Robin Pence Email & Phone Number

Orlando, Florida, United States

Lead Public Relations for global leader in animal healthcare and host of the world’s largest and most prestigious annual veterinary conference, the Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX). Serve as the NAVC’s principal spokesperson. Lead the NAVC’s VETTY Awards®, an international awards program dedicated to recognizing marketing excellence in the animal health care industry. Member of Leadership Team, reporting to CEO.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Led integrated corporate communications strategy for nation’s second largest federal credit union with $25 billion in assets, including traditional and social media, CEO and internal communications. Served as principal spokesperson. Advised CEO on communications strategy and issues. Responsible for company Intranet content and direction. Member of Leadership Team.

• Initiated new, innovative programs that raised visibility of PenFed brand, products and PenFed Foundation among key national audiences and influencers. Leveraged relationships with national media and industry influencers to drive national media profiles: CNBC, Fox Business, Fox News, Forbes and Kiplinger Personal Finance and more, contributing to increased credit union membership.

• Drove more than 3,000 new member applications for new travel credit card within one week of launch through strategic media and blogger coverage and product endorsements. Developed and led communications strategy for new travel credit card launch, securing product endorsements from credit card industry experts including The Points Guy, Credit Karma and Nerd Wallet and targeted media including Condé Nast Traveler profile.

• Initiated and led strategically focused internal communications campaigns that expanded employee engagement through new communications platforms and channels, quarterly campaigns/messaging and enhancements to company Intranet.

Falls Church, Va

Founder of firm providing:

* International communications
* Brand and transformation strategy
* Crisis communications and reputation management
* CEO counsel and communications
* Media training

Areas of expertise: financial services; energy; media; technology; telecommunications; travel & tourism.

Rockville, Md

Developed and led communications strategy in the areas of public, media, industry and government relations for one of the world's largest lodging franchisors with more than 6,000 hotels worldwide. Strategic advisor to CEO on all communications and government affairs matters. Principle company spokesperson and representative to industry associations

• Built and led turnaround of Public Relations department, creating a more strategic, high-performing organization. In one year, increased Choice’s overall share of media coverage within the hotel industry by 50% and overall media coverage by13%. Helped drive record traffic to company web site and guests to its hotels.

• Repositioned Choice Hotels and helped transform company image through strategically placed media coverage including: four industry cover stories, quarterly CEO interviews on CNBC, Fox Business and Bloomberg TV, features on CNN International and the BBC and three profiles in the Washington Post. Coverage achieved 98% message delivery and favorability ratings of 80%.

• Raised visibility of CEO and positioned him as industry thought leader and sought-out commentator on travel industry trends and issues through steady flow of interviews with leading national news organizations.

• Oversaw and developed new, strategically focused government affairs program. Participated in industry association and coalition efforts to secure support for legislation easing travel restrictions to the U.S.

Mclean, Va

Led corporate communications, brand strategy and advertising for $5 billion international media company during one of the most disruptive periods in the media industry and history of Gannett. Responsible for external, internal, crisis and executive communications; corporate branding and advertising; corporate website and annual report. Strategic advisor to Chairman/CEO on all communications matters; responsible for his speech writing and presentations to external and internal audiences. Presented regularly to Board of Directors. Principle company spokesperson. Worked closely with investor relations on investor presentations and messages.

• Developed and led Gannett’s first corporate brand and integrated communications strategy, transforming company image. Integrated brand and communications campaign raised visibility and enhanced relevance of the Gannett brand among key business customers and had an immediate impact on corporate sales and employee recruitment, retention and morale.

• Led all aspects of integrated brand launch across multiple channels including company’s first national advertising, digital and social media strategies, internal and external communications and newly designed corporate web site.

• Initiated and launched corporate-wide internal communications strategy, programs and platforms, resulting in increased employee retention, improved morale/confidence in management, and increased internal intranet traffic during highly turbulent times and reorganization initiatives.

Arlington, Va

Led worldwide communications, brand strategy and Corporate Social Responsibility for $16 billion global power company with businesses in 29 countries and 25,000 employees in diverse markets and economies. Strategic advisor to CEO on all communications matters. Managed integrated communications across 130 decentralized subsidiaries, ensuring consistent messaging and brand application. Partnered closely with investor relations on investor presentations and messaging. Member of senior management team; reported to CEO.

• Initiated and led company’s first brand strategy, establishing a unified global brand that was adaptable across diverse cultures, languages and political environments.

• Built and led company’s first corporate communications program. Developed strategy, positioning, processes and communications materials that helped raise company visibility, launch and grow new lines of business and improve corporate and subsidiary image.

• Produced award-winning annual reports and corporate web site which captured transformation of the company from traditional power to renewables and alternative energy.

• Increased company visibility through improved quality and quantity of media coverage, including two CEO profiles in The New York Times.

• Improved employee awareness of CEO priorities and fostered a shared identity among highly diverse and multilingual employee base by expanding the reach, consistency, in-language accessibility and effectiveness of worldwide communications.

• Led crisis communications, managing diverse issues including financial restatements, hostile environmental and NGO campaigns in high-risk countries, ensuring message control and minimal disruption to business.

• Worked with the World Business Council on Sustainable Development and Oxfam to develop metrics to measure and communicate the intrinsic value of electricity in developing nations.

Fairfax, Virginia

Recruited to lead public relations and industry analyst relations for global business and IT consulting firm, serving the telecommunications, financial services, defense, intelligence and civilian government markets. Responsible for CEO visibility, national and international media relations strategy, crisis management and community relations. Developed and led communications strategy to announce sale of company to CGI and spin-off of Intel business to CACI in 2004.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Managed media relations and served as spokesperson for FCC Chairman Michael Powell during major downsizing in the U.S. telecommunications industry. Developed Homeland Security Policy Council’s communications plan during heightened security post-September 11. Formed and led industry coalition which resulted in enhanced industry preparedness through unified messaging, increased press coverage and consumer outreach.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Held various senior communications positions.

Developed and led communications strategy in support of game-changing technologies and products, contributing to record revenues. Introduced broadband to American consumers through launch of Sprint’s industry-first integrated broadband network.

Director, Corporate Communications, Consumer Market during the height of the "phone wars" from 1994 - 2000. Led external and internal communications for Sprint’s $3 billion consumer long distance business, which served as the public face of Sprint. Effectively positioned Sprint as industry leader in consumer marketing and helped drive record revenues. Led communications plan and messaging for industry's first broadband launch to consumers.

As Director, National Media Relations and Consumer Affairs 1990 - 1994, drove high visibility national media attention for consumer products and created and directed the company’s first national consumer affairs program, serving as point of contact for consumer advocates on policy issues and consumer education.

Started out as manager, Corporate Communications Eastern in 1988.

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OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:

U.S. House of Representatives, Press Secretary
Washington, D.C.

U.S. Senate, Assistant Press Secretary
Washington, D.C.