Grazia VALENTINO-BOSCHI

En résumé

Entreprises

• Independent Consultant - International PR and Corporate Communications - Freelance

  2006 - maintenant Provision of a mixture of PR and communication services, media relations, client support, and management training at all levels

• Global NASDAQ-listed company - Director Communications EMEA

  2004 - 2006 Paris based
  Global NASDAQ-listed company with 15,000 employees worldwide – products & services aimed at consumer and corporate markets
  
  Responsible for developing and delivering the regional PR strategy and implementation to secure corporate and product coverage to position the company in line with corporate objectives as well as generating real excitement for and driving trial and engagement of products and services. Region covered 40+ countries, managing an in-house team of 21 with over 25 PR agencies and an annual budget nearing $5 million
  
  Delivery of genuine value to the markets within the region, driving PR excellence through direction, training and counsel of the PR team. Critical objectives were delivering thought leadership, positive perception and momentum for the company with key audiences including pan-regional media and industry influencers such as governments
  
  Change management implementation due to several high profile acquisitions.
  
  ACHIEVEMENTS:
  
  • Top Performer Award 2005
  • Architected and executed EMEA-wide communications and PR programmes in 40+ countries, managing an in-house team of 21 with over 30 PR agencies and an annual budget nearing $5 million to achieve top mindshare and quality ink
  • In charge of all corporate activity throughout the region, including acquisitions, earnings, CEO/senior executive visits and crisis management
  • Expanded executive coverage with personality campaigns, corporate culture media engagements, and CEO/senior executive speaking opportunities on a variety of government and business topics to align Symantec leaders with other Silicon Valley luminaries. Financial/Business media coverage risen threefold in key target markets
  • Headed up EMEA communications during several merger/acquisitions in 2004/2005. Guardian of the brand and its values. Part of the senior integration team.
  • Led the consolidation of the incumbent PR agencies following the mergers to ensure best agencies retained and new agencies brought on board as necessary; identifying countries where agencies were now needed and appropriate budget levels
  • Planned and implemented communications activities to support dedicated Government Relations activities, based on issues
  • Set up and commenced planning with key stakeholders around internal communications in EMEA
  • Evolved programmes to focus less on product PR and increasingly on business solutions, customer success story placements, and thought leadership and opinion pieces, and to maintain quality IT coverage while constantly seeking creative ways to engage business and broadcast media
  • Created and managed high-profile PR campaigns for routine financial results, corporate growth and business outlook. The acquisition of several companies generated much broader and more favourable coverage in leading business and trade titles in EMEA than in the US.
  • Communications lead on the European management board and European Operations Committee
  • Worked closely with the Analyst Relations team to ensure continuity of messaging

• Really Global Communications - Managing Director

  2000 - 2004 Worked on a variety of new business accounts won independently as well as several months for Biss Lancaster in the UK.
  
  Provision of strategic, corporate-level, pro-active freelance counsel and hands-on implementation: reviewing and refining corporate communications; identification of key messages and USPs; liaison with media, influencers and customers; market opportunity, positioning and entry; competitive positioning; PEST & SWOT analyses; creation of corporate communication materials targeting internal and external stakeholders; providing advice and hands-on implementation on corporate and regional repositioning and market entry of brands; writing of corporate literature and internal/external communications including relevant documentation. Active strategic input and tactical activity on international marketing and roll-out branding strategy; overseeing international communications activity

• Copithorne & Bellows - Managing Director

  1998 - 2000 Responsible for all areas of French business, including strategic development of the agency in France, new business, HR, IT and general marketing. Direct, hands-on responsibility for key European and global accounts
  
  ACHIEVEMENTS:
  
  • Developed business to meet projected French revenues for the year 1999 of $2.5m for France by proactive marketing to create awareness of the C&B offering, organically growing existing business and servicing business from the US sister offices, maintaining financial balance and keeping down costs
  • Overseeing the day-to-day running of the Paris-based European headquarters, an office in Grenoble and an implant in Spain – 28 people in total. Also management of a team of five in the UK on one key global account
  • Supervision of a team of senior staff, including the European Financial Director
  • Commenced initiatives to formalise the HR process in Europe, overseeing the setting-up of employee training programme and introduced more quality-orientated ways of working, successfully bringing creative communications methods to the French market
  • Direct responsibility for overseeing key European and global accounts
  • Drove European issues with UK managing director and regional issues with US senior management team

• Weber Shandwick - Account Director

  1996 - 1998 Responsible for providing international strategic direction to clients. On-going portfolio management of international accounts, billing approximately £500,000 per annum. Member of senior staff committee
  
  ACHIEVEMENTS:
  
  • Planned and drove activity on the Adaptec account to reposition the company and oversaw resultant corporate communications across Europe
  • Wrote the Adaptec Reseller Newsletter, translated into five European languages and subsequently translated for use in various Asian countries
  • Planned and drove activity on the Cincinnati Bell Information Systems (CBIS) account to reposition the company and widen its market appeal
  • Oversaw 10 –15 members of staff and a number of pan-European and international clients as well as co-ordination of a number of international PR agencies on a variety of accounts
  • Grew value of accounts from £200,000 to £500,000 through organic growth and new business
  • In charge of the marketing activity for the London office. Part of the marketing steering committee for the Miller/Shandwick Technologies international brand
  • Active part in new business sourcing and pitching

Formations

• Hull University (Kingston Upon Hull)

  Kingston Upon Hull 1978 - 1982

Réseau

• Christophe - CAMÉLÉONS RH

• Fabrice MOUSSU

• François COLAS

• Johann VANNIEUWENHUYSE

• Laurent DURAND

• Laurent SABBAH

• Sophie MURATET

• Stephane TEXEREAU