Communications Consultant Staff Writer

Cyrus Afzali

*** ****** **., *********, ** ***** 646-***-**** *******@*****.***

Career Summary

Results driven communications professional with vast experience in both traditional editorial and corporate environments. Highly skilled in creating messages for a variety of audiences, including executives of all levels. Proficient at partnering with others to deliver business results through efficient project management.

Areas of strength include:

Partnering with senior management to define and prioritize communications goals and prepare for organizational change

Implementation of high-potential media relations programs for financial services companies, law firms, technology companies and non-profit organizations

Delivering projects ahead of schedule while meeting or coming under designated budgets

Managing long-term, complex projects and supervising work of outside vendors and other team members

Experience

Oliver Agency for Morgan Stanley

Communications Consultant Aug. 2021-Dec. 2021

Edited content used across various divisions of the company

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Senior Communications Specialist, Information Systems Sept. 2015-April 2021

Provided communications support to the Chief Information Officer and his executive team

Created and distributed internal communications to help lawyers and support staff across offices in North America, London and Asia use technology to streamline the daily operations of their practices

Was responsible for updating various intranet sites containing technology content

Served as member of business continuity team, helping to ensure all key constituents are kept informed during events of critical significance to the firm and its clients

Astoria Communications May 2004-Sept. 2015

Content and Change Management Communications Consultant

Worked with leading financial services firms on long-term communications projects to support wide scale, long-term organizational change

Created and executed public relations programs for companies in the technology, financial/professional services and non-profit sectors

Helped a number of financial services companies, such as BNY Mellon and Capital IQ, launch their services to the public through media relations programs

Handled media relations for several boutique law firms as well as the leading industry organization for legal marketing professionals

Helped establish clients as media sources, resulting in stories in such high-level outlets as The New York Times, The Financial Times and others.

Long-term projects include:

UBS Wealth Management March 2015-Sept. 2015 Client Communications Consultant

Created a variety of client-facing communications in support of various products offered across Wealth Management Americas

MetLife February 2014-Sept. 2014

Client Communications Consultant

Worked as a consultant to Global Technology & Operations, creating training material and other content to support a major project to simplify customer-facing communications across the firm’s property & casualty businesses

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management March 2011-Dec. 2012

Client Communications Consultant

Worked with Consulting Group product managers to create and deliver communications to clients, sales management and financial advisors outlining changes to products and platforms as a result of the integration of the wealth management units of Morgan Stanley and Smith Barney

Produced branded training-related operational e-mail communications to help advisers and other field-facing staff efficiently handle changes brought by Integration and Conversion

LVM Group, New York, NY June 2003-May 2004

Account Supervisor

Produced several newsletters for commercial real estate clients, including the Empire State Building

Oversaw public relations activities for a diverse group of clients, including several commercial real estate organizations and a national professional employer organization

Public Relations Consultant Oct. 2001-June 2003

Handled media relations and writing of bylined articles for Steptoe & Johnson LLP and Reed Smith LLP

Secured interviews with The New York Times, Reuters and other top-tier outlets

Makovsky & Co., New York, NY

Account Supervisor Aug. 2000-Oct. 2001

Worked with trade, business, and financial press to secure publicity for the firm's technology clients

internet.com Corp., Darien, CT Oct. 1998-Aug. 2000

Managing Editor, InternetNews.com

CNN Financial News, New York, NY Nov. 1995-Oct. 1998

Financial Writer, CNNfn.com

Staff Writer

Nashville Business Journal, Nashville, TN May 1991-Nov. 1995

Paris Post-Intelligencer, Paris, TN

The Murray Ledger & Times, Murray, KY

Education

Murray State University, Murray, KY

Bachelor of Science, Journalism (1991

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