Corporate Communications Thought Leadership

KAREN BAKULA

916-***-**** / *********@*********.*** / https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-bakula-13ba764/

PROFILE AND SUMMARY

Corporate Affairs & Brand Strategist / Reputation Management Expert / Transformation Catalyst

Accomplished Brand Architect and Communications Strategist orchestrating innovative and collaborative communication strategies that consistently meet and exceed brand objectives.

Catalyst for Transformation who can control risk and build crisis-resistant communication strategies that safeguard company reputations when it is most critical.

Trusted Advisor to company leadership providing expert guidance in communication thought leadership and reputation management that engages diverse audiences and grows long term company loyalty.

Market Penetration & Positioning

Stakeholder Communications Management/Strategic Planning Brand Reputation Management

Crisis & Incident Management Regulatory/Compliance Assurance. Public/Media Relations.

Corporate Communications /Thought Leadership Development Partnerships & Alliances

Process Improvement /Performance Management Cross-Functional Team Leadership

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

24 Hour Fitness USA LLC

Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs/Public Relations

2013 - 2023

Built an accomplished team to elevate brand awareness and amplify consumer visibility to grow audience share. Expert storyteller in developing content that shapes corporate narrative, impactful stories and delivers cross-portfolio content. Optimized operational metrics for continuous improvement of brand campaign performance. Spearheaded crisis communications to effectively minimize company impact while creating a road map to restore consumer trust.

Created a strategic brand vision; accomplished 10% quarterly growth, elevating company profile as a U.S. industry leader, positioning CEO as a trusted business advisor.

Crafted compelling media pitches, interview backgrounders, talking points,; pitch targeted media, securing storytelling and interview opportunities that increased brand visibility and credibility..

Led crisis communications, effectively minimizing negative brand impact to under 2% annually, the lowest measurable result among the Top 5 industry competitors.

Acknowledged as trusted advisor to executive leadership, adept at thought leadership, content development, aligning communication with strategic goals, and seizing “quick wins” along the way.

Effective communications leader skilled at engaging with remote and distributed teams, managing agency, and vendor relationships; mentor to junior level associates and interns to further career development.

Karen Bakula & Co. Consulting-Brand, Communications, PR/Media Relations

Principal

2008 - Present

Build high-performing teams to lead integrated public/media relations, marketing, advertising, and crisis communications initiatives across diverse industries.

Implement marketing and public/media relations projects for organizational efficiency, reduce expenses and bolster audience engagement on average by 20%.

Grow client brand visibility, support revenue growth, develop marketing and communications teams by crafting audience-centric media narratives for consumer and B2B products and services.

Expertise in thought leadership, driving corporate brand reputation and lead development of compelling communication material

Build crisis communication strategies that diminish negative brand impact and restore audience trust.

Related Experience

Editor/Copywriter & Communications Consultant

Adjunct Faculty, College of Business, College of Arts & Sciences, California State University

Public Relations Consultant, Special Events Department, Paramount Pictures, Hollywood, CA

Professional Affiliations

Past President, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento Area, Inc.

Past President, Sacramento Advertising Club

Board of Directors, Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Board of Trustees, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Advisory Board, The Salvation Army, Del Oro Division

EDUCATION AND OTHERS

California State University, Sacramento

Master of Arts, Communication Studies - PR Emphasis

Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies

Honors & Awards

Business Person of the Year, Sacramento Advertising Club

Business Achievement Award Recipient, Sacramento Public Relations Association

Luminary Business Leader Award, National Association of Women In Business

Small Business Person of the Year, Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Contact this candidate