Lucy Niro

Lucy Niro, director of web communications for Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

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  As director of web communications for Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Lucy Niro is responsible for the university’s entire digital presence, including websites, social media, email campaigns and mobile initiatives.   In fall 2011, Lucy secured the approval of senior management toward the investment into a university-wide, web content management system (WCMS), the first in its history and the single largest investment into marketing communications. As the WCMS project director, Lucy oversaw the selection of the system integrators, as well as the hiring of the project manager and other core team members who will work toward implementing this large-scale system within the next three years.      Lucy previously served for three years as Concordia’s director of communications, Advancement and Alumni Relations. She developed and implemented communication strategies that included community outreach; digital presence, campaign marketing and donor relations. She oversaw the development of all publications, including the quarterly print magazine, as well as other marketing tools for the department to prepare for the public launch of the university’s comprehensive fundraising campaign.       Before Concordia, Lucy worked in the private sector, having served as senior marketing communications manager for the Institute of Canadian Bankers. During her tenure from 2005-07, she successfully built the company’s first marketing department, managed marketing and advertising campaigns, as well as web and email initiatives, spearheaded a major re-branding exercise, oversaw public relations activities and organized events to raise the institution’s educational profile.      Lucy had previously worked for five years as marketing communications manager for tech giant Fujitsu Consulting. She was responsible for building the company’s first intranet for 10,000 users worldwide and launching seven multi-language web portals as part of a large-scale re-branding campaign. In April 2004, Lucy earned the Fujitsu President’s Award for her active involvement in the organization’s re-branding efforts.       Lucy draws on 15 years of experience in journalism, communications and marketing. She began her career as a journalist, having worked for The Canadian Press, the Montreal Gazette, the Montreal Mirror and other local trade publications.     Lucy holds an MA in Sociology from McGill University and a BA in Journalism and French-language studies from Concordia.      

Director, Communications at Concordia University

August 2007 - September 2010

•Developed and implemented an integrated marketing communication strategy for alumni and donor relations •Contributed to strengthening the Concordia brand worldwide through clear and consistent messaging in print publications, press releases, web content, and other marketing communications channels •Created the communications plan for the university's next capital fundraising campaign and led the project from a communications perspective •Generated positive media coverage of activities, initiatives, and events related to the university’s alumni relations and fundraising efforts •Effectively managed eight staff members and large budget, often coming under budget -Assisted in strengthening outreach efforts aimed at about 100,000 alumni worldwide by providing effective communications materials across multiple channels -Revamped the Concordia University Magazine, the most widely circulated and read communications publication for alumni, by enhancing the quality of the content, lowering printing costs and providing a digital version -Assisted in developing a sponsorship package for event-related suppliers

Senior Manager, Marketing Communications at Institute of Canadian Bankers

March 2005 - February 2007

-Built company’s first marketing communications department --Effectively managed five direct reports and large budget -Launched successful B2B and B2C quarterly marketing plans and campaigns -Contributed to controlling costs and stabilizing revenues, reversing six-year, 10% decline -Revamped corporate internet and extranet to double number of monthly visitors (60,000 from 30,000) -Led branding and re-branding activities

Marketing Director at Stocktrak

2007 - 2007

-Developed a marketing communications plan for their B2C and B2B websites -Launched redesigned B2B website -Created and edited marketing communications collateral (e.g., factsheets, brochures, etc.)

Manager, Marketing Communications at DMR/Fujitsu Consulting

May 2000 - March 2005

-Developed and managed up to 7 global, multi-language internet portals -Built first company-wide intranet for 10,000 employees in 72 countries -Managed up to 4 staff and relationships with multiple vendors and partners -Drew up and implemented quarterly B2B marketing communications plans -Raised and reinforced brand awareness through public relations and advertising -Earned Fujitsu President’s Award for Branding and Promotional Activities undertaken across 200 Fujitsu global websites

Marketing Writer and Editor at STS/NSB Group

June 1998 - May 2000

-Editor-in-chief of quarterly magazine, The Retailer -Generated print and online contents for corporate website, intranet and e-newsletters -Led corporate website redesign project to reinforce brand -Coordinated activities for company’s annual retail users’ conference

Director of Web Communications at Concordia University

September 2010

-Built business case and RFPs toward the purchase of the university's first, web content management system for its public website, employee intranet and student extranet. -Oversaw major redesign of Concordia.ca and its new, news & events section that led to 80-percent increase in unique visitors. -Successfully created and streamlined processes/workflows and job profiles that led to increased efficiency, productivity and performance over the previous year. -Devised and executed web communications strategies that included tactics for increasing visibility through mass email campaigns and newsletters and social media. -Recommended comprehensive and/or competitive analyses into social media and mobile communications strategies toward development of university-wide roadmap. -Forged partnerships with Concordia's academic and administrative leadership on strategies to enhance the university's digital profile locally, nationally and internationally.

McGill University

1994 – 1997

MA

Concordia University

1989 – 1992

BA

Concentration: Journalism & French Language Studies

Marianopolis College

1987 – 1989

DEC

Concentration: Social Sciences

St. Pius X Comprehensive High School

1985 – 1987

High School Diploma

fitness instructor (muscular toning & stretch, aquafit and Zumba); reading; writing; international films; traveling