Lisa Ahrens

Seasoned corporate and marketing communications professional open to full/part-time, freelance/consulting and contract opportunities. Expertise in strategic communications, integrated marketing and corporate brand development. Critical, creative thinker with executive-level experience across a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare/medical, aerospace/defense and travel, among others.

Oversee staff of eight professionals with responsibility for Corporate Communications, Creative Services, Publications, Public/Media Relations, Social Media, Tradeshows & Events, Advertising, Integrated Marketing, Corporate Branding, Publications and Employee Events. Led project to refresh Telephonics corporate branding and messaging/positioning as part of larger initiative to develop a completely new telephonics.com website.

Oversee Corporate Communications, Marketing Communications, PR/Media, Social Media, Event Marketing and Copywriting initiatives. Support C-level leadership team with strategic planning and development of all Corporate, Employee, Internal, External and Executive Communications. Primary communications POC during sale of Travel Impressions from American Express to Bain Capital in June 2013. Manage staff of five professionals.

Oversaw global marketing and communications programs including event marketing, product/corporate branding, sales/marketing collateral, channel marketing and content/documentation. Supported product/corporate PR and communications initiatives worldwide. Served as Creative Director for in-house design with regards to development of key messaging, positioning, themes, logo development, naming and PTO/legal compliance; ensure cohesive and impactful communications. Content author for SMSC's website, customer e-Newsletters and online marketing initiatives. Manage staff domestically and oversee global team of professionals. Develop, manage and report on corporate marketing communications and product line budgets. Select achievements include: - Worked to establish Marcom from a struggling area to a well-respected, highly-productive, process-driven global team of professionals. - Championed efforts in areas of responsibility to successfully integrate multiple acquisitions in three years, doubling program deliverables with no headcount additions to Marcom. - Strengthened SMSC's brand image globally, leading an in-house managed brand refresh; lead author of 33-page Worldwide Corporate Brand Guidebook. - Spearheaded SMSC's first third party logo licensing program. Partnered with key global consumer electronics companies to drive brand awareness and customer loyalty across consumer platforms. - Marketing communications team was noted as "most impacting" department by most consumer-oriented product line.

Coordinated strategic, integrated marketing communications to support the $600M Medical Systems Group's (MSG) more than 20 product lines. Completed more than 200 projects annually with an ~$2M budget. Ensured effective brand messaging, compelling design and consistency through all mediums including PR, collateral, web, print, online, direct mail, audio-visual, tradeshow/event and mobile marketing. Managed internal staff while maintaining solid relationships with ad agencies, outside vendors and freelancers. Select achievements include: - Contributed to 35% increase in sales by leading a cross-functional team in redefining over-arching brand identity, strategy formulation and execution of a comprehensive $1M integrated launch campaign for the surgical division. - Spearhead comprehensive, integrated launch of first-ever high-definition medical devices which utilized the medical device as the camera during photo shoot. Agency partner won creative innovation awards and company and brand were cemented as cutting-edge technology leader in mass medical media exposure.

Oversaw Olympus University (OU) with responsibility for initiating market research, creating new course curriculum, producing first-ever marketing materials, website design and organizing tradeshow presence. Orchestrated, marketed and produced more than 25 CME and CEU accredited on and off-site events. Enlisted VIP institutions such as Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins to host courses, fostering and maintaining key customer relationships. Select achievements include: - Drove 45% increase in enrollment, resulting in profit growth of approximately 20%. - Established credibility with discerning Olympus sales force and VIP customer base within first year of managing OU.

Co-managed product line with $16M in sales and operating budget of $895K. Developed and executed marketing plans with sales, R&D, inventory, operations and manufacturing departments. Trained sales team; led team through all new product launches. Produced sales and marketing programs, in addition to collateral. Organized focus groups, initiated clinical studies and developed effective "New Technology Tours" with VIP physicians.

Business Development Analyst for the Henry Schein private/corporate brand. Supported new product sourcing, contract/pricing negotiations and product launch/marketing activities. Served as a member of the New Product Committee. Handled internal financial reporting for private brand.

Finance, Marketing, Economics and Business Management focus. Oral Communications minor including public presentation skills. Additional area of concentration: English and creative writing.

Attended four-month, full-time, post-baccalaureate course @ Adelphi when contemplating possible law school attendance. Although I chose not to pursue a career in law, the course provided excellent training and insight which has proven to be invaluable in my corporate and marketing communications career.