Neal Howard
Chicago,IL
Summary
Communications professional with over 15 years of management experience in corporate, crisis, and litigation communications. Proven expertise in reputation management and strategic planning, delivering consulting services that enhance operations and achieve measurable results. Strong relationship builder focused on team collaboration in dynamic environments, ensuring project success and client satisfaction.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Consultant
Corporate, Organizational, Crisis and Litigation Communications Consulting
01.2001 - Current
- Advisor to corporations, organizations and law firms in critical communications matters, providing legal advice on complex legal issues and strategies for effective risk management.
- Developed corporate and litigation communications strategy for Microsoft to restore their reputation after government findings of anti-competitive behavior.
- Developed corporate and litigation communications strategy for Novartis pharmaceuticals to mitigate their damages in serial product liability litigation by addressing legal matters effectively.
- Developed PR, marketing and employee communication projects for Coca-Cola, BellSouth, Delta Airlines, Pfizer, Pegasus Communications, American Cancer Society thereby enhancing brand strategy and corporate compliance.
- Conducted advertising and PR agency searches for engineering and scientific software leader The MathWorks, ensuring maximum efficiency in project execution.
- Developed corporate and litigation communications strategy for Waste Management and Shell, perfecting use of a corporate apology to mitigate lawsuit liability and restore public trust through effective guidance.
- Developed public and litigation communications strategy for the State of Rhode Island that led to their landmark verdict against the Lead Paint Industry, demonstrating a successful development strategy underpinned with thorough risk assessment.
- Played pivotal role in developing public and litigation communications strategy in successful prosecution of KKK members Thomas Blanton, Jr. convicted in the Birmingham Church Bombing and Edgar Ray Killen convicted in the 'Mississippi Burning' murders through practical legal advice.
- Developed crisis and litigation communications strategy for Avondale Mills in disastrous Norfolk Southern train derailment and chemical spill, focusing on legal matters associated with an incident and public response.
- Developed litigation communications strategy for Conrad Black/Hollinger International fraud cases, ensuring thorough handling of legal issues.
- Litigation communications consultant in criminal trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, focusing on public perception and legal compliance.
- Litigation communications consultant on two cases cited by the National Law Journal as Defense Verdicts of the Year on behalf of clients Novartis pharmaceuticals and MGM studios, underscoring effectiveness in risk management.
- Member of the American Society of Trial Consultants.
- Communications Skills Include: Designing and analyzing relevant brand, image and/or issue research studies, conducting community attitude surveys, developing and executing internal and external communication strategies supporting brand positioning, corporate image and market awareness goals, managing projects including: marketing and advertising campaigns; public relation events; media events; product launches; investor and employee presentations; public service campaigns; fundraising events, providing creative direction and services including copywriting, speechwriting and writing press releases as well as producing and directing TV commercials and other film/video projects, developing web and intranet content, media relations, developing media strategies and providing commentary for broadcast, print, web and social media.
- Additional Litigation Communication Skills Include: Developing trial strategies, focus group & mock trial research, damages and settlement valuation research, jury selection including developing juror questionnaires and voir dire strategies, developing trial themes, trial messaging, opening statements and closing arguments, witness preparation, orchestrating presentation of evidence and testimony, shadow jury analysis.
Education
B.A. - Government & Foreign Affairs, Drama
University of Virginia
Virgin, UT01.1981
Skills
- Managing employee presentations
- Managing public service campaigns
- Providing creative direction
- Developing intranet content
- Developing trial strategies
- Conducting focus group research
- Conducting mock trial research
- Conducting damages and settlement valuation research
- Jury selection
- Developing juror questionnaires
- Developing voir dire strategies
- Developing trial themes
- Developing trial messaging
- Writing opening statements
- Writing closing arguments
- Witness preparation
- Orchestrating presentation of evidence
- Conducting shadow jury analysis
Awards
Recipient of all major advertising industry creative awards including: Cannes, One Show, Communication Arts, Clio, National and Regional Addy.
Timeline
Consultant
Corporate, Organizational, Crisis and Litigation Communications Consulting
01.2001 - Current
B.A. - Government & Foreign Affairs, Drama
University of Virginia
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