Gary Edgar

Current

• Communications Advisor at LAWPRO

Past

• Marketing and Communications Specialist at The Economical Insurance Group
• Communications Specialist at Manulife Financial

Education

• Niagara College

Connections

42 connections

Industry

Writing and Editing

Websites

• Gary Edgar

Gary Edgar’s Summary

I look for a challenge in everything I do. I aim to produce interesting and creative communications and develop projects with a "wow" factor.

I have extensive communications experience and a diverse background that includes media relations, strategic comms planning and newer trends in web communications.

I'm currently implementing a large-scale social media plan, introducing web 2.0 tools to new users.

Gary Edgar’s Specialties:

High level understanding of Social Media and Web 2.0,
Web Usability and Design,
Freelance consultation on web 2.0 and communication strategies
Written and verbal French,
Microsoft Office and Adobe software suites,
Strong understanding of both Mac and Windows based OS, intermediate HTML

Gary Edgar’s Experience

• Communications Advisor

  LAWPRO

  (Privately Held; Insurance industry)

  August 2007 — Present (2 years 5 months)

  • • Planning and implementing a company-wide Social Media strategy (internally and externally), integrating online tools and networks for employees and customers
  • executing a complete redesign of our internal website including an internal branding/awareness campaign
  • Counsel and advise senior management on new technology and opportunities
  • Consult on web usability, navigation and online content.
  • Compile reports on web metrics and measurement
  • Regularly handle media calls, submissions and press releases
  • Writing and developing LAWPRO magazine with a distribution of over 20,000
  • Manage junior communications staff
  • Liaison between staff committees and Senior Executives
  • Manage external vendors and creative staff on a regular basis

• Marketing and Communications Specialist

  The Economical Insurance Group

  (Privately Held; Insurance industry)

  January 2006 — August 2007 (1 year 8 months)

  • Developed comprehensive marketing & communication plans and strategies for nationwide distribution
  • Designed print media ads and developed national campaigns
  • Wrote and developed external newsletter
  • Developed and designed product brochures and posters
  • Assisted with web usability and design

• Communications Specialist

  Manulife Financial

  (Writing and Editing industry)

  2003 — 2006 (3 years )

  • Developed product launch strategies including researching communications & marketing avenues
  • Served as editor for 2 nationally distributed newsletters with a readership of nearly 30,000 readers
  • Handled all website related communications both internally and externally, organized advertising campaigns appearing in Benefits Canada Magazine
  • Created numerous brochures, pamphlets and instructional guides geared towards clients
  • Wrote and approved confidential integration and merger related materials
  • Wrote Intranet postings and articles
  • Simultaneously ran numerous projects on a regular

Gary Edgar’s Education

• Niagara College

  Journalism 2000 — 2002

Additional Information

Gary Edgar’s Websites:

• Gary Edgar

Gary Edgar’s Interests:

Social Media, Web 2.0, Writing, Communications, Technology, PR, Marketing

Gary Edgar’s Groups:

IABC

•    International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
•    Social Media Marketing
•    Insurance & Financial Communicators Association

Gary Edgar’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• consulting offers
• job inquiries
• expertise requests
• business deals
• reference requests
• getting back in touch