Expertise in creating and implementing strategic and tactical communications initiatives. Solid experience in brand management, media/public relations, crisis management, internal communications, government relations, events management, corporate sponsorships. Effective executive policy advisor in matters of communications, reputation management, governance, government relations. |
SENIOR CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING PROFESSIONAL
20 years of financial services experience culminating in 12 years as Head of Corporate Communications, North America for one of the largest banks in Europe. Employing the latest methodology in creating and implementing strategic and tactical communications initiatives. Solid experience in brand management, media and public relations, crisis management, internal communications, government relations, events management, and corporate sponsorships. Persuasive and effective executive policy advisor to senior management in matters of communications, reputation management, governance, and government relations.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
LEADING GLOBAL INVESTMENT BANK, NEW YORK, NY 1994-2006
Managing Director, Head of Corporate Communications, North America
Reported directly to CEO of Corporate and Investment Banking for North America. Served as member of the North American Operations and Core Crisis Committees. Involved in the on-going review and updating of the bank’s crisis management and business continuity plans. Administered direct communications budget of $5 million with additional $6 million discretionary spending from business lines. Managed staff of 17 professionals.
• Built modern, integrated corporate communications department from the ground up to meet the requirements of senior management and business heads in executing the bank’s corporate and business strategies. Constantly redefined the objectives and scope of services provided by the department to meet the ever-changing market environment and dynamic needs of the individual business units.
• Successfully executed 18-month integrated branding initiative to develop the bank's brand in North America and position the bank as a global leader in the financial services sector. Provided strategic direction to position the company with key internal and external constituencies in North America.
• Identified potential reputational issues and developed appropriate communications responses to defuse and/or avert crises. Played central role in advising senior management in Europe and U.S. in the successful disposition of several high-profile reputational issues with the potential for global repercussions (e.g., a major international crisis and Enron research scandals). Employed lobbyists/consultants in developing a strategy to Americanize the foreign bank by raising the profile of the American CEO in Washington D.C.
• Raised the bank’s profile in North America by developing media strategies in partnership with business heads. Led two-year media program to position the bank as a global leader in several financial products. Successful in securing for the bank top honors in Investment Dealers’ Digest. Developed ongoing media training program for senior management and other spokespersons. Provided guidance in the preparation of speeches and presentations.
• Created internal communications vehicles to promote consistent and timely communications, to highlight the firm’s expertise and services, and to facilitate cross-marketing between relationship managers and product groups. Worked with the CEO for North America in developing content and scheduling for conducting the bank’s two-day sales and marketing seminars in 2001 and 2003. Created branded seminars and collateral materials detailing for the marketing and sales staff the scope, size, and capabilities of the bank. Successfully developed internal communications campaign to passively educate all employees as to the meaning of the brand.
• Launched and managed intranet site for North America which provided employees with direct access to information regarding the bank’s capabilities and operations as well as Federal Reserve and SEC-mandated internal policies and procedures. Initiated online corporate client gift program and established electronic database of all client gifts facilitating firm’s high standards of compliance with SEC $100 rule.
• Created high-profile events and corporate sponsorship programs as part of client development strategy designed to increase clients’ individual contributions to top line (e.g., Tennis Masters, MoMA reopening party, King Tut exhibit). Negotiated three-year senior sponsorship of a prestigious global industry conference to strengthen the bank’s brand extension efforts in the U.S. Coordinated North American portion of equity and fixed-income underwriting road shows. Responsible for all logistics involved in the bank’s global delegation to the IMF/World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank annual meetings.
• Developed bank’s cultural, corporate, and charitable giving programs in North America to maximize public relations impact. Served as Chair of the committee since inception. Reviewed bank’s process for granting client requests for charitable donations and developed policies and procedures to ensure suitability and compliance with OFAC restricted lists per CEO’s mandate.
• Effected performance and cost synergies which produced substantial tangible and intangible benefits. Consolidated the bank’s graphics and printing fulfillment within the Corporate Communications Department for a 25% savings in total print costs in North America. Consistently performed within department operating budget.
PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM, NEW YORK, NY 1993-1994
Assistant Vice President - Investor Relations
Development & coordination of investor relations programs for firm's clients (emphasis on crisis communications strategies and the successful completion of client IPO’s and secondary offerings).
INVESTOR RELATIONS FIRM, NEW YORK, NY 1992-1993
Market Intelligence Executive
Development of financial market support for the firm's small- and medium-cap clients via well-coordinated investor relations programs.
INVESTMENT BANK, NEW YORK, NY 1989-1992
Director of Corporate Relations
Served as liaison with the firm’s investment banking clients in planning/supervising all IPO and secondary road show activities throughout U.S. and Europe. Responsible for the creation of all marketing materials.
ASSET MANAGEMENT FIRM, NEW YORK, NY 1982-1989
Manager, Pension Advisors’ Associates
Manager of client services team for the firm’s Pension Marketing Department. During seven-year tenure at the firm, assisted and led in the development of marketing materials and internal procedures that facilitated the firm’s growth from approximately $900 million in assets under management to $17 billion.
ADVERTISING AGENCY, NEW YORK, NY 1980-1982
Account Executive
Media, packaged goods, electronics, and apparel accounts.
EDUCATION & LICENSES
M.B.A. Candidate, Edinburgh Business School
B.B.A. Marketing Management, Bernard M. Baruch College – C.U.N.Y.
Crisis Management, Financial Writing, Financial Report Analysis - NYU School of Continuing Education
Securities Industry Licenses: Series 7 & 63
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Organization for International Investments (OFII) - Corporate Communications Group
European American Public Relations Forum/Evanston Group (Banking)
Securities Industry Association Corporate Communications Roundtable
Financial Communications Society |
