David Pesci Email & Phone Number

Norman, Ok, Us

Contractor with the Chickasaw Nation Industries Health Care, leading three communications teams including two corporate subcontractors (Deloitte and Guidehouse) for the CDC. Strategizing and managing website creation and revisions, surveys, app creation, web design, content creation and numerous other communications functions; manage budgets and hire contractors.

Medford, Ma, Us

Brought on to originate position for this biotech firm developing RNA-based solutions to some of the most challenging problems in human health and agriculture. Managing media queries, placements and engagement as we await EPA approval for our first ag product as we also begin Phase 1 Covid-19 trials in Africa for our first human health vaccine. Work directly with team members in Boston, MA, Durham, NC and London, UK, and with executives and colleagues across the company. External communications member of ESG communications and crisis teams. Corporate, government and NGO partners I worked with included Samsung Biologics, Serum Institute of India, IAVI, NIH, Renovo, CSO Italy, UNAPera and Queensland University of Technology (AUS).

Norman, Ok, Us

Strategic Communications Consultant | ContractorNovember 2020 | March 2022Team leader and CDC contractor leading teams of COVID-19 communicators who provide on-site Covid-19 information and education on vaccination and prevention for underserved populations in U.S. Territories. I've also advised on strategic communications for higher education institutions and nonprofits as a private contractor and consultant.

Greensboro, Nc, Us

In this newly established role, I was tasked with launching the marketing and communications for the institution’s first capital campaign in more than 10 years. I also served as acting Director for Annual Giving and Stewardship for 8 months and managed a combined $2M+ budget with up to 7 full-time employees and 30+ part-time call center employees. Achievements include:- Structured communications team from scratch and hired 4 team members prior to COVID-19 pandemic.- Ramped up $200M+ campaign on accelerated timeline, creating a strategic marketing communications plan for the campaign launch with web transformation, branding guide, logos, donor guides, and more.- Jumpstarted campaign by bringing in and managing consultant team, producing 2 campaigns with early support, and securing full approval when presenting case statement to executives and board members.

Chapel Hill, Nc, Us

Recruited to helm communications strategy and execution for then #3 school of public health in the US. with more than $261M in annual research funding and 2,800+ students. I championed data analytics, elevated global brand awareness, communicated school value, and translated complex public health concepts to diverse audiences. Highlights include:- Helped fuel jump from #3 to #2 ranking through elevated brand messaging, earned media placements, and social media growth, with top leadership’s recognizing its influence on ranking increase.- Directed brand transformation, using Google analytics and student data to influence faculty leadership and establish a visually engaging design across web and print mediums.- Produced a 50%+ year-over-year increase in earned media and expert placements in regional and national outlets by engineering a proactive targeted media relations strategy. - Expanded media-trained experts from 9 to 43 within 1 year, personally leading media training for executives and subject matter experts at Gillings and UNC Medical School.- Exceeded growth marketing goals with a strategic communications plan that fueled a 61% and a 100% boost in applications for 2 graduate programs with declining enrollment.- Led strategic redesign of website and recruitment products based on market research, with total school applications increasing 23% in first year and 27% in second year.- Orchestrated 2 digital transformations that increased traffic by 48%; used vertical marketing targets, KPIs, data analytics, and A/B testing to inform redesign.- Oversaw transformation of school magazine, including creating a digital version, that led to 5 Internation awards.- Led launch of first-ever internal communications platform for the school.- Co-led marketing execution with 2U to stand-up and integrate 2 inaugural online graduate programs.

Middletown, Ct, Us

Serving as chief university spokesperson, I held full responsibility for messaging, media inquiries, and web presence. I also strategized external relations and media plans that elevated university image and boosted institutional ranking. Highlights include:- Led, strategized, and executed comprehensive media relations plan resulting in at least 40% annual increases in earned media very year as well as placements in virtually every national and regional media outlet; scaled team of experts from 8 to 45 and led all social media channels.- Pioneered external communications strategy and expanded team from 1 to 7 employees to ensure sustainability of media relations and public relations plan.- Directed change management, including change communications, during 2 reorganizations.- Co-led a business continuity group and headed crisis communications during major events, including an active shooter situation, a chemical fire, disease outbreaks, severe weather, and student deaths.- Co-led website rebranding and optimization by analyzing data, tracking KPIs and creating brand guide.- Launched first internal communications platform and first employee newsletter distributed digitally.

Wrote the best-selling novel Amistad, which is published in 6 languages and has sold over 120,000 copies worldwide.Wrote feature-length scripts for five other TV and feature film projects, all of which were optioned for production.