Maxime Dupont-Demers

I work alongside organizations to find innovative solutions to the complex business challenges they face. As a strategist, I design clear, compelling and mobilizing communication strategies to position my clients in the community.

At VIA Rail Canada I acted as the official spokesperson with the media throughout Canada. I ensured accurate media reporting of the Corporation on various issues, assessed reputational risks and seeked opportunities to grow VIA Rail's brand awareness. I also focused on building and maintaining fructuous relationships with journalists, columnists, bloggers and influencers in traditional and digital media. I supervised the planning and implementation of strategies providing effective solutions in corporate communications, media relations and crisis management. I worked closely with all member of the communication and marketing departments to establish VIA Rail's service offer and optimize the team's operational practices to render quick, effective and top quality service.

At Sun Life Financial, Quebec, I directed the Corporate Communications Department and its dedicated team of three professionals and one manager responsible of media relations, internal communications, social media and event organization. I was in charge of the development and implementation of strategic and tactical communication plans to support the Company’s ambitious growth objectives in Quebec. In that regard I have built a new team with a high performance culture and increased efficiency through employee engagement while ensuring well planned initiatives and tactics for higher ROI. My team and I developed a communication strategy to bring the Company’s leaders on social media platforms to support our business and presence in the market. I also provided advice to the Leadership Team and other business managers on reputation management, public address and high level sponsorship opportunities and acted as spokesperson on various issues.

At Loto-Quebec, a state-owned lottery and gaming corporation, I worked for the Public Relations and Media Relations Department. I designed and proposed external communication plans and programs to improve the Corporation’s brand. I composed speeches for the CEO, the Chairman of the Board as well as numerous public addresses and presentations for our spokespersons. I oversaw the writing and production of the Corporation’s Social Responsibility Report. I advised and contributed to the planning process of Loto-Quebec’s 2010-2013 Strategic Plan. I was also responsible of the Corporate Affairs Vice-Presidency’s input to responsible gaming programs and certification. I ensured that the information conveyed on Loto-Quebec’s website and in its publications was integrated for maximum relevance and effectiveness. I assumed social media monitoring and analysis and conceived messages and posts for our corporate blog, Facebook page and Twitter account.

• Supervised the Internal Communications team comprising of 2 direct reports (2008). • Created and implemented a communication plan resulting in a significant increase of employee engagement as measured by KPMG’s Organizational Mobilization Index. • Developed, managed and budgeted the Yearly Employee Meeting, the Employee Recognition Program and the Corporation’s 50th Anniversary. • Reduced production costs of the corporate magazine by 50% generating yearly savings of $50,000.
Managed budgets, operations and suppliers relationships.

• Planned and organised events, among which the opening of La Presse’s new printing plant,
annual shareholders meetings and high impact stakeholders meetings. • Created and drafted financial communications (quarterly and annual reports).
 • Served on the Board responsible for implementing Kaizen practices and developped the strategy to mobilize the 12,000 employees behind this initiative.

* Drafted press releases. * Executed daily press reviews and media relations. * Planned press conferences and public activities. * Wrote and edited articles for the Corporation’s newsletter * Assisted with the management of the Corporation’s sponsorship program Molson Local Heroes.

* Assisted with the organization of special events for diplomats (meetings, ceremonies). * Translated into French and encoded information for posting on UNIC website. * Edited flyers and backgrounders for distribution at United Nations information fairs. * Coordinated the weekly briefings for NGOs and visitors to the United Nations. * Prepared communications brochures for UNIC.