protects the health of every Oregonian and the place we call home by working for clean air and water, a healthy climate, and an unpolluted landscape.