Who We Are
Debbie Burke-Smith, Partner
When it comes to effective brand communications, Debbie understands the power of an integrated strategic approach - from creating the right voice to generating useful content to establishing strategic alliances. Her clients, which have ranged from Fortune 500 companies to start-up beauty, health, accessories and spirits organizations, have benefited exponentially from her ability to look at the big picture while nurturing relationships with experts, influencers and media that are essential to the success matrix. Read more...Debbie brings a 20+ year track record working along-side senior executives and company founders to drive their communications initiatives. From current roles of working with the CMO of a leading skincare brand on a speaking engagement series to directing the North American Communications for boutique Scotch whiskymakers, Compass Box (for the last 14 years) and launching an innovative toxin free kitchen tool created by a cancer survivor, Debbie plays many integral roles. Debbie and her Collective PR team are thought of as an extension to in-house Marketing and PR teams.
Debbie ran her own communications consultancy for 10+ years prior to becoming a founding partner of The Collective PR in 2007. Debbie has also served as a long-term in-house strategic communications counselor for Avon Products, Inc. and Estēe Lauder Companies.
Earlier in her career, Debbie was the Global PR Manager for Aramis and Designer Fragrances, a division of Estēe Lauder Companies, and worked for leading communications agencies including Hill and Knowlton and Burson-Marsteller. Debbie’s first position was in the non-profit sector at The Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and Children’s Miracle Network where she managed partnerships with corporate sponsors.
Debbie resides in New Canaan, CT with her two small children, husband and two feisty beagle pups.
Read less...Jennifer Goldin, Partner
Jennifer has helped consumer, health and wellness clients formulate successful strategies to drive brand awareness, forge powerful alliances and overcome creative roadblocks. Co-founder of The Collective PR, her expertise spans healthcare category from creating campaigns to educate consumers about chronic diseases and conditions such as diabetes, prostate and skin cancer to developing strategies to put consumer wellness products on the map. Jennifer also has deep experience in beauty/grooming, food and beverage. Read more...IAt The Collective PR, Jennifer has helped build and grow an impressive global lifestyle and consumer packaged goods portfolio differentiating brands in the most competitive spirits category, capturing market share for new brands, aligning with experts to credential brands and revitalizing global brands
Prior to founding The Collective PR, Jennifer ran her own consultancy - The Communications Studio, specializing in marketing to women. Her understanding of what drives women’s decisions fueled business strategies across categories from launching a couture bridal line to a national industrywide CSR campaign educating moms about teen medicine abuse. She was also frequently tapped by top global PR/marketing firms to imprint on business development & creative.
Earlier in her career, Jennifer worked for several global PR agencies, leading Fortune 500 accounts. In her roles as an executive for MSLGROUP and Cohn & Wolfe (previously GCI Group), Jennifer led the agencies’ largest consumer accounts. A skilled collaborator, her ability to mobilize the right marketing mix translated to award-winning results including P&G’s Zest Body Wash’s double-digit sales growth, Schick Intuition’s position as the #1 selling women’s razor, and Unilever’s Slim-Fast brand’s revitalization.
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