With an international background in strategic marketing and communications, McKenna brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the process of creating innovation and excellence within the confines of real world constraints.
Marketing & Communication Manager
Hyfer festival, NTNU
Trondheim, Norway | Nov. 2021 – Present
Responsible for managing and developing Hyfer’s brand strategy, story, and visual identity.
Spearheading the development and evolution of Hyfer’s web platform with a future aim of creating a strategic dissemination platform for all of NTNU.
Increased traffic to hyfer.no by 243% and organic searches by 300% from 2022 to 2023
Managed and developed all social media content and digital campaigns for Hyfer 2022 & 2023.
Close collaboration with the festival manager, strategizing and developing a new business model, festival infrastructure, partnership model, and festival program.
Led, designed, and facilitated creative brainstorming workshops using Design Thinking methods to inspire partners in the creation of unique knowledge experiences.
Managed large marketing budgets of NOK 3.5 mil and NOK 2.5 mil granted by Trondheim Kommune to promote Trondheim
Spearheaded the development of a new, long-term brand strategy and visual identity for the city of Trondheim
Developed a new brand campaign (summer 2021) increasing organic traffic by 537% and new users by 116% from July and August 2020
Art directed and developed new “living” website profiling Trondheim with interesting curated content - increasing organic traffic by 313% and new users by 339% from 2020
Initiated and managed a project funded by Innovasjon Norge with the goal of developing a new digital tool for Trondheim using design thinking methodology
Project manager & Press manager for the Michelin Guide Nordic Star Giving event 2020 in Trondheim - with over 130 national and international journalists in attendance
Managed, planned, and executed all social media content development, and digital ad campaigns - increasing following on Instagram by 53% in 2 years
Designed bid book for European Region of Gastronomy 2022 - winning the bid for Trondheim
Produced and art directed professional photoshoots to build a new image archive and updated profile of the city
Provided leadership to build relationships crucial to the success of each project, many of which had organizational and budgetary challenges
Oversaw complete rebranding for the firm including the redesign of new company website
Designed and managed all marketing collateral in alignment with company branding
Managed public relations, social media and firm visibility in key building communities/associations
Project manager, overseeing various project teams meeting deadlines and budgets
Facilitated multiple proposal reviews to evaluate proposal narratives for content clarity, RFP compliance, consistency, communication of key imagery etc.
Executive Assistant to CEO / Project Manager
Reality Shares Inc.
San Diego, CA | Oct. 2014 - Jun. 2015
Organised an internal team of analysts and sales reps for a successful launch of the firms first ETF product (exchange traded fund) on the NYSE
Planned the firm’s official Bell Ringing Ceremony on the New York Stock Exchange followed by an evening Launch Party with over 200 guests in attendance
Worked closely with NYC PR firm to maximize media opportunities and expand coverage
Oversaw all marketing and creation/delivery of press releases, bylines and media pitches
Rolled out the rebranding of Reality Shares, spearheading all logo, website and marketing collateral design
Planned and managed logistics and brand presence at industry trade shows and events for sales team
Researched, prioritized, and followed up on incoming issues and concerns for various projects, including those of a sensitive or confidential nature.
Managed CEO’s calendar and Inbox, helping to prioritize meetings, TV appearances and competing demands on executive availability
Effectively managed a multitude of domestic and international sports marketing projects for Fortune 500 clients, varying in budgetary scope
Organized and oversaw an internal team of creative directors and designers, making sure all project timelines were met with accuracy and client approval
Initiated and maintained communication lines with professional athletes and Olympians, C-level executives, third party vendors, and consultants for thorough execution of projects
Booked and managed production of regular, campaign photo shoots - sourcing locations, talent, stylists etc. for brands such as Microsoft, Porshe, Quaker Oats and Luxottica Eyeware
Implemented productive schedules and timelines for clients and internal team
Logistics Manager
Black Milk Clothing
Melbourne, Australia | Jun. 2011 - Jul. 2013
Managed up to eight team leads, arranging daily meetings with logistics team and production team to communicate quality control issues and new production schedules or changes
Established and maintained production schedules according to orders, stock levels, company output, or new product release dates
Monitored company reports after major releases to evaluate and delegate which styles should be discontinued or restocked on e-commerce platform Shopify
Regularly evaluated existing product line gross/net margins to ensure meeting financial objectives
Worked closely with fabric providers and printers while managing orders for printed sublimation and fabric rolls