ANGELE MARIE BUSCH
Seattle,WA
Summary
Consumer communications and brand storytelling leader with 10+ years of experience driving earned media, cultural partnerships, and integrated campaigns for leading consumer brands including Starbucks and McDonald’s. Skilled at translating major brand moments including product launches, sports partnerships, and culturally relevant collaborations into compelling narratives that build trust, drive awareness, and connect brands with consumers.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager, Corporate Reputation | Global Corporate Communications
Starbucks Coffee Company
Seattle, WA
09.2023 - 12.2025
- Led strategic communications initiatives to shape and protect Starbucks’ corporate and employer reputation, translating complex workforce and policy initiatives into clear narratives for media, employees, and key stakeholders.
- Developed and executed integrated multi-channel campaigns across earned, influencer, and community channels—including social strategy, influencer engagement, and stakeholder storytelling—to reinforce Starbucks’ leadership in employee experience and workplace health and wellness benefits.
- Spearheaded employer reputation initiatives that increased positive media sentiment by 35% year-over-year, strengthening brand trust and supporting talent attraction.
- Led PR strategy for Starbucks’ industry-leading parental leave expansion, securing national coverage in Bloomberg, Business Insider, and Motherly and positioning the company as a leading employer.
- Secured national and regional earned media spotlighting Starbucks partners and U.S. Paralympic equestrian Rebecca Hart, part of the company’s Elite Athlete Program, following her three gold medal victories, generating coverage on FOX News, ABC Affiliate WPBF, and in the Palm Beach Post.
- Secured national earned media in Business Insider highlighting a Starbucks College Achievement Plan graduate, using human-interest storytelling to elevate awareness of the company’s education benefit program.
- Leveraged non-traditional earned media and creator partnerships to amplify brand narratives and drive cultural relevance, activating creator-led campaigns with viral platforms (e.g., FIERRY, Dudette with Sign) that generated 380K+ impressions and exceeded engagement benchmarks by 52%.
- Led spokesperson preparation for Starbucks partners during key brand and product moments, aligning messaging and coordinating media interviews tied to store openings and community events.
- Served as company spokesperson, managing proactive and reactive media relations across national, regional, and local outlets.
- Provided strategic counsel to senior executives on reputation risk, media strategy, and narrative development during high-visibility brand moments.
- Partnered cross-functionally with Legal, Government Affairs, Marketing, and People teams to align messaging and shape communications around key legislation (e.g., California’s AB 1228).
- Crafted messaging and communications materials—including press releases, blog posts, media pitches, executive briefs, and talking points—to support major announcements and ongoing brand storytelling.
Field Public Relations Lead, U.S. Southeast | North American Global Impact Team
McDonald’s Corporation
Remote
01.2018 - 09.2023
- Led communications strategy for major national campaigns and cultural brand collaborations across multiple U.S. markets, translating large-scale product launches, brand activations and sports partnerships into localized media coverage and culturally relevant consumer storytelling.
- Advised communications strategy and reputation management across a 5,000+ restaurant region, partnering with operations, HR, marketing, legal, and franchise leadership to support high-visibility brand initiatives.
- Led regional earned media efforts supporting McDonald’s iconic All American Games high school basketball program, partnering with franchises, schools, and local media to spotlight hometown stories of elite male and female athletes selected to the nation’s premier pipeline for future NBA and WNBA talent.
- Developed localized media strategies highlighting top high school athletes nominated and selected for the McDonald’s All-American Games, generating hometown coverage and community pride across multiple markets in the Southeast U.S.
- Supported communications strategy and field activation for major brand and cultural partnerships including the Travis Scott Meal, J Balvin Meal, BTS Meal, Saweetie Meal, Cardi B & Offset Meal, Cactus Plant Flea Market collaboration, Adult Happy Meal, and the McRib Farewell Tour—generating widespread earned media coverage and consumer engagement.
- Supported communications for major consumer product launches and digital platforms—including Spicy Chicken McNuggets, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, McPlant testing, and the MyMcDonald’s Rewards digital loyalty program—helping localize national priorities for media, influencers, and community partners.
- Integrated creator and influencer partnerships into regional communications strategies, coordinating talent participation, media interviews, and promotional appearances to amplify brand narratives and consumer engagement.
- Managed 10+ regional PR agencies, setting strategy, ensuring message consistency, and aligning local execution with national brand priorities.
- Performed data-driven insights and media monitoring to refine narratives, inform strategy, and strengthen campaign performance across diverse markets.
- Served as strategic advisor on national people-focused campaigns including 1 in 8 campaign, Thank You Crew, and Archways to Opportunity, guiding field activation, earned media strategy, and stakeholder alignment.
- Facilitated press events and coordinated media interviews with company spokespeople, employees, franchisees, and community leaders—managing on-site media engagement and broadcast opportunities tied to major brand initiatives and community programs.
- Engaged with hundreds of franchisees and local stakeholders to elevate community impact and employee storytelling through earned media and local partnerships.
Account Director, McDonald’s and Ronald McDonald House Charities
Pantin PR / Beber Silverstein Group
Miami, FL
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Led public relations, crisis communications, and media relations for 500+ McDonald’s franchise and corporate-owned restaurants across Florida and Georgia, advising owner/operators and corporate partners on brand reputation, community engagement, and local communications strategy.
- Developed and executed market-specific PR campaigns translating national brand initiatives into culturally relevant local storytelling, driving increased media coverage, customer engagement, and brand awareness.
- Served as a strategic communications advisor to franchise leadership and corporate stakeholders, aligning local communications strategies with broader brand, operational, and business priorities.
- Provided real-time crisis communications counsel and rapid-response media management, monitoring coverage, drafting statements, and coordinating stakeholder messaging during high-impact incidents.
- Localized major national product launches and marketing campaigns—including All Day Breakfast and early McDelivery partnerships—generating national media coverage including Good Morning America.
- Orchestrated media strategy for the Miami launch of McDelivery via UberEATS, one of the first U.S. market rollouts, securing front-page coverage in the Miami Herald and extensive regional broadcast coverage.
- Spearheaded culturally resonant campaigns and experiential activations (e.g., McDCouture Fashion Show), securing placements across national, global, and local media outlets.
- Developed strategic community partnerships—including launching “Coffee with a Cop” events across 20 locations—strengthening community relationships and generating positive local media coverage.
- Collaborated with local influencers, lifestyle media, and community partners to amplify brand storytelling, event activations, and community sports initiatives, laying early groundwork for creator-led engagement strategies.
Senior Account Executive
Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications
Coral Gables, FL
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Managed public relations programs for luxury hospitality clients, securing top-tier media placements in Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, and The Wall Street Journal.
- Developed and executed creative PR campaigns and promotions to increase brand awareness and drive guest engagement across resort and hospitality brands.
- Built and maintained strong relationships with national and international travel, lifestyle, and business media, consistently securing high-impact editorial coverage.
- Planned and hosted high-profile media press trips—from concept development to journalist engagement—resulting in editorial placements that contributed to 15%+ increases in client occupancy rates.
- Partnered with marketing and sales teams to support resort promotions, partnerships, and packages that drove bookings and strengthened brand visibility.
Account Coordinator
Zimmerman Advertising
Fort Lauderdale, FL
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Supported the national Ashley Furniture HomeStore account, coordinating advertising initiatives across 250+ franchise locations nationwide.
- Managed broadcast production for television and radio campaigns—from strategy and content development through creative execution and final delivery to media partners.
- Collaborated with creative, production, and media teams to ensure campaign messaging aligned with brand standards and national promotional calendars.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Florida International University
Miami, FLBachelor of Science - Communication
University of Miami
Miami, FLSkills
- Consumer Communications
- Product Communications
- Brand Narrative Development
- Earned Media Strategy
- Influencer & Creator Partnerships
- Athlete Storytelling & Sports Partnerships
- Integrated Campaign Development
- Media Relations & Spokesperson Experience
- Executive Communications
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Agency & Partner Management
- Issues & Reputation Management
- Data-Driven Storytelling
Timeline
Senior Manager, Corporate Reputation | Global Corporate Communications
Starbucks Coffee Company
09.2023 - 12.2025
Field Public Relations Lead, U.S. Southeast | North American Global Impact Team
McDonald’s Corporation
01.2018 - 09.2023
Account Director, McDonald’s and Ronald McDonald House Charities
Pantin PR / Beber Silverstein Group
01.2014 - 01.2018
Senior Account Executive
Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications
01.2010 - 01.2014
Account Coordinator
Zimmerman Advertising
01.2009 - 01.2010
Master of Business Administration -
Florida International University
Bachelor of Science - Communication
University of Miami