LISA WOOD

An eloquent and adaptable communications specialist with extensive experience of building and elevating brands and creating communities through storytelling, events and marketing - in the fields of tech, health, property and media.

I’ve been fortunate to work for a range of global companies as well as boutique agencies and start-ups, giving me a real insight into the evolution of business.

The pinnacle of my career was establishing the global identity for MediaCityUK for the Peel Group. I was part of the inaugural team and spent 8 years building the external brand through media relations, public affairs, marketing and events as well as creating initiatives to organically grow an internal community.

In more recent years I led the communications for digital tech start-up Now healthcare Group (p/t) and running events and member engagement for the NW office of the PRCA (international PR membership body), acting as a freelance communications consultant and writing features for Northern Soul.

I am extremely passionate about people and wellness and currently studying for a diploma in mindfulness & life coaching.

PR, brand building, communications, storytelling, internal communications, events.

(On maternity leave, but I have continued working a day a week):
NW Manager - PRCA (International PR membership body): Sept 2019 - present

●  Events: Organising exclusive events (online & face-to-face) for the PRCA community

●  Communication: Presenting and chairing events and discussions (online and in real-life)

●  Community: Engaging PR agencies, students, freelancer & in-house to build a community

●  Brand: Building the PRCA international brand through proactive communications

●  Collaboration: Managing and connecting the NW and NextGen committee members

●  Partnership: Building and creating collaborative working

●  Business: Creating and securing sponsors and securing new business (members)

●  Online: Social media management and engagement

Head of Communications - Now Healthcare Group: Oct 2017 - May 2020 (ceased trading)

●  Brand: Created global brand initiatives for a ground-breaking tech-health/pharma company

●  Communications: Devised/delivered a global comms strategy

●  Media: Observed news agenda and created relevant voice in the news cycle

●  Political: Lobbying political and government groups about health and tech issues

●  Leadership: Positioning business thought leaders with specialist expertise

●  Events: Event management and delivery inc. launch of £1.5m digital pharmacy

●  Crisis: Crisis communication planning and delivery

●  Marketing: Marketing campaigns (B2C), digital, SEO and social media activity

●  Content: Created blogs/tips/features - to optimise SEO and brand awareness

●  Internal: Led on internal communications to build employee engagement

Associate Director – Toast PR June 16 – August 2017

●  Operations: Managed the growth of a boutique agency with a diverse portfolio of clients

●  Campaigns: Planned and delivered communication regional and national campaigns

●  Media: Engagement with relevant media and securing media opportunities

●  Events: Created, ran and marketed a series of high-profile events

●  Business development: Identified and secured new business opportunities

●  Management: Recruited, managed, coached and developed employees and freelancers

Head of PR – dock10 (secondment) Sept 15 – June 16

●  Communications: Seconded to dock10 studios to develop PR strategies and campaigns

●  Media: Media relations and delivering coverage across global media outlets

●  Content: Managed all social media activity & original content creation for blogs and marketing

●  Partnerships: Developed strong working relationships with clients (inc. ITV, BBC, BT), talent,

board execs, SMT and colleagues throughout the business to help shape PR activity

●  Agencies: Managed external PR and creative agencies to fulfil business objectives

●  Events: Ran high profile events and lobbying campaigns

Head of PR and Marketing: MediaCityUK (Peel Group) May 08 – June 16

●  Operations: Established and managed the MediaCityUK PR and Marketing department

●  Brand: Created and grew the brand on a global scale, delivering international campaigns.

●  Community: Developed internal comms initiatives to bring together over 10,000 people

●  Media: Created extensive media relations and generated global media coverage

●  Stakeholders: Built excellent relationships with stakeholders inc. gov officials, public sector,

media, talent, and with the MediaCityUK community inc - BBC, ITV and SMEs

●  Events: Organised and managed high profile visits – (inc an official visit from the Queen)

●  Crisis: Dealt with crisis situations and worked tirelessly to alleviate negative media coverage

●  Commercial: Highlighted and developed commercial opportunities to generate revenue

●  Agencies: Briefed and managed relationships with multiple external agencies

Senior Publicist: Lime Pictures(Hollyoaks and Grange Hill) July 07 to March 08 (maternity cover)

●  PR/Marketing: Managed all PR and marketing activities (B2B and B2C)

●  Brand: Delivered strategies to build brand awareness & generate audiences

●  Media: Generated considerable press coverage nationally

●  Events: Organised events inc. photographic shoots, award ceremonies and press junkets

●  Crisis: Implemented and acted upon crisis management procedures

●  Relationships: Developed excellent relationships with management, key talent & production

staff
Head of PR and Marketing: Cosgrove Hall Films (ITV) Oct 06 to June 07

●  Delivered multiple media/marketing campaigns for Cosgrove Hall and its brands

●  Organised a diverse global events programme (inc. MIPTV, Cartoon Forum, Kidscreen)

●  Developed and maintained fruitful relationships with all key talent, production and clients

●  Maintained productive relationships with media and generated varied coverage

Head of Communications: Creative England (North West Vision) Aug 03 to Sept 06

●  Established the inaugural PR and marketing department for the organisation

●  Built a strong brand identity ensuring consistent delivery via all communications platforms

●  Delivered an events programme inc. premieres, press junkets, road shows and exhibitions

●  Built up a comprehensive database of media contacts and generated first-rate PR coverage

●  Built excellent working relationships with the UK Film Council, BFI, film and TV makers etc.

●  Devised and delivered public affairs and lobbying campaigns

Degree BA (Hons)