Karen Nicholson Email & Phone Number

Derby, Gb

At Rainbows, I manage the external communications for the whole charity, raising the profile of the hospice across the East Midlands and the UK.

Midlands

Experienced communications professional providing B2B and B2C communications support for PR agencies and Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.

I raised and developed the charity’s profile in the North of England through effective and integrated marketing and communications strategies. • Planned, managed and delivered key PR campaigns which secured UK wide coverage.• Provided communications and strategic support and advice for internal and external stakeholders.• Managed external agencies, junior team members, freelancers, interns and students.• Brand management.• Managed all internal and external communications and marketing work across 16 counties securing coverage in national and regional press, online, consumer and trade publications.• Provided support for crisis PR along with a reactive and out of hours service to journalists.• Managed the PR and marketing for part of an £11million UK wide health and inequalities programme.• Worked on campaigns which have influenced Government initiatives Eg. tackling childhood obesity and ongoing lobbying for Emergency Life Support (ELS) skills training to be added to the National Curriculum.

I raised and developed the charity’s profile and acted as spokesman in the North of England through effective and integrated marketing and communications strategies and policy work. • Developed and maintained strong relationships and coordinated media relations across 16 counties, achieving coverage in national, consumer, trade and regional press.• Dealt with reactive communications and responded to media and marketing questions daily.• Built brand profile and managed the BHF’s reputation. • Produced a range of informative publications.• Managed marketing materials for stakeholders including advertising, direct mailings, flyers, leaflets and email communications.• Used social media, blogging and digital channels to increase awareness and profile.

Staffordshire

Managing two direct reports, I worked closely and strategically with the board of directors leading the external communications team at Britain’s second largest mutual building society. I supported PR agencies, launched campaigns, including the rebrand of 97 branches, prepared complex reports and pro-active and re-active press releases.

Derby, United Kingdom

I ran an award-winning campaign which raised £1m for cancer equipment in Derby's hospitals in two years. I wrote features, organised fundraising events, endorsed celebrity support and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, personally raising over £2,000. As well as being a key member of the reporting team, I worked on the Newsdesk editing stories and developing the skills of trainee journalists.

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), English And Theatre Studies

Nce, Journalism

Nctj, Journalism