Nicole
Lightbourne
Strategic Communications
Executive Driving Efficiencies for Global Brands & Teams
about Me
I’m Nicole Lightbourne, a seasoned Strategic Communications executive with a passion for optimizing operations and driving efficiencies for global brands and teams.
My expertise lies in developing and implementing impactful strategies that elevate organizational performance and deliver measurable results on an international scale. I take pride in fostering collaboration across diverse teams and aligning communications strategies with broader business objectives to achieve meaningful outcomes.
With a proven track record of leadership and innovation, I thrive on solving complex challenges and navigating the intricacies of global markets. My focus is always on driving transformation, ensuring that brands are positioned for success in an ever-evolving landscape.
Highlights
Driving Follower Growth & Engagement
Increased followers by 58% across global accounts while reducing spend by 15% and achieving a 40% increase in total engagements by aligning content with the company’s mission and brand strategy.
Global Monitoring & Insights
Monitored 30+ global accounts and tracked up to 75M mentions annually using online listening tools, delivering actionable insights.
Content Strategy that converts
Gained the most engagement value, managing $1.5M+ in ad spend resulting in 78% YoY increase in click-through rates + 27% YoY increase in impressions by developing and executing a unified paid and organic content strategy.
Overseeing Vendor Relations & Budgets
Oversaw vendor relationships and managed $2M+ in contracts across social media agencies, software providers, and contractors.
featured
projects
Marketing -
Data Analytics
Led the development of a metrics framework to measure internal and external marketing performance across various channels.
Established regular reports to educate stakeholders on marketing performance and campaign effectiveness.
Integrated
Communications
Led multi-discipline communications planning support of multi-billion-dollar portfolio.
Managed relationships with external vendors, agencies and media partners for earned and owned placements in Tier 1 media, tradeshows, press releases, sponsorships, paid media, web and social media to achieve marketing objectives.
Influencer
Outreach & Strategy
Identified and built relationships with key influencers to amplify brand reach and engagement.
Evolved content strategy from marketing-driven messages to fully integrated influencer campaigns.
Give Back Films
Engaged creators for fully produced “Give Back” segment shot at Habitat for Humanity AT&T Dallas Build to highlight partnership, value of Digital Life product and promoting giving back to the community. Engagement drove nearly 3K social posts and 17 million impressions, while raising money for the nonprofit.
Sam Eckholm
Engaged creator to tour Raytheon’s 1.7-million-square-foot facility
which produces advanced radars for the U.S. Navy. The engagement resulted in 306K+ YouTube views and more than 1M views across Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram, contributing to increased awareness, media embeds and a $1.2 billion dollar contract win.
Social
Media Governance
Established social media governance policies to ensure brand consistency and compliance across global social media teams.
Developed workflows for social media content creation and approval.
Strengthened Policy
Developed enterprise policies to centralize social media management, establish authority, and standardize vendor, agency, and social media influencer contracts.
Channel Consolidation
Developed and implemented channel consolidation strategy to reduce footprint by 60% to better support corporate and business priorities. The strategy translated every channel to clear ownership, strategic purpose and aligned dedicated resources.
Live -
Social Media
Managed live social media engagements, ensuring real-time content delivery while adhering to brand guidelines.
Live from the Paris Air Show
Extended social media presence from high-profile, international tradeshow with live videos on Instagram, showcasing company exhibits and partnering with PR to highlight media announcements. I fully-scripted, produced and partnered with videography to edit each video in real-time, resulting in 337K+ impressions and 27K engagements.
Facebook Live
As part of a recruitment campaign, identified engineering talent to tour high-tech company facilities and respond to live Q&A regarding working at Raytheon, earning recognition for Best Facebook Live Campaign by PRNews’ Social Media Awards.
Experiential -
Social Media
Created offline social media engagement initiatives that aligned with marketing campaigns.
Demonstrated ability to connect with target audiences and generate engagement.
Audience-Generated Mosaic
Partnered with Events to extend advertising campaign to exhibit floor. I visualized, concepted and secured vendor to bring the activation to life, resulting in 46K engagements on Instagram and in-person engagement with key decision makers, including the U.S. Secretary of the Army.
Walking with Warriors
After partnering with No Barriers for a few years, I presented the need to reinvigorate our largest donation base – employees. With that, I coordinated, scouted and secured a physical location, organized a planning committee and launched a new effort, “Walk with the Warriors,” engaging 100 local employees in a 5K walk, raising 32% more money YoY for the organization and earning recognition for Best Cause Advocacy Campaign by PR Daily.
WEB
Oversaw brand consistency across global websites, leading website migrations and content development on Drupal, Sitecore platforms to reflect evolving business goals and product offerings.
Digital -
Marketing Instruction
Designed and delivered comprehensive digital marketing certification program for Kansas State University, equipping students with practical skills in social media, PPC, SEO, and digital strategy.
Thought
Leadership
Developed and delivered presentations and co-hosted panels on brand advocacy, live streaming integration, effective brand storytelling, and optimal social media management.
Leadership
Development
Selected for prestigious leadership programs, demonstrating strong strategic capabilities and future leadership potential
Team
Leadership
Led cross-functional teams (web, marketing data analytics, social media, Brand & Advertising) with diverse skillsets, fostering collaboration and driving integrated marketing initiatives.
Strategically structured the teams for successful outcomes.
Awards &
Recognition
Best Cause Advocacy Campaign
Status: Winner
Best Facebook Live Campaign
Status: Finalist
Best Use of Twitter
Status: Winner
Best Influencer Communications Campaign
Status: Finalist
Contact
let's talk
Let's
Connect
I’m always open to discussing strategic communications, brand transformation, or new opportunities.