+1-203-910-7861 laurel@laurelwhittier.com

Professional Experience

.I’m an accomplished global communications & creative professional with extensive experience in corporate communications, digital/social, branding, design, advertising, events, production and project management roles.

I have a highly technical acumen to translate complex digital projects into easily understandable concepts. I’m an inspirational leader who’s been successful at building and managing both large & small teams to deliver business results.


Experience: Creative & Communications Consultant (2017-Present)

As a creative and communications consultant, I have worked on a variety of projects for all kinds of clients both large and small such as GE Capital, Encina Capital Partners, Antares Capital, and AON

Projects include PR, advertising/marketing, internal & executive communications, management of external digital & social media channels, events, process improvements and implementing software solutions with a heavy emphasis on digital marketing and creating custom WordPress with automation tools that can be turn-key offerings or supported with a SLA.


Experience: GE Capital (2002-2017)

Creative Director, Norwalk, CT

MAY 2009 – JULY 2017, RECIPIENT OF 16 AWARDS INCLUDING 2016 GE CAPITAL CHAIRMAN’S AWARD

As Creative Director I worked closely with PR, Marketing, Internal & Executive communications teams to drive strategic initiatives and delivered well-aligned messaging platforms throughout multiple corporate restructuring & the largest global business divestiture in history. I led the global strategy and management of external digital & social media channels, managed brand expression ensuring alignment in messaging across internal & external global corporate assets, including websites, social media, 3rd party content. I also managed the overall creative strategy/direction for GE Capital & daily operations of the creative services group: a team of graphic designers & outsourced resources which produced on average 1000+ projects per year including internal & external digital properties, national ad campaigns, sales collateral, trade show materials and employee communications. I developed & implemented digital workflow/automation for services and built a print on demand feature with a 3rd party service.

Other projects included: Served on the divestiture communications team to strategize/develop/implement digital, social and print communication vehicles plus production of live & virtual events for a variety of audiences; developed 30+ websites for educating & best practice sharing, corporate brand narrative/reputation protection, sales & marketing messaging for customers and divestiture/transitions benefits information; conducted peer training on public speaking & effective storytelling including a digital toolkit with instructions, examples & insights.

Organizational Communications Manager, Norwalk, CT

September 2005 – May 2009, Recipient of 11 Senior Leader Awards

As and Organizational Communications Manager I worked with senior business leaders to drive strategic communications initiatives across an employee base of 15,000+ in 11 languages. My approach was a custom program suited for each business leader. I developed and implemented/managed bespoke programs including articles, all employee e-mails, newsletters, brochures, web copy, PR activities, marketing communications and customer/corporate events, webcasts, on-line chats, email updates and roundtables, evaluation & interpretation of survey feedback results and formulating action plans to address concerns. I also served as Editor-in-Chief of our online employee newsletter,—this included managing translations of 11 languages and publishing on a monthly cycle. I also led site-based communications efforts including corporate citizenship, United Way and affinity groups, partnered with IT on re-invigoration of business intranet site including an awareness building communication plan and assisted with global acquisition/divestiture/integration communications and provided support on Olympic, customer and sales incentive programs.

Annually, I was heavily involved in planning/preparation for our offsite Executive Leadership Meeting as well as other employee/customer events in coordination with VP/Communications team.

 

 

Marketing Communications Manager, Danbury, CT

October 2002 – September 2005, Recipient of several Senior Leader Awards

As Marketing Communications Manager implemented key business initiatives/messages with external audiences and sales people to drive business results, including developing process maps, project scope & definition documents by activity categories in support of overall go-to-market strategies; developing a re-branding roll-out plan with an off-site workout for management & staff, a branding toolkit website & key stakeholder education sessions; planning & production of annual Executive Leadership Meetings, delivering key messages to attendees & impacting overall understanding of the new facets of the business; implemented an on-line collateral production tool with preferred print supplier to alleviate volume of repeatable forms through standardized templates & reduced print spend by 20%; supported Sales teams with training programs to overcome selling barriers; created a website for sales people to house their documents; Created and launched a segmentation pilot focused on “Automation Customers” to drive volume with behavioral segmentation and targeted communications, across multiple communication vehicles.

 


Other Experience:

  • Owner/Web Designer, Skyline Media Designs, Seattle, WA & Southbury, CT – January 2001 to May 2005
  • Graphic and Web Designer, Ray Braun Design, Seattle WA – March 2001 to October 2002
  • Marketing Manager, Comtex, Seattle, WA – January 2000 to March 2001
  • Marketing & Operations Manager, First Communications, Seattle, WA – January 1999 to January 2000
  • Marketing Consultant, Comtex, Seattle, WA – April 1998 to January 1999

Skills

  • Marketing, Organizational & Visual Communications
  • Project Management
  • Digital & Social Media Marketing
  • Graphic/Web/Mobile Design
  • Creative Direction/Strategy
  • Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)
  • Brand Development & Management
  • WordPress/Dreamweaver/HTML/CSS
  • Event Production & Management

Education

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania History/Political Science/Anthropology Studies History and Secondary Education Major
  • Community College of Allegheny County, AA, Education/History Phi Theta Kappa

Other Training

  • Certificate: Responsive HTML Email
  • Certificate: Trauma Recovery Specialist, CPD
  • Certificate: Brain Spotting Level 1
  • Certificates in progress: Trauma and Somatic Healing Coaching & Hypnotherapy

Associations

  • AIGA Member