Jennifer Ballantyne Email and Phone Number

- Evolved the way this rapidly-growing education technology start-up communicated with its employees. In nine months, I completed a content audit, analysis and user research to inform the company’s first internal communication framework. - Introduced content strategy for monthly All Hands to increase engagement, with 90% of participants learning something new and 95% feeling company pride. - Established communication vehicles and processes to reduce noise for employees, which increased feelings of confidence, connection, and overall satisfaction.

- Led a team responsible for the content strategy and day-to-day management of a suite of internal and external communication channels. My team also provided creative services, including video and graphic production. - Led content strategy for a new external website, Loblaw.ca. Introduced editorial content that emphasized storytelling to illustrate Loblaw’s values and culture and support the company’s recruiting efforts.

Since joining the Loblaw team, I've been fortunate to work on some interesting and high-profile initiatives, including: - The design, build and launch of a new internal digital workspace, including a robust content strategy and incorporating social tools. This project is significant as it is the first time the company has been able to communicate directly to nearly 200,000 employees via a single platform.- Developed and executed the internal communication strategy for the close of Loblaw's $12- billion acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart. For this project, I was embedded as part of the deal close team for over a year as we planned to bring the two companies together.- Worked as part of a small team to develop a new culture vision for Loblaw Companies Limited. This year-long project began following Loblaw's acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart and was sponsored at the highest level of the organization in recognition of the critical role of culture in ensuring the success of the deal.

In my tenure with IBM, I held a variety of communications roles within the Canadian organization, including media relations, internal communications, executive communications, marketing communications, sales force support and crisis management. Some of my specific roles and achievements include: Country Communications Manager- Responsible for the strategy, management and execution of all communications initiatives across IBM Canada, including internal communications, public relations, sales-force enablement and crisis communications. - Managed a team of nine people across the country. Executive Communications Manager- Provided internal and external communications support to the President of IBM Canada- Speechwriting, internal communications, town hall organization, and media relations. - Highlight: Wrote the President's keynote speech for IBM Canada's most significant event of 2009, attracting more than 300 attendees. The Prime Minister's Office requested a copy of the speech following the event. HR Communications Manager for Canada- Responsible for internal and external communications for IBM Canada’s Human Resources department. - Served as part of the HR Senior Management team- External IBM spokesperson for HR issues.- Highlight: Communication strategy for PeopleJAM, a 48-hour online employee forum soliciting ideas to improve employee engagement. Nearly 25% of eligible employees participated in this first-ever Canadian event, compared to 17% participation for a similar global event, and exceeding the target of 20% participation.Public Relations Manager- Created proactive media relations programs for various business units, driving hundreds of media hits in Canadian print and broadcast outlets each year. - Worked closely with IBM executives to brief them prior to media interviews and events to ensure that IBM’s key messages were delivered. - PR Agency management.