BANU SURUEL
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
Umraniye
Summary
Experienced in Corporate Communications with a demonstrated history of working in several industries both in PR Agencies and Corporate side. Skilled in External Communications, Corporate Social Responsibility Projects, Crisis and Reputation Management, Event Management, and Media Relations. Passionate about learning new things, art, artist biographies, seeing new places and meeting people from all over the world.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
13
13
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Account Director
Effect BCW
Istanbul
10.2020 - Current
- Directly reports to Agency CEO responsibilities includes
- Built Strategic Communication plans for many reputable brands in several sectors such;
- Finance Sector – Halkbank - One of prominent banks of Turkey
- FM CG – McDonald’s Turkey
- Real Estate Investment – HalkGYO
- Chemistry - Kimpur
Corporate Communications – Manager
ERGO
Istanbul, 34
10.2018 - 10.2019
- Directly reporting to CEO responsibilities includes:
- CEO Communication Plan and Media Relations
- Business Partners’ Communication in coordination with Sales Team
- Executed Reputation and Crisis Management
- Managed PR Agency
- Improved operations through consistent hard work and dedication
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts
- Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork
- Actively listened to agents' requests, confirming full understanding before addressing concerns
- Collaborated with sales and marketing team members to achieve target results
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment
Communications and Events Unit Head
ERGO Turkey
Istanbul
11.2010 - 10.2018
- Directly reporting to CSMO (Chief Sales and Marketing Officer) responsibilities include:
- Determining and managing CEO & CSMO communications policy:
- Press Conferences, Round-tables,1:1 interview, Local Press Activities, Informal press gatherings, Product launches, Group announcements/statements/press releases
- Worked closely with Sales Team (Sales Director & Regional Managers) to determine:
- Business Partners’ Communication
- Events including Campaigns, loyalty programs
- ERGO Agents Meeting for 400 people 3 Nights 4 days (Top Management, Agents and Press Members)
- Tender process with 3rd parties
- Budget negotiations
- Incentive / Overseas trips for top Agents (All over Europe and North Africa)
- Marketing & Sales Teams events
- Sponsorship – Media Relations
International Project Coordinator
ERGO GROUP AG
Dusseldorf, Germany
07.2017 - 10.2017
- Visited ERGO Group HQ and stayed in DUSSELDORF for 3 months
- Assisted ERGO Group Communications Team to build up International Communications and Brand Team in headquarter
- Held Job interviews with potential candidates to be included in team.
- Discussed with several departments for media relations, venue and catering arrangements, speaker and attendee liaison and material distribution for meetings and events
- Entities’ needs and expectations learnt and presented to Group Communications Head
- Obtained great experience in Dusseldorf and also had the chance to visit and work with shareholder Munich RE Communications Team.
Account Supervisor
Ogilvy PR
Istanbul, Turkey
07.2007 - 11.2010
- Corporate relations and communication management of Intel, Invest in France Agency (IFA), Siemens House Appliances, ÇEVKO, Yapı Endüstri Merkezi (YEM)
- Planned yearly and monthly strategically communication plans
- Executed events/activities
- Reported monthly activities
- Created or increased awareness of brand on behalf of targeted audience
Brand Supervisor
Unite Communications
02.2006 - 05.2007
- Corporate relations and communication management of Intel, world’s leader silicon technology corporation
- Developed, implemented and evaluated the communication strategies & plans accurately
- Prepared project-based media coverage reports, monthly corporate media coverage reports, annual media coverage reports, all corporate editorial work and other presentations
- Developed and implemented launch & relaunch strategies
- Followed brand & marketing communications very closely
- Improved Intel Turkey’s relation with tech media and organized special events for IT press members named “Core Experts Platform”
- Organized several meetings and events for both Intel customers’ and media to show up Intel’s new technologies, innovations
- Worked under meeting demanding deadlines
- Budgeting operational and long-term plans
Brand Specialist
Herşey İletişim Hizmetleri
Istanbul, 34
02.2005 - 02.2006
- Responsibilities include:
- Worked for various sector magazines published by OMMEDYA
- Had significant role in sales of advertisements such as contacting agencies and maintaining customer relationships
- Prepared presentations for potential customer meetings
- Had responsibility of arranging reports
- Organized events in order to promote magazine in most respectable universities of Turkey
- Participated in fairs and conferences & represented the magazine for the name of the company.
Voluntary Worker
Habitat
İstanbul
03.1996 - 07.1996
- Participated in Youth Committee – Youth for Habitat and supervised meetings and special occasions
- Joined seminars about potential problems of housing
- Greeted visitors, answered questions and assisted with individual needs or requests
- Assisted with event coordination and on-site support
- Met with other volunteers and program leaders to discuss new services
- Helped program leaders with administrative support duties
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science and Public Administration
BILKENT UNIVERSITY
Ankara, 06 09.1999 - 06.2004
High School Diploma -
SAINT-BENOIT FRENCH HIGH SCHOOL
Istanbul, 34 01.1991 - 01.1999
Skills
Public Relations
Accomplishments
- Time Management– TMI -Emotional Intelligence – ERGO Academy -7 Habits – Franklin Covey - ERGO Academy-ERGO Turkey Cultural Change Team – Creating Company Values /Values’ launch and trainings - full process (1,5 year)
Additional Information
- , Driving License: B class driving license
Acting, swimming and reading
Performed theatre in college for 3 years and went to acting classes while working 1,5 year at Craft Atelier to learn Eric Morris technic which is about "being" not "performing". Emotions and souvenirs are important for being the role. Love to read classics and plays and the life of the artists. Started to swim at 2 years old not professionally but each summer after then.
Timeline
Account Director
Effect BCW
10.2020 - Current
Corporate Communications – Manager
ERGO
10.2018 - 10.2019
International Project Coordinator
ERGO GROUP AG
07.2017 - 10.2017
Communications and Events Unit Head
ERGO Turkey
11.2010 - 10.2018
Account Supervisor
Ogilvy PR
07.2007 - 11.2010
Brand Supervisor
Unite Communications
02.2006 - 05.2007
Brand Specialist
Herşey İletişim Hizmetleri
02.2005 - 02.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science and Public Administration
BILKENT UNIVERSITY
09.1999 - 06.2004
Voluntary Worker
Habitat
03.1996 - 07.1996
High School Diploma -
SAINT-BENOIT FRENCH HIGH SCHOOL
01.1991 - 01.1999