Public realtions/corporate communications

VALERIE MOTIS

San Francisco, CA ******@*****.***

760-***-**** www.linkedin.com/in/valeriemotis/

SUMMARY

Senior-level communications professional with extensive experience in creating and implementing comprehensive promotional plans that generate both media and consumer interest while fueling financial growth. A business leader with a proven track record of managing global, cross-functional teams while mentoring individuals and spurring them to excellence. A strategic thinker with agency, in-house, consumer and B2B experience, and a firm grasp of all aspects of the marketing mix, including earned, paid and social media. Hands-on work ethic with winning writing and media relations skills and a deep roster of press contacts.

Global Team/Agency Management Creative Planning Speech Writing/Media Training

Crisis Communications Event Production Earned and Social Media

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

LEEO, INC., San Francisco, CA 2014-2015

Public Relations Director

Oversaw the communications efforts of a smart home startup from funding, through company launch, first product introduction and beyond.

Spun up two agencies, devised promotional strategy, created messaging hierarchy, media trained executives and launched the company within a month of being hired.

Launched company’s first product to widespread press acclaim. Generated positive stories in targeted top-tier publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, Forbes, Cnet, Fast Company, Bloomberg and Wired.

Conceived and executed Know Your Neighbor campaign based on a commissioned study and implemented jointly with Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco. During the Twitter push, #Knowyourneighbor was a nationally trending topic.

SONY ELECTRONICS, INC., San Diego, CA 2001-2014

Director, Corporate Communications, Product Public Relations (2010-2014)

Managed communications planning and execution for all Sony Electronics products and services – both consumer and professional. Created holistic programs that included product/corporate PR, social media, analyst relations, employee and dealer communications.

Streamlined agency resources to exceed key performance indicators for press coverage while reducing professional services expenditures and saving the company more than $1M annually.

Conceptualized Sony’s consumer influencer program. Extended Sony’s brand reach and affinity beyond technology enthusiasts and inspired purchase consideration/intent among six additional lifestyle segments.

Wrote, produced press conferences/events, including Sony’s press conference at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show which attracted more than 2,000 journalists and sparked articles in key target outlets touting the company’s revival.

Added a video capability to the PR practice to amplify traditional media efforts. Green lighted first in-house product videos that outperformed marketing agency-created videos in the same timeframe at a rate of 25:1 and a cost of less than $100 each.

Director, Global Public Relations, Digital Reading Business (2008-2010)

Created unified global messaging and directed communications planning and execution for Sony’s emerging Digital Reading business. Coordinated the efforts of counterparts, agencies and affiliates in the US and abroad.

Created a process for consistent, culturally-relevant product launches led by the US business team. Crafted flexible messaging structure as well as a web portal for launch assets to ensure a near simultaneous launch in more than 10 countries, including Canada, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Holland, Australia and Japan.

Shaped social media strategy designed to meet the business goals of the division and maintained communication across multiple social channels, including Facebook and Twitter. Conceived a social site dubbed “Words Move Me” which differentiated Sony from other providers and deepened consumer engagement with the brand.

Devised thought leadership platform for digital reading, positioning Sony’s product and leaders as the go-to resource on the topic by way of contributed articles, executive profiles, analyst relations and speaking opportunities. Secured and wrote quarterly articles for Huffington Post.

Various Roles, Corporate Communications (2001-2008)

Served in various roles of increasing responsibility with accountability for the development and execution of product and promotional plans for Sony’s IT, Digital Imaging and Audio categories.

Led the crisis communications efforts for Sony’s battery safety issue. Identified key messaging and spokespeople, disseminated information among stakeholders and coordinated with CPSC for a simplified consumer resolution process.

Led the successful launches of many of Sony’s first-to-market products, including VAIO notebook PCs, Sony’s first Android tablet, the company’s first digital SLR camera and the Reader Digital Book.

PEREGRINE SYSTEMS, San Diego, CA 1999-2001

Public Relations Manager

Managed promotional activities for six business divisions and supported the launch activities for asset, fleet, knowledge and space management enterprise software packages.

Designed issues-based PR campaigns that propelled the company agenda, positioned company executives as thought leaders and drove sales outside of critical launch periods and in the absence of hard news.

Created, from the ground up, a customer testimonial program that identified key accounts for reference in marketing materials, case studies and press interviews.

Provided support for the planning and execution of “Synergy” the company’s three-day customer appreciation conference. Devised interactive program elements and wrote all executive speeches.

ADDITIONAL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

STAC, Inc., Public Relations Manager; US, Canada, Asia Pacific

GTE Entertainment, Public Relations Manager

Beck-Ellman Agency, Writer/Account Executive

Better Life, Padres, Chargers Magazines, Managing Editor/Writer

VA Hospital La Jolla, Researcher/Writer

EDUCATION

BA, Psychology (pre-Med), University of California, San Diego

AWARDS/RECOGNITION

2002 Mercury Excellence Awards Bronze Winner, VAIO Media Kit

2005 COO Special Recognition Award – Outstanding Product Launch, VAIO Notebooks

2006 COO Special Recognition Award – Outstanding Product Launch, VAIO Notebooks

2009 COO Excellent Performance Award - Outstanding Product Introduction, Sony Reader

2011 Project One Award – Excellent Product Launch, Sony Tablet

AFFILIATIONS

Women Unlimited Leadership Development, Graduate/Mentor

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