Claudia Labelle
Montreal,Canada
Summary
Proven leader in strategic planning and project management, with a track record of building and elevating brands through innovative campaigns and compelling storytelling. Experienced in leading high-performing teams and executing cross-functional initiatives that enhance brand growth, engagement, and awareness.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
COSSETTE
11.2023 - Current
- Head Cossette’s national integrated communications and marketing strategy to elevate brand positioning, amplify thought leadership and reinforce the agency’s reputation for innovation, creativity, and strategic excellence.
- Lead PR, internal communications, social media, branding, and multi-channel marketing initiatives—including events, awards, and brand activations and partnerships—to enhance brand’s reputation.
- Advise executive leadership on communications, media relations, campaign strategy, and thought leadership opportunities.
- Partner cross-functionally with creative, strategy, and business teams to ensure alignment with client goals and market trends.
- Lead and mentor high-performing teams in Montreal and Toronto, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS | CONSULTANT
AUGUST STRATEGY
05.2021 - 10.2023
- Led the planning and execution of communications and PR strategies aimed at positioning the agency’s clients as leaders in their fields with the media, consumers, and investors.
- Managed partnerships and initiatives to increase clients visibility and credibility; curated advertorials, secured participation in industry events and conferences, and submitted applications for Awards & Recognitions.
- Wrote press releases, pitches, media statements, master Q&A documents, key messages and scripts for executives’ interviews and conferences.
- Media relations, coverage monitoring and reporting.
- Mandates included: Mini-Cycle, Everist, Dog Child, Quark, Seed, &OR Collective.
SENIOR MANAGER, CORPORATE PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS
ALDO GROUP
04.2020 - 01.2021
- Supported the implementation of corporate PR strategies and crisis management during the pandemic and ALDO Group’s restructuring process (CCAA and similar proceedings in the US, the UK, and Europe).
- Collaborated on the development of integrated communication plans with HR, legal, executive teams, and agencies.
- Developed a social media crisis communications protocol including scenarios, roles, steps, and procedures.
- Wrote press releases, media statements, memos, scripts, key messages, and LinkedIn publications.
- Managed media relations, coverage monitoring and reporting.
SENIOR MANAGER, GLOBAL PUBLIC RELATIONS
ALDO
02.2016 - 03.2020
- Strategized and led global campaigns to elevate brand impact across media, social platforms, and immersive brand activations.
- Managed global PR agencies in New York, Los Angeles, London and Toronto and a team in Montreal.
- Planned seasonal media previews, showroom visits, gifting programs, press trips and events for media, stylists and influencers.
- Wrote press releases and key messages for media interviews, created seasonal lookbooks and curated PR mailers.
- Headed the production of a press trip to Montreal (30 influencers, 12 events over 3 days); PR reach of 2.5M, social media reach of 366M, social media engagement of 794k and fan increase of +16.5k.
- Led a strategic plan to boost celebrity product placement, generating a 40% increase in media coverage and a PR reach of 1.1B (+34%) across Canada, the US, and the UK.
INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS LEADER
L’OREAL Canada
08.2013 - 02.2016
- Managed PR and social media initiatives for Maybelline New York, Garnier and Essie.
- Contributed to the execution of communication strategies defined by senior management to strengthen brand awareness and media coverage.
- Organized events, press trips, sales meetings, and targeted promotional mailings.
- Managed daily follow-ups with the national PR agency to ensure effective seamless execution of initiatives.
- Conducted media monitoring, performance analysis, and reporting.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Fashion Business
École Des Sciences De La Gestion, UQAM
01.2013
Fashion Business
Mod’Art International Paris
12.2011
Certificate - Law
Université de Montréal
01.2009
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Project Management
- Team & Agency Management
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Campaign management
- Influencer marketing
- Data Reporting and Analytics
- Media Relations
- Event Planning
- Editorial calendars
- Community engagement
LANGUAGES
French
English
Timeline
DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
COSSETTE
11.2023 - Current
DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS | CONSULTANT
AUGUST STRATEGY
05.2021 - 10.2023
SENIOR MANAGER, CORPORATE PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS
ALDO GROUP
04.2020 - 01.2021
SENIOR MANAGER, GLOBAL PUBLIC RELATIONS
ALDO
02.2016 - 03.2020
INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS LEADER
L’OREAL Canada
08.2013 - 02.2016
Fashion Business
Mod’Art International Paris
Certificate - Law
Université de Montréal
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Fashion Business
École Des Sciences De La Gestion, UQAM
Hobbies and Interests
Running, Cross-Country Skiing, Travelling, Reading, Theatre, Arts, Cooking, Concerts, Fashion & Beauty
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