Melissa Saunders

Background

About Melissa Saunders

I'm a versatile, marketing professional with considerable skills and experience from a variety of sectors including financial services, emergency services, live events, food, music, automotive, motorsport, theatre and healthcare. I bring a strategic approach with an understanding of the bigger picture whilst remaining hands on with an eye for detail. I joined the Metropolitan Police Friendly Society in 2019, as Marketing Communications Manager, where I leapt into the world of personal finance, managing staff, stakeholders and resource to deliver highly targeted, promotional campaigns for personal finance products and achieving two record sales years in the 130+ year history. In this highly regulated environment, I have delivered a range of campaigns end to end; covering copywriting, design development, planning, segmentation, budgeting, stakeholder and agency management. A highlight of this role has been successfully bringing a product to market, working on associated collateral, customer journey and positioning. I have also project managed delivery of the Society’s annual statement communications and AGMs; achieving sector-leading engagement levels. In 2018, I rejoined trade association, British Marine, as Head of Marcomms where the role was dominated by the marketing demands of the Southampton International Boat Show. I planned, booked and implemented campaigns which included OOH, digital and print advertising. I rolled out new branding, developed a wealth of content and executed numerous third party promotions as well as shaping and overseeing email marketing, exhibitor promotions, PR and social media. I managed (and turned around) the title sponsor relationship, & worked with stakeholders including local government, feature partners, exhibitors, talent, media and Members. I also rationalised the ticketing model, managed the marketing team & box office teams and developed the crisis PR plan. For the membership element of the business, I assisted in the development of the environmental strategy, repositioned the member offer and developed a variety of Member support initiatives. Very much a team player, my career highlights include delivering the Southampton Boat Show 2018 attracting visitors, The London Classic Car Show and Historic Motorsport International launches, significantly growing pre-registrations/attendance at Foodex, delivering, working on The British International Motor Show to deliver visitors, marketing the inaugural Star Wars Celebration Europe visitors), British F1 Grand Prix campaign