Zeynep KAYA KURT

+1-857-***-**-**

Newton MA

ad0a5h@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Summary

Hands-on Corporate and Marketing Communications (B2C and B2B) professional with broad experience in brand management, corporate communications, and events. Experience in planning and executing events of all sizes. Proven advice to manage budgets, logistics, marketing, and promotion. Expertise in coordinating with vendors and suppliers to ensure a smooth and successful event experience(strategic partnership and 3rd Party and agency management, experience in Public Relations Management. C-level communications, crisis management

EDUCATION:

● Istanbul University, Sociology Istanbul

● Istanbul University, Russian Language & Literature Istanbul-Turkey Competencies:

Event Management

Community Management

Brand Management

Public Relations and Corporate Communications

C-level communications

Sponsorship Management

Media Relations/Management

Digital & Social Media Channel Management

EXPERIENCE

PET SUPERMARKET Apr -Sept 2023

Sunrise, Florida

Pet Supermarket is a large specialty retailer of pet food and pet-related supplies in the southeastern US. The Company runs over 250 retail stores, offering customers premium and holistic pet food and supplies services. Marketing & Communications Consultant

● Evaluated the opportunities and supervised external events in store to further grow the market presence of the business division through executive communications.

● Event workflows, resulting in a 10% reduction in event expenses and supporting annual marketing savings.

● Built and ran an annual PR plan that included social media, internal communications, e-commerce, brand recognition, and loyalty, resulting in a 15% increase in customer engagement and growth in organic traffic.

● Identified PR opportunities using competitive environment analysis and consumer trends, such as the increasing demand for personalized customer experiences.

● Collaborated with cross-functional teams to create and execute engaging and informative communication materials for store employees and customers.

● Conducted market research to identify customer needs and preferences, such as preferred shopping channels and pain points with the company's products and services.

● Composed and operationalized a loyalty program that increased customer loyalty and repeat purchases.

● Orchestrated the successful launch of an innovative employee communication program for 50+ stores, resulting in a remarkable increase in employee satisfaction scores. POINTR Feb 2022-Sep 2023

Boston, MA

Pointr is a global leader in indoor location. Pointr technology uses machine-learning techniques to create the best-performing and the most scalable indoor location technology available today. Pointr Maps platform enables location-based services such as digital mapping, navigation, location tracking, geo-fencing, and powerful location-based analytics. Internal Communications & Event Consultant

● Invented and executed a comprehensive internal communications strategy to align with Pointr’s overall business goals.

● Directed all aspects of event planning, from budgeting and logistics to marketing and promotion.

● Coordinated with vendors and suppliers to ensure a smooth and successful event experience.

● Planned and accomplished events, including trade shows and employee and staff training events. Also, invented surveys to gain insights.

● Innavoted the company's intranet and web editing platforms, including social media channels and employee newsletter, and produced other internal communications materials.

● Composed and fulfilled employee engagement programs, such as town hall meetings, employee surveys, and recognition programs.

● Collaborated with the company leadership committee to communicate critical messages and changes to employees. MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY Jan 2021-Jan 2022

Istanbul, TR

As one of the world’s leading container shipping lines headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC drives over 675 offices across more than 155 countries worldwide with over 150,000 MSC Group employees. With access to an integrated network of road, rail, and sea transport resources that stretches globally, the company promises to deliver global service with local knowledge. Corporate Communications Manager

● Invented and concluded internal communication strategies in support of the business goals of MSC Global.

● Created external communication campaigns aligned with the company's business goals, resulting in a 15% increase in brand visibility and market share.

● Launched and conducted targeted email marketing campaigns that scored an average open rate of 20%, exceeding industry benchmarks.

● Led and conducted market research and customer satisfaction surveys with agencies that resulted in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction and a 10% increase in brand awareness, used as a study case by a global team.

● Regularly reported digital communication performance metrics to the board, highlighting key insights and actionable recommendations that informed strategic decisions.

● Evaluated the opportunities and tailored partnerships & collaborations to facilitate Msc’s local market reputation.

● Hands-on for Event Marketing – covering strategic launches, press meetings, periodic corp. Events & budget management.

● Defined and applied brand positioning and communications strategy, including brand tracking metrics (brand equity, awareness, engagement), including budget.

ALTINBAS UNIVERSITY Jun 2020-Jan 2021

Istanbul, TR

Altinbas University has over 5,000 international students from 89 countries, and approximately 40% are international. The university has three campuses located in Istanbul. Home to 9 undergraduate schools, three graduate schools, and two vocational schools as of the academic year 2019-2020, Altinbas University is currently offering 30 bachelor’s degree programs, 34 associate’s degree programs, 28 master’s degree programs, and 6 Ph.D. programs. According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, Altinbas University is 47th in the World and 1st in Turkey regarding International Student Ratio. Event & Corporate Communications Manager

● Designed and established the unified logistical and administrative support and wide-reaching University and third-party events, conferences, and programs.

● Scheduled and run meetings, customized program budgets, and negotiated and administered service and vendor contracts.

● Executed logistical plan, execution, and communication of student and alums events, including 6-8 large-scale, high-profile events (250+ attendees), 20+ smaller-scale events, and 20+ event partnerships during the academic year.

● Promoted social media accounts and formed strategic social campaigns.

● Operated on-site setup and logistics of all commencement events for 2,000+ graduating students and 15,000+ guests.

● Piloted an email communications process to students and parents through Salesforce Marketing Cloud journeys.

● Managed the content, branding, and system setup for leadership, faculty, and staff attendance.

● Standardized request processes using automated forms for accessibility, late walkers, and ceremony location change.

● Administered the content collection and editing for the newsletter and digital celebration booklets.

● Collaborated with internal and external partners such as photography, ticketing, signage, storage transportation, and student records to meet event deadlines.

DOGUS AUTOMOTIVE Jun 2017-Jun 2020

Istanbul, TR

Turkey's leading automotive importer and one of the largest automotive distributors., the representative of 11 international brands and 13 affiliated product groups, offers individual and corporate customers a wide product portfolio in the field of passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, heavy vehicles, industrial and marine engines and cooling systems with Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, Skoda, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania brands. Corporate Communication Unit Manager

● Generated and implemented internal and external PR strategies and enhanced corporate reputation.

● Devised opportunities to increase the company’s visibility and enhance reputation to reach/attract critical audiences, support including, but not limited to, clients, investors, media, potential employees, advocacy groups, and decision-makers.

● Produced corporate and product/service event campaigns and created 360-degree marketing plans.

● Coordinated employee activities, including marketing, logistics, and budget.

● Refined and implemented digital communication strategies, utilized digital tools to generate social media content strategies, and produced all social media content and campaigns. DENIZBANK A.S Feb 2011-Jun 2017

Istanbul, TR

DenizBank is one of the largest commercial banking institutions, invented in 1938 and based in Istanbul, Turkey, which provides corporate and commercial banking services. The bank offers personal loans, business loans, agricultural loans, commercial cards, retail cards, treasury management, investment products, insurance, and other related services. DenizBank operates as a subsidiary of Emirates NBD Bank with 1250 employees. Digital Adv & PR Ast.Manager

● Planned and executed public relations programs plotted to maintain a favorable public image for the brand.

● Awarded Corporate Events– covering strategic launches, press meetings, and periodic employee organizations.

● Spearheaded the planning and flawless execution of a high-profile conference, managing budget, marketing, logistics, and vendor relationships, resulting in a 25% increase in attendance, a 30% boost in revenue, and a 15% improvement in overall event satisfaction.

● Launched and succeeded in marketing campaigns across social media and email marketing channels to increase event awareness and registration.

● Set a risk management plan to mitigate potential problems at high-profile events and organizations.

● Defined and brought about the company’s corporate social responsibility strategy according to corporate strategy and top management’s expectations and ESG projects.

● Editor of the company’s quarterly magazine (strategic release of the Company for 32 pages, including the participation of key customers and celebrities with a circulation of 10,000 copies). MERCEDES BENZ Nov 2007-Jun 2010

Istanbul, TR

Marketing & Loyalty / Specialist

● Implemented a customer orientation program for dealers to “be #1” in customer satisfaction.

● Collaborated closely with PR, event management, and marketing operations teams to develop and implement a robust communication strategy for a new product launch; increased customer and dealer engagement by 15% and concluded a 10% growth in marketing revenue.

● Studied and analyzed market trends and local competitors.

● Directed and completed event marketing initiatives, including high-profile product launches, press meetings, and quarterly corporate events; accelerated event budget and achieved a 30% increase in event attendance.

● Orchestrated high-impact promotional events, resulting in a remarkable 5% increase in website traffic and attracting over 1,000 unique visitors per month, leveraging captivating content and strategic partnerships.

● Led the revised of an email marketing campaign that resulted in a 25% increase in open rates.

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