Athru Communications

Athru Communications was born out of change. After twenty years of working in consultancy and in-house roles in non-profits in Ireland and the UK, I set off on a great adventure. Since then I’ve lived and worked in Norway and Texas, before recently relocating to Cumbria.  Athru was born out of my passion to keep doing what I love and believe in while continuing this nomadic adventure.

With more than 30 years of experience, I’m proud to have helped famous big brands, small businesses and non-profits change the world. I’ve worked as part of global teams and I’ve worked with tiny neighborhood community organizations. I’m an expert at crossing and adapting to cultures – ask me about writing press releases in Norwegian for a nonprofit in Stavanger!

Whether you’re a global brand or a start-up, if you need to drive change, I can help you achieve that, step by step. From identifying the issues to developing creative communications and marketing solutions and setting measurable goals, I’ll help you make it happen. And help you make it an integral, sustainable part of your business life.

Founder

Families in Global Transition

Volunteer Board position with Families in Global Transition, a non-profit run almost exclusively by volunteers to support those who are globally mobile and those who work with them.

Leading all communications including managing a fourteen strong team of volunteers across five timezones!

Communications Co-Director

FORT BEND COUNTY WOMEN'S CENTER, INC.

Worked for the Chief Development Officers and Development team to grow the Women's Center's income and increase awareness of and engagement with its mission.  Responsible for identifying new opportunities for grant income, writing grant applications and reports; social media, strategic communications development, social media and event support.

Grants & Communications Manager

Empower Events LLC

Consultant

Freelance/communications consultant

Community Engagement Consultant for Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organization behind Sesame Street
Media relations programme for Sesame Tree, Northern Ireland's version of Sesame Street
Public relations strategies and copywriter for Smarts Communicate and its clients

Sixteen South Television

Publicist for leading children's television producer, working with The Jim Henson Company and Sprout on 'Pajanimals' and BBC and Kindle Entertainment on 'Big& Small'
Delivery of community outreach events for Sesame Tree, the Northern Ireland version of Sesame Street

Publicist

Smarts

Account Director: 2000-2003
Senior Account Director: 2004-2007

Board director of one of Ireland's most successful communications agencies

Responsible for launch and development of Smarts Communicate's CSR Division including in-house policies and practices
Design and project management of high profile social and cause marketing programs dealing with issues such as ageism, adoption, vulnerable young people, mental health, nutrition, racism and sectarianism
Identification and facilitation of corporate/cause partnerships for successful cause marketing programs
Creation of brand/campaign and multi-disciplinary communications strategy for clients including setting measurable objectives and processes for capturing results
Briefing and management of in-house creative and web specialists and external agencies for campaigns
Budget management
Hands on media relations stakeholder engagement and editorial services

Business development and management responsibilities including team development and budget management

Director

Action Cancer

Led team of 12 to secure $3m per annum in income
Responsible for fundraising and marketing strategy
Development and management of major corporate partnerships and cause marketing campaigns
Delivery of award winning health education campaigns
Media spokesperson for the charity, including issues management

Director of Fundraising & Marketing

Global communications - Inclusive Comms - Strategist

I am the founder of Athru Communications, a tiny communications consultancy with a positive attitude and a big heart. Athru was born out of a conviction that great communication can change almost anything - your bottom line, your community, and the world.

I have almost 30 years of in-house and agency communications and marketing experience - in the UK, Ireland, Norway, and the USA. I've worked with a wide range of clients, from small start-ups and new non-profits to some of the world's best-known brands. I'm a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, a former member of its Executive and a member of PRCA (UK).

After 12 years of wandering, I’m now based in beautiful Aberdeenshire.

If you'd like to talk about improving communications for your brand, business or organization, please contact me for a free 45-minute consultation.

Taplio

Sarah Black's Linkedin Analytics

Want to drive more opportunities from LinkedIn?

Taplio

.css-1jgreyo{background-image:linear-gradient(284deg, rgba(39,43,72,1) 0%, rgba(33,47,183,1) 100%);color:transparent;-webkit-background-clip:text;background-clip:text;}Sarah Black's Linkedin Analytics

Want to drive more opportunities from LinkedIn?

Sarah Black's Linkedin Analytics