SUMMARY
Experienced media and communications professional with a background in stakeholder engagement, digital strategy and multimedia journalism. Well-rounded go-getter with proven success in project management and an earned reputation for delivering excellent results. Key strengths include:
• Strategic Communications
• Internal Communications
• Digital Production
• Content Creation and Management
• Storytelling
• Writing
• Brand Building
• Multimedia Journalism
WORK EXPERIENCE
Director, Talent Excellence, Travel and Lifestyle Services, American Express, New York, 2020 – Present
• Lead global internal communications, travel industry learning, knowledge management and talent analytics for Travel & Lifestyle Services
Senior Manager, Global Communications, Travel and Lifestyle Services, American Express, New York, 2015 – 2019
• People manager and strategist transforming global internal communications activities to effectively engage and connect the division’s 5,000+ frontline and management-level employees worldwide
• Lead strategic and tactical communications support on key global initiatives that support business priorities, including a global lodging campaign that resulted in 20% YOY lift in hotel sales
• Collaborate with business leaders and cross-functional teams on strategic communications across the organization’s 24 global markets
• Support efforts to raise brand awareness of American Express Travel
Founder, The Globe Getter, 2015 – Present
The Globe Getter is a travel site highlighting achievable travel experiences for the working professional. With a focus on showing it’s possible to work full-time and travel, the site features blog posts, traveler profiles, resources, tips and more. The Globe Getter has been featured in BuzzFeed, AdWeek, Yahoo Travel and other well-known publications.
Senior Associate Director of Internal Communications/Multimedia Journalist, Columbia Business School, New York, 2012 – 2015
• Oversaw the successful internal launch and rollout of the school’s new brand positioning and tagline through stakeholder engagement, internal branding and social media initiatives
• Managed the launch of multiple integral marketing and communications projects to enrich the school’s brand and identity, including widespread digital signage, various promotional videos and an award-winning multimedia website designed to tell the story of Columbia Business School through the eyes of students and alumni
• Developed new communications channels and strategic processes that enhance and streamline internal messaging, raise the profile of the business school and improve communications across various internal stakeholders
• Strategically grew the school’s presence on multiple social media platforms by implementing tactics aimed at increasing brand awareness and user engagement
• Advanced internal relations and impact community involvement through the creation of long-term communications strategies
• Aligned communications across multiple stakeholders by producing and advising on various types of messaging, including communications from the dean and other senior administration, late breaking developments and other notices handled by the marketing and communications team
Postgraduate Intern, Equal Access UK, London, Feb – Aug 2011
• Completed while pursuing master’s degree at the London School of Economics
• Streamlined the training database of current methodologies, such as content advisory groups, stakeholders workshops and community reporting, for use in all Equal Access offices worldwide
• Facilitated the growth and establishment of the Equal Access UK office through business development efforts with local charities and NGOs
• Undertook research and literature review for planned Equal Access reports, including one on the reduction of the twin pandemics of HIV/AIDS and violence against women in Nepal and one on the completion of a Pashto-language radio project in Pakistan
Postgraduate Intern, POLIS London School of Economics Media Think Tank, London, Jan – June 2011
• Completed while pursuing master’s degree at the London School of Economics
• Elevated awareness of POLIS’s annual research project on the role of social and digital media in the promotion of BBC’s iPlayer through the coordination of publicity efforts
• Organized and recruited panelists for the 2011 POLIS Value of Journalism conference. Topics included the future of journalism, media and democracy, the impact of Wikileaks and the role of international broadcasting organizations
Specialist, Executive & Internal Communications, NBCUniversal, New York, 2007 – 2010
• Responsible for 30k+ employee engagement across various business units via daily online written and video content produced on multiple digital media platforms
• Executed cross-platform internal communications strategies for numerous company-wide initiatives, including Diversity Week, Green is Universal, Healthy Week and NBC’s coverage of the Olympic Games
• Organized production of internal video series featuring company executives discussing vital components of NBCUniversal’s merger with Comcast
• Crafted tactical messaging communicated by executives, particularly the President and CEO
• Supported integral external and internal communications efforts during several acquisitions and mergers, including The Weather Channel, Oxygen Network and Comcast, through the implementation of strategic communications plans
• Served as on-air correspondent and producer for internal company video series, including exclusive red carpet film and television premieres, behind-the-scenes features and general interest stories
On-Air Contributor, New York Nonstop, WNBC, New York, 2009 – 2010
• Created new programming for New York Nonstop and nbcnewyork.com through “20 on the Town,” a weekly segment focused on activities around New York City for $20 or less
• Created new programming for New York Nonstop and nbcnewyork.com through “Neighborhood Knockouts,” a weekly segment focused on cultural and educational activities within New York City neighborhoods
National Promotions Intern, New Line Cinema, New York, Jan – May 2007
• Generated ideas for potential promotional partnerships between New Line Cinema and other companies
• Constructed promotional folders for upcoming New Line Cinema theatrical and home entertainment films, including Hairspray, Rush Hour 3 and The Golden Compass
• Participated in promotional meetings with external agencies and assisted with the 2007 Toy Fair, an international toy trade show exhibiting the newest products in the children’s entertainment marketplace
Production Intern, The Rachael Ray Show, New York, Sept – Dec 2006
• Involved in the production and post-production of the show through research and the logging of tapes
• Conducted various tasks during filming of the show, including correspondence with the audience and backstage support
Assistant Event Planner, West Africa AIDS Foundation, Accra, Ghana, Jan – April 2006
• Supported the creation and implementation of HIV and AIDS anti-discrimination workshops in local schools throughout Accra
• Drove sponsor participation and assisted in the execution of the West African AIDS Foundation fundraising fashion show
• Communications liaison between event partners
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Mentor Coach, America Needs You, New York, July 2014 – Present
• Mentor ambitious, low-income college students through intensive career development and networking
SKILLS AND LANGUAGES
• Comprehensive knowledge of video and photo editing software, including Final Cut Pro, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe ImageReady; Proficient in CMS, basic HTML, Omniture, Hootsuite, Google Analytics and social media platforms
• Good knowledge of written and spoken French
EDUCATION
Executive Education, Columbia Business School, 2014
Courses: Digital Storytelling Strategy and Digital Marketing Strategy
MSc Media, Communication and Development, The London School of Economics, 2010 – 2011
Certificate in French
Part-time Student, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, New York University, 2008 – 2010
Courses: Digital Broadcast Journalism, On-Camera Anchoring and Reporting and Editing with Final Cut Pro
BA Journalism, College of Arts and Science, New York University, 2003 – 2007
Minors: French and Africana Studies
Study abroad programs: Accra, Ghana (Spring 2006) and Paris, France (Summer 2006)
Tausha Cowan 