Celia Jones

Integrated Marketing Communications executive with a proven track record of taking agencies and brands to the next level.
Led my last agency, Escape Pod, to 2 Small Agency of the Year wins in 3 years.
Dynamic business leader, strategic marketer, culture builder and talent nurturer.
Champion of challengers, independents, upstarts and advocates for a better way forward.
Visionary thinking and rigor in execution, passion, integrity, fearlessness and humility.

*Brand Strategy & Positioning
*Strategic Storytelling
*Integrated Marketing
*PR, Press Releases & Media/Influencer Relationships
*New Business Consultation
*Thought Leadership
*Event Planning & Execution
*Executive Profiles & Visibility
*Awards & Recognition Programs
*Reputation Management
*Internal Communications
*Personal Branding

Charged with stewarding The Escape Pod’s next phase of growth, elevating its integrated capabilities, identifying new revenue streams, and attracting top talent to build on the agency’s unique culture of creativity and independence.

*Transformed the agency from an under-the-radar, regional boutique to a nationally acclaimed 2x winner of Ad Age Small Agency Of the Year.

*Published in Ad Age, Crain’s Chicago, Chicago Business Journal and Ad Forum on management, food & beverage disruption, women’s issues and culture-building.

Brand strategy, marketing & PR for independent ad agency in Chicago.

*In one year, crafted The Escape Pod's brand narrative and led Corporate Strategy/Marketing/PR initiatives, resulting in the agency winning Advertising Age's 2017 Small Agency of the Year for the Midwest & Chicago Inno's 50 on Fire Award for the city's most innovative companies.

Charged with putting Rightpoint on the map as a leading independent digital agency, challenging the status quo with a unique combination of passion, creative problem-solving, technical expertise and genuine heart.
*Forbes, America’s Most Promising Company
*Chicago Tribune, Top 100 Workplaces
*Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America
*Crain’s Chicago Fast 50

Positioned the agency as a creative force and culture catalyst in Chicago and beyond. Led external Marketing, Comms, PR, Events, Awards, and Internal Culture initiatives.Highlights:
• In one year, fueled 1800% increase in press mentions in trade, business and consumer publications including Fast Company, Fortune, Advertising Age, Adweek, Creativity, Chicago Tribune and Huffington Post, as well as broadcast coverage on CBS, WGN and Fox News.
• Established and managed agency awards process, leading to wins in top tier competitions including the Webby Awards, OMMA Awards, Mashies, Internet Advertising Competition, Shorty Awards, NY Festivals, Midas Awards and more.
• Secured executive speaking opportunities at high-profile industry events including SxSW, Social Media Week, OMMA, Chicago Ideas Week and more.
• Pitched, managed and promoted innovative agency activations such as the #HavasCareerFerrisWheel, that generated front page coverage in the Chicago Tribune Business section and TV coverage on CBS, in addition to amplifying recruiting efforts.

Repositioned the agency from a niche digital player into a global experience design agency with a relentless focus on the customer.
*Marketing Vision and Strategy: Overall accountability for corporate marketing strategy and execution, including annual planning of marketing mix, budgeting, implementation and post-program analysis.
*Brand Management: Key stakeholder in rebranding initiative and rollout to internal/external audiences.
*Research & Planning: Responsible for presenting ongoing competitive, trend and industry research to executive leadership to guide corporate strategy.
*External Communications: Oversaw all external marketing channels, including website, social initiatives (blog, Facebook, Twitter), conference materials, recruiting campaigns and more.
*Thought Leadership: Drove agency thought leadership through management of case study development, conference sponsorships, executive speaking engagements, partnerships and award submissions.
*Public Relations: Managed relationships with key journalists and influencers to build the reputation of the company and raise awareness with new business decision-makers and prospective hires.