Claire Dunford Communications

A senior communications strategist specialising in connecting paid, owned and earned media journeys through messaging, social media, content, PR and digital marketing. 

Extensive experience working closely with senior stakeholders, and executive management teams to build and deliver impactful communications strategies that drive business benefits.

With my broad multi-industry experience ranging from established international brands to market disruptors and equity-backed scale-ups, I scale and adapt my approach to the exact needs of a  business.

www.clairedunford.com

Director and Communications Consultant

Sakura Ceremonies

Writing and delivering bespoke wedding ceremonies packed with personality for couples who want their wedding day to be more unique.

www.sakura-ceremonies.co.uk

Founder and Celebrant 

Absolute Collagen

Head of PR and Social

Inspired Pet Nutrition

Following the acquision of Pet Food UK by Inspired Pet Nutrition, my role was incrementally expanded to lead the PR function for the corporate business (the UK's fastest growing pet food manufacturer) and full family of consumer brands.

Leading PR strategy and execution for  the home of the UK's largest dry dog food Harringtons, and sister brands Wagg, Barking Heads, Meowing Heads and AATU.

Head of Group PR and Social Lead (Barking Heads, Meowing Heads, AATU)

Pet Food UK Ltd

Leading strategic content, PR (internal and external comms), event, partnership and  influencer strategies for our global petfood brands Barking Heads, Meowing Heads and AATU.  

Responsible for all Social Media Marketing activities for our products. Translating plans into execution models across paid and earned with the objective of improving D2C marketing efficiencies, maximising performance and minimising costs.

Head of Social, Content and PR

Honda Motor Europe Ltd

Leading team responsible for the management, engagement, evaluation and coordination of Honda's European teams, using insights and best practice to delivering outstanding PR & Social Media campaigns.  

The ‘subject matter expert’ and strategic counsel on Honda’s European social media activities - across paid, owned and earned.

European Communications Section Manager (Insights and Operations)

Leading social media direction for Honda Motor Europe.  Responsible for pan-European social media strategy, always on and campaign activity across automobiles, motorcycles, motorsports and brand.

- Guiding Honda’s European Branches in the management, implementation and integration of social and digital engagement into their businesses.
- Building, executing and reviewing social media strategies through competitive research, platform determination, benchmarking, messaging and audience identification
- Collaborating with cross-functional and regional stakeholders to devise integrated plans, product campaigns and social media tool kits
- Engaging social media partners – media agencies, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google , Sprinklr etc. – raising awareness of the latest trends and tools and ensure efficiencies
- Responsible for managing a range of agencies to develop compelling and engaging content, copy and campaigns
- Driving social media consideration throughout business units, including identifying and delivering  training where required
- Establishing meaningful KPI framework and ensure European reporting consistency

European Social Media Section Manager

We Are Social

Responsible for delivering results for a range of clients including HSBC, Kleenex and F-Secure

Senior Account Manager

Account Manager delivering for Cisco (EMEAR) and Tesco Books

Account Manager

BOTTLE PR

Social Media Account Manager at BOTTLE

- Coordinating with clients and wider marketing teams to develop diverse range of effective social media strategies across range of social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
- Managing implementation of social communications strategies
- Using social media monitoring systems (i.e. Brandwatch) to inform strategic decisions. 
- Day-to-day supervision and execution of client campaigns including (and not limited to) social media channel and community management, content creation, digital public relations, promotions,  blogger and influencer outreach initiatives, online events, etc.
- Ensuring campaigns are on strategy, on time and on target.
- Creation of plans and research audits including (and not limited to) content strategy plans, competition research and digital audits
-  Developing tone-of-voice for online platforms, and ensuring consistency of messages across multiple networks and platforms
-  Serving as key day-to-day community and implementation manager for brands and troubleshoot issues as they arise
-  Management of external SEO teams to leverage digital messaging cut-through and organic/paid promotional activities where appropriate
-  Conducting and managing ongoing blogger outreach/key influencer programs on the behalf of clients.


Professional Development:
23/04/2012: XChange Training: "HTML Introduction Training Course"

Social Media Account Manager

- Managing implementation of social communications strategies
- Assisting Head of Social Communications in promoting the adoption of relevant social media techniques into the corporate culture and providing relevant training to facilitate this
- Identifying and creating conversations around both agency and clients using a robust approach to social media monitoring to keep online communities engaged in a dynamic, interactive and meaningful way.
- Engaging and building solid relationships with bloggers to secure coverage and  identify brand advocates.
- Monitoring and commenting on trends in social media tools and applications, acting as a spokesperson within the Social Media industry
- Monitoring the competitor brands and being aware of market changes and developments

Social Media Consultant

Caversham Health and Fitness Club

Contributing to and developing integrated marketing campaigns. Tasks typically involve:

   -  liaising  with a range of stakeholders, e.g. customers, colleagues, suppliers and partner organisations;
   -  communicating with target audiences and managing customer relationships via social media (Twitter, Facebook, blog)
   -  managing the production of marketing materials, including leaflets, posters, banners, and flyers.
   -  writing and proofreading copy;
   -  liaising with designers and printers;
   -  communicating with press and organising PR
   - contributing to and developing marketing plans and strategies;
   -  supporting the marketing manager and other colleagues.

Marketing Executive

l'ortolan

A diverse role which encompassing all areas of the marketing mix:

       - implimentation of marketing, advertising, and promotions activities.
             - analysis of customer research, current market conditions and competitor information
       - monitoring, reviewing and reporting on all marketing activity and results
       - liaison with media and advertising including writing press releases
       - maintenance of restaurant website (CMS), SEO, blog and social media networking profiles
       - commissioning, editing and writing articles for blogs.

Also in this role I have assisted in the organisation and execution of events, and have directed photoshoots with professional photographers as well as producing marketing materials, writing copy for brochures and newsletters and dealing with booking enquiries for the Michelin starred restaurant.

Professional Development:

22/04/10 - Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM): "Search Engine Optimisation"

25/02/2010 - 25/03/2010 - Wokingham and Bracknell College: "Getting to Grips with Advanced Photoshop Techniques."

01/12/2009 - E-Consultancy: "Writing for the Web"

21/10/2009 - Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM): "Social Media Marketing - What you need to know to grow your sales"

l am a specialist in optimising communications with a focus on delivering against business goals. I harness the power  of integrated communications and storytelling, to generate tangible results - regardless of sector.


Featured in:
The Drum's top 50 under 30 2015.
The Drum's Social Buzz Top 50 2015
The Drum Social Buzz Awards Judge 2015

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