Kavita Maharaj Smith
Los Angeles,California
Summary
Strategic Consumer Brand Marketing and Communications Visionary with over 25 years of experience, including 10 + years in leadership roles, driving transformative initiatives in corporate communications, PR, and marketing. A visionary leader adept at shaping brand narratives, building high-performing teams, and executing impactful communication strategies. Excited about the prospect of leveraging extensive experience to contribute to the success of a dynamic organization.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Director of Public Relations and Corporate Communications
Digital Domain
01.2023 - Current
- Designed and executed brand marketing, PR, and corporate communication strategies for Digital Domain, elevating the brand, over 25 key VFX talent, leadership, and VFX work across diverse media channels and industries worldwide.
- Elevated brand recognition by developing and implementing strategic public relations campaigns.
- Managed crisis communications for mitigating potential damage to company reputation.
- Secured high-profile media placements with targeted pitching and relationship-building efforts.
- Boosted website traffic by creating engaging content and optimizing digital channels for search engine visibility.
- Increased social media engagement through development of creative content and tailored messaging strategies.
- Built strong relationships with key industry influencers, enhancing the company''s credibility in its sector.
- Led successful product launches by coordinating comprehensive PR activities, including press releases, influencer collaborations, and event planning.
- Developed compelling corporate narratives that resonated with target audiences, strengthening overall positioning in the market.
- Oversaw effective media training for executives to ensure consistent messaging across interviews and appearances.
- Maximized ROI on PR investments by regularly evaluating metrics and adjusting strategies accordingly.
- Collaborated closely with marketing teams to align public relations efforts with overall business objectives.
- Established thought leadership within the industry through expertly crafted articles, whitepapers, and speaking engagements.
- Devised tailored communication plans for different stakeholders, ensuring relevant information was delivered efficiently and effectively.
- Mentored junior team members to develop their skills as PR professionals while maintaining a high-performance culture within the department.
- Streamlined internal processes for increased efficiency in responding to media inquiries or crises situations.
- Spearheaded proactive outreach initiatives that generated positive coverage from top-tier publications consistently over time.
- Implemented comprehensive public affairs strategies that influenced policy decisions supporting business goals at local, state, or national levels where necessary.
- Leveraged data-driven insights to refine messaging strategies that resonated strongly with target demographics.
- Coordinated special events such as press conferences or product launch parties resulting in increased brand awareness and media coverage.
- Cultivated a robust network of media contacts across various industries, leading to enhanced opportunities for strategic collaborations and partnerships.
Communications and Brand Consultant, Freelance
Self Employed
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Multidisciplinary marketing strategist fusing consumer empathy, creative data application, and extensive media knowledge to unlock unconventional marketing and communications programs that inspire people to love and deepen their relationships with brands and content.
- Conducted comprehensive market research for informed decision-making on branding initiatives for clients such as Lionsgate Studios, Amazon, Fox Searchlight and Disney
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to execute successful product launches and promotions.
- Monitored industry trends to provide valuable insights into emerging branding
Interim Chief Marketing Officer and Head of PR
BRON Studios
10.2020 - 01.2023
- Led marketing and digital marketing department in support of film, television, digital, unscripted, joint ventures, and Leasing divisions, overseeing various projects IP and production partners, and talent
- Developed comprehensive marketing plans for product launches, driving successful outcomes.
- Optimized website content for search engines, enhancing visibility and organic traffic.
- Coordinated with sales teams to develop effective promotional materials and sales collateral.
- Organized events and trade shows to showcase company products and services, generating valuable leads.
- Built strong relationships with industry influencers, securing positive coverage in relevant publications.
- Assisted in budget management for the marketing department, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources.
- Developed creative presentations, trend reports, kitted assets, and product data sheets.
- Coached management team on effective communication tactics with staff and customers regarding organization changes.
- Worked with communications team to drive internal promotion of company programs, initiatives, guiding principles and mission.
VP of Worldwide Marketing Communications & Publicity
20TH CENTURY FOX
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Served as division's Tentpole Film/TV and Corporate Communications steward partnering closely with global marketing and cross-functional teams to develop and execute consumer facing marketing communications integrated strategy to bring the business vision to life.
- Manged over 20 projects a year and increased company revenue by implementing innovative marketing strategies and streamlining sales processes.
- Established a successful partnership with key industry players, resulting in increased market share for the organization.
- Led a cross-functional team to develop and launch a new product line, contributing to significant growth in sales.
- Implemented cost-saving measures by conducting thorough financial analysis and identifying areas of inefficiency within the organization.
- Developed and executed targeted business development initiatives, leading to an expansion of the company''s client base.
- Championed diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout the organization, fostering greater collaboration among teams and departments.
- Negotiated favorable contracts with vendors, securing advantageous terms for the company while maintaining strong professional relationships.
- Spearheaded mergers and acquisitions efforts, successfully integrating acquired companies into existing operations without disrupting workflow or productivity.
- Introduced process improvements that reduced operational costs while maintaining high-quality standards across all departments.
- Expanded international presence by establishing new branches overseas, creating new opportunities for growth and market penetration.
- Collaborated closely with various department heads on strategic planning initiatives to ensure alignment between corporate goals.
- Played a pivotal role in the development of corporate social responsibility programs, enhancing company reputation and fostering positive relationships with stakeholders.
- Fostered new business through participation in trade shows and initiating communications with prospective clients via phone and email .
- Developed effective business strategies to capitalize on emerging market trends.
- Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility.
Executive Director of Worldwide Publicity
20TH CENTURY FOX
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Responsible for developing and executing global consumer-facing communications strategy for tentpole films and TV shows and building and nurturing relationships with media and B2B retail partners (i.e., iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon) to increase awareness and support of the company's strategy and thought leadership.
- Increased organizational efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing new systems.
- Developed strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to expand the organization''s reach and influence.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a collaborative work environment for increased productivity.
- Implemented innovative marketing strategies to raise brand awareness and drive revenue growth.
- Guided staff through periods of organizational change, maintaining morale and engagement during transitions.
- Collaborated with legal, accounting and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.
- Communicated business performance, forecasts and strategies to senior leaders and shareholders.
Director of Publicity
20TH CENTURY FOX
11.2005 - 01.2012
- Elevated brand awareness by implementing strategic publicity campaigns and media outreach efforts for over 30 years in a year.
- Secured high-profile media placements for ten-pole film and TV releases, increasing visibility and credibility
- Managed crisis communications effectively, protecting the company's reputation during challenging situations.
- Developed compelling press materials, including press releases, media alerts, and pitch letters, to generate positive coverage.
- Built strong relationships with key industry influencers and journalists for mutually beneficial outcomes.
- Spearheaded community engagement initiatives, fostering goodwill and enhancing the organization's public image.
- Collaborated closely with marketing teams, aligning messaging across multiple channels for a cohesive brand narrative.
- Mentored junior team members, providing guidance in developing their professional skills and career growth.
- Consistently secured speaking engagements for executives at top industry events, positioning them as thought leaders.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Skills
- Trusted relationships with key tech and business media
- Strong understanding of industry trends, media landscape, and digital communication strategies
- Experience working with C-suite executives and providing strategic communication counsel
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated crisis communication and issues management expertise
- Strong leadership skills with a track record of building and leading high-performing teams
Accomplishments
- Advanced Cutting-Edge Marketing Strategies for BRON Studios - Led innovation of integrated marketing and commerce solutions to offer Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and foster audience engagement.
- Drove Multicultural Marketing & Community Outreach for Lionsgate Studios - Designed and executed multicultural communication and digital strategy; managed a 4-month-long campaign to drive core narrative with key press members, discussion panels, influencers, and target communities.
- Created and launched Blogger and Influencer program "Fox Insiders" - Built a network of bloggers and social media influencers to serve as FOX Brand Ambassadors, fostering authentic peer-to-peer conversations to build compelling content and drive Internet audience interactions and interest in key projects.
- Conceptualized and Executed Immersive Fan Experiential Events for 20th Century FOX - Created events at NY/SD Comic-Con, SXSW, E3, Anime Expo, CES, high-profile entertainment conferences, global press junkets, consumer-facing media events, and internal employee events, including Town Hall meetings.
Certification
LinkedIn Learning Certificate of Completion
- Marketing Tools: Digital Marketing
Tools and Services (2020) - Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Affiliations
- reading, traveling, learning about new technology and trends
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Hindi
Native or Bilingual
Software
Microsoft Windows Suite, JIRA, SEO, SEM, Google Analytics, Machine Learning, AI, Social Media Management, Slack, Microsoft Teams,
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director of Public Relations and Corporate Communications
Digital Domain
01.2023 - Current
Interim Chief Marketing Officer and Head of PR
BRON Studios
10.2020 - 01.2023
Communications and Brand Consultant, Freelance
Self Employed
01.2020 - 01.2023
VP of Worldwide Marketing Communications & Publicity
20TH CENTURY FOX
01.2014 - 01.2019
Executive Director of Worldwide Publicity
20TH CENTURY FOX
01.2012 - 01.2014
Director of Publicity
20TH CENTURY FOX
11.2005 - 01.2012
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
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